A Simple Guide to Door Locks for Lever Handles

Our large collection of Lever Handles are available in many different styles and finishes and can be used with a variety of locks and latches. With so many options to choose from, selecting the correct lever handle for your door can be tricky. We’ve put together a lever handle guide to help.

Lever on Rose

A lever handle with a small backplate. A lever on rose operates a mortice latch that is used to open and close non-locking doors. Lever on rose handles can be fitted to bathroom or locking doors if paired with a bathroom thumb turn or escutcheon. If your door is fitted with a bathroom lock, then the lever on rose operates the latch and a thumb turn is fitted directly underneath to operate the lock. In this circumstance make sure that there is enough room for both backplates to be fitted. The same principle can be applied to a door fitted with a euro or sash lock, using a euro escutcheon or standard escutcheon instead of a thumb turn. 

Above left: Pewter Avon Lever on Rose Set, Above right: Pewter Avon Lever on Rose Set & Avon Escutcheon.

Lever on Rose Unsprung

An unsprung lever on rose handle has all the applications of the sprung version but unlike its sprung counterpart can also be used with a multipoint lock or French door kit. As the name suggests, this handle doesn’t have an integrated spring to keep the lever at a 90-degree angle. So, if you're using an unsprung lever with a latch, bathroom lock, euro lock or sash lock, we recommend opting for a heavy-duty version. Not having an integrated spring enables the lever to be lifted up past a 90-degree angle which is required to operate the shoot bolts of a multi-point lock.

Above: Pewter Monkeytail Lever on Rose Set & Avon Escutcheon.

Lever Lock Set

Lever lock handles have a keyhole cut out of their backplate.  They are used to operate doors fitted with a traditional sash lock. A spindle connected to the lever passes through the latch which opens and closes the door and the keyhole which is positioned 57mm below operates the lock.

Above left: Pewter Cromwell Lever Lock Set, Above right: Black Straight Lever Lock Set.

Lever Latch Set

A lever latch handle is most used with a mortice latch to open and close a non-locking door. Lever latch handles are unsuitable for use with sash or bathroom locks. If you wish to fit a lever latch handle to a door that requires locking, then simply add deadbolts and escutcheons at the top and bottom of the door. A lever latch handle can also be used on front doors in conjunction with two deadlocks (located above and below).

Above left: Pewter Avon Lever Latch Set, Above right: Black Cottage Lever Latch Set.

Lever Bathroom Set

Lever bathroom handles have a thumb turn incorporated in their backplate. The thumb turn enables a door to be locked without the use of a key. Most commonly used in bathrooms, the thumb turn lever is fitted on the internal side of the door and the lever with a coin release is fitted externally to allow for the door to opened from the outside in emergencies. Lever bathroom handles are used in conjunction with a bathroom mortice lock. A spindle connects the lever to the latch and the thumb turn which is positioned 57mm below operates the lock.

Above: Pewter Monkeytail Lever Bathroom Set.

Lever Euro Lock Set

Lever euro lock handles have a large Euro profile keyhole cut out of their backplate. They are used to operate doors fitted with a euro sash lock. A spindle connected to the lever passes through the latch which opens and closes the door and the keyhole which is positioned 47.5mm below sits over the locking euro cylinder.  'Anti Pick' euro cylinders are drill resistant providing added security.  Euro cylinders are also available as ‘Keyed Alike', meaning more than one cylinder can be operated by the same key. There are a range of euro cylinders available from basic 5 pin cylinders up to BSi 3* Kitemarked cylinders.

Above: Polished Bronze Reeded Lever Euro Lock Set.

Espag. Lever Lock Set

Espagnolette lever handles have a longer backplate and are only used to operate doors fitted with a multi-point lock or French door kit. A spindle connected to the lever passes through the latch which opens and closes the door and the keyhole which is positioned 92mm below sits over the locking euro cylinder. The lever is lifted upwards to engage the shoot bolts which lock the door at multiple points and remain in a locked position once the key has been turned.

Above left: Pewter Avon Slimline Lever Espag. Lock Set, Above right: Polished Nickel Reeded Slimline Lever Espag. Lock Set.

Discover our full collection of Lever handles here!

For more helpful guides, visit our Thumb Latches Explained blog!

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