Whether you're renovating or building from scratch, the age-old debate of door knobs vs door handles can play a big role in the overall feel and look of your home.

Switching your door furniture is a quick, inexpensive way to upgrade your doors and change the interior design of your home.

Here’s what you need to know to help make your decision:

Design & Aesthetics

At Todd Doors, we have a wide range of finishes for our ironmongery and the option to colour match for a cohesive look! The main finishes of ironmongery are Polished Chrome, Satin Chrome, Stainless Steel, Satin Brass, Antique Brass or Black.

Doorknobs: Typically round-shaped, they function by turning to retract a latch, allowing the door to open. Often more traditional and compact. They suit classic or vintage-style interiors well.

Door Handles (Levers): Lever-on rose door handles are a type of door handle featuring a lever attached to a circular or square backplate, known as a rose. The rose surrounds the base of the handle where it connects to the door, concealing the fixings and providing a clean, modern finish. This design offers both functionality and aesthetic appeal, making it a popular choice in contemporary interior design. Sleek and modern, they tend to blend better with contemporary and minimalist decor.

You can also get doorknobs and door handles on backplates; this is where they are mounted onto a rectangular backplate as part of the design.

Ease of Use

Knobs require a twisting motion, which can be harder for people with arthritis or limited hand strength.

Handles offer better accessibility. A simple push-down opens the door, ideal for elderly users or children.

Safety

Knobs are slightly harder to operate, which can be a plus for safety.

Handles, on the other hand, are easier to accidentally open, especially by small children. It’s important to consider does the room where the handle is safe for a child?

Installation & Compatibility

Both can be installed on most standard doors. Knobs are usually more universal.

Handles may require checking door orientation (left-handed vs. right-handed levers).

Also, consider what door they are being installed on and if they are compatible with fire doors.

 Cost & Availability

Price differences between knobs and handles don’t differ much in price from one another; you will need to take into consideration what lock and latch configuration you will need for both., luckily we have an easy guide to help you understand which configuration is best- you can find out door furniture buying guide here.

Consideration

Consider who will be using the door, what style you prefer, and any specific functional needs. In many homes, a mix of both knobs and handles can strike the perfect balance between function and design.

Remember, quality doors deserve quality ironmongery and with Todd Doors the choices are endless.