Hardware 101

Privacy, Passage or Dummy: Door Functions Explained

Passage, privacy, dummy or keyed entry. Before a handle is a style decision it is a function decision, and the backset matters more than anything.

Bradford Hardware2 min read

Key takeaways

Passage latches but never locks
Privacy locks, with an outside release
Dummy is fixed, with no latch
Measure the backset first

Before a handle is a style decision, it is a function decision. Four terms cover almost every door in a house.

Passage

Latches but does not lock. Hallways, closets, kids rooms.

Hardware arranged by function as well as finish, so you can feel the difference between a passage and a privacy set.

Privacy

Locks from the inside with an emergency release outside. Bedrooms and bathrooms.

Dummy

No latch at all. A pull that is fixed in place, used on double doors and reach-in closets.

Keyed entry

Exterior doors. Worth spending on, because it is also weather hardware.

Measure the backset

The distance from the door edge to the centre of the bore. Get it wrong and nothing else matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a backset and why does it matter?

It is the distance from the edge of the door to the centre of the bore hole, usually 60mm or 70mm. Order the wrong one and the handle will not fit the prepared door.

Do I need privacy hardware on a bedroom door?

Most people prefer it. Privacy sets lock from inside and release from outside with a small tool or coin, which matters for a child locked in by accident.

Where do dummy handles actually get used?

Double doors, reach-in closets, and any door held shut by a roller catch or magnet rather than a latch.

Can I change function later without a new door?

Usually yes, within the same brand and backset. Moving between passage and privacy is often just a different interior mechanism.

Hardware 101