What is the difference between interior and exterior door handles?

Interior door handle VS exterior door handle

The distinctive points between an interior and exterior door handle

By looking at our selection of exterior door handles, one can see that they are slightly different from the interior door handle. However, many visible and notable aspects help distinguish these two types of models:

• The style and design: Interior door handles are available in a wide variety of styles, shapes and materials to suit the interior decoration. They can be made of metal, plastic, wood, etc.
• The function: Exterior door handles are installed on the entrance doors of a home, commercial building, car, etc. They are designed to offer security and protection against external elements.
• The weather resistance: To withstand the elements, exterior door handles are generally made from materials such as stainless steel, brass or other metal alloys.
• The locking mechanism: interior door handles are generally designed for privacy and space separation, but security is not their main objective. They often use push-button locks, latches or simple locking mechanisms. In contrast, exterior door handles are specially designed to offer a higher level of security. They use more robust locking systems, such as cylinder locks, deadbolt locks, multipoint locks or electronic locks to protect your home against intrusions.
• The certification: unlike interior door handles, exterior models are often subject to anti-break-in certifications due to their exposed location.

The type of door or room concerned

While some door handles are suitable for all rooms in your home, others that are more design-led and aesthetic should be chosen according to the door to be dressed or the room in question. For:

• your toilets and bathroom, opt for a model with privacy lock. This locking mechanism is practical in an emergency, as it can be unlocked from the outside using a coin or screwdriver.
• your living room and your children's bedrooms, it is recommended to choose solid plate or undrilled interior door handles. Rosette handles, particularly blind rosettes, are also suitable for this type of door.
• your front door, it is essential to install a handle with a security lock equipped with a key cylinder. This configuration is more resistant, as the fixing screws are not accessible from the outside, thus ensuring better protection.
• your private rooms, prefer a handle with a mortice key lock mechanism to preserve the security or privacy of these spaces.