Changing a Pull Handle – What Should I Consider?

The front door is often referred to as the calling card of the house. When we consider the presence of the front door in the overall picture of a property and the diverse design possibilities, we quickly realize that the right pull handle is an important factor here.

There are various reasons that make the replacement of the pull handle necessary.

• The purchase of an existing property
• Environmental influences affecting the door and its handle
• Wear and tear from regular and intensive use
• Our design taste has changed.
• ...

This guide is intended to help you find the right replacement for your pull handle. For this purpose, we will briefly explain what a pull handle is, what details need to be clarified in advance, and how to find the appropriate mounting material.

What is a Pull Handle?

Pull handles are often bar handles or tubes that are produced in various lengths and are available in straight or angled (offset) designs. They are also often called door handles. The angled variant of a bar handle is used to avoid collision with the key. A collision often occurs with plastic or metal doors with a narrow frame.

Pull handles are now produced in various materials, from matte stainless steel, polished stainless steel to brass, chrome, or PVD coatings, all coatings are possible.

But which door handle is recommended when? Here are some practical recommendations:

Brass: We often install brass pull handles on older houses with an older front door. This helps us preserve the charm of the old building and integrates wonderfully into the living and architectural style.

Plastic: Plastic is a very versatile material that can adapt perfectly to our wishes. If you want to play with colors, a plastic door handle is a good choice. An absolute classic: door handles in white.

But beware: Plastics are generally more susceptible to environmental influences. Thus, the service life may be shorter compared to other materials.

Stainless Steel: Stainless steel is the most popular material for door handles. This popularity has lasted for a long time and for good reasons. Stainless steel is timeless and very robust against environmental influences. Compared to brass and plastic, we need to maintain a stainless steel door handle less. A stainless steel pull handle is therefore ideal for a front door that is used frequently.

Angled or Straight Supports?

As mentioned above, the type of support is not only for aesthetic reasons.

Straight supports are generally used for wooden doors, as the door frame is usually wider than with other materials.

We use angled supports for narrow door frames. This prevents the bar handle from being directly above the keyhole. We thus prevent unlocking the door from becoming an adventure.

The Appropriate Mounting Material for Pull Handles

For installation, we need mounting kits. These are available for single-sided or through-bolted or paired mounting on wood, metal, plastic, or glass doors. The mounting kits can be ordered separately and are not included with individual pull handles. This avoids frustration from the delivery of unusable sets.

This also promotes environmental protection and prevents unnecessary waste of unused goods.