What size door pull handle do I need for my front door?

Most front doors benefit from pull handles that are 300mm to 600mm long, ensuring both accessibility and style.

Are door pull handles better than lever handles?

Pull handles are ideal for doors that are pushed or pulled open without a latch, especially in commercial settings.

Can you fit pull handles on a standard wooden door?

Yes, pull handles can be fitted to standard timber doors using bolt-through or face-fixed methods.

Are pull handles suitable for heavy commercial doors?

Absolutely. We offer heavy-duty pull handles designed for commercial use, including DDA-compliant options.

Door Pull Handles

Door Pull Handles for Every Setting

Discover our extensive range of door pull handles, perfect for both internal and external doors. We offer modern, traditional, and commercial options in finishes like stainless steel, polished chrome, brass, and black. Quick nationwide delivery across the UK, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Kendal, the Lake District, Carlisle and more.

Whether you need back-to-back pull handles for glass doors or bolt-through handles for timber doors, we have nearly 1000 options to suit any project. Explore related Architectural Ironmongery and Door Furniture to perfectly complement your new door pull handles.

From The Anvil Back to Back Pull Handles SKU 50238

Grade 316 Stainless Steel

External Pull Handles

Rustic Pull Handles

Expert Guidance on Choosing the Right Door Pull Handles

A Complete Guide to Door Pull Handles: Uses, Compliance, Materials, Sizes & Buying Advice

Door pull handles are a key component in both residential and commercial door setups, providing a practical and visually appealing way to operate internal and external doors. Unlike lever handles, which require a latch mechanism, door pull handles are designed for push–pull functionality, making them the ideal choice for high-traffic environments where ease of use, durability, and accessibility are essential. These handles are often paired with commercial and domestic door closers, such as those in our Door Closers Collection, to ensure controlled, safe, and smooth operation.

You’ll find pull handles used across multiple settings including schools, retail units, hotels, offices, hospitals, industrial buildings, and busy public entrances. They are also becoming increasingly popular in modern homes—particularly in contemporary renovations, large pivot doors, oversized timber entrance doors, and barn conversions, where a statement handle offers both style and functionality.

Where Door Pull Handles Are Used

Door pull handles are commonly fitted in:

Commercial entranceways
Internal timber or metal doors
External front doors
Shopfront and office doors
Public buildings and accessible entrances
Glass doors (using back-to-back fixings)
Healthcare and educational environments
Hotels, restaurants, pubs, and hospitality venues

Because pull handles operate without a latch, they pair perfectly with overhead door closers and concealed closers, which help ensure controlled closing action in high-traffic locations. Many architects and contractors specify both components together, and customers can browse suitable options in our Door Closers range.

DDA / Equality Act Compliance Requirements

For public buildings and commercial environments, choosing the right pull handle is essential for meeting UK accessibility standards under BS 8300 and Approved Document M.

Key specifications include:

Minimum length:
Handles must be at least 300mm, though 400–600mm is recommended for accessibility.
Height positioning:
Typically fitting between 900–1100mm from finished floor level.
Grip diameter:
Between 19mm–35mm, with most DDA-friendly handles falling around 19–25mm.
Clearance:
A minimum 45mm clearance from the door surface allows a full hand to grip comfortably.
Fixing type:
Back-to-back fixings suit glass and double doors, while bolt-through fixings are optimal for timber and metal.

In many DDA-compliant installations, pull handles work alongside regulated closing devices — making compatibility with DDA-approved door closers another important part of design planning.

Materials, Finishes & Styles

Door pull handles are produced in a wide variety of materials, allowing you to match them to both design preferences and performance needs:

Aluminium – Lightweight, economical
Zinc Alloy – Stylish and affordable
Stainless Steel (304 / 316 Grade) – Highly durable, ideal for high-traffic and external use
Brass & Bronze – Premium finishes with traditional and luxury appeal
Iron & Black Finishes – For industrial or heritage aesthetics

Common finishes include Polished Chrome, Satin Stainless Steel, Satin Brass, Matt Black, Antique Brass, Bronze, and more. For external doors, we recommend Grade 316 Stainless Steel for its superior corrosion resistance.

Sizes & Fixing Types

Pull handles are available in multiple lengths from 300mm to 1200mm, with longer handles offering better leverage and becoming popular on contemporary door designs.

Fixing types include:

Back-to-back fixings (ideal for glass or double doors)
Bolt-through fixings (maximum strength for timber/metal)
Face-fixed handles (quick surface-mounted option)
Handles on backplates (stylish and stable for timber doors)

These variations ensure compatibility with many door structures, including timber, metal, UPVC, composite, and glass.

Compatibility With Locks, Hinges & Door Closers

Door pull handles integrate seamlessly with a range of architectural hardware and often form part of a larger door system. To complete a door setup, customers often pair them with:

Door closers are especially important where pull handles are used in commercial spaces, ensuring compliance with fire regulations, accessibility requirements, and controlled door movement. Selecting the correct closer will also protect the handle and fixings from unnecessary strain, extending product lifespan.

Buying Advice & Installation Notes

When choosing door pull handles, consider:

Door type (timber, metal, glass, UPVC, composite)
Internal vs external location
Traffic levels and durability requirements
DDA compliance
Fixing type and installation method
Matching finishes across the property
Compatibility with closers, hinges, and access control

For a seamless finish, customers may also explore our complementary products, including:

Complete Your Door Setup With Matching Hardware

Explore Complementary Hardware to Pair With Your Door Pull Handles

When choosing new door pull handles, it’s important to ensure the rest of your door hardware works together seamlessly in terms of function, style, and finish. Many customers pair their pull handles with matching items from our Architectural Ironmongery collection, which includes a wide range of accessories designed for both residential and commercial use. For projects where a full suite of coordinating hardware is required, our Door Furniture and Window Furniture ranges provide consistent styling across the whole property.

If you're completing a renovation or upgrading interiors, our Kitchen and Cabinet Hardware section offers matching knobs, pulls, and handles to create a unified finish throughout your home. For added functionality on doors fitted with pull handles, items from our Architectural Accessories collection—such as finger plates, kick plates, door stops, and door signs—help protect surfaces and complete the overall look.

Tradespeople and architects often browse our dedicated Hinges and Locks and Latches ranges to ensure correct compatibility with different door types. You can also explore trusted manufacturers through our Architectural Hardware Brands page, or refine your project aesthetic using our Search by Finish filters to match your pull handle with the perfect colour tone.

Why Customers Across the UK Trust Trade Door Handles

A Family-Run Ironmongery Business With 50 Years of Expertise

Trade Door Handles forms part of T.H. Wiggans Ironmongery, a long-established, family-run business trading since 1976. With decades of experience supplying architectural hardware to homeowners, tradespeople, architects, interior designers, and commercial contractors, we have grown to become one of the most trusted suppliers of door hardware in the North West and across the UK. Our Kendal showroom offers the largest display of architectural ironmongery in the Lake District, allowing customers to see and compare finishes, materials, and product ranges in person. This physical presence reinforces our commitment to offering genuine, long-term support — something many purely online retailers cannot offer.

In spring 2026, we are expanding further with a brand-new showroom and distribution centre in Carlisle. This new location will allow us to provide an enhanced next-day delivery service across the UK for brands such as Carlisle Brass and Zoo Hardware products. This development strengthens our footprint across Cumbria, the Lake District, and wider regions including Lancashire, the North West, and southern Scotland — ensuring faster order fulfilment and improved stock availability for both trade and retail customers.

Our team has in-depth knowledge of product ranges from industry-leading manufacturers, including From The Anvil, Heritage Brass, and Frelan Hardware. This brand expertise means we can offer reliable guidance on everything from traditional handcrafted ironmongery to contemporary stainless-steel commercial hardware. Whether you're sourcing door pull handles for a modern office, specifying hardware for a large building project, or upgrading your home, our advice is grounded in real-world experience and decades of practical knowledge.

With quick nationwide delivery and a reputation built on quality customer service, Trade Door Handles continues to support both local communities in Kendal, Carlisle, and Cumbria, as well as customers across the UK who rely on us for trusted, high-quality architectural ironmongery.