What is the difference between a passage, privacy, and dummy function on a door handle?
M&T MINIMAL 2.0 is a modern European design door lever handle with an innovative privacy lock integrated into the neck of the door handle.
Passage set
Passage locks (passage locksets or knobsets) are used where doors do not need to lock, such as pantry, closet, and laundry room doors.
Passage locks are usually used on single-swing doors or on double doors with an active/passive configuration, where one door is secured with a flush bolt.
The passage lock on a double door means that the active door leaf has the lockset (mortise lock), and the passive door leaf has a striker — either an old school lip strike when used with door knobs, or a modern recessed magnetic striker when used with AGB or Bonaiti magnetic locks.
Privacy set
A privacy lock is commonly used on interior doors, such as bedroom, bathroom, and powder room doors.
Privacy locking is achieved either by a locking mechanism in the door handle or door knob itself, or by a standalone bottom privacy thumbturn element (also called "WC lock").
Modern door handles, such as Griffwerk Lucia Piatta Smart2Lock or M&T MINIMAL 2.0, have the privacy lock integrated into the door lever's neck, providing the same visual appearance as passage locks.
Privacy locks come with an emergency unlock, allowing you to unlock a privacy door from the exterior with everyday household items. You can unlock a privacy lock with a coin, a screwdriver, or a paper clip.
Specialty privacy locks, such as the No-Ha invisible lock, can be unlocked by sliding a thin sheet of paper between the door and the door frame, releasing the latch bolt.
Dummy handle
A dummy handle has no locking function. A standard dummy handle has the turning function removed, meaning you won't be able to rotate the door knob or turn the door handle.
A single dummy is a door handle/knob that is present only on one side (the exterior) of the door. A double dummy is a dummy that is present on both sides.
Typically, a dummy door handle (door knob) is installed on closet doors (either a single outswing door or a double outswing door).
Dummy door handles are either surface-mounted or, depending on the model, come with a blank plate (escutcheon) for the interior side of the door to hide the screws.
Dummy door handles are typically installed on doors that are not pre-bored for handles.
A double door with dummy handles will usually have concealed magnetic latches (or an old-school latch-ball catch) in each door panel to keep the door shut.
