Is a door chain a primary security device?

No. A door chain is for controlled opening and should be used as secondary security alongside your main lock.

Will a Carlisle Brass door chain fit timber, uPVC and composite doors?

Most chains suit inward-opening timber, uPVC and composite doors when the correct fixings are used. Always follow the product guidance.

Which finish should I choose?

Match existing hardware: Polished Brass (traditional), Polished Chrome (bright), Satin Chrome (low-glare), Antique Black (heritage).

Do chains work on outward-opening doors?

Standard door chains are for inward-opening doors. For outward-opening doors, consider a hinged door guard or restrictor.

Any care tips for long-term durability?

Wipe with a soft damp cloth and avoid abrasive cleaners. This helps preserve plated finishes such as polished or satin chrome.

What should I pair with a door chain for safer ID?

Use a door viewer (peephole) to see visitors before opening, and rely on your primary mortice or night latch for main security.

Who are Carlisle Brass and why choose their architectural ironmongery?

Carlisle Brass is a leading UK brand in architectural ironmongery established in 1986, known for quality door furniture, window fittings, hinges, and locks & latches. Many product families are manufactured to exacting standards, with ranges designed for homes, hotels, and commercial projects. Choosing Carlisle Brass helps ensure consistent design across handles, accessories, and ancillary hardware.

Which finishes are available in the Carlisle Brass range?

Popular finishes include Polished Brass, Polished Chrome, Satin Chrome, Satin Nickel, Polished Nickel, Antique Brass, Matt Black, and Satin Brass. Heritage and project finishes are also available such as Ludlow Antique Black and stainless-steel grades for commercial environments. These finishes make it easy to coordinate door handles, knobs, hinges, locks, and matching accessories.

Are Carlisle Brass handles and accessories suitable for fire doors?

Many Carlisle Brass products have versions suitable for fire doors when used with the correct intumescent materials and compatible latches/locks/hinges. Always check the individual product specifications for fire ratings, CE/UKCA markings, Certifire (where applicable), and follow the door manufacturer’s guidance. For help pairing compliant hinges, closers, and locks, contact our team.

How do I choose the right lock or latch (Euro cylinder vs 3/5-lever, backset sizes)?

For external doors, Euro profile locks with a cylinder are popular; for traditional setups, 3-lever (internal) or 5-lever (external) sash and deadlocks are common. Measure the backset (edge of door to spindle/centre) and case size to match existing cut-outs—typical UK latch case sizes are 64 mm or 76 mm. Bathroom turns need a bathroom lock or separate deadbolt. Ask us if you’re unsure and we’ll guide you.

How do I measure for replacement door handles, knobs, or hinges?

Measure spindle size (usually 8 mm), the lock/latch backset, and if replacing a backplate handle, note screw hole centres and plate size. For hinges, confirm leaf size, thickness, and bearing type; fire doors typically require 3 graded hinges. For roses and knobs, check door thickness and clearance to architraves. Share a photo and measurements for tailored advice.

Do Carlisle Brass offer matching switches and sockets?

Yes—complementary decorative electrical accessories are available via the EuroLite range, allowing you to coordinate door furniture with matching switch and socket finishes across your project.

Do you deliver Carlisle Brass products across the UK?

Yes. We provide a quick nationwide delivery service across the UK, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, and our local areas of Kendal, the Lake District, and Carlisle.

Which sub-brands sit within the Carlisle Brass portfolio?

Key sub-brands include Serozzetta (contemporary levers), Fingertip Design/FTD (cabinet hardware), EuroSpec (project/commercial hardware), Delemain (traditional knobs), Manital (Italian premium designs), EuroLite (decorative electrical), and Alexander & Wilks (luxury solid brass hardware).

How should I care for Carlisle Brass finishes?

Wipe with a soft damp cloth and dry immediately. Avoid abrasive cleaners, bleach, and solvent polishes. For lacquered or PVD finishes, follow the product guidance; on coastal or high-traffic doors, clean more frequently to preserve the appearance.

Can you help with product matching, bulk orders, or technical questions?

Absolutely. We assist homeowners, trades, designers, and contractors with product selection, finish matching, and specification support. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please contact us at https://tradedoorhandles.co.uk/pages/contact and we’ll be happy to help.

Carlisle Brass Door Chains

Carlisle Brass Door Chains — secure, finish-matched safety for visitor checks

Supplied by Trade Door Handles, trusted UK supplier of architectural ironmongery since 1976, with nationwide next-day delivery.

Add controlled entry with Carlisle Brass door chains — a classic security door chain for inward-opening doors. This range includes finish-matched options that complement existing hardware, helping you confirm visitors safely before opening fully. Also known as a door safety chain, chain door guard or door chain restrictor, each front door chain is designed as secondary security to use alongside a primary lock.

Why choose a Carlisle Brass door safety chain?

A limited opening gap lets you speak to callers while maintaining control of the door. Reliable construction, a tidy surface-mounted plate, and reinforced components (where specified) provide a practical balance of convenience and reassurance. Pair a chain with a door viewer (peephole) and your main night latch or mortice lock for a complete approach to doorstep safety.

Finishes & style matching

Choose a finish that matches your hardware: a polished brass door chain offers warm, traditional appeal and pairs with classic letter plates, knobs and knockers; a polished chrome door chain delivers a crisp, modern look that coordinates with chrome levers, hinges and viewers; a satin chrome door chain provides low-glare sophistication with a brushed texture that helps hide fingerprints and suits minimalist or mixed-metal schemes; and an antique black door chain brings heritage character for cottages and period doors, partnering neatly with black surface hardware.

Fit & compatibility

Designed for inward-opening doors and suitable for timber, uPVC and composite doors when appropriate fixings are used. For straightforward installation, position with the door closed, mark and pre-drill pilot holes, then test the opening gap before final screw-tightening. If stated by the manufacturer, look for robust chain links, a reinforced keep plate and tamper-resistant fixings to enhance durability.

Comparisons & alternatives

A door safety chain excels for controlled conversations through a limited gap, while a hinged door guard can feel more rigid under load and suits minimalist interiors. Surface bolts offer strong static locking when fully engaged but aren’t intended for greeting visitors. For best results, treat the chain as an access-control aid alongside your primary lock.

Explore more options

Compare styles in our full range of door chains for additional designs and finishes.

Carlisle Brass – Quality Hardware for Every Home and Project

From traditional door knobs to modern finishes, discover the UK’s leading ironmongery brand

Carlisle Brass is one of the UK’s most recognised names in architectural ironmongery, offering everything from stylish door handles and locks to window fittings, hinges, and cabinet hardware. Founded in 1986, the brand has become a trusted choice for homeowners, tradespeople, and commercial contractors.

Their product range is one of the largest in the country, giving you access to hardware solutions in a wide choice of styles, materials, and finishes:

Carlisle Brass Door Handles and Knobs – levers on backplate, levers on rose, mortice knobs, rim knobs, pull handles.
Carlisle Brass Door Furniture Accessories – letter plates, escutcheons, bathroom turns, centre knobs, numerals, door chains and more.
Carlisle Brass Hinges – engineered for fire doors, interior doors and heavy-duty use.
Carlisle Brass Locks and Latches – including Euro profile cylinders, 3 & 5 lever sash locks, mortice latches.
Carlisle Brass Window Furniture – casement stays, sash lifts, fasteners, and fanlight fittings.
Carlisle Brass Kitchen and Cabinet Hardware – cabinet knobs, cup pulls, and kitchen handles.
Carlisle Brass Hardware Accessories – coat hooks, bathroom accessories, handrail brackets, door bells.

To suit every type of property, Carlisle Brass offers timeless finishes such as Polished Brass and Polished Chrome, alongside modern favourites like Matt Black, Satin Brass, Antique Brass, Satin Nickel and Polished Nickel. They also provide specialist options like Ludlow Antique Black for heritage homes and stainless steel finishes for commercial projects.

The Carlisle Brass portfolio is strengthened by a number of specialist sub-brands:

Serozzetta – contemporary lever handles in trending finishes.
Fingertip Design (FTD) – cabinet hardware with fine detailing.
EuroSpec – project-grade locks, latches and door hardware.
Delemain – traditional solid brass door knobs.
Manital – Italian-designed premium handles.
EuroLite – matching decorative switches and sockets.
Alexander & Wilks – luxury British hardware in solid brass.

Looking beyond Carlisle Brass, you can explore our wider collections of Architectural Ironmongery, Door Furniture, Window Furniture, Kitchen & Cabinet Hardware, Architectural Accessories, Hinges, and Locks & Latches. You can also Search by Finish or browse Architectural Hardware Brands.

Your Trusted Carlisle Brass Supplier

50 Years of Expertise – Based in Kendal and Carlisle, Delivering Nationwide

Nearly 50 Years of Experience Supplying Architectural Hardware Across the UK

Trade Door Handles is part of T.H. Wiggans Ironmongery Ltd, a family-run business that has supplied architectural hardware across the UK since 1976. Based in Kendal for almost 50 years, we have built a reputation for reliability, expert advice, and quality products, serving both local customers and nationwide projects.

Our connection with Carlisle Brass is unique. We were among the first to supply their products when they launched in 1986, and today we continue to place daily orders directly with them. With our second showroom and distribution base on Kingstown Industrial Estate in Carlisle, just a short distance from Carlisle Brass HQ, we are the only UK retailer that can truly claim to be their local supplier.

From our Kendal location, we’ve served the Lake District and surrounding areas since 1976 — including Windermere, Ambleside, Penrith, Barrow, and the Yorkshire Dales. Perfectly positioned near the M6, we provide quick and reliable access north towards Penrith, south to Lancaster, and west into Barrow and Furness.

Together, our showrooms in Kendal and Carlisle are among the largest architectural ironmongery displays in the North West, welcoming homeowners, tradespeople, designers, and contractors to explore a vast range of hardware in person.

We also offer a quick nationwide delivery service across the UK, covering major cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham alongside our local regions.

Our team helps thousands of customers every year, including:

Homeowners upgrading their interiors.
Trade professionals working on refurbishments and new builds.
Interior designers sourcing stylish finishes.
Contractors and developers managing large projects.

Why choose us for your Carlisle Brass hardware?

Nearly 50 years of experience with trusted, expert advice.
Partnerships with leading brands including Carlisle Brass, Zoo Hardware, Heritage Brass, From The Anvil, and Frelan Hardware.
A trusted local business with a national reach.

If you can’t find the product you need, please contact us and we’ll be happy to assist.