5" Backset Door Latch? Try This Little Known Option

You get a call to replace a broken lock. As you start walking towards the door, you realize something is different. It's one of those long five inches backsets. The problem with the five-inch backset or even the three and three-quarter-inch is that it's not familiar enough to be adequately prepared to deal with, but they're around sufficient. Every time you encounter one, you're like, 'Oh my gosh, I wish I had more stock.

ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION

The alternative solution is not going to be a panacea. It's not going to work for every application you have. However, it will allow you to deal with these types of situations without having to stock a ton of different latches with different colors, dead latches, and spring latches.

If you compare the Kwikset tubular latch to the standard two and three-quarter-inch backset cylindrical latch, you'll see an apparent significant distance between the two. The solution I want to present is based on a cylindrical style latch, commonly found on Grade 1 and Grade 2 locks, so it will be quite a bit different.

However, what you can do is stock these two different extensions. Extensions to get you a three and three-quarter-inch latch and five-inch backset.

The benefit of using these extensions is twofold.

• You probably already stock Grade 1 or Grade 2, maybe both hardware, so you already have the hardware present, and the extensions aren't functioning specifically. You don't need to have an extension for a dead latch and an extension for a spring latch; one extension will fit all of them.
• The other beauty is that the universal design found on the imported locks today is very similar. And I've seen these extensions work in many different manufacturers' locks that use the Schlage type design on the cylindrical latches.

CONVERTING THE TWO AND THREE-QUARTER LATCH TO A FIVE-INCH BACK SET USING AN EXTENSION

Flip them around, attach each end and slide them together. You can pull the latch to see if it works. Pretty simple.

The best part is that you can stock these extensions. They're very inexpensive; check the link. Now, you can utilize your existing stock. Secondly, if you don't have a good selection of the five-inch latch back sets you want to stock, carry them around in your van and offer the customer an immediate solution.

Like I said at the beginning, this isn't a panacea. It's not going to fit on every application, meaning the hardware you're going to put on may not be in the right price point, or maybe it doesn't match all the other hardware to make it work. Nothing in this life is a panacea; however, I believe it's a good solution that you should be aware of and use as you see fit. I'd love to know your thoughts if you already utilize these extensions or is this news to you. Thank you, and we'll see you next time.