Doors that lock from inside only

[Frank Reilly]

I bought an old house and am turning it into a Bed & Breakfast. Some rooms have locks that operate on the inside only, with no apparent emergency features for unlocking from the outside.

The handles are very attractive and I don't want to change them.(it's an architect-designed, custom built, art deco house that I want to preserve). My fear is that someone will lock the door on the way out leaving no non-destructive way to get in.

I find it hard to believe that there is no emergency unlocking from the outside. I locked the door (leaving it open, of course) and removed the handle on the outside, but was still unable to unlock the door.

Anybody got any suggestions?

[Chucklz]

Without pictures, there is very little that can be done for you.

[thertel]

Since they are interior doors you could go with a underdoor kit. This will more then likely do the trick since the handles are hopefully lever style handles and if you are remodeling it even slightly to make it into a B&B you will more then like be required to replace the handles with lever stlye handles if they arent already. More pictures would however be nice as I have a fascinatio with art-deco metal work, plus it would allow us to come up with more ideas on how to open them if they aren't lever handles.

Thomas

[SFGOON]

You mentioned that this was a old house, and that the door handles are original. I find it hard to believe that for the past sixty or so years, not one single person has locked a room on the way out and nececitated taking an axe to the doorframe. Try this - from the inside of the room open the door then lock it. Then (staying inside the room, of course,) shut the door. Did the door come unlocked? Many indoor locks (for bathrooms, etc.) have this feature. Also, if the doors open out into the hallway, just grap a coathanger, hook the latch with it and pull, the door should fly open. Wrap the coathanger with one layer of duct tape if you don't want it to scratch the woodwork, which in your case sounds like it may be very nice.

[Frank Reilly]

Well thank you for your help. What a smart way to solve the problem. I feel like an idiot not thinking to try something like that. You are 100 percent correct. I closed the locked door from the inside and guess what: the lock button popped out just like you said it would.

If you are ever in Toronto, email me at CarnegieHall@rogers.com and have a visit on the house. It is certainly worth it for all the anxiety you have saved me.

Frank Reilly

[SFGOON]

I'm always more than happy to assist, that's what this forum's for.