Sliding Door Handles

Sliding door handles should make the door easy to use without getting in the way of the way it moves. Our range includes flush pulls for cavity doors, surface-mounted pulls for barn-style and face-sliding doors, passage and privacy sets for internal rooms, and keyed options for suitable external sliding doors.

Start with the door type and the function you need. From there, compare the handle dimensions, door preparation and finish. If you are replacing existing hardware, measure the cut-out and fixing positions before choosing—the overall handle size alone does not confirm that a new set will fit.

Choose the right handle for your sliding door

Cavity sliding doors

A cavity door slides fully into the wall, so it usually needs a low-profile flush pull that will clear the jamb. An edge pull can make it easier to retrieve the door when it is sitting inside the cavity. Check whether the edge pull is included with the chosen set or needs to be selected separately.

Barn doors and surface-sliding doors

If the door runs across the face of the wall, a projecting pull handle can provide a comfortable grip. Check the projection and allow enough clearance from walls, architraves and the door frame as the door opens. If you need access from both sides, confirm whether the handle is sold singly, as a pair or as a back-to-back set.

Passage, privacy or entrance function

  • Passage: suitable when the door needs a handle but does not need to lock, such as a hallway, pantry or living area.
  • Privacy: a low-security locking function for bathrooms, toilets and bedrooms. Look for a set designed for sliding doors and check whether an emergency release is included.
  • Entrance or keyed: intended for suitable external sliding doors where keyed security is required. Confirm the complete locking arrangement, door construction and installation requirements before ordering.

Browse our sliding door locks and accessories for compatible locking and edge-pull options. If you simply need a fixed surface-mounted handle, compare our wider door pull handle range.

Measurements that matter when replacing a handle

Remove the old handle where practical and compare the new product specifications with the door itself. Useful measurements include:

  • Cut-out size: the height, width, diameter and depth of any recess already in the door.
  • Fixing centres: the centre-to-centre distance between existing screw holes.
  • Door thickness: particularly important for paired handles, privacy sets and mortice locks.
  • Handle projection: a cavity-door pull must stay clear of the jamb, while a surface pull needs enough hand clearance.
  • Backset and lock position: check these when the set includes, or needs to work with, a sliding-door lock.
  • Coverage: make sure the new plates will cover any existing cut-out, holes or marks you do not plan to repair.

For a new door, choose the hardware before the joiner prepares the cut-out. Sliding handle sets vary, so there is no single universal hole pattern or door preparation.

Finish and style

Choose a finish that works with nearby door hardware, cabinet handles and fittings. An exact match is not always essential; a similar colour and sheen can still look coordinated. Finish names can vary between brands, so our team can help compare the closest visual options if matching is important.

Sliding door handles are available in traditional, heritage and contemporary designs, from simple rectangular flush pulls to round cavity-door sets and decorative pull handles. The best choice is one that suits the door's function as well as the room.

Need help planning your door hardware?

For one replacement door, send us clear photos of both faces and the door edge, along with the measurements above. For a larger renovation or new build, our free door scheduling service can help organise handle functions, locks and quantities across the project. You can also contact our team for help choosing from the broader door handle range.

Sliding door handle FAQs

Choose a low-profile flush pull that can pass into the wall cavity without catching on the jamb. If the door slides fully into the cavity, an edge pull helps you retrieve it. Check the product's cut-out, projection and door-thickness requirements before ordering.

No. Cut-out size, fixing centres, door thickness, projection and lock preparation vary between handles. Measure the existing door and compare every relevant dimension with the product specifications.

An edge pull is useful when a cavity door sits fully inside the wall and the face pull is no longer accessible. It is not normally needed when enough of the door remains exposed to grip. Check whether it is included with the handle set.

Yes. Choose a privacy handle or lock designed specifically for a sliding door. Check the door thickness, cut-out and whether the set includes an emergency release and the required lock components.

A flush pull can be used where a recessed grip suits the door, but many barn doors are easier to operate with a surface-mounted pull on the accessible face. Check wall and frame clearance, and decide whether you need a handle on one side or both.

Only use hardware listed as suitable for the door's location and security requirements. External sliding doors may need a keyed lock and weather-appropriate materials, so confirm the complete handle and locking arrangement before ordering.

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