Types of Door Handle – Part 1
I often get asked about the different types of handles available. You have a choice of 3 types of door handle, Lever on Backplate, Lever on Rose or a Mortice Knob.
The levers on backplate are more traditional types of handle although these are sometimes available as a designer piece too on backplate.
The lever on rose comes on a round or square rose which in most cases is 50mm in diameter.
The mortice knob is becoming more popular also but it is important to make sure that the locks and latches are at least 76mm (3″) to avoid wrapping your knuckles when closing the door.
The most common finishes that all these handles come in is Polished Chrome, satin Chrome and polished brass. Being introduced are a wide range of handles in many different styles that can come in many bespoke finishes. Finishes like polished nickel, antique bronze, dark bronze antique brass and pewter are all becoming increasingly popular!
Types of door handles
From Left: Lever on Rose, Lever on Backplate, Mortice Knob
There are 3 common types of lever on backplate
Lever on latch “ this is used on most internal doors which you do not wish to lock. If you have new doors these are used in conjunction with a tubular latch or mortice latch.
Lever on lock “ This is required on doors that you want to lock with a key. This is used in conjunction with a sash lock normally with an additional Euro cylinder that either has a key both sides or a key one side and turn and release the other.
Bathroom set- this is required on bathrooms that you need to lock. They are locked with the use of a turn and release and require a bathroom lock.
With prehung door sets SWD use a standard full case DIN or European sized latch which are the same size as the sash locks and the bath locks, The advantage of the locks being all the same size is that it is possible to turn a latch into a locking facility by swapping the lock over and just putting in a new strike plate. As SWD locks are European sizes the distance between the handle spindle and the turn and release or the cylinder hole is longer than that of a typical English sized lock. It is therefore important that the levers on back plates that are ordered have the distances between the handle and the turn and release etc are compatible with our locks.
We will continue the types of door handles next time in Part 2!