Upvc Door Handles: A Comprehensive Guide

Upvc door handles are a crucial part of any upvc door system. When it comes to choosing the right uPVC door handle, there are many factors to consider, from style and finish to size and compatibility with your door. This guide will help you make an informed decision and install your uPVC door handle with confidence.

The Different Types of uPVC Door Handles

There are many different types of door handles used on uPVC doors. The most common is an inline lever/lever door handle. These door handles are often found installed on front doors, back doors and french doors. They have two inline levers, one external and one internal. These levers are connected through the door via a spindle. This spindle is what operates the internal locking mechanism on your upvc door. If you're wondering how to measure this sort of handle, take a look at our video guide.

Another type of uPVC door handle is an offset door handle. This is similar to the inline lever/lever door handle but the two handles are offset. These handles offer a unique feature which stops the external handle from operating the door latch. This means you can't get in from the outside without the key regardless of whether the door has been locked or not.

The next most common uPVC door handle is a sliding patio door handle. These door handles are installed on sliding patio doors which slide from one side to the other. The handles are typically a P or D shape with a very small lever used to lock and unlock the door.

Measuring uPVC Door Handles

Measuring your uPVC door handle correctly is crucial. The good news is most door handles conform to industry standard sizes so there are only a few things you need to measure on your door handle.

1. The first thing to measure is the distance between the two fixing holes. Almost all door handles have two fixing holes but some very uncommon upvc door handles have three fixing holes. Measure between the screw holes centre to centre. This measurement will usually be 122mm, 145mm, 154mm, 162mm, 170mm, 180mm, 200mm, 210mm, 215mm or 245mm.
2. The second measurement is commonly referred to as the PZ. The PZ is measured from the centre of the square spindle hole to the centre of the circular part of the keyhole. This measurement will usually be either 48mm, 52mm, 68mm, 70mm, 72mm, 92mm or 117mm.
3. This measurement is not usually required but it's also a good idea to measure the overall length of your uPVC door handle. Sometimes when we're helping our customers select the right size, the overall length can help us see any errors they may have made measuring the first two measurements.

GB DIY Store has a very useful door handle finder which can be used to find the correct size door handle following a few simple steps.

Try to door handle finder here

Sprung Upvc Door Handles

A sprung uPVC door handle comes with spring cassettes installed in the back of the handles backplate. These springs help return the handle to the perfect horizontal position. This stops the handle from sagging and improves the overall aesthetic. More importantly, these springs can remove some of the burdens from the internal locking mechanism which in turn can increase the lifespan of your uPVC door lock.

All modern upvc door handles now come with springs included. Only the inline lever/lever and offset uPVC door handles come sprung. Sliding patio door handles do not come with springs as they're not required.

The Best uPVC Door Handle Brands

There are many different brands and finishes available when it comes to uPVC door handles. Some of the best brands include Trojan, Yale, Avocet, Roto and Hoppe. These brands offer a range of finishes and colours, from classic white and black, to more modern finishes such as polished chrome and polished gold.

White and black upvc door handles are usually powder coated and provide a durable, low-maintenance finish. Polished chrome and polished gold upvc door handles are usually PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) finishes, which provide a high-quality, durable finish. These handles are perfect for homes with a modern aesthetic and offer a luxurious, high-end look.

We stock a huge range of handles from all brands and cover all colours and sizes. You can view our range of upvc door handles here.

If you need any help selecting the perfect uPVC door handle, get in touch with our team and we'd be more than happy to help.