Home locks
Face bore and edge bore: two openings with different jobs
The face bore is the opening through the broad faces of the door for the lock assembly. The edge bore is the opening from the edge for the latch or bolt. Both affect installation, and a compatible-looking handle does not establish that every opening matches. Compare the complete preparation drawing with the existing door before drilling, enlarging holes or purchasing parts.
Picture the door from two directions
The broad face of a door and its narrow edge carry different parts of a bored lock installation. The face opening accommodates the relevant lock assembly, while the edge opening accommodates the latch or bolt arrangement. Both must suit the selected product. A handle can cover an existing face opening attractively while the edge preparation remains wrong for the mechanism being installed.
Use the manufacturer's preparation drawing
Identify the exact product before comparing hole sizes and locations. The drawing tells you which dimensions belong to the face, which belong to the edge and how they relate. Do not substitute a generic diagram merely because the finished hardware looks similar. The useful check is whether the actual door meets the intended product's requirements, including any specified preparation details beyond the two visible openings.
Distinguish size from position
A correctly sized hole in the wrong place can still prevent proper assembly. Record both the relevant opening dimensions and their location using the product's reference points. If a previous installation enlarged or shifted an opening, mention that history and photograph what is visible. Do not assume a larger decorative rose resolves the underlying position problem simply because it conceals the edge of the old hole.
Know when preparation becomes a separate project
An installer may find that the door needs approved repair or different hardware rather than a straightforward swap. Ask what changes are proposed and whether the door material and condition support them. Drilling first and selecting a product afterward reverses the useful sequence. For a door with special labeling or shared-building requirements, the responsible qualified parties should review modifications before work changes the assembly.
Keep a reusable fit record
Store the product identification and preparation information with the door's maintenance record. If you later change a finish or operating style, that record makes it easier to assess the next product without starting from the appearance of the current trim. Schlage's official support resources are an appropriate place to locate Schlage product instructions. The goal is a correctly supported mechanism inside the door, not merely a neat-looking exterior.
Before you call
- Record opening size and opening position as separate details.
- Use the exact product drawing before changing door preparation.
- Assess previously enlarged or damaged openings before a hardware swap.
Follow-up questions
Can the face bore be correct while the latch still does not fit?
Yes. The edge preparation and the relationship between openings remain separate fit questions. Compare the complete product drawing rather than checking only the visible handle opening.
Should a previous oversized hole be ignored if the new trim covers it?
No. The underlying support and permitted installation need assessment. Coverage can improve appearance without correcting the structural or positioning problem beneath the trim.
Official reference
Schlage: product support and FAQs ↗
Official product support. Identify your exact hardware before following installation or troubleshooting instructions.
Published by AID Locksmith, owned by Allan, serving Greater Sacramento. General service checklists are editorial guidance; product instructions apply to the named model.