Low-profile doorknob?

February 5, 2013 1:36 PM

I need a low-profile (sub-2" on the inner side) entry doorknob. Can you recommend one?

I recently bought an electronic deadbolt for my entry door, but due to the shallow clearance between the deadbolt and the outer security door, there's not enough room for a doorknob on the outer door. Right now I have two standard deadbolts on the outer door, but this isn't a great solution -- I have an indoor cat, so I need the door to stay shut when pulled closed.

Any suggestions for a low-profile (short & flat -- I doubt lever-style will work as there's not much room beside the door, either) entry doorknob which fits a standard US doorknob-hole? Whether the knob locks from one or both sides is not vital, but would be nice. Something around $50 would be good.

posted by vorfeed to Home & Garden (8 answers total)

Response by poster: Note: the only thing I've found is this design from Baser, but I'd rather not buy from a company with their mission statement. Any alternatives?
posted by vorfeed at 1:41 PM on February 5, 2013

Best answer: How about this one. It's ~$25 more than you want, but... it's an option.
posted by brainmouse at 1:44 PM on February 5, 2013

I think the search terms you want are "thumb turn" and "spring latch". It's the kind of lock the front gate on my apartment building has, and I think it would do you nicely.
posted by phunniemee at 2:24 PM on February 5, 2013

Response by poster: I think the search terms you want are "thumb turn" and "spring latch". It's the kind of lock the front gate on my apartment building has, and I think it would do you nicely.

hmm... this looks good, but it seems like all I'm finding are doorknobs for french doors and/or Euro-style doors? It's this kind of steel security door, so the knob needs to be a drop-in replacement for a bog-standard US doorknob -- it can't accommodate different hardware.

brainmouse's suggestion would work, so I'll go with that if nothing better pops up... thanks, guys, please keep 'em coming!
posted by vorfeed at 3:13 PM on February 5, 2013

On googling, it seems like my apartment gate has some version of this. The one I've got is definitely standard size.
posted by phunniemee at 3:24 PM on February 5, 2013

Response by poster: Ah, I see! That would be perfect if it had a latch on the other side, too -- this door has to open from both sides.
posted by vorfeed at 3:29 PM on February 5, 2013

Best answer: I had a weird doorknob dilemma like yours and my local locksmith was able to find a good solution. Might be worth have someone professional suggest a solution for you to hopefully save you some time.
posted by dottiechang at 8:11 PM on February 5, 2013

Response by poster: Thanks, guys! I ended up ordering the doorknob brainmouse suggested, and it works a treat. No more pulling the door closed with one hand while I turn the deadbolt with the other!

I liked dottiechang's idea too, but given my weird schedule it was easier just to order something online.
posted by vorfeed at 1:01 PM on March 9, 2013