Things to consider when choosing the right door handle & lock

How to choose the ideal door handle?

When choosing the ideal door handle, you’ll first want to consider the application in order to select the right type. Here are the points we’ll cover in this guide. Types of door handles Materials Style Applications and locking options Trends and innovations

What are the different types of door handles?

Here are the different types of door handles for you to choose from:

1. Lever door handles are the most popular available and have a latch bolt that allows you to open and close the door. Some versions may also have a key lock for extra security. Compared to door knobs, lever handles are easier to operate, which is more suitable for users with varying degrees of dexterity or grip strength. Certain lever door handles are especially designed for people with reduced mobility.”
2. Door knobs are available in latching, locking and fixed pull handle versions. Smaller door knobs are also popular for furniture doors and drawers.
3. Pull handles are fixed door handles (without a latching mechanism) and can be mounted vertically or horizontally on the door. They open with a single push or pull. As with door knobs, small scale versions of pull handles are very common on furniture and are often used for kitchen cabinets and drawers.
4. Recessed handles are flush or inset pull handles, often used for pocket doors, glass doors and sliding doors.
5. Panic bars are usually fitted to emergency exit doors and open with a single press from the inside to the outside. They are generally installed on the doors of public or commercial buildings with a large influx of people

What materials are used to make door handles and how to choose between them?

When choosing the material of your door handle, consider the longevity, maintenance and level of hygiene required for your project.

Stainless steel door handles are a popular choice due to their reasonable cost, robustness, ease of maintenance and durability. Aluminum handles are lighter and more corrosion resistant. Door handles made from copper alloys such as brass and bronze are popular for traditional designs. Their copper content may even help reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses. A lot of door handles have surface treatments or coatings such as chrome to increase durability or change the color, finish or texture of the handle.

Plastic or plastic coated door handles have the advantage of being warm to the touch can be available in a wide range of colors. Some plastic door handles may have special antibacterial properties, making them especially suited for educational establishments, sports facilities or healthcare facilities.

Crystal, wood, ceramic and glass handles are generally used for decorative purposes in residential buildings to coordinate with the style and design of the building. 

What are the different styles of door handle to choose from?

When choosing a style of door handle, it is important to consider how it will fit into the style of the home or building. Contemporary door handles come in a wide variety of forms, from minimalist, rectangular and cylindrical to organic and ergonomic. Classic and rustic door handles are particularly popular for country style or historical buildings and may use traditional motifs or have ornamental decoration. Common materials for classic door handles include brass, bronze, iron and porcelain.

What locking options and door handle sets are available?

Handles are essential for opening and closing doors, windows, gates and cupboards. The type of handle and locking mechanism chosen will depend on the application and level of security required.

Here are the the most common types of door handle sets and their main applications:

• A standard passage door handle set has a tubular latch, which allows the door to be opened and closed using a lever or a knob. When the door is closed and the handle released, the latch fits into the hole in the strike plate mounted onto the door frame. The handle is then turned to release the latch and open the door. Passage door handle sets are mainly used for interior doors that do not require locking.
• A privacy door handle set normally has a thumb turn lock or catch on one side of the door. This allows privacy to be maintained for rooms such as bedrooms or bathrooms. Many privacy handles have a way to open the lock from the other side with a screw in case of emergency.
• A dummy door handle set is a fixed pull handle for doors that do not require a locking mechanism. Certain doors may have a ball catch latch instead of a tubular latch. A ball catch is spring loaded and does not need the handle to be turned to operate the door. The door can simply be pushed shut or pulled open). Dummy handle sets are often used for closet doors, or on the inactive door of a set of double doors.
• An entry door handle set often has a matching or integrated locking mechanism such as a mortise lock, which is opened with a mechanical key. While single-cylinder locks are operated with a key from the outside only, double cylinder locks can be locked by key from both the inside and outside.

While handlesets with integrated locks are generally more attractive and easier to install, a separate dedicated door lock may be needed for entry doors or rooms that require a higher level of security. Some entry doors may even use an electronic locking system opened with a keycard, key fob or code. This can be useful in commercial offices, hotel rooms and vacation apartments.

What are some of the current door handle trends and innovations?

There are a number of antibacterial door handles available to help reduce the spread of germs and viruses. Innovations to look out for include award winning self sanitizing handles, which use UV light to combat viruses and microbes. Other handles may prevent the spread of contamination by replacing hand contact with an elbow or foot operated handle.

Biometric door handles and locks are usually seen in offices and high-security premises such as banks, laboratories and government buildings. Only registered persons within the company or organization can open a biometric door handle. Other innovative options for door handles include illuminated handles that increase the visibility of door handles in the dark. For a more environmentally friendly option, there are brands and designers that use recycled plastic found in the ocean to create plastic handles.