Door Hardware Selection Guide

A decision has been made on the design and style of door handles and now it’s time to start ordering. There's a problem though, a decision hasn't been made on what hardware goes with the levers and exactly what products are required.

Our expert team can help in any situation, however, use this basic guide to see what door hardware will be required. This might also give you some food for thought on putting different hardware on different doors.

Entrance Set

Mainly used for higher security external doors. Requires a mortice lock (pictured) and euro cylinder.

Up close product image of the matt black euro mortice lock by Architectural Choice. The image is on a white background.

There are options here with a key to lock and unlock from the outside being the only must have. It does have the option of a key on the inside or a turn snib.

Typically, these are used on all exterior doors, cellars, storerooms, garages and even some private study/library applications.

Passage Levers

These are considered for hallways, internal laundry doors and bedrooms if you don’t want privacy locking on them. For this type of application, you will only require a tubular latch in addition to the levers. Nothing more to see here, keep it simple.

Privacy Handles

This is a door handle that has the added function of locking the door. This is primarily used for internal doors because it doesn’t carry the same type of security as an entrance set.

The furniture will come as separate products while the hardware can be as simple as getting a normal tubular latch the same as a passage set and then adding a privacy bolt (pictured).

This application is used for bathrooms, bedrooms, studies, and any other area that a smaller amount of security is wanted.

Dummy Handles

Basically, this is a passage lever set that you don’t want the lever to operate. These are used for French doors, wardrobes, linen closets. There are several ways to fix the lever handle for dummy handles so it’s best to talk with your door hardware professional to get the best version for the application.

Cabinet Handles

There have been a lot of changes with cabinet handles in recent years, however nothing has changed regarding the hardware portion of this application.
These are used obviously in kitchens, but there are many more positions to put these across a project. As with dummy handles they can ben put on wardrobes, linen closets and it doesn’t stop there, vanities, chest of drawers, flyscreen doors and perhaps even your letterbox.

Typically, these will come with all hardware required for the job, two 4mm screws. The only thing to make sure of is that they’re long enough for your specific application. For example drawers aren’t as thick as wardrobes etc.

This is a basic guide to door hardware and there are several subcategories depending on what is required for each door in the project. If you would like help with any of them don’t hesitate to contact the Architectural Choice customer service team as they would be happy to help with any advice.