It’s easy to overlook the need for a rebate kit with double doors — but rebate kits ensure smooth, seamless and secure double door function.
Double doors, whether indoors or out, allow enclosed spaces to be opened up into larger ones, expanding a cosy room into one befitting a crowd. And, there’s nothing more dramatic than opening French doors wide and making an entrance between them. First of all, what is a rebated door and where do rebate kits come into this?
A rebated door is a door that has a continuous groove or channel cut into one or more of its vertical edges. This creates an overlapping lip, allowing two doors to interlock tightly with one another, forming a seal when closed.
Single doors either fit into a rebated doorframe, or aren’t rebated, so rebate kits don’t tend to be needed for them. Double doors, however, are a different case altogether.
Rebated double doors are the difference between the doors opening and closing neatly and those which do so clumsily. On every double door setup, there is an active leaf door and an inactive leaf door. The inactive leaf door is bolted to the floor and/or head and usually stays shut. The active leaf door, however, is the one most often opened because it isn’t bolted so is quicker to open.
For each door to fit snugly together, both doors have a corresponding rebate, or cutout, on their mating face. When closed, the two edges interlock like pieces in a jigsaw, enabling the doors to shut tightly and securely, whilst reducing the transition of rain, heat and noise — even breezes — through the door.
For architects, rebated doors reinforce the visual and functional continuity of a space. The interlocking detail creates a unified door plane, improving acoustic, thermal and weather performance while offering a clean, intentional junction between the two leaves. Specifying the correct rebate kit and hardware ensures not only technical compliance but also maintains the level of refinement and consistency needed across high-quality residential and commercial projects.
For builders, the value of a rebated system lies in its dependable operation once installed. Without a rebate kit, double doors can feel loose or fail to close cleanly, often resulting in unnecessary adjustments or call-backs. A correctly fitted rebated lock or latch ensures the active and inactive leaves of the door align perfectly, providing stability and smooth movement. This gives builders confidence that the doors will perform as intended from handover through long-term use.
The benefit of a rebated door is felt immediately in the way the doors close—securely and quietly. The overlapping edge blocks drafts and noise while giving the doors a more solid, considered feel. Pairing the doors with the appropriate rebate kit ensures the centre join looks neat and the chosen hardware functions effortlessly, creating a polished and reliable experience in everyday living.
With double doors, you’re more likely to notice when a rebate system isn’t there. Rebated doors open and close smoothly, with both leaves meeting cleanly in the middle. Without a rebate, the doors can feel loose, unsteady or slightly out of sync. Adding a proper rebate detail simply makes the doors work better and brings a cohesive, considered feel to the overall design.
To complete this picture of neatness and harmony, a rebate kit must be fitted. The rebate kit is essentially a base onto which the latch or lock mechanism can sit. It levels out the rebate and lip on each corresponding door, enabling the door to latch — for example via an Iver Mortice Lock – tightly into place. The mortice lock or latch must be specifically designed for rebated doors, as it needs to fit neatly so that the door slips shut seamlessly.
Iver’s Mortice Locks come in a range of sizes and finishes, like Signature Brass, Polished Chrome and Distressed Nickel, allowing you to match your finish with your existing Iver hardware.
Below is a simple breakdown of which rebate kits and backsets are required for each type of Iver rebated lock, based on door type and hardware selection:
Rebated 85mm Euro Mortice Locks (for double doors with levers or knobs):
Rebated 85mm Euro Roller Mortice Locks (for entrance doors with pull handles):
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Backset is the horizontal distance from the edge of a door to the centre of the lock’s mechanism, such as the doorknob or deadbolt hole. This measurement is crucial for ensuring new hardware will fit the existing holes in the door.
A roller latch does not require a lever, and only needs to be pushed or pulled. Doors with a roller latch can be closed without locking but requires a deadbolt for locking functionality. Roller latches are ideal to be installed with pull handles.
Explore our Rebated Kits
Iver hardware combines timeless aesthetics with functionality and enduring quality. Each piece is crafted from premium solid forged brass, ensuring strength, durability, and a refined finish that enhances every detail of your project. With an extensive range available in a variety of consistent finishes, Iver offers the versatility to achieve a cohesive and considered look throughout any space, whether residential, commercial, or architectural.
Explore Iver’s range of Rebate Kits and ensure your rebated doors function smoothly and effectively.
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