Pull Handles

A pull handle has no latch mechanism. It is a fixed grip for doors that do not need to be held shut by a lever, such as sliding doors, pocket doors, wardrobe fronts, cupboards and glass entrance doors. Sizes are quoted by overall length and by fixing centres, and both need checking against the door before ordering.

Getting the size and fixing right

Bolt-through fixings are stronger and the right choice on heavy or high-traffic doors; face-fixed handles are quicker but rely on the door skin. Pair a pull handle with a flush bolt or magnetic latch where the door still needs to stay closed, and add a door stop to protect the wall behind it.

Sliding and pocket installations usually take a flush pull rather than a projecting one, so see sliding door kit systems and pocket doors. For latched internal doors use lever handles or door knobs instead.

Where a pull handle is the correct part

A pull handle has no moving parts and no spindle, so it does not operate a latch. That makes it the right choice on doors that are not latched: sliding doors on sliding door kit systems, pocket doors, room dividers, cupboard and wardrobe fronts, and entrance doors that are held by a lock rather than a latch. If the door needs to latch shut, you want a lever from door handles or a knob from door knobs instead.

Bar diameter, centres and fixing

Three numbers describe a pull handle. The bar diameter is the thickness of the bar you grip, commonly 19mm or 22mm on domestic doors. The centres are the distance between the two fixing points, which is what has to line up with the holes in the door. The overall length is longer than the centres because of the end returns. Bolt through fixing, where a bolt passes through the leaf into the handle on the other side, is stronger than screwing into the face and is the usual choice on a door that gets pulled hard every day.

Finishes

Stainless steel finishes are the most common on pull handles because they resist hand contact well: satin stainless steel hides marks, bright stainless steel is sharper but shows them. Antique brass and satin chrome are used where the pull has to match the rest of the ironmongery in the house. Full ranges are available from Carlisle Brass, Atlantic UK and Zoo Hardware, so a pull can be matched to the hinges and locks elsewhere.

Can a pull handle be fitted to a fire door?

Yes, but the fixings must not compromise the leaf and the door still needs rated hinges, intumescent seals and a closing device where required. See fire doors.

Do I need one or a pair?

Check the listing. A single pull suits a sliding or cupboard door; a back-to-back pair is used on a door pulled from both sides.