Guide to easily fixing a pull handle on your door

Installing a pull handle is a relatively simple task, although it requires a minimum of knowledge and tools.

Choosing the right pull handle for your door

First and foremost, it is important to choose the type of pull handle, also called a bar handle, according to the door on which it will be installed.

There are several types of doors:

. exterior doors (shop or office entrance doors, landing door, armoured door or standard door, garage doors, gates,..). Is it a handle intended for public use (this handle facilitates door opening for people with reduced mobility (PRM))? 

. interior doors: standard door for bedroom or bathroom, sliding doors or hinged doors, fire doors, French windows, shower doors or wardrobe or drawer doors. 

. Is it a hinged metal door, a sliding wooden door or a sliding glazed glass door? Are you looking for a latch-type handle or one with a lock? 

The dimensions of the handle must also be adapted to the intended use: a handle for a drawer, a furniture handle for a kitchen will not have the same length as a handle for a dressing room or sliding bay door! The width of the handles as well as the shape (curved, square or round) also play a role in comfort of use.

Each type of door will have different requirements in terms of assembly and type of pull handle. 

Select the appropriate handle material

It is important to select the right material for proper installation of the pull handle. Pull handles are available in a wide range of materials such as stainless steel, solid brass, zamak (zinc and aluminium alloy), stainless steel, iron, PVC or bronze. It is also possible to find pull handles in wood or glass or crystal for specific doors. 

As for finishes, the choice is just as vast: chrome, satin, lacquered, aged… and the colours range from matt black to lacquered white, including gold, chrome, brushed stainless steel, anthracite grey, rust, etc… Door hardware offers a wide choice of door handles with varied designs to suit all interior decoration styles.

Installing the pull handle on the door: the 6 key steps 

After selecting the appropriate pull handle for your door, you must determine the exact location of the handle on the door. The centre of the handle should be at chest height when you pull the door. The fixing of the pull handle will also require consideration of the door's weatherproofing.

Most pull handles are supplied with a fixing kit, often accompanied by the locking system (strike plate, cylinder) and fixing screws. The installation instructions provided with the kit must be followed precisely. 

The 6 installation steps and tools required 

1. Mark a reference point on the door to position the pull handle.

2. Drill the holes for fixing the screws. For this, use a drill suitable for the door material, with drill bits of the appropriate size for the type of fixing used. If your door is made of wood, you may need to use a saw to make the necessary cuts to recess the handle. 

3. Installing a lock: once the drilling is complete, insert the cylinder into the lock and fix it to the door using the screws provided in the installation kit. Then place the strike plate on the door and door leaves, then screw it in.

4. If applicable, install the additional locking system or panic exit device as recommended by the manufacturer. 

5. Attach the pull handle itself to the door. If the pull handle is reversible, ensure it is installed in the correct direction. Fix the pull handle to the door using the screws provided and a screwdriver, and make sure it is tightly secured. 

6. Once the pull handle is installed, it is important to test its operation by opening and closing the door several times. Also check that the installation of the pull handle has not created any weak points in the door's security and make adjustments if necessary. 

In summary, to install a pull handle, it is important to:

• Select the appropriate type of handle for the door,
• Determine the exact location of the handle, .
• Follow the assembly instructions provided with the installation kit carefully. By following these key steps, there's no need to be a DIY expert or call a locksmith to easily install a pull handle on a door. This functional fitting effectively contributes to dressing a hinged or sliding door, which in turn becomes an essential decorative accessory. The pull handle is becoming increasingly design-focused to fit all interior decoration styles!