What is the difference between passage, privacy, and dummy door hardware?

Passage hardware (also called hall/closet) has no lock — the knob or lever turns from both sides, latching the door in the frame. Used for hallways, closets, and any door that does not need privacy. Privacy hardware has a push-button or turn-button lock on one side (the inside) and an emergency release on the outside — used for bathrooms and bedrooms. Dummy hardware is a fixed knob or lever that does not turn and has no latch — it is purely decorative, used on fixed panels, closet doors that swing open without a latch, or the non-active door of a double door set.

Should I choose door knobs or levers for my Calgary home?

Levers are recommended over knobs for accessibility — a lever can be operated with a closed fist or elbow, which is particularly useful when carrying items or for users with limited hand strength. Alberta's accessibility guidelines favour lever handles in newly built homes. Knobs remain popular in older Calgary homes for a traditional aesthetic. For new hardware purchases in a Calgary home, lever handles are the more practical long-term choice and are increasingly expected in listings. Both formats use the same door prep (2-1/8 inch cross-bore hole, 1 inch edge bore) — replacement is direct.

What is door backset and how do I measure it for new hardware in Calgary?

Backset is the distance from the edge of the door to the centre of the bore hole (where the knob or lever spindle passes through). Two standard backsets exist in Canadian residential construction: 2-3/8 inch (60mm) — more common in older Calgary homes and standard in most residential door slabs; and 2-3/4 inch (70mm) — common in newer Calgary homes built after approximately 2000. Measure the distance from the door edge to the centre of the existing hardware to determine which backset you need. Most hardware packages include both backset lengths in the adjustable latch mechanism.

How much does interior door hardware replacement cost in Calgary?

Interior door hardware replacement (remove old hardware, install customer-supplied new hardware, adjust strike plate): from $35 per door (minimum call applies). Full home hardware replacement (10 to 15 interior doors, same style throughout, customer-supplied hardware): from $245. Matching existing hardware style when replacing 1 to 2 doors: bring an old piece or product number to any big-box hardware store — most common styles are stocked at Calgary Home Depot and Lowe's. Passage hardware sets cost $20 to $65; privacy hardware sets cost $25 to $85; lever sets typically cost $10 to $30 more than equivalent knob sets.

Why do some Calgary homes have doors without latches?

Pocket doors, barn doors, and closet bi-fold doors typically do not have latching knob or lever hardware — they use pulls (flat plates with a finger hold) or flush pulls instead. French doors with fixed panel commonly have a dummy knob or lever on the fixed panel matched to the active door hardware. In older Calgary homes (pre-1980s), some interior doors were installed with friction-fit door stops (a small rubber bumper that holds the door in the frame) rather than a latch — these are being replaced with standard latch hardware as they age.

Interior Door Hardware Calgary

Function types: which door gets which hardware

Function	How it works	Where used
Passage (hall/closet)	Turns both sides; latches but no lock	Hallways, closets, laundry rooms, office
Privacy	Pushbutton inside lock; emergency release outside	Bathrooms, bedrooms
Dummy	Fixed — does not turn; no latch	Fixed closet panels, French door non-active side
Keyed entry (interior)	Keyed on both sides or one side	Rare inside a home — interior suite doors

The most common purchasing error: buying passage hardware for a bathroom door. The result is a bathroom door that cannot be locked. Buy privacy hardware for all bathroom and bedroom doors; passage for everything else.

Measuring backset: the critical step before buying

Backset is the distance from the edge of the door to the centre of the knob/lever bore hole. Two sizes exist:

2-3/8 inch (60mm) — standard in most Calgary homes built before 2000; common in all rental and older stock
2-3/4 inch (70mm) — common in newer Calgary construction and in some door slab manufacturers' standard sizes

Measure from the edge of the door (not the door frame) to the centre of the existing bolt or knob. Most replacement latch mechanisms sold in Canada include both backset lengths in the package with an adjustable clip — but double-check the package before buying if you have an unusual door.

Hardware finishes in Calgary homes

Finish	Durability	Notes
Satin nickel	High	Most popular in Calgary — matches white trim and grey/greige walls
Matte black	High (when solid)	Very popular 2022–2026; check weight — cheap sets show wear on black finish
Polished brass	Medium	Classic; common in 1990s Calgary builds; showing age in many homes
Oil-rubbed bronze	Medium	Warm tone; living finish changes over time
Polished chrome	High	Bright — more common in bathrooms than hall sets in Calgary

Buying strategy for a whole-home hardware replacement in Calgary

For a whole-home interior hardware update, buy all hardware in one purchase from the same collection to ensure the finish is consistent across all doors. Mix-buying from different manufacturers or lots (even within the same finish name) can result in visible finish variation — satin nickel varies noticeably between Schlage, Kwikset, and generic brands.

Count your doors before buying: most Calgary homes have 10 to 16 interior doors. Calculate:

Number of passage doors (hallways, closets, laundry)
Number of privacy doors (bathrooms, bedrooms)
Number of dummy applications (fixed panels)

Buy at least one extra of each function type in case of miscounting or a latch issue on install.

Interior door hardware pricing in Calgary

Scope	Starting price
Single door hardware replacement (customer-supplied)	From $35
Whole-home hardware replacement (10–15 doors, customer-supplied)	From $245
Whole-home hardware replacement (hardware supply included, satin nickel)	From $595
Strike plate adjustment (existing hardware stays)	From $35/door
Deadbolt + lever set exterior replacement (customer-supplied)	From $75

Interior door hardware replacement in Calgary

Tell us how many doors and what finish you are going with — we advise on quantities and function types before the order, and install in one visit.

View interior door service →Door hardware for rental unit turnovers →Pre-listing door hardware upgrade →Request a door hardware quote

Steve serves all Calgary areas