A handle set comprising a lever on the inside and a lever on the outside.

What is a lever/pad handle?

A handle comprising a lever on the inside of the door and a compact pad on the outside.

How do I remove the handle from the door?

It’s very simple.

With the door in the open position just unscrew the fixing screws that are located on the inside face of the back plate using a Philips screwdriver (in most cases there are two fixing screws but occasionally three). When releasing the screws be aware that the handle lever and plate on the outside will work loose so be prepared to hold things together with one hand! The levers will slide off the spindle (s) or can be pulled apart gently. Keep all the parts together and don’t let the door shut until you are ready to replace the handle unit.

Many handles are supplied with a spring cassette that helps to bring the handle lever to a horizontal position. Ensure that if this cassette is made available with your handle that it is inserted correctly within the backplate. Some handles will not have a spring mechanism and will be sold as an unsprung handle (check product details before purchase). If this is the case you can only rely on the lock spring to hold the position of the handle correctly and this should be the case in the vast majority. If your lock mechanism is fairly old there is a chance that the spring may have deteriorated and when used with an unsprung handle you will remain with a sagging handle. The only solution is to purchase a sprung handle or to replace the lock.

Why are there two spindles within my handle?

These are most usually found on the front door handles and isolate the inside handle from the outside handle.

How do you measure the door thickness?

When the door is open measure from the inside face of the opening door to the outside. This is the distance between the handle on the inside and the handle on the outside measured in millimetres. This needs to be reasonably accurate (within 3mm say).

Can I change from a pad to a lever?

Yes you can but there are fewer options, if any, in some cases. Some pads have two spindles and therefore you will need a lever/lever off-set type.

Are there handles available with 3 fixing screws?

Yes. Primarily there are 3 fixing positions to further enhance the security of the door. The vast majority of handles have two fixing positions and therefore there will be a limited number of designs available with 3 fixing screws. Send an email with as many details of the hole positions as possible and we will do our best to find you a direct replacement. Customerservices@handlestore.com

Is there an extended lever version?

Extended handles are available at a special request. Send an email with as many details of the hole positions as possible and we will do our best to find you a direct replacement.

Why is a French door handle different?

French door handles will be sent as a complete set of two pairs. One handle will be used for the main door and this will have the key-hole lock. The other door known as the slave door will have no key hole and this will be the only difference when viewing the handles apart from any handed positions i.e. left or right handed. You can use standard Lever/Lever handles but you will have to accept that both backplates will have key-hole cut-outs.

What can I use to clean the handles?

Care should be applied when cleaning handles.

Door handles can often be cleaned with a soft dry cloth. If further cleaning is needed use a mild solution of warm, soapy water on a soft cloth and dry thoroughly afterwards.
To prolong the serviceable life of the handle, care must be taken not to scratch or damage the surfaces of the handle. Do not use wire wool or scouring agents.

The espag handle drives window lock mechanisms and is identified by a protruding square spindle out of the back of the handle that engages into the lock and upon turning locks or releases the window.

Espag is short for the French word espagnolette and really took off in the UK during the 1980’s with the growth of PVC-U window frames.

In France this term has been used to describe “a locking mechanism of a form comprising a pair of rods, controlled by a knob mechanism, having hooked ends that engage catches in the head and sill of a French window or such like”.

Various forms of locking mechanisms applied to PVC-U windows fall loosely under the heading of espag. To you and I this can be roller cam locks, mushroom headed locks or shoot-bolt locking systems that wrap around the perimeter of an opening sash to improve the security or weather performance of the window.

In the first instance you must be sure that you have replaced your existing handle with the correct step size. There is the possibility to adjust the tightness by changing the plastic moulded wedge to a smaller size (usually by 1mm increments).

What can I use to clean the handles?

Care should be applied when cleaning handles.

Window handles can often be cleaned with a soft dry cloth. If further cleaning is needed use a mild solution of warm, soapy water on a soft cloth and dry thoroughly afterwards.

To prolong the serviceable life of the handle, care must be taken not to scratch or damage the surfaces of the handle. Do not use wire wool or scouring agents.

The screw fixing holes are concealed under a cover plate. You may notice a small impression at the top and bottom of the base plate and using your fingers just lift the cover and swivel the plate to reveal the holes for fixing.

What can I use to clean the handles?

Care should be applied when cleaning handles.

Window handles can often be cleaned with a soft dry cloth. If further cleaning is needed use a mild solution of warm, soapy water on a soft cloth and dry thoroughly afterwards.

To prolong the serviceable life of the handle, care must be taken not to scratch or damage the surfaces of the handle. Do not use wire wool or scouring agents.