Heritage Brass Door Handles and Knobs

Front doors and external doors

Brass Door Handles for Front Doors and External Doors

A front door is the first thing visitors see, and brass has been the traditional choice for it for over two hundred years. Our Heritage Brass external door hardware collection brings together everything for the outside of the door, so the handle, knocker, letter plate and keyhole all match.

Front door handles and knobs: a brass centre door knob is the classic choice for a Georgian or Victorian panelled front door. For composite and timber doors with a multipoint lock, choose multipoint door handles on a long backplate. For a large, modern statement, fit long brass door pull handles on the outside face.

Finish the front door: add a brass door knocker, a matching brass letter plate, a keyhole escutcheon and brass door numbers. Most front doors also need a night latch or a euro sash lock from York Security. Always check what your insurer requires before you choose a lock.

Which finish outside? Lacquered brass keeps its colour for longer, but on a south-facing or coastal door the lacquer will wear in time. If you like the look of brass that darkens and ages with the house, choose unlacquered brass door furniture. For a darker look that hides weathering, antique brass door handles and matt bronze door handles are a good choice.

Advice from our showroom team

Choosing Brass Lever Handles and Door Knobs for Every Room

Our Kendal and Carlisle showrooms both have a large Heritage Brass display, and the same questions come up every week. Here is the advice we give when someone is choosing brass door handles for a whole house.

Start with the finish: pick one finish and use it on every door so the house feels joined up. The most popular are antique brass lever handles for cottages and period homes, polished brass door handles and knobs for a bright traditional look, and satin brass door handles (often called brushed brass) for modern interiors. If brass is not right for you, the same designs come as matt black door handles, polished chrome door handles, satin nickel door handles, polished nickel door handles, satin chrome door handles and dual finish door handles.

Then choose the style: Victorian and Edwardian homes suit shaped levers on long backplates, such as the Edwardian and Victoria designs, or oval mortice knobs. For modern brass door hardware, look at the clean lines of the Bauhaus range, or the textured knurled and hammered ranges.

Then match each door: most rooms need brass lever latch handles. Bathrooms and en-suites need brass bathroom door handles with a turn and release, or rose handles with separate bathroom thumb turns. Studies and store rooms need lock door handles with a keyhole. Pull doors, pocket doors and sliding doors need flush pulls.

Planning a whole house? Send us your door list and we will check the handles, locks, hinges and finishes before you order. You can also visit either showroom to see the finishes side by side.

Brass Door Handle Questions

How do you clean brass door handles?

Most Heritage Brass handles are lacquered, so clean them with a soft, damp cloth and dry them. Do not use brass polish or abrasive cleaners, as they break down the lacquer and leave patches. Only unlacquered brass can be polished with a brass cleaner, and many people leave it to age naturally.

What is a mortice door knob?

A mortice knob is a door knob on a round or shaped rose that works with a mortice latch or sash lock set into the edge of the door. They suit period panel doors. Read our mortice and rim knobs guide or shop Heritage Brass mortice knobs.

Can brass door handles be used on external doors?

Yes. Brass has been used on front doors for centuries. Lacquered brass will slowly weather outside, so many people choose antique brass, matt bronze or unlacquered brass for front doors. See our external door hardware range.

What do I need for a brass bathroom door?

Choose a bathroom backplate handle with a built-in turn and release, or rose handles with a separate bathroom thumb turn. Fit them with a York bathroom lock in a matching finish.

What is the difference between antique brass and polished brass?

Polished brass is bright and reflective, the classic gold brass look. Antique brass is darkened to look aged, so it suits older homes and oak or painted doors, and it shows fewer fingermarks.

Can you paint brass door handles?

We do not recommend it, as paint chips quickly on a handle that is used every day. If you want a dark handle, choose a factory finish such as matt black or matt bronze, which is far more hard wearing.

Can I see Heritage Brass door handles before I buy?

Yes. Our Kendal showroom and Carlisle trade counter both have a large Heritage Brass display, so you can compare designs and finishes in person. Our team can also help by phone or email if you send us your door list.

Heritage Brass Door Handles and Knobs

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