Which Lever Handle Do I Need?

Choosing the right lever handle for your door is an important decision. Do you need a lever latch, lever lock, lever on rose?

We've created this handy guide to help you understand the different types of lever handle available and when you might use them.

• Lever on Rose - Standard (sprung)
• Lever on Rose - Unsprung
• Lever Latch
• Lever Lock
• Lever Euro Lock
• Lever Bathroom Set
• Espag. Lever Lock

Lever on Rose - Standard (sprung)

Lever on rose handles have a small backplate (also known as a rose) and can be used to operate both locking and non-locking doors. Lever on rose door handles are used with a latch which is released when the lever is pushed down and returned when the lever is released (thereby closing the door).

Above: a diagram of a lever on rose door handle.

Lever on rose handles can be used solely with a latch if a non-locking door is suitable (such as in living rooms, kitchens, and hallways), or can be fitted with a lock where privacy is required. For bathrooms, a lever on rose handle can be fitted alongside a bathroom lock and thumbturn. For exterior doors and other areas where key-locking is required, lever on rose handles can be paired with a euro lock and matching euro escutcheon and cylinder, or a sash lock and matching standard escutcheon and cylinder.

Because the lever on rose handle is fitted separately to the escutcheon/thumbturn, you'll need to make sure there is a large enough gap between the two to provide space for both backplates and mechanisms.

Above: From The Anvil's Black Avon lever on rose door handle (left) and their Matt Black Brompton lever on rose door handle.

Lever on Rose - Unsprung

Visually, an unsprung lever on rose handle looks identical to an unsprung lever on rose handle. The difference lies within the internal mechanisms. As suggested by the name, an unsprung lever rose lacks the integrated spring which would ordinarily keep the lever handle at a 90-degree angle at rest. Because of this, unsprung lever handles can be used in conjunction with multipoint locks and French door kits (whereas their sprung counterparts cannot). 

If you have an unsprung lever on rose handle which you'd like to use with a latch, bathroom lock, euro lock, or sash lock, we advise using a heavy-duty latch/lock. A heavy-duty mechanism is equipped with enough strength to return the lever to its 90-degree resting position even in the absence of a spring in the handle. Using an unsprung lever on rose without a heavy-duty mechanism can lead to a drooping handle. If your lock/latch is not heavy-duty, opt for a standard (sprung) lever on rose handle instead.

Above: From The Anvil's Pewter Brompton unsprung lever on rose on an internal door (left) and From The Anvil's Aged Brass Hinton lever on rose handle used on a patio door with a multipoint lock.

Lever Latch Set

Lever latch handles are designed for interior doors where locking is not required. They're used with a mortice latch which is fitted to the edge of the door and slots into a receiver plate morticed into the door frame. If you have double doors, the receiver plate may instead be morticed into the second door, enabling the doors to interlock with one another.

Above: a diagram of a lever latch door handle.

Lever latches cannot be used in conjunction with bathroom or sash locks. If you wish to fit a lever latch handle to a door that requires locking, you can add a deadbolt and escutcheon to the door (although we would recommend using either a lever lock set or lever on rose handle), or you can add universal bolts to the top and bottom of the doors.

Above: From The Anvil's Pewter Avon lever latch door handle.

Lever Lock Set

Lever lock sets are used for doors that require key-locking. They feature a long backplate with a keyhole cut 57mm below the handle. The handle is connected to a spindle which passes through the door and operates the latch to open and close the door. 

Above: a diagram of a lever lock door handle set.

Lever lock sets are used in conjunction with sash locks, which are operated by the turning of a key to lock and unlock the door. 

Above: From The Anvil's Aged Bronze Reeded lever lock door handle set.

Lever Euro Lock Set

Lever euro lock sets are very similar to the standard lever lock sets mentioned above. The key difference is that euro lock sets have a larger euro profile keyhole cut out of their backplate to accommodate a euro cylinder. The euro cylinder fits inside the keyhole and a key is used to operate a euro sash lock.

Above: a diagram of a lever euro lock door handle set.

For added security, you can use an anti-pick euro cylinder which are drill-resistant and offer more protection to your home. Euro cylinders are also available keyed-alike, meaning that a single key can be used to operate multiple locks. This is convenient if you have multiple locking doors in your home which you'd like to use without having to constantly search for the correct key.

Above: From The Anvil's Black Avon lever euro lock door handle set. 

Lever Bathroom Set

As you may have guessed from the name, lever bathroom sets are primarily designed for bathroom. Their backplate incorporates a coin and release thumbturn which is used to lock and unlock the door (without a key) from the inside. On the other side of the door, the backplate features a coin and release slot which can be operated using a coin (or other similar-shaped object) to unlock the door during an emergency, such as a child locking themselves in the bathroom.

Above: a diagram of a lever bathroom door handle set.

Lever bathroom sets are used in conjunction with a bathroom mortice lock which is operated via the thumbturn/coin and release mechanism. Similarly, a spindle passes through the door which allows the lever handle to operate the latch for opening and closing of the door.

Above: From The Anvil's Black Avon lever bathroom door handle shown from the inside (left) and outside (right) of the door.

Espag. Lever Lock Set

Espagnolette (also known as espag.) handles are designed to operate doors fitted with a multipoint lock or a French door kit. These set feature a long, narrow backplate with a keyhole positioned 92mm below the lever handle. A spindle passes through the latch to open and close the door. 

Above: a diagram of an espag. lever lock door handle set.

Unlike most levers, the handle on an espag. lever lock set can be lifted upwards to engage shootbolts at multiple points along the edge of the door. Turning the key inside the keyhole locks these shootbolts in position. Because the door locks at multiple points, it offers a high level of security making it ideal for use on external doors. A key is required to unlock the door from either side.

Above: From The Anvil's Aged Bronze Hammered Newbury Slimline espag. lever lock door handle set.

We hope we've given you some insight into which door handle to choose for your home!

Discover our full collection of From The Anvil lever handles here.

Or head back to our blog for more helpful guides!