Choosing the ideal door handles for your property might sound easier than it actually is. Perhaps that is why you stumbled onto our article on the subject or you might simply be curious about how to choose the perfect door handles. There are a few things to consider when purchasing a door handle, including the style, material, finish and function. We’ll run you through these and a few other considerations to help you make your choice.

Style.

Are you completely renovating your home or are you simply replacing door handles? This is quite important because if you are fully revamping you can think about the overall style you are going for, however, if you are replacing your door handles with new ones you will have to choose door handles in-line with the style you already have to complement the door and the décor.

The style/theme of the room and the type of house also matters. We have available a wide selection of door handles which can complement any décor, from traditional and transitional to contemporary and eclectic. Door handles should sit well with the feel of your home. For instance, traditional Victorian brass door knobs might not suit a highly modern apartment decorated with pop art and bright colours – yet again, the clash of styles might be so different that it actually works, it will always come down to personal preference.

In addition to the style of your home, you’ll also have to consider the style of door handle you require, whether it is a lever handle on rose, lever handle on backplate, pull handle or a door knob.

• Lever handles

Door lever or lever handles are the most popular type of handle used in both commercial and residential properties. This type of handle is separated into two main groups: lever handles on a backplate and lever handles on rose.

Lever handles on a backplate are more traditional-looking handles which sit on either a small or large rectangular backplate, whilst lever handles on rose usually feature a more modern design and are fitted onto a small round rose or square rose.

• Pull handles

Pull handles are used on doors which can only be opened when pulled or pushed. These come in a variety of styles including pull handles on rose, pull handles on a backplate, back to back pull handles, bolt through pull handles and face fix pull handles.

• Door knobs

Door knobs are round or oval handles which require rotation of the handle to operate. These can either rotate clockwise or anti-clockwise allowing the user to install them on either side of the door. Door knobs are used on interior doors and can feature traditional designs, such as the Tewkesbury square door knobs or contemporary designs, such as the polished chrome ball door knobs.

For a more in-depth guide of the different door handles available, please see our types of door handles article. In this article, we also compare door levers and door knobs, indicating which one is best suited for you.

Finishes

With the wide selection of door handles available in a plethora of finishes, the choice can become quite overwhelming. Each finish will have a different impact on the overall décor of the room, making it stand out more or less depending on the finish of your choice. If you are wondering how to combine different metal finishes, please see our “how to mix hardware finishes” article.

• Warm finishes

Warm tones include brass, copper, rose gold and standard gold. These can be highly elegant choices and will work on either traditional or modern homes depending on the style of the home. These types of finishes can be combined with other metal tones to create an interesting design.

• Cool finishes

Cool tones include stainless steel, pewter, chrome and nickel. These tones will work perfectly on a contemporary property but can also be a great addition to more traditional residences.

• Neutral finishes

Neutral tones are the tones in between warm and cool finishes and will be able to work together with any other tone. These include wood, black and iron finishes.

Function

Besides being visually pleasing to the eye, door handles must be functional. It is imperial that your door handles properly open and close doors and that they will do so for a long period of time. Thus, you will have to consider the intended purpose of your door handle.

If you are looking for a door handle to simply close a door without any type of security, a lever latch is perfect. However, if you require some security, a lever lock might be better suited. Or even, if you are looking for a door handle which provides some privacy for either bedrooms or bathrooms, a privacy lever would be ideal.

Finally, you will have to consider the people who will use the door handles. Will everyone at your home be able to use a lever handle or a door knob? Are the door handles suitable for the elderly or for young children? In this case, a lever handle will provide a better grip, so it would be the best option.

At the end of the day, practicality, functionality and design are the main considerations to think of when choosing the perfect door handles for your home. If you still have some unanswered questions, don’t hesitate to contact our team at info@ironmongeryexperts.co.uk or by calling our phone number on 01376 557 561.