Toilet locks

Knob or modular version: bathroom door lock with locking device

This section features toilet locks with hardware visible on the door, such as a plate or rosette and a locking device. The most common type is a knob, either round or oblong. You turn it with your fingers from the bathroom side. The knob locks the door without a key, so you won't be cut off by losing it on the other side of the door leaf. Next to knobs, you'll find modular versions, where you select the components separately and assemble a complete set for your door. Door handles and knobs are outside this category, you'll find them in the door handles section. If you're looking for toilet locks for a standard interior door leaf, you've come to the right place. Some sets also have a free or occupied indicator, readable from the hallway, which makes sense in a toilet used by many people.

Scandinavian or European Standard in Bathroom Locks

This is the first decision when purchasing, and it's already evident in the product names. On the door leaf, both standards look almost the same, and that's where the whole catch lies. They differ in installation dimensions, so a toilet door lock bought by chance might not fit the holes you've already drilled in the door leaf. Check what's currently hanging in the door. Or measure the hole left by the old mechanism before choosing a new set. The second thing is the door leaf thickness: bathroom locks in this section support doors between 35 and 58 mm, most often ranging from 37 to 44 mm or 37 to 58 mm. If you want a bathroom door lock with a keyless lock, look for the version with a knob.

How to measure the spacing before replacing a bathroom lock

The spacing of a bathroom lock is measured from the center to the center of the two holes in the door leaf, never from the edge of the lock plate. Measure it with a caliper or ruler on the old set before unscrewing it, or after removing the lock plate, directly on the holes themselves. Three values return in this category: 27, 38, and 41.5 mm, and some models fit all three at once. A universal model, which fits three spacings simultaneously, is a safer choice when you're unsure about your door leaf. The second dimension to check is the width of the escutcheon, ranging from 49 to 57 mm. With a narrow rebate, this millimeter can make all the difference. The length of the escutcheon ranges from 51 to 57 mm, and the distance from the door surface ranges from 2 to 37 mm: flat rosettes barely protrude, and taller knobs are easier to grip. Separate rosettes and escutcheons without mechanisms are available in the door escutcheons category.

What material and color should you choose for your toilet lock?

Most sets are made of aluminum, which provides a lightweight set with a smooth surface. You'll also find brass and steel, as well as metals without any specified grade. Brass is heavier in the hand and easier to match with a faucet in the same warm shade. Silver leads the color palette, followed by gold and black, and browns, including antique and burnt brown, and copper, form a separate group. Match the lock color to the door handle and faucets already hanging in the room, as two similar but different shades of metal can be seen from across the bathroom. Silver looks most harmonious with a white shower enclosure. Black provides a distinct contrast. Hard water deposits are most visible on the plate and knob, so wipe them with a damp cloth and dry them. Powders and scouring pads strip the finish.

Toilet locks for offices, restaurants, and clinics

The same products address two different needs. At home, appearance and compatibility with other fittings are important, so you match the toilet lock to the door handle color and buy one. In offices, restaurants, or clinics, toilet locks are ordered in batches and are determined by the consistency of dimensions and the resistance of the surface to daily cleaning. When ordering an entire floor, maintain a single installation standard and finish, because then replacing a single piece over the years has a chance of matching the rest. When ordering a lock for a public restroom, check that all doors have the same standard, as they can vary in older buildings. A sanitary cubicle is a different story: a thin panel requires a mechanism with a declared maximum door thickness, so choose a toilet cubicle lock based on this parameter in the model description. To prevent the door leaf from banging against the wall, it's worth adding door stoppers. You can find the rest of the hardware in the door accessories section.