The different types of handles for sliding doors

The sliding door offers an ideal solution for this type of redesign: easy to install, inexpensive and requiring minimal work, it is not only functional but also proves to be a key feature for your décor. For a perfect result, dress your doors with modern handles that will highlight the design of your new installation! We give you advice on which handle is best suited to your sliding door.

The different handles available for your sliding door

When thinking of a sliding partition, one immediately thinks of a recessed handle. 

However, it is possible to install other types of handles that will be mounted in relief on one side of the door only. 

a. Recessed sliding door handle

For a sliding door, the handle can be recessed or slim enough for the door leaf to slide horizontally on a rail and sit alongside or inside a wall in the case of a pocket sliding door.

By definition, the recessed handle is hollow so as not to protrude from the door, hence its other name: flush pull handle. This type of handle is required for pocket sliding doors that are recessed into the wall. Indeed, the flush pull handle allows the pocket door to be guided without risk of collision. To facilitate handling, most of these handles are fitted with a finger pull that you pull to open the door. Whether round, oval, square or rectangular in shape, the recessed handle is hollow and therefore does not protrude from the door.

b. Surface-mounted sliding door handles

It is possible to choose a non-recessed handle, particularly for surface-mounted sliding doors. Several adaptable handle models are available.

. The knob handle

This type of handle will be fixed to the edge of the outer face of the door in surface mounting (the side that does not slide against the wall). Whereas its predecessor, the white porcelain oval knob, was a classic product, the modern knob comes in a vast range of materials (zamak, stainless steel, brass, glass or aluminium), shapes (in varied diameters and lengths) and finishes (matt black, lacquered white, satin chrome…). Moreover, this type of handle is very easy to install and is very affordable in terms of price.

. The pull handle (or bar handle)

Like the knob, this type of handle will be mounted on the outer face of the door to slide it. The stainless steel bar handle pairs well with a surface-mounted frosted glass sliding door for the bathroom. The bar handle is very easy to operate. Simply pull to open or close the door. Pull handles are also easy to mount on the edge of doors.

Just like the knob-type handle, the pull handle is available in several materials: brass, stainless steel, aluminium or zamak. The bar handle fits on the edge of any type of opening as this product offers a variable length and diameter. This handle also comes in a wide range of finishes: chrome or satin steel effect, polished stainless steel or aged brass. 

For your information and from an aesthetic point of view, the bar handle does not readily combine with other accessories such as a lock kit. If you are considering a locking system (lock with or without key) for your bathroom, opt for a knob-type handle.

Décor info point: The advantage of the knob handle and the bar handle is that both types of handle can be fitted to furniture or wardrobe drawers to create a matching interior decoration, at a reasonable price. You can even consider fitting the same knob to French windows or windows. 

The lever handle is rarely favoured for a sliding partition. Indeed, even though the lever handle on plate offers a wide range of products and finishes, this handle does not provide an ideal grip for this type of closure, which only needs to be slid sideways. Having to press down the lever conflicts with the required lateral pulling motion.

c. Sliding door handle with or without locking system

Handles for sliding doors are available with or without a locking system. A lock (with key or turn button) is a very useful product for certain rooms in the home whose doors should not be freely openable.

Sliding door handles with privacy lock can be key-operated or turn-button. Key-operated, they are perfect for a bedroom. With a turn button, the locking system can only be operated from the inside, for a bathroom or toilet.

For your information: when you purchase your door handles, you will generally have the following list of parts and accessories: 

- a pair of round recessed handles - left and right with privacy lock 

- a finger pull

- A lock

- a strike plate

- the assembly instructions 

This list may be supplemented by the locking system (mortise lock). The lock is offered to match the type and finish of handle chosen. Installing a lock provides security and peace of mind and presents no particular difficulty even for novice DIY enthusiasts!

Additional useful information: handles are often designed for door leaves with a maximum thickness of 44 mm. This measurement is particularly important in the case of a handle to be recessed into the door wood.