Lever upvc door handles

How To find replacement upvc door handles

UPVC door handles tend to break between the lever and the backplate. Repairing them is not really an option as mechanical parts are just not available in the supply chain. The only answer is to find replacement upvc door handles. Follow our guidance either on this page or using our 'How To Measure uPVC Door Handles' guide and the whole process of how to find replacement upvc door handles will become much easier.

The Police have told me I need high security door handles on my front door?

Security handles for upvc doors are not always available for many door locks. The problem will be the age of the lock and manufacturers simply don't make any improved models. Your only option to replace your upvc door handle is to find something that will fit and then fit a 3 star anti snap door lock. If there is a security handle available check the listing amongst our uPVC security door handles.

How easy is it to replace a set of upvc door handles?

We think it's very easy if you start from the right point. The hardest part is finding the correct replacement upvc door handles as they have to match on some key sizes as the screws, lock and spindle pass through a lockcase with minimal clearance. Handles for upvc doors are usually held in place by two screws so taking them apart and re-fitting is not difficult at all.

How do I find the correct replacement upvc door handles to replace the one I have?

You need to take 3 measurements from your existing upvc door handle and make them as accurate as possible. This is very important as some of the positions have minimal clearance through the lockcase so you can't always re-drill those positions.

1. The size between the centre of the key hole (round part) and the centre of the lever.

2. The size between the centres of the two screws.

3. The size from the centre of the top screw to the centre of the lever.

When you have these measurements then search down the list of available handles or follow this upvc door handles sizes guide which will take you to the specific handle.

How do I know if I have the correct type of lock on my door?

If you have a bulb shaped cylinder for the key lock then it is most likely be a euro multi-point lock. This is the correct type of lock that you need. You can check the sizes here for the standard euro lock outer size. All types of upvc door handles have this size of cylinder although the length of the cylinder lock does change and is a separate consideration when ordering euro cylinders. It is unlikely that that this shape of cylinder can be confused with anything similar as it is a unique design and size that can only be found on multi-point locks found on upvc, aluminium and some wooden doors. Changing your locks at the same time as the handles is not necessary unless you want new locks or to improve the security of the current lock.

How important is it to get the sizes accurate?

Very. You could approach this in a few different ways:

• With the upvc handle still fixed to the door use your ruler or tape measure to measure the sizes in situ.
• Take your upvc handle off the door and measure from behind the backplate.
• Draw around the backplate with a fine pencil on a piece of paper and measure it.

Can I get security handles for my uPVC door?

Upvc security door handles are now available for some types of locks. Do check carefully the sizes comply so that replacement is possible. Security handles are based on anti-snap testing and qualify for 2 stars out of 3 for the security Kitemark. If you want full 3 star anti snap handles and locks use a 1 star door lock with the 2 star handle.

What is a lever/pad handle?

You can identify this type of exterior door handle by virtue of a lever on the inside of the door and a paddle on the outside. If you have upvc handles that are offset to each other (two independent spindles) then your door will lock by itself every time you close it. You will then need to use the key to open the door each time from the outside. Lever pad upvc door handles are not as readily available these days but our range includes some of the more popular ones.

Do the handles come as a pair?

If you are purchasing replacement upvc door handles then you can expect to receive a pair for one door. They are generally universally handed so they can be set up on the door either way around. This keeps the screw heads on the inside. If you do have to select the handing of the handle then it works like this - viewing from the outside with the hinges on the left side of the door means the handle is left handed.

Can uPVC door handles be used on aluminium and timber doors?

Yes they can. However, the locks must be of a similar nature to that found on a PVC-U door. The positioning of the fixings, levers and key-hole must then be correct.

I have a certain brand of handle so can I use other brands?

Yes you can use a different brand provided the sizes all match up as we have described previously. That means you can change Mila uPVC door handles to Hoppe uPVC door handles provided the positions for the levers, screws and keyhole are in the same place.

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.

Why doesn’t my new replacement handle fit properly?

There are several key sizes that must be determined when changing your upvc door handles. You will need to re-check these from the size matrix for upvc door handles on this website.

My new replacement upvc door handles sag when fitted?

Many replacement upvc door handles are supplied with uPVC door springs that help to bring the handle lever to a horizontal position. If this cassette is fitted in your handle then check it is inserted correctly within the backplate. Some double glazing door handles will not have a spring mechanism and will be sold as an unsprung handle. If this is the case you can only rely on the lock spring to hold the position of the handle correctly. This should be fine in the vast majority of cases. If your lock mechanism is fairly old there is of course a chance that the spring may have deteriorated. Unfortunately when used with an unsprung upvc door handle you will remain with a sagging handle. The only solution is to purchase a sprung handle or to replace the lock.

If you have two spindles then your lock is designed to work independently from the inside and outside. These are most usually found on upvc front door handles and stop you from entering through the door without the use of your key. If you have this arrangement then keep the spindles and parts and re-insert them into the new 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 2mm say).

Can I change from a pad to a lever?

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

Are there replacement upvc door handles available with 3 fixing screws?

Yes. Primarily there are 3 fixing positions to further enhance the security of the upvc door. The vast majority of door 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.

Why is a French door handle different?

French door handles are used on double doors. You will therefore have a main door and a slave door. Your slave door will most likely be without a keyhole. 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.

I live in a coastal region and need handles that will stand up to corrosion - anything available?

There are now some stainless steel upvc door handles available in an external 316 grade and these are made for the job. It's important to ensure that the stainless steel is at least 316 on the external facing surfaces of the handle. There are very few handle finishes that can stand up to salt-air or pollutant environments. Finishes like PVD, Resista and 316 grade stainless steel do have guarantees working up to 25 years in some cases.

What can I use to clean the handles?

All you need is a soft dry cloth and this will keep the upvc door handle sufficiently clean. To avoid degradation of the surface coating it is best to avoid chemical based cleaners.