Excel DH2296 76mm Privacy SmartLatch Tubular Latch, Antique Brass

These are about 3 times the price as standard latches so having 17 doors to do I bought 1off to try... Wow! they look so smart and are so easy to fit.... no chiselling!, just drill one 25mm hole in the end of the door and one though the face for the handle "bar". I ended up buying a shed load and fitted them to every door, I did a mix of solid oak and softwood panelled doors and must admit they fitted better in the oak as I ripped the softwood a bit with the drill bit.... worth every penny and you only do them once! The dark bit on the pic is just shadow.

Amazing quality latch this. WAY better than the usual cheap knock-offs one usually has to put up with as 'standard'. They are well lubricated, have a 'double' pawl 'pulling' surface, which I would have thought the sales blurb should include to mark these out from ordinary tubular latches. A really well made, solid, weighty latch. I just wish there was a conventional rectangular version of this mech available to replace standard (ordinary) tubular latches, as I'd happily pay the extra couple of pounds for something that's going to last! This is the first time I've tried these, and in future I will use them whenever I have to install a tubular latch.Although the screws aren't top quality (they never seem to be, when supplied with door fixtures for some reason - we're only talking pence extra to include, so heaven't knows why they don't supply properly decent screws to match the quality of these latches) the strike plate is actually really well made too. Stainless steel, to boot, and comes with a plastic backing for the rectangular one (there are 2 supplied - the other a round one for which you'll need a 32mm drill bit, if you have the space in the door jamb) so as to neatly cover up the wood you had to hack out to fit it, so it looks really neat.I also really liked the gentle 'radius' of the metal tongue that inserts into the hollow, as it means the edge of the catch gently springs into it as you close the door, and it will reduce the chance of damage to the extreme edge of the spring latch bolt itself, should the door be pulled/pushed before the handle is depressed.The only slight negative is there being no screws around the front edge, on the flush face of the tubular latch, to hold it in place. even though I drilled with the required 25mm drill bit, it wasn't a tight enough fit to hold it in place when inserted. If there was a slight taper on it, it would help, or that it be slightly larger in diameter so as to fit tightly. It therefore relies on the square 'spindle' between the door handles to hold it in place. It ought not be a problem, but just seem a little disconcerting.However, having said that, all in all a VERY impressive tubular latch and strike plate kit. Look no further than this quality item.

I got this (in a bit of a rush) for our new WC door. I already had door handles and a latch installed, and a smaller privacy bolt twist latch. I was just short of the privacy bolt. This isn't the item I needed, but I inspected it anyway and worked out what it actually was. It wouldn't work for my needs for a number of reasons, none of which are the product's fault, but mine for misunderstanding the product.This smart latch is one of those which you use for a combination door knob with lock. It will work with those which have a button in the centre of the door knob to lock the door, or with a small button somewhere on them, or with a twist key in the centre. The smart latch will allow the door to be opened from the inside in any circumstances, and the outside while unlocked. There is no separate bolt for the lock with this latch.If I had understood the products available at the time I purchased the handles I would have probably gone with this option then. I will keep hold of it until I am putting in our en-suite and use it then instead. Seems a decent product.

While looking for a better quality tubular latch for my oak internal door this design caught my eye. The completely round design means you don't need to cut a faceplate and just drill a 25mm hole and push it in. The quality of the mechanism is good with good return springs and smooth action and feels very well made unlike the cheap pressed tin cheapo 50p Chinese rip offs. Only down side for me was it's not rose handle bolt through compatible, however there is a small hole for a privacy lock that I took a gamble on and oversize drilled it to accommodate the bolts and it didn't affect the lock at all. All fitted now and works perfectly and smoothly and the round latch looks good on the door edge. Will buy these next time I change a door.

Ideal replacement. Easy to fit. Thank you