This step-by-step guide shows how to install Architectural Choice brass door handles on wooden doors.
The system our manufacturing partner, JNF Architectural Hardware, uses is one of the easiest in the world. Because these handles have been designed and engineered as a system any lever can be interchanged between any rose or plate, allowing your selection of door furniture to have no limits.
This particular guide is for new installations on round rose and after you have installed your mortice lock or tubular latch. For the purposes of this guide, we have chosen to use a mortice lock in our graphics. The installation doesn’t change for our magnetic latches due to the same pre marked holes at 38mm on the hardware.
If you are retro fitting new handles, please get in touch with our team to ensure they are correct to use with your doors. Architectural Choice door handles have a 50mm rosette and some doors have a 54mm hole drilled into them already so they would not be fit for purpose without extra components that you can talk with our team about.
Tools Required For Installation
To complete the installation process, you will need the following tools:
1) Set of Architectural Choice brass door handles
2) A drill with 22mm spade bit and 6.5mm drill bit
3) A level
4) EP2 Tool x 2
5) A Phillips head screwdriver
6) Pliers
7) Door wedge
8) Pencil
There is another component that is optional to make installation even easier such as our EP1 Tool (below). This can be purchased separately if you require.
That’s it for the tools required, pretty straight forward right?
Drill Hole For Spindle
After placing your door wedge under the edge of the door so it won’t move during installation you can mark out where to drill your spindle hole. This will be done with the 22mm spade bit. Using the EP1 Tool you can mark the centre with your pencil.
After the spindle holes are finished make sure your hardware lines up with the holes you have drilled by inserting the mortice lock (or tube latch) into the door.
If this looks correct then onto the next step.
Drill Holes For Through Bolts
Attach the EP1 Tool to the door, making sure you have the correct backset for your particular installation. You can see the backset markers on the previous image.
This is where your level comes in, make sure the EP1 tool is level before you drill the holes. These need to line up with the holes in your mortice lock (or tube latch). These are at 38mm apart, on the EP1 Tool and on your Architectural Choice mortice lock (or magnetic tube latch). The spindle will go through your mortice lock and through the EP1 Tool.
With the 6.5mm bit, drill the necessary holes using the EP1 Tool’s guide.
Remember to be careful drilling with the lock still in the installed position. You don't want to hit the body with the drill bit as it could damage the lock body.
Once you have drilled the four holes (two on each side) you can check the through bolt holes line up.
You will notice there are holes for face fixing also. If you are using the through bolts for installation you won’t need to use the face fixing screws. The face fixing screws are there in case you are using hardware that doesn’t match Architectural Choice door handles. If you are using the face fixing screws, simply swap the 6.5mm drill bit for a 2mm drill bit and drill the necessary pilot holes.
Insert Through Bolts
Great, once that is done you are certainly on the home straight. All you need to do is insert the through bolts and cut down to your desired length.
Put the rose case in place against the door and then insert the two EP2 Tools into the rose as per below picture.
Our system has detailed through bolts with covers that slot into the rose case perfectly. Ensure these are flush and mark which notch you need to cut the male bolt to.
Using your pliers make the necessary cut and install your through bolts using the screwdriver. If you are installing on a mortice lock and its an exterior door then make sure the Phillips head screws are on the inside of the door. This is a great security measure with brass door handles, there is a blind screw on the outside which ensures someone can’t simply screw it off and detach your handles.
Push On Rose Cover
Next, leaving the EP2 Tools in place, push on the rose cover plates until they’re flush with the surface of the door. This is the most basic step of all, and that really is it!
Insert Brass Door Handles
Simply insert your door handles now and fix in the grub screws provided. The handle will slide straight in as you have used the EP2 Tool to ensure its straight with the spindle.
Once you have tightened the grub screw into place your brass door handles are ready to use.
All that is to do now is take a picture of your handy work and share it on social media with the Architectural Choice team. We love seeing door hardware and handle installations because we know how important they are not only to the functionality of your home, but the aesthetic as well.