I just installed a new Schlage lockset and noticed that when opening the door from the inside, it automatically unlocks itself. This is super annoying, as I have to reach back around and lock the door a second time as I am leaving. Surely this isn't normal?

 

How many cups of coffee have you had today?

 

I don't drink cofffee, but I smoke crack . Why do you ask?

 

From what I've read, Schlage made this change as a feature so people don't lock themselves out of their homes. Ridiculous if you ask me. It causes me to leave my door unlocked when I leave for the day. Hopefully there is a way to disable this feature. No wonder my door was unlocked the past two mornings when I was on my way out the door. I thought I had forgotten to lock it, but the stupid thing is unlocking itself

 

That explains a lot. There are lots of keyed entry locks that are that way.

 

This is the first I've come across. I don't particularly like it, but I'll try to get used to it.

 

I like the way it is better than staying locked when I open it from the inside. Can't ever lock yourself out that way. I like the ones you can't open from the inside w/o manually unlocking first best of all.

 

I've locked myself out maybe three times in my entire life, and it has never been because I thought the door was unlocked. It has always been because I thought I had my keys. I'm willing to bet more people now forget to lock their doors than get locked out. This is why you hide a key outside or at leave one with a neighbor.

 

Our county/city years ago added a requirement that all exterior door must be able to open when the knob is turned, even when the door is locked. The knobs don't unlock when opening but from the inside the knob will turn and open the door when locked. They stated it was a safety feature so children and mentally challenged adults can escape in case of fire. Having the door unlock when the knob is turned is a new one on me.

 

Exactly how my other knobs work and this is what I am used to.

Yep, super annoying. Wish there was a way to disengage this functionality.

 

Hi, With the keys in your pocket go outside hold the door open set the lock on the inside door knob and close the door. Did it stay locked?
Woodbutcher.

 

I installed a new Schlage lever set last week, it works exactly as mossman describes. The previous knob-style lock worked the way that mossman described his previous lock. Since I also have a deadbolt on this door it is no big deal to use the key to lock both the deadbolt and the lever. I DO like the feature of not being able to lock myself out without a conscious act.

That stated, mossman CAN get a lockset that has the outside knob (or lever) permanently locked and only able to enter using a key. It is called a storeroom lockset and while maybe not available from a mega-mart homecenter they are readily available from locksmiths and over the Internet. There is also a model called a classroom lockset that has the same action.