Whether you’re replacing a broken set from your home’s entry or designing the interior stylings of a new kitchen, there is a wealth of external and interior door handles & knobs to choose from in various shapes, sizes and finishes. 

To help you know how to choose between the many knobs, lever handles and pulls out there, our experts at Paddington Hardware have laid out the key differences between door knobs & handles, offering some insight into which would be best for your property.

Door Knobs – Advantages

Ideal for Both Right- & Left-Opening Doors

Unlike traditional lever door handles, modern cylindrical door knobs are designed to work with both right- and left-opening doors. 

Provide an Authentic Period Style

Door knobs provide an authentic period style perfect for homes looking to achieve a certain aesthetic. Whether it is a Victorian or Georgian interior design style, many vintage and antique doors are actually designed specifically for door knobs, leaving them as the ideal choice for homeowners who wish to maintain the authenticity of their home and enjoy the beauty of tradition without sacrificing safety or convenience.

Better Suited for Children

As door knobs require users to apply a firm grip with both their hands and fingers, small children are less likely to be able to open them. This makes them a great option for parents who have young kids running around the house and want to avoid access to certain areas. The rounder surface is also far safer than the pointed levers should children accidentally collide with them.

Doors Knobs – Disadvantages

Less Grip When Wet or Greased

As mentioned above, door knobs require a firm grip to operate, which can be challenging if your hands or the knob itself become wet or greasy. This can be especially difficult during hot and humid climates, or even when you are cooking particularly hot meals and find condensation developing on the knob. 

Deeper Installation Required

Rather than being installed closer to the edge of the door’s frame, door knobs will need to be installed deeper into the frame to prevent users from grazing their knuckles on the door frame itself. 

Difficulties for Those with Motor Skills Deficiencies

Door knobs can be challenging for those with motor skills deficiencies, such as those suffering from arthritis or other mobility impairments. It generally takes more strength and dexterity to open and close a door knob than to open and close a handle. If the knob is placed too high on the door frame, it can make it almost impossible for someone with motor skills deficiencies to reach and open it.

Lever Door Handles – Advantages

Improve Grip for Easy Operation

Lever door handles provide a better grip for easier operation than door knobs. The long, flat levers of the handle are designed to allow a strong and secure grip when one needs to open or close the door. This makes them particularly beneficial for people with limited strength in their hands or wrists.

Position Closer to the Door’s Edge

As the lever of the handle faces inwards towards the door, there is less risk of the user’s knuckles coming into contact with the frame. With this in mind, door handles can be installed far closer to the edge of the door frame, creating a cleaner aesthetic where the door’s shape is preserved. 

Aesthetics to Suit Both Conventional & Contemporary Homes

With a wide range of styles and finishes available on the market today, you can easily find door handles that will perfectly complement your home décor, giving it an even more attractive overall look. Whether you are looking for clean finishes in a Hamptons-style mansion or something refined and subtle for contemporary living, door handles can ‘work’ in most settings. 

Lever Door Handles – Disadvantages

Cannot Support Surface Mounted Rim Locks

As both require fixing to the face of the door, lever handle sets and rim locks are not compatible with each other. If you prefer the extra security and aesthetic of a rim lock, a round knob with a threaded spindle is required.

Door Handle Must Match Door Orientation

When installing a door handle, you must ensure it is correctly aligned with the door’s orientation. If you change your door's orientation (such as from left-hand opening to right-hand opening), you will also need to swap your handle’s direction for optimal functionality.

High Maintenance Required

Due to their intricate nature, interior door handles require more frequent maintenance than their knob counterparts. Internal systems and components can wear out over time and break, such as the inner springs, leaving the handle itself to sag or become less stable.

For additional guidance on how to choose the right lever door handles, pulls or knobs for your property, please contact us at Paddington Hardware today.