Share When attempting to renovate domestic or commercial premises, deciding on the right door handle for inside doors can be tricky, particularly with so much choice available.
So, to help you in this regard, here we explain one of the most aesthetically-pleasing options - lever on rose door handles and the considerations that need to be made when using them.
Lever on rose door handles are invariably installed in internal doors within the home and can be found in a range of styles and sizes.
Available In Brass, Nickel, Metal & Chrome Finishes
The exact size of rose required may depend on the amount of damage that has been caused by previously-installed door handles and the finishes available include chrome, nickel, and brass.
The reason for this blog is that lever on rose door handles can't secure the door they're installed in on their own i.e. the door is held closed or latched, but not locked. For this, they need to be used in conjunction with either a internal sashlock or bathroom door locks.
However, before we go further into the subject, let's first take a closer look at what lever on rose door handles are and what they're used for.
What Is a Lever on Rose Door Handle?
Essentially, when choosing internal door handles, you'll typically have a couple of choices to make. You can opt one of two types of door opening mechanism; a door knob or a lever door handle.
The difference between the two types of door handle is fairly self-explanatory i.e. one is circular and the other features a lever. However, the use cases do vary depending on what you're trying to achieve.
Levers Are Typically Easier to Open
Choosing between the two can depend on the desired style, but also on function. For instance, people with mobility issues often find levers easier to operate, so it can also depend on who is going to be using them the most.
You'll be familiar with both types, as they're widely used in homes across the United Kingdom. You can find out more about lever on rose door handles by reading another of our blogs that delves more deeply into the subject - What is a Lever on Rose Door Handle?
The Different Types of Backing - Roses & plates.
Another consideration that needs to be made relates to the type of backing plate that's used. Roses and backplates are the two options, which both offer a distinctive style.
On the one hand, you have roses that are circular - covering just a small area around the door handle or doorknob and backplates that tend to be much bigger and rectangular.
As mentioned earlier, the best choice can depend on the number of screw holes and other damage that needs to be covered for a flush, clean look.
What to Consider When Using a Lever On Rose Door Handle
Depending on how and where you intend to use your lever on rose door handle, be it for a bathroom door or security room, there are a number of considerations that need to be made.
We'll get onto the security aspect in a very short while, but let's first look at some of the other things you need to be aware of to avoid wasting time and/or money.
Rose Diameter Measurement
When looking for the right lever on rose door handle for your needs, one of the most important things to be aware of is the rose diameter measurement.
Before deciding on one particular option for a bathroom door or otherwise, it's vital that you measure the existing holes in the door.
You see, if you want to properly cover holes and marks from previous door handle fittings, the rose needs to be large enough. Measure things up properly and you'll avoid getting one that's not quite big enough for your requirements.
Centre Measurements
Something else that must be taken into account is the centre measurement of your new and existing lever on rose door handles. This is especially the case when planning to fit single or multiple locks to your interior door.
Most often, you'll find that connecting internal doors within the home are comprised of 57 mm lock centres. This is essentially the distance between the door handle spindle and keyhole centerpoint.
Size of Lock and/or latch
When planning to replace existing door latches/locks along with door handles on an internal door, there are a number of other aspects that you'll need to think about.
For instance, you'll need to evaluate the strike plate in the door frame, in addition to the faceplate which can be found in the door itself.
Due to the fact that your security or bathroom door will have been morticed for previous latches or locks. As such, the new fittings should be bigger than the previous ones to hide the cut-outs.
Spindle Size
The last important consideration that needs to be made is in relation to spindle size, as things obviously need to match correctly so that the door handle can be turned as required.
The existing spindle hole should be big enough to accommodate the spindle for your new lever door handles. That said, they are usually of a standardized size in the UK.
Typically, lever on rose door handle spindles come in a uniform size of 8mm square, allowing the vast majority of door handle types used in the UK to fit perfectly.
Offering Security for an Internal Door
The issue with lever on rose door handles is that they don't come with any accessibility or locking features by default. which is a problem when talking about bathroom doors, and indeed, doors inside that need also have a requirement to be secured.
Securing Bathroom Lever On Rose Door Handles
The tubular latch you'll find in most types of bathroom door handles will keep the door closed. However, the problem is that a tubular latch won't stop someone from simply opening it and walking in.
In order to spare the blushes of the person inside using the bathroom, a rose door handle needs to be installed along with a bathroom lock, which is operated using a thumb turn.
As the name would suggest, a bathroom thumb turn is a small, circular bathroom door lock that is operated from the inside using the thumb and forefinger.
Connected to the lock mechanism inside, it allows it to be turned with minimal effort, unlocking the door in the process.
Can Be Opened From Outside
Typically installed at a height of 1 metre from the floor, in line with the standard height of a morticed bathroom lock, they come in a wide variety of finishes.
Of course, when bathroom locks like this are secured from the inside, it does present something of an issue if anyone were to need emergency assistance while using the restroom.
With the door being locked from the inside, you might think that getting inside to help someone could involve kicking the door open.
However, the design of most bathroom thumb turns will feature a 'coin turn' groove on the outside that allows easy access if it were needed in an emergency.
Securing Other Interior Doors
When a lever on rose door handle is installed in a non-bathroom door e.g. another interior door that needs to be kept secure, it needs to be combined with a mortice lock, covered with an escutcheon.
The mortice lock on a door like this can only be opened with a key, making it perfect for store rooms and other areas that need to be kept secure.
Also known as a keyhole cover, escutcheons are a type of door furniture that surrounds the keyhole, offering a neat, personalised finish to the door.
For rose on lever doors that lock, they will typically feature a separate escutcheon located below the door handle - covering the lock cylinder, as well as any rough edges made during lock fitting.
Escutcheons Also Offer Protection Against Wear & Tear
Usually sold in pairs - so as to cover both sides of interior doors - they also provide protection against wear and tear from those times when the key misses the hole.
Again, due to the amount of choice on the market, you can find both circular and square designs, along with a selection of different metallic finishes.
Escutcheons come in a range of available thicknesses that include 6mm, 8mm & 10mm, with diameters ranging from 50-54mm.
Some also feature a rotating cover that provides extra privacy from anyone attempting to look through the keyhole to whatever or whoever is inside.
Securing a Bathroom Door Is Simple When You Know How
So, there you have it - everything you need to know about securing inside doors that feature a lever on rose door handle against unwanted access.
Whether talking about a bathroom lock for privacy or a mortice lock that denies entry, thumb turns and escutcheons are the way to go when a lever and rose door handle combo is used.
It truly is a simple process when you know what you're doing and we hope that you have found our blog super helpful in that regard.
That's it from us for this time. Just remember that all the high-quality door handles, door locks and accessories mentioned here are available from the Hiatt Hardware shop.
