Getting a Handle on Door Handles

If you're like most people you have never given much thought to door handles. Like some many other things in this world we take them for granted until something needs to be done with them. An attractive door handle set can actually be the accessory that brings an entire room together, although usually it's hard for an untrained eye to detect exactly why they find a particular living room, bedroom, or bathroom especially appealing. Interior decorators have known for years that handles and knobs are not places to try to save a few dollars by buying something that's on sale. Handles are such a small fraction of the total cost of a home but again this is not an area to get anything less than the best. A cheap handle will discount tremendous amounts of money spent making everything else look wonderful. Trying to save a few dollars on a handle would be like buying an extremely expensive and heavy door and then getting hinges that are too weak to hold the thing up. This lack of practicality is astoundingly common and it doesn't just occur with front doors. Another similar analogy would be to install a security system but not put locks on the house. The finer details are a great way to way any room instantly more attractive with proper hardware. Door pulls and knobs as well as lever handles are various methods for doing the same thing. Securing a latch is the ultimate goal whether it's on a mirror, window, sliding, or rear door. Generally speaking the kitchen (pictured below) has more handles than any other room in the house and this is because of the cabinets, refrigerator, microwave, oven, toaster oven, and various other appliances that might have handles for opening and closing. Kitchen door handles tend to get the most abuse and as a result need to be fixed or repaired the most often.


Germs are something to worry about especially in kitchens and hospitals and particular attention and study has been given to how germs effect door handles. Interesting the amount of germs passed on is directly correlated to the type of material the handle or knob is made of. For instance hospitals actually use self disinfecting handles to maintain as close to a sterile environment as possible. Choices like porcelain or stainless steel, and glass are not the best choices as germs seep into these materials. Aluminum is another such choice that belongs in the same category as the other materials that were just listed. The best or safest choices from germs getting on our hands are many of the materials that are most common including silver, brass, and copper. These materials are amazingly like poison to many germs over time because of something called the oligodynamic effect. Keep this in mind the next time your shopping for door handles at your local hardware store. You may even be able to teach the workers in Home Depot or your local neighborhood hardware store a thing or two.

Repairing a broken door handle can be an extremely simple process and is in most instances. Generally speaking the only tool you'll need is a screwdriver. Screwdrivers come in two basic categories: flat head and Phillips. The Phillips style is a cross look where as the flat head is aptly named as it has a flat head with just two sides. The Phillips on the other hand has four sides. Take a look at the door handle that's in need of repair or replacement and determine which type of screwdriver you'll need for the job. Repairing door handles is usually easier than fixing door knobs because the round knob can make for difficult angels when trying to loosen the screws. A small or angled screwdriver is best for trying to reach hard to get to spots. If a door piece needs to be replaced entirely then visit a local hardware store like Home Depot or Lowe's and find the aisle that has what your looking for. There will be a section properly labeled with what you're looking for. If you can't find the part you need then ask a sales representative or someone else working there if they will help you. They should be able to point you in the right direction. Although many door handle sizes are one size fits all it's a good idea to bring in the piece you're replacing. Unless you lost the old handle you should bring it with you because this will allow you to match the size, color, shape, style, weight, etc. If you don't bring in the old handle you face the risk of buying one that doesn't fit with the rest of your hardware. This is a bigger deal for some people than others. It all depends on how you want it to look. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you're in Home Depot, that's what the workers are there for. If you want to hire someone to help you make the repairs or replacement there are usually handymen that hang out around the store's like Lowe's. These people are sometimes referred to as day laborers because they do manual labor for a day like general home repairs, plumbing, sod, etc. If you're unsure who the most reliable or best worker is then ask someone in the store who they recommend. They will often times be able to refer you to the safest choice when it comes to fixing up your place. Sometimes a broken or out of commission piece will be just the excuse a wife or husband needs to change out all of the handles for a new style or look. Sometimes the change is to make the home look more modern and sometimes it's the necessity of long over due upgrades. Don't hesitate to speak to a interior decorator before making replacements. Decorators aren't only for the rich and famous. Many are more than happy to take small jobs or one off projects to grow their reputation and in the process meet a new small client that down the road may become a large client. Use the internet to find people to help you with the doors. Interior decorators are usually thought of as women but this isn't always the case. Speak to a couple of people before committing and remember that the ultimate decision of how your house looks is up to you and your family because you're the ones who will have to live with brass or chrome (a couple of the most popular choices).

Choosing door handles for your home or car is about more than just what looks the best. In recent years there has been a tremendous amount of work in the field of ergonomics. For a thorough definition of the term see the linked Wikipedia definition that can be found through the word ergonomics in the previous sentence. In short ergonomics is the study of how people relate to other objects (levers, pulls, chairs, etc.) and strives to find the most natural fit for people to interact with these objects. The purpose is to minimize ailments like arthritis and other body pain that is caused by interacting with objects in a way that's not natural for the human body. This is especially important with door knobs and handles because certain positions, sizes, and shapes aren't natural for the human hand and arm to interact with. A professional designer or even a general house builder should know these things, but this study is relatively new so don't be afraid to bring up this topic when discussing your house design. The biggest problems often occur when home owners or renters go to a hardware store and just pick out any old thing without thought to how that particular handle interacts with their hand. This is different for different people as things like hand size, height, strength, dexterity, and many other factors can play a surprisingly important role in this selection. Don't take it for granted that all of the choices are equal. While color doesn't matter because a black door handle and a white door handle will have the same ergonomic impact if they're the same make and model. This isn't necessarily the case with chrome compared to brass because these two materials can have a different weight and consequently a different feel to an individual's body. Generally speaking you should just use common sense and don't ignore awkward or uncomfortable handles as this could cause serious long term issues like arthritis. Speak to your doctor if your hand or any part of your arm (like your elbow) are hurting. Mention when talking to the doctor that you suspect it could be at least partially attributable to recent changes you've made to your environment around the house, specially to the door handles.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (or ADA) is something that we haven't addressed yet that we'll be covering in this section. Believe it or not the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 actually has an influence on what door handles can and can not be installed in certain residences and business. To be clear the ADA is a very positive organization that has done wonders for equality in the United States and should be commended for such. The purpose of discussing their rules and regulations is not to scorn them for limiting handle options but merely to inform so that efficient choices are made by builders and those doing repairs and replacements. Without getting into the code too specifically I can say that it would probably be a violation to replace a large door handle that was in compliance with the code with a small door handle that might not be. Check with the code if you think you need to before making repairs or doing original installation. While the ADA deals with a number of important issues like employment the articles that primarily relate to our subject include the sections on public accommodations, public transportation, and accessibility. Most people only think about ramps without thinking about door handles but in fact their are regulations for these as well. Without getting into all of the legalese I will say that the general rule is that handles and not knobs should be used because some handicaps make it more difficult to grasp a knob and turn it than to pull a lever or hook onto a handle and then manipulate the door handle. Even the elderly and children can have a hard time with a heavy or particularly slippery knob because it can require a strong grip. Most industrial and commercial buildings as well as hotels and apartment buildings will use levers that are like handles because the leverage provided by these pieces makes it easier for anyone to use.

While up until this point we've primarily focused on door handles on homes like those found on the front door an interesting piece of trivia is that there are more car door handles in the united states than door handles in homes. Okay, I just made that up. Don't quote me on that. We could have an entire discussion about the number of homes and the number of cars in the US and the fact that sometimes many people live in one home together while many times one person will have multiple cars. To calculate the door handle figure we'd have to also take into account people living in urban areas without cars and also the number of truck door handles and two door car door handles (because fewer doors means fewer handles), etc. To make a long story short, even after that long discussion I wouldn't have any confidence in our final numbers. I do know that a number of people might find this blog or website if you will while searching for info about a car handle or maybe something as unique as a Chevy door handle. Don't worry because in this area will go over what you want to know about every auto door handle. These pieces can stick or not work properly and sometimes you can even lock yourself out of your car or truck, especially if you lock your keys inside of your car. This happens more than most people realize (just ask a triple A service man who's called out to unlock car doors on a daily basis). Fortunately maybe cars are now equipped thanks to electronics so that people should not be able to lock their keys in the car. No more frustration as a helpless mom or dad is yanking car door handles trying to get in while their baby is locked inside. I suggest everyone get a AAA account in case this ever happens to you. They'll not only help with locked in keys but also help with a broken truck door handle or a flat tire. For about $50 a year you can have the piece of mind that you'll never have to deal with any of the issues alone. The staff is very friendly and the service technicians are very well trained and helpful. They're the auto version of the handyman who can show up and fix whatever is broken and they do it all day every day so it's like second nature for them so they know all about latches, grips. and hinges. Mechanics are of course reliable sources for fixing all parts of a car or truck. Find a local one that you trust. Ask around to see who is the best honest. What good experiences have friends of yours in the area had. If you're new to an area and not sure who to trust with your car then ask around at work. Your co-workers should be able to point you in the right direction when it comes to car repairs because they've probably had to go through the same exercises to fix various parts of their automobiles. Whether your issue is with a window, outside door handles, or the door itself a reliable mechanic is the person that you want to speak with for fixing it up. Car door handles can stick out and cause wind drag, this is why many are built flush into the side of the car. Think about luxury cars in particular that often come with keyless entry to unlock door handles remotely. This feature is now practically standard with most new cars and trucks. Don't be afraid to ask the mechanic to explain to you what's wrong with the vehicle and exactly how he plans to fix it. You might be able to learn some helpful hints that will be useful for troubleshooting or fixing car handles yourself in the future. You never know what you'll need to know, but it's always good to be constantly learning new things, you never know when you'll have an opportunity to apply what you've learned. Pictured below is someone installing a car door handle. Click on the picture to enlarge it.

According to Wikipedia the first door knob was invented in 1878 by a man named Osbourn Dorsey. This is when the patent is registered but I find it very hard to believe that no one had ever used a door knob or door handle before 1878. Using patents to decide when things were actually invented is a strange way to do things and in many cases a down right incorrect way to evaluate history. Official patents are a relatively recent thing in the entire realm of history. For some perspective think about the fact that the Bass logo on Bass beer was the first logo ever registered in England (if you don't believe me check out this interesting link). Needless to say we can all agree that people were opening and closing doors long before 1878. Wikipedia goes on to explain that the door knob is built using a bolt (also known as a spindle) that runs through the cylinder that connects everything together. The frame is the general structure that prevents the door from being opened if the handle isn't turned. Something called escutcheon plates are placed around the knob which keep it from moving when it's latched. Escutcheon plates are basically the parts of the door handle that aren't the knob, the latch, or the cylinder. If you think about a door handle and remove those parts in your mind's eye your left looking at escutcheon plates. The basic typed of doors are entrance, privacy, passage, and dummy. When applying a door handle the measure of space between the center or the door handle and the side edge of the door (a distance usually only a few centimeters) is known as the backset. If you hear the term backset when someone is discussing a closet door handle this is what they are talking about. In homes the common piece is referred to as a screw style axle that is named a spindle. Screws are used to secure the door handle in place and the number and size of screws varies based on the shape and style.

There are actually left and right handed doors and this is something that most people don't realize. This author first realized this during an episode of the Simpsons when Ned Flanders decided to open up a left handed store in the Springfield mall. Ned was a natural lefty and thought there was an under-served market for left handed people who weren't being properly catered to as consumers. Ned's store was an ultimate failure in part because Homer for unexplainable reasons sees Ned as as enemy and he consequently played a role in the demise of the left handed store. Interestingly tough amongst Ned's products that included left handed scissors he discussed left handed doors and left handed door handled. Again, most people have no idea that the common way that doors are build is for a right handed person. This link that that I found sheds some more like on the topic: link here. The previous link is to a website that explains left and right handed doors and door handles. Left handed and right handed doors is a surprisingly somewhat interesting topic. I suggest checking out the link if it's something that you'd like to read more about. Unfortunately after reading all the answers I'm still not 100% sure but I found this explanation to be the most useful. To paraphrase:

A left handed door handle and a right handed door handle can be distinguished by crossing your arms in front of you when you're facing a door (imagine the front door or bathroom door at your house). Imagine you're on the outside of the door and you'll be pushing it in (as opposed to pulling the door handle). With your arms crossed think about your elbows as if they were hinges. Swing your right wrist from your body. This is a right handed door. If you swing your left wrist out from your body this is a left handed door position.

I found the above description to be an interesting way to think about the matter. Notice in your daily life if you deal more with left handed or right handed doors. Sometimes the door handle position is dictated by other factors especially in older construction. You can explain this trick to your friends next time the riveting conversation of handles comes up. Try to squeeze a word in edgewise while your other buddies are debating the epic question of what's better: sliding glass door handles or gate handles. If you can't tell I'm being sarcastic. But in all seriousness it's really interesting to think about the random things that we interact with all of our lives and never give any thought to like right and left handed door handles. I hope you've learned something new today.