A Love Affair With European Door Hardware

[@ShanonT12]

Oh my gosh… This was so cool! Nobody makes videos like this. Thank you. And thank your wife for her patience while you did this.

[@mareknesvadba8075]

Windows like those in Germany and Budapest are common in the whole Europe. Every American that comes here is amazed by our "awesome" windows :D

[@MrBassjan]

Indeed! I was amazed the first time I saw a youtuber comment about this, I had no idea it wasn't common everywhere!

[@MikeAndLaurenTV]

That's awesome! I wish we had them here.

[@gestoeber]

make a side hustle by importing them :-D

[@Cael817]

I believe the function is called "Dreh-Kipp", this company may have windows and doors with that www.panoramicusa.com/ but there are probably some law that disallows the use of these in some states ;-).

[@AlbertoMartinez-rk2lf]

They began to be common in Spain since less than 10 years ago, I guess. Maybe because our weather is way less cold than you have in the north.

[@janniskrampe4788]

I live in Germany and basically everyone has a key sticking in the door which always stays there for your named reason of fire safety. So really there is no noteworthy difference between having a latch which is turnable without a key and a lock with a key always in it.

[@benonwheels8481]

Jannis Krampe , it's almost the same in Belgium

[@Lttlemoi]

There is a noteworthy reason. Many locks can't be opened if there's a key sticking in on the other side. This is not true with the latch style, one key entry only locks.

[@mattstaub9670]

After every trip to Western Europe, I come home and frantically search for "European prehung doors," usually with little success. It isn't just entry doors, either. The satisfying click of a latching bathroom door and the solid core construction are intoxicating. Every part of the experience communicates quality. For something you use everyday, why don't we do better? And where can I find this stuff in the US?

[@BradParler]

I absolutely adore how chill Hudson is. Scene at the very in in cart - priceless!

[@TeddyBear1287]

After my house was broken into I installed a front door lock that requires a key on both sides. I live in a split entry house, so I simply put a hook in the baseboard of the upper level, right next to the door. The key is easily accessible to me or anyone needing to get out of the front door in an emergency, but a burglar can't break through the side panel and open the lock. I think its a great system, and makes me feel more secure!

[@MikeAndLaurenTV]

I hadn't thought of that. Most people have windows next to their doors that can be broken and the door unlocked by reaching through.

[@ManCrafting]

Who would have thought this would be an interesting topic? Great job. Makes me want to quit my job and backpack Europe looking at door knobs.

[@MikeAndLaurenTV]

Thanks. Haha it's a tough job, but someone has to do it ;)

[@PatrickDeschamps]

very satisfying video. Never realized this kind of detail while visiting my family and yes, they have a bunch of locks on every entrance door.

[@striveforselflessness3220]

Just spent a week in Rome and was fascinated by the hardware as well. The front door alone in the "apartemento" we were in, was amazing. Long short, it was a large version of a safe door. All exterior windows and doors also had multi-function. Position handle in one way and door/window opened as normal....turn handle in another, window/door tilted out. Ingenious. Loved Rome! Can't wait to go back!

[@MikeAndLaurenTV]

That all sounds amazing! We also love Rome :)

[@BruceAUlrich]

Interesting facts. I learned some stuff about locks and doors that I would not have thought about otherwise.

[@PaulgoesFibo]

In Germany we usually don't lock our doors multiple times if we're at home and you have to have fire alarms in every room. If we go out the house, we always put the alarm system on. Hope you're having a great time in Europe!

[@masterchief8855]

This cant be an entire video. 5:28 seconds later... I stand corrected. Very cool video

[@ExtraordinaryTK]

O..I love this video sir and I've been to Paris once but never notice those unique locks but that's probably I stayed in a hotel sadly. Do please never delete this video because I'ma save it for future reference when I own my own home I love them keys.

[@creutzwald1105]

4:28 Most windows throughout West Europe have this mechanism.

[@MattTonite]

Great to spend a month in Europe and even if the little one doesn't remember, he'll be telling the story of his month in Europe for a long time. Although, I'm not entirely sure you can consider this "backpacking through Europe" lol, but looks like an amazing trip.

[@mrbr549]

After living in Germany for a year or so, I was struck by the fact that most buildings, doors, windows, etc. were built to last a very long time, and in addition, were very secure. It's no wonder that the crime rate for burglaries and break-ins are so much lower.

[@austinkelley5614]

Love ya'll and your channel. Love watching your advancing through life

[@charlesroop2322]

In Turkey, I had a ten point locking steel door. I so miss the European locks and windows. If I had the room or money I would packed and or shipped some to the US.

[@martijnfransen9933]

we always leave the key in the door on the inside at night that is so if wee need to go out in emergency we can get out..During the day when we are home we don't have the major lock on the door. on the inside we have a normal door nob. but like you said no door is the same here however a 3 point lock is almost standard.

[@ygstuff4898]

The tiny elevator at 1:55 -- I'm feeling claustrophobic.

[@MrMagic1163]

As a Europeon who finds this very obvious and normal, I'm now very curious how your windows and doors work. Would love to see a video of that!

[@mrmicromanager]

Based on this video, I think i would be hard for you to truly imagine how cheap and ineffective most residential windows are in the US, even in moderate to upscale areas. One possible reason is that HVAC is so ubiquitous that for most people opening a window is practically unthinkable, so the windows just have to work well closed.

[@Mitermikeswoodshop]

that was a fun ride....lol. Those windoors are crazy sick. Mike i am a firefighter and most of the time people don't die from the building falling on them but from the smoke inhalation(not a troll comment). Now a days the crap that is made has so many chemicals in them they burn hotter, faster, and have so much toxins being released when burning. I don't think that is a safe thing with the keys, and over here it is illegal in some towns by fire code, but heck if i lived there i would just have to leave a key in the hole....lol. Stay safe and your son is growing up right before my eyes....lol.

[@drivewaystar6485]

Nicely edited, interesting information, and pleasing sounds. This is why i love youtube! Lol

[@anderswegge6828]

In Europe, a locked door isn't only there to prevent entry. It's also there to prevent exit. Much like the Chinese wall. As for fire safety, we leave the key in the lock while we're at home. When not at home, there's no key on the inside. This turns the difficulty of "Nonchalant walking away with a 50" TV" up to at least 11, and possibly even higher for a second floor flat. Also, give a heads up next time you come to Europe. Some of us over here might want to meet you,.

[@MikeAndLaurenTV]

That seems to be the consensus (leaving the key in the lock). We talked about doing meetups many times, just never got around to making it official, sorry!

[@EppingForest304]

You forgot the 'Roller bolt' cylinder locks, saves you from accidentally locking yourself out of your property when you walk outside to get your mail

[@nicktonac]

I know they’re less practical, but center knob doors are beautiful.

[@Lttlemoi]

The locks in Europe are double sided so that you can always leave a key in one side, preventing total access to the lock from the other side. This makes it both incredibly easy to unlock the door from the inside, the key is always there, and impossible to break in by picking the lock or inserting your own key from the outside. The American deadbolt system seems rather unsafe to me, because you can't completely lock it from the inside.

[@ichsuper]

Thanks, I never thought about our (Germany) windows etc. setup. But yes those windows are standard. And the lock thing is also simple if you know how we use it. Most people don´t lock their doors when at home (because we are stupid and think you don´t get robbed if you are at home some many people try to simulate being at home) so there is no security risk. But to be honest we are still very stupid, because we have a solid door situation here but the bad people almost never enter through the door more often through windows etc. thats why I hate our locks very much too, I have to carry more than 4 keys around what could be done with my smartphone.

[@marrano10]

I remember going to america and being amazed by the butterfly style deadlock and thought that it was just dumb cause you then have to remember to go at night and especially lock your door and the other way it is always locked.

[@marrano10]

also my grandmothers home has a center knob. Nobody likes center knobs they are just dumb.

[@MikeAndLaurenTV]

Haha, I didn't expect you guys would agree :)

[@TheMijman]

As a European I also do not like the centre door knobs. Whenever I encounter these doors I just push where a door handle SHOULD be, and pull the edge of the door hard so it shuts firmly, hoping not to get my fingers cut off in the process. great video as always though! Love your channel!

[@MikeAndLaurenTV]

Thanks! There doesn't seem to be anyone in the comments that likes the center door knob.

[@mightyduc998]

At 5:20 because someone can break the side lite glass and reach to unlock your deadbolt

[@themagicillusions]

You’re supposed to leave the keys inside the lock once you get home that’s why we don’t have small levers

[@striveforselflessness3220]

Ok, but what if you forget??

[@ashleyfalcon125]

StriveFor Selflessness I guess don’t 😂 I’m in the states & my grandparents have a lock like that right now (nothing like these pieces & examples of amazing craftsmanship, mind you), just a typical run of the mill deadbolt style lock. HOWEVER, the fun starts at not having a latch inside to lock/unlock as usual. The key must stay in the door all the time (that is, if you’re planning on ever leaving). 0.o The glass screen-door (🤦‍♀️ to the same front door) is the exact same way - no latch - need a key on BOTH sides to lock AND unlock. 😂 We actually have a lot of heavy, solid wood or metal doors where I live & I guess surrounding areas as well since it’s a fairly “old” city - by our standards anyway. But yes, it’s still to this day super frickin annoying. Especially if someone or a kid (kids are the absolute worst for this) doesn’t know why its there, takes it out, sets it on the counter or to someone, hides it under a random object nearby or any other totally random location. 😂 with no ill intentions whatsoever & naturally assuming it was left in the door by accident & shouldn’t be there & when that happens... well obviously you cant open the screen-door nor the front door. Pain. In. The. Rear. I imagine it would be much much less likely to have things like that happen when most of the doors around are the same way & ppl know why & it’s not a mistake lol Im sure it’s a non-issue for those that are accustomed to it.

[@doubleV4]

I used to push my kids like you did for Hudson, but we did it with double loop ;)

[@LibertyWoodworking]

Very interesting. I have never been over seas.

[@lydashop5746]

Nice door I really like the doors/window in Germany too

[@sadieburns8049]

The picture of the door on the front of this link, beautiful old wooden door with a center knob. I have been looking for center knobs and lock systems to go with my very old doors from Belgium. Do you know of any hardware places in your travels that you could pass along their information? We have a working farm in the states but I have these old doors I'm trying to finish and install, but I need knobs and locks that go with them. I'm trying to stay with the European history of the doors. Thank you if you come across any ideas you could share.

[@RodrigoVzq]

I never thought I would be so interested in doors. Gotta love Europe

[@ronkappeler7981]

German window is overbuilt? I think every single Swiss house has windows of that style and quality. So we think American windows are ridiculously underbuilt ;)

[@MikeAndLaurenTV]

I agree ;)

[@aliceharper9698]

Anyone know how to replace a centered door knob?? We have 3 old doors in our house that feature centered door k obs with locking mechanism. Sadly 2 have broke and we need to replace.. any tips are helpful..looks like a regular k ob would fit but when we purchased one the guts of the knob were a different size than the locking mechanism in the door... not finding much I fo out there.

[@maximedeclerck4838]

we just don't lock our door when we are home

[@muh1h1]

Thats right, never even thought about locking my door when i am home, even at night, most doors in germany at least are not locked...

[@kylehill3643]

@@muh1h1 The US was that way till the 60s/70s gen took over.

[@Sukrim]

Doors with only knobs (especially central ones, wtf?!) and no handles are not very common here in Austria, so maybe they are just more common in the kind of flats that get used for renting to strangers via AirBnB? I am always amazed of the amazement of Americans discovering "european" windows (which I don't consider over-engineered, at least from a mechanical standpoint - insulation wise you might find triple glass windows that insulate better than the wall next to them).

[@F3Ibane]

Am I the only one who absolutely hates the trolleys with four spinning casters? Fixed rear casters are clearly superior. Clearly.

[@Yonatan24]

True. But with 4 casters you can ride on then and run like crazy when you're a little kid :)

[@jeric_synergy8581]

"Fixed casters" are what we call "dumb wheels", and they suck. On a flat floor, smart wheels all around are the way. Dumb wheels= more work positioning carts.

[@gcuzwak]

cool!

[@ecsolha]

Hope you enjoyed Europe. Where did you find the door handle in the centre of the door. i have never seen that. And please don't say Sweden.-)

[@MikeAndLaurenTV]

We saw that in Lisbon, Spain, and France.

[@TrentR42]

Mike, you must not be subscribed to Matthias Wandel's second channel, I think you would enjoy it. He had a video a whole back titled "European windows are awesome" that shows the same windows you do at the end.

[@takayama1638]

Mike, I wish you, or someone would start using some of this design in America. That German window especially. Sweden uses that kind too. And Japanese bathrooms. They don't out toilet in same room as bath, it's always a separate little room. Ewwww, think how nasty America is! Wear nasty shoes inside after being in places like public toilets, then go in house with same shoes! Use bathroom right next to sink where brush teeth! Ewwww...

[@benonwheels8481]

Most people (in Belgium) leave the keys on the door (or next to it on a hanger like this: m.promobutler.be/nl/winkels/happyland/sleutel-kapstok-756073) to avoid leaving them inside and being locked outside while forgetting your keys on the countertops. (And call a relative to get back in, as they always have one of your spare keys) 😉

[@logiboy123]

You have missed the most important point; the Oligodynamic effect. There is a reason doorknobs for the longest time used to be made out of brass.

[@MikeAndLaurenTV]

Interesting, I never considered that.

[@thebelgianwoodworker1739]

Thats like everyday things for me in the Eu

[@thedestroyer3262]

Most people in the UK (or at least people I know) just leave the keys in the door.

[@_Ramen-Vac_]

neato' can't be too redundant with a secure door.

[@DIYdiacsnFarmstead]

GER-MA-NY, GER-MA-NY!!!

[@prowrestlingsthesaints2936]

You should 3D print a playable guitar!

[@kylehill3643]

or pack backing where you over pack your back!

[@susanmckee1330]

☺

[@michoas]

You have to realize that Europe is composed of MANY DIFFERENT countries. Each country is peculiar, has its own history and culture ! When you start your sentence by "in Europe, people are..." or "it's very common in Europe to...", I can be pretty sure that you're going to say something wrong, something you saw in one country that isn't relatable to the other. I'm French and very European, but I neither speak German, nor Italian, Spanish, Flemish, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Hungarian, Finish, Portuguese, Greek, Czech, Slovakian, Polish, Croatian, etc. I hope you understand what I mean, and stop comparing the US to Europe as ONE BIG COUNTRY composed of different "regions" as you said.

[@TrentR42]

Michaël Piotraut likewise, you probably don't realize how different a lot of the cultures in the US are between the states. But generalizations are just easier.

[@NWinnVR]

Completely agree, I'm also tired of people thinking every state/region in the USA is the same.. We do things quite differently in Michigan than they do in say California, but they're both in the US so must be the same!...

[@MattTonite]

I understand what you're saying 100% and the vlogers did I good job of identifying that each country differs from the others. But I'm sure you can understand the complexity of the issue, especially considering you, yourself did the very thing you're warning against. Saying "I'm very European" can mean any one of many things. I don't have to tell you. You know how diverse Europe is.

[@Amanivajra]

Matt Grey WELL SAID

[@ashleyfalcon125]

Michaël Piotraut same thing with “Americans” and the U.S. Most, if not ALL, states in the U.S have vastly different living styles, cultures, dominant-religions, foods, home styles, cost of living, dominant employment fields, etc. it’s honest to goodness so so so VASTLY different from state to state - even the LAWS are different from state to state! That’s how different they can be (this could go on for a while), so when ppl use generalizations like “all Americans” or “Americans are” or “ Americans don’t” , the U.S. this of that... blah. blah. etc., you know they’re about to say something completely ignorant & have no actual clue what they’re talking about... but clearly must enjoy some part of pretending they’ve either 1. met every single American in which to base this claim on.... Or 2. have been *to* AND *experienced* EVERY City, in every State to base their (clearly baseless) generalizations on. However, if the latter were actually true, those ppl who do, wouldn’t say things like that. They’d know better, speculate less & be less likely to offend every American by claiming “Americans” are ALL this or that, aren’t this, don’t understand that, think to much of this, don’t think at all, etc. etc. Yep. Same stuff, just a different day in a different country with the same shoe sitting on someone else’s foot. 🤷‍♀️ It’s just the way it is when referring to something unusual, foreign, fascinating or disturbing, I’m afraid. Lol to be fair I don’t think a lot of ppl intend to offend an entire country of ppl that have no idea why some random, ignorant & kinda-nervy stranger is talking heaps of incredibly misinformed & super generalized (poop) about them.... when they rly have no stinking clue where, when, what & how ALL of the people, in an entire Country mind you, live their life or base their morals & values. 😂😂😂 tsk.. Yea, so... apparently it’s a thing. Who knew. 🤷‍♀️ P.S. If I’ve ever used a generalization before or even in this message, then I sincerely apologize for it - I know first hand how annoying/dumb it sounds. I do not consider myself dumb & obvi don’t like ‘sounding’ dumb either -when I can help it- ;) lol so again, in that case I’m terribly sorry.

[@didine256]

I just can't figure out what you live off. You travel all the time which is costly, if taught you were going to make projects throughout the US which you can't if you're not there. Your make videos on KZbin but they're not viral. Seriously, how do you do to travel the world, sustain your family and not working ?

[@maximedeclerck4838]

and they change life plans all the time and they want to go on pension by the age of 35, i don't get it either

[@KarolGajda]

They sell video courses. Including a new Fusion 360 course that I guesstimate pulled in low 5 figures over the past couple months.

[@maximedeclerck4838]

it just doesn't add up if you watch their videos about early retirement. Then they live with their mother, then they buy an rv for makers on the move. On the second day they abandon that plan and sell their rv. In between they go and look for a piece of land in Costa Rica and now they go for a month to Europe, which is not cheap (Hungary and places like Bulgaria are, but Germany, Netherlands and France definitely are not). On the trip they rented a boat because somehow they also think about to live on a boat??

[@KarolGajda]

I hear you. Scatterbrained? Maybe. But interesting and/or useful content? Fairly often. Again, I feel like the Fusion 360 course sales went quite well. As for the boat: if you recall they didn't pay for it as the trip was gifted to them by Lauren's mother.

[@FitzroyCo.]

They made a video called "Mike and Lauren Exposed" where they show literally everything about their finances. Basically, they're frugal, they have been saving for a long long time, and they invest. If you watch the video, they show how much they've saved and it's a big number.

[@TechKnowledgeTK]

I know u guys try so hard on these videos, they're good... but for people to watch, the title and the content are the factors. I suggest that u make HOW TO videos on a weekly basis or something, just like the iPhone dock thing that u made.

[@dougspindler4947]

German windows are the best.

[@barbaraporter9598]

How do you people earn a living?

[@nonunga]

Noti-squad

[@thedge7]

Ask yourself , why so much security in Europe? Are you sure those were fireworks and not just another terrorist attack?

[@themagicillusions]

thedge7 you’re sooooo funny 🙄

[@gotmunchiez]

thedge7 Nope, just a disgruntled worker massacring his ex colleagues because he lost his job. Or a student who got bullied so badly they felt the need to shoot up their school. Oh wait, that's the USA 🙄