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Questions people do ask about door handles!

Updated: Oct 10, 2021




What are handles on doors called?


The handles on a door have a few names: door lever and door knob are common as is door handle. A door handle or doorknob is a handle used to open or close a door. Door handles can be found on all types of doors including exterior doors of residential and commercial buildings, internal doors, cupboard doors and vehicle doors.


In addition you may find pull handles or entry handles on doors. Sliding doors have flush pull handles, flush pull or flush ring depending on the shape.


Some doors do not have handles at all and open automatically with electronic sensors.


You may find a push and pull handle on doors that swing both ways. One side is push to open and the other is pull to open. You will find them in restaurants, hospitals, bars, hotels.



What are the most popular door handles?


Most people choose a plain tubular style door handle or the flat rectangular style of door handle. Fancy style handles require a home that is also of similar style. You need to have a home that will suit fancy style. It is easier to choose a door handle that does not jump out at you.





Can you just change door handles


Generally speaking it is easy to change door handles. There are a few things you need to be weary of. That will be the size of the rose on the lever. Most will have a 55mm size rose and a 25mm hole drilled through the door. On the Gainsborough style door handles you will find a large 65mm rose and a 50mm hole drilled through the door. An adaptor plate can be used to cover the larger hole.



How do I choose a door handle


The purpose of a door handle is to open the door effectively and allow you to close said door. Saying that the design and style are things that fit with the home or office. Most importantly choosing a door handle is a personal choice. Your choice.


Some people allow the interior designer to choose door handles which is nice and takes the stress of making a decision out of the equation. At the end of the day it is you who has to live with that decision. The interior designer has moved on.



What is the most popular color for door handles


Door handles today come in a large variety of finishes. However still very popular are the polished chrome, satin chrome and polished brass finishes – these finishes have never gone out of style. In recent years matt black has been popular along with the nickel finishes of satin and polished – a sort of darker polish chrome.


Satin brass finishes are also on the up. Although these handles will require extra cleaning as the dirt will sit in the brush lines. Cleaned regularly and they will remain a pleasure to see.




Are door handles a standard size?


Generally speaking door handles are a similar size. They do vary, of course. The length of one handle is not always the same as another of similar design. Rose sizes vary as do lever/knob size and length vary.


The depth of a handle does vary with certain types of handles. For example a handle to meet the DDA (disability) style handle has a set (35-45mm) depth requirement. Federal Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (D.D.A.)




How do I know what size door handle I need?


In most cases it will not be the size of the handle but more the size of the rose. On new doors almost any door handle will suit. If you are replacing door handles on an existing door, the only concern you will have will be the size of the existing hole in the door. Most door handles require a 25mm hole drilled through the door, whereas some handles require a 50mm hole. Where there is a bigger hole, adaptor plates may be required.







What is the standard height of a door handle?


All door handles, pulls, latches, and locks should be installed at least 90cm from the finished floor. On most people, this means that the door handle will be comfortably situated around their hip area. On the flip side of things, your new door handle should not be higher than 105cm above the finished floor.



How do I know where to fit the door handle?


On most door these days there is a standard 60mm backset latch, measured from the edge of the door 60mm to where the center of the hole is drilled to allow fitting of the door handle on the spindle. The 60mm is the general standard for most latches to the center of the square spindle hole.


Some latches are 45mm backset and you can still find the 127mm backset latch.


Locks with door handles on the other hand can be from 20mm backset through to 70mm/90mm/127mm backset. Old key style locks tend to still be 57mm (2.25in) backset.


How long does it take to fit a door handle?


If you are just replacing a matching door handle allow 20 minutes, its not a race. If you have a new door and need to cut and drill allow 40 minutes. If you have done neither before, give your self time and patience.


A more experienced fitting carpenter will have it done in no time.



Are door handles universal? Left or Right Handed


Generally most door handles can be fitted left hand or right hand - either way. There are a few door handles that are specifically left or right based. The old rule used to be screw heads on the inside of a door so that the handle could not be removed from the outside. These days fittings are either face fixed, pre rose threaded, or tie through.


The only time you may run into handing issues is when handles are on plate furniture. Some plate furniture is universal while others need to be changed over. It usually is a simple dismantle and reassemble process - having the right tools will make the difference!



What are the different types of door handles?


Door knobs or door levers come in four different types: keyed entrance, privacy, passage and dummy knobs. In addition you may have a deadbolt lock on the door. There are variations to these for commercial and residential premises.


 

At Architectural Design Hardware we cater for all needs door handle related. Visit our showroom to discuss your needs, today.




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