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I need to add a privacy latch on this side of this interior door. (Photo #1)

I looked through an extensive set of latches at a local hardware store and none of them had the right strike plate or receiver for this situation Except for a sliding barrel bolt, which I don't want because they tend to slide when not wanted and will eventually bash into the door frame.

Nearby (Photo #2) I used a barrel bolt but there I embedded the receiver behind new trim, not an option for the door in photo #1.

What is a workable latch for this type of situation, something that stays out of the way when not needed?

right angle door latch

enter image description here

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  • Please strongly consider the safety concerns noted in Ecnerwal's answer. That said, the barrel bolt will work without its associated loop - just drill a hole directly into the trim. Yes, it will wear somewhat over time, but that may be the price you pay.
    – FreeMan
    Oct 23, 2020 at 15:56
  • Drilling a hole in the trim will leave only about 1/8" of wood to secure against pulling. I could put the barrel bolt on a block of wood to increase that distance. This door leads to an egress dead end, so there is not a safety issue at play.
    – Bryce
    Oct 26, 2020 at 18:11
  • You noted in the comments on answers that this is a theoretical question, not one for the door pictured. That would have been very good info to have included in your original question as that may have changed answers.
    – FreeMan
    Oct 26, 2020 at 21:15

2 Answers 2

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Possibly a sliding vertical bolt, as more typically seen on the "non-knob side" of double doors?

Or hang the key to that deadbolt on the doorframe, since it's already there - change to a double-cylinder if it's not an egress path and the other side is a latch, or turn it around and don't need the key on this side. Or post a notice that it's not to be opened if closed unless there's an emergency... depends on the level of "privacy" required.

Presumably finding the key for the doorknob lock is a lost hope.

Life-safety-wise, consider that there are reasons (occupant passed out or otherwise unable to open from inside) that interior "privacy locks" (typical of bathroom/bedroom doors) have a means to be bypassed in an emergency, and that anything which blocks/locks an egress path is a bad idea!

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  • This is not an egress path, as anyone going through this door is trapped in a room that has no egress. Finding the key to the mortise lock is an option. But the question was meant as a generic: what kind of latch can work? ---------------- The existing deadbolt is not what you think either, on the other side it's a surface lock. The same receiver issue applies.
    – Bryce
    Oct 26, 2020 at 18:12
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Your door already has a deadbolt. They have the same form factor as a door knob. Just buy a “privacy” (bathroom) door knob set and replace the deadbolt with that.

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  • That's a 1925 mortise lock, not as straightforward to replace. Besides, I asked the question as a generic, not just for this particular door.
    – Bryce
    Oct 26, 2020 at 18:10
  • @Bryce I'm talking about the deadbolt above the mortice lock. "as a generic", "I need to add a privacy latch on this side of this interior door"* pictures follow.
    – Harper - Reinstate Monica
    Oct 26, 2020 at 22:08

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