When selecting an exterior door, there are a lot of decisions that go beyond the door itself. One of the details homeowners may not think about is the locking hardware.
For standard exterior doors, you will typically encounter one of two configurations: tubular (double-bore) hardware or a multipoint locking system.
At Homes by Hendriks, we pay close attention to this distinction because the size and weight of an exterior door can have a significant impact on how it performs over time. As a general standard, we specify multipoint locking hardware on exterior doors over 7’0″ tall.
Here’s why.
What Is Tubular or Double-Bore Hardware?
Tubular hardware is the traditional locking arrangement found on many residential exterior doors.
The term “double-bore” refers to the two separate holes machined through the door: one for the handle or lever and one for the deadbolt. The deadbolt provides the primary locking point, engaging the strike plate in the door frame.
It is a simple, proven system that works very well for standard-size doors.
The advantages of tubular hardware include:
- Simple and familiar operation
- A wide selection of handles, levers and deadbolts
- Straightforward installation and servicing
- Generally more economical than multipoint hardware
- Easy compatibility with many electronic and smart-lock products
For a typical 6’8″ or 7’0″ exterior door, a quality tubular lockset and deadbolt can be an excellent choice.
The limitation is that the door is primarily secured at one location — around the centre of the door.
What Is a Multipoint Lock?
A multipoint locking system works differently.
Instead of relying on a single deadbolt, the locking mechanism runs vertically inside the edge of the door and engages the frame at multiple points. Depending on the system, this can include locking points near the top and bottom of the door in addition to the central latch/bolt.
The result is a door that is secured against the frame at several locations rather than just one.
This provides two important benefits: security and door stability.
With a single-point tubular lock, the top and bottom portions of a tall door are not being pulled tightly into the frame by the lock. A multipoint system distributes that pressure along the height of the door, helping the door remain tighter to the frame.
That can be particularly important as doors become larger, heavier and taller.
Why Does Door Height Matter?
A 6’8″ exterior door and an 8’0″ exterior door may look similar, but they don’t behave exactly the same way.
As a door gets taller, there is more material, more weight and more surface area. The door can also experience greater movement from everyday use, temperature changes and wind pressure.
With a traditional tubular lock, the locking force is concentrated around the middle of the door.
A multipoint system distributes the locking points vertically, helping keep the entire door engaged with the frame.
This is one of the reasons multipoint systems are commonly recommended for larger and taller exterior doors.
Our Standard: Exterior Doors Over 7’0″
At Homes by Hendriks, we specify multipoint locking hardware for exterior doors over 7’0″ tall.
This is a company standard intended to help ensure that larger exterior doors perform properly over the long term.
For doors at or below 7’0″, tubular/double-bore hardware may be appropriate depending on the door design, weight, configuration and overall application.
For doors over 7’0″, we move to multipoint hardware because we want the locking system to provide additional engagement along the height of the door — not simply a single locking point in the centre.
In other words, the taller the door, the more important it becomes to consider the door as a complete system rather than simply selecting a handle and deadbolt.
Tubular vs. Multipoint: At a Glance
| Tubular / Double-Bore | Multipoint | |
|---|---|---|
| Locking points | Primarily one central deadbolt | Multiple points along the door |
| Typical application | Standard-size exterior doors | Larger and taller exterior doors |
| Door stability | Good for standard doors | Better distributed engagement |
| Security | Good | Enhanced |
| Hardware selection | Very broad | More specific |
| Installation | Simpler | More involved |
| Cost | Generally lower | Generally higher |
| Homes by Hendriks standard | Up to 7’0″, where appropriate | Over 7’0″ |
Is Multipoint Always Better?
Not necessarily.
For a standard-size exterior door, a quality tubular lockset can provide excellent performance without the additional complexity and cost of a multipoint system.
The goal isn’t to put multipoint hardware on every door. It’s to select the hardware that is appropriate for the size, weight and design of the door.
As doors get taller and larger, the additional locking points become increasingly valuable.
What Does This Mean When Designing Your Home?
If you’re considering an oversized front door, a large rear entry door or an 8-foot-tall exterior door, it’s important to consider the hardware at the same time as the door.
The door, frame, hinges, weatherstripping and locking system all work together. Choosing the appropriate locking system from the beginning helps ensure that the finished door operates smoothly, remains properly aligned and provides the level of performance expected from a high-quality custom home.
At Homes by Hendriks, these are the details we consider during the design and specification process — because the difference between a good door and a great door often comes down to what’s happening behind the surface.
Building a custom home? Talk to the Homes by Hendriks team about exterior door sizes, hardware options and the right locking system for your home.
