Lever Door Handles

Passage Lever Handles

Passage lever handles are used on internal doors that need to latch but don't need to lock, such as hallways, living rooms and other general internal doors.

A tubular latch is commonly used with passage handles and is usually purchased separately. If you're unsure what hardware you need, see our passage lever handle and latch guide or our guide to choosing a passage latch .

Privacy Lever Handles

Privacy lever handles are designed for bathrooms, toilets, bedrooms and other rooms where privacy is required.

Some handles have a privacy button built into the handle or rose. These are used with a privacy latch, which prevents the handle from operating when the button is pressed.

If the selected handle doesn't have an integrated privacy button, a separate privacy turn is generally used with a privacy bolt. Turning the privacy turn engages the bolt into the door frame. Both systems work well; the type required generally depends on the handle you choose.

Privacy hardware has an emergency release on the outside so the door can be unlocked if necessary. It is therefore considered a low-security function and shouldn't be used where keyed security is required.

Browse our privacy locks and privacy bolts and latches for compatible hardware.

Dummy Lever Handles

Dummy lever handles are fixed handles that don't operate a latch. They're commonly used on wardrobes, cupboards and other doors that don't require a functioning latch.

They're also ideal for the inactive door in a pair of French doors. The active door generally has a pair of functioning handles with a latch or lock, while the inactive door is secured with bolts at the top and bottom and fitted with dummy handles for symmetry.

See our dummy lever door handle guide for more information.

Entrance & Locking Lever Handles

Entrance and locking lever handles are used where keyed security is required, particularly on front and back doors.

Depending on the handle, these may be paired with a mortice lock, Euro lock, deadbolt or another compatible locking system. Browse our locks and latches to compare the available options.

Not every lever handle is available in a locking function. If an entrance or locking option isn't shown on the individual product page, that model isn't available in that configuration.

Lever on rose handles have a compact round or square plate where the lever meets the door. They're available in both contemporary and traditional designs and create a more minimal appearance than a long backplate.

For privacy applications, some lever-on-rose handles have the privacy button incorporated into the rose itself, while others require a separate privacy turn installed below the handle.

Lever on backplate handles have a longer plate behind the lever. Backplates range from simple rectangular designs to highly decorative traditional styles and may incorporate a keyhole or privacy function.

A larger backplate can also be particularly useful when replacing existing door handles, because it may cover old screw holes, marks or larger holes in the door.

You can replace existing door handles with new lever handles in most cases, but we recommend removing one existing handle before ordering so you can see exactly what is underneath it.

Check that the new rose or backplate will cover all existing holes, screw marks, paint lines and other marks left by the old handle. You should also check how the existing handle is fixed and, if you're keeping the existing latch or lock, make sure the spindle is compatible.

For step-by-step advice, read our guide to replacing existing door handles .

Check for a 54mm Bore Hole

A 54mm bore hole is a large circular hole drilled through the face of the door and is commonly found behind many modern door handle sets, including Gainsborough-style installations.

If your door has a 54mm hole, your new rose, backplate or adaptor must be large enough to completely cover it. This is particularly important with narrow long plates, which may be long enough but not wide enough to conceal the circular hole.

The fixing method matters too. If the screw positions of a face-fixed handle fall inside the existing bore hole, there is no timber for those screws to attach to. In this situation you'll generally need a compatible handle using through screws or tie bolts, which pass through the door and secure the handles together.

Our Product Details state whether an individual lever door handle is suitable for installation over a 54mm hole.

Check the Spindle

The spindle is the square metal rod that passes through the door and connects the handles to the latch or lock.

If you're retaining an existing latch or lock, check that its spindle size is compatible with the new handles. Standard Australian door hardware from different brands is generally interchangeable, but there are exceptions.

Some Gainsborough hardware can use a thicker spindle, so compatibility should be checked rather than assumed. Privacy systems are also not necessarily interchangeable, so when replacing privacy handles we recommend replacing the privacy latch or bolt as well.

The backset is the distance from the edge of the door to the centre of the spindle hole in the latch or lock.

If you already have a latch installed, measure from the edge of the door to the centre of your existing door handle, where the spindle passes through the handle and latch.

60mm is the standard backset for most Australian residential door latches. If you're fitting new hardware and don't have an existing latch to measure, 60mm will generally be the standard choice.

If you're replacing an existing latch, always measure rather than assuming. See our guide to measuring your backset for more information.

Standard Australian internal doors are generally around 35mm thick, while external doors are commonly around 40mm thick.

Once a door approaches approximately 50mm thick or more, compatibility should be checked before ordering. The supplied spindle, screws, tie bolts or other components may not be long enough for an unusually thick door.

The finish can completely change the appearance of the same lever design. Browse our brass lever handles, satin brass lever handles, matte black lever handles and chrome lever handles.

Nickel offers a softer silver-toned alternative to chrome, while antique brass, antique copper and other living finishes are designed to change naturally with age, handling and exposure.

What Finishes Are Best for Coastal Areas?

Coastal environments can accelerate tarnishing and deterioration, so choosing the right finish is especially important near the ocean.

For coastal areas, chrome is generally our first recommendation, followed closely by satin chrome and brass PVD.

Polished nickel, satin nickel, matte black and rumbled nickel can also be considered depending on the location and level of exposure.

Polished brass, satin brass, antique brass and antique copper can tarnish quickly in coastal environments. Antique brass and antique copper are living finishes and are intended to change with age and exposure.

When choosing door handles for a heritage property, consider the age of the home and any surviving original details rather than simply selecting the most ornate hardware.

Federation

Federation homes generally suit simple traditional knobs or lever handles. A classic straight or gently curved lever on a simple rectangular cast backplate can work particularly well, with chrome and brass both good options.

Victorian

Victorian homes commonly suit polished brass door furniture. Both simple traditional levers and more ornate designs can work well.

Art Deco

Art Deco homes are particularly suited to geometric door handles. Look for angular levers, geometric roses and backplates, stepped detailing and other distinctive shapes. Chrome, antique copper and black are all popular options.

Most French door sets have one active door and one inactive door.

The active door generally uses a pair of functioning lever handles with an appropriate latch or lock.

The inactive door is generally held closed by flush bolts at the top and bottom, with dummy lever handles fitted for symmetry.

Read our French Door Handles & Hardware Guide or browse our French door hardware .

1. Check what is underneath the existing handle.
Make sure the new rose or backplate will cover all existing holes and marks, particularly any 54mm bore holes.

2. Check how the handle is fixed.
Determine whether the current handles are face fixed or use through screws or tie bolts.

3. Check your backset if replacing the latch or lock.
Measure from the edge of the door to the centre of the spindle rather than assuming the existing backset.

Yes. Our standard lever door handles are supplied as a pair, with one handle for each side of the door.

Some dummy handles are the exception. Dummy handles may be supplied as a pair or individually, and this will be stated on the individual product page.

More often than not, no. The latch is usually purchased separately. Some lever handle sets do include a latch or other required hardware, so always check the individual product description.

Yes, in most cases. Check spindle compatibility and make sure the new handle will cover all holes and marks left by the existing hardware.

If your door has a 54mm bore hole, choose a handle specifically listed as suitable for installation over a 54mm hole.

Often, yes. Standard Australian lever handles and latches from different brands are generally interchangeable when they use compatible spindle sizes and fittings.

There are exceptions. Some Gainsborough hardware can use a thicker spindle, privacy systems aren't necessarily interchangeable, and existing entrance locks should be checked individually.

Most of our lever door handles are not handed and can be installed on either side of the door.

Some designs can effectively become handed where a fixing or grub screw is visible on one side. Single dummy lever handles are also handed.

Yes, provided the selected model is available in an appropriate entrance or locking function.

If a locking or entrance function isn't shown as an available option on the product page, that particular model isn't available in that configuration.

Generally, yes. A lever can be pushed down rather than requiring the hand to grip and twist a round knob, which can make it easier to operate for people with arthritis, reduced grip strength or limited hand mobility.