UPVC door handles are handles that feature locks made out of UPVC material, with ‘UPVC’ standing for unplasticized polyvinyl chloride. This material is sometimes referred to rigid plastic. Although the locks are UPVC locks, the main body of the handle can be made from brass, chrome or stainless steel. This type of handle is designed specifically for UPVC doors, which are found on French doors, conservatories and patios.
The use of a UPVC door handle is becoming increasingly widespread for a number of reasons including ease of availability, ease of installment, variety of styles and designs, increased technological sophistication, value for money, durability and security. Another advantage is that, because it is made of plastic, the lock in this type of handle does not rust as metal does or rot like wood. This is why UPVC door handles are ideal for exterior doors. Furthermore, these handles are easy to replace as there is now a wide range of replacement UPVC handles on the market and can be bought either online or from DIY hardware stores.
Although UPVC door handles may be seen as a disadvantage to the environment because of the nature of UPVC material, production technology is improving all the time, making the locks in these handles ever less harmful to the environment. However, UPVC material is flammable and therefore the locks in UPVC door handles should not be exposed to flames and high levels of heat.
Today, UPVC door handles come in three main types, two of which have been around for more than 15 years. The third type of broadly known as ‘modern’. The two older types, fullex and ferco, both boast unique centre measurements. Fullex is the only door handle to measure 68mm in the centre, the centre being the space between the middle point of the handle and the middle point of the barrel. Another distinguishing feature of the fullex handle is its length. The handle is 245mm long and the space between the screws measures 215mm. Ferco door handles are unique in being UPVC door handles that measure 70mm in the centre. This handle is usually a maximum of 205mm in length.
Modern UPVC door handles usually measure 92mm in the center. These handles are also widely known as ‘replacement’ handles as they are frequently used to replace fullex and ferco handles on UPVC doors. It is a relatively easy to buy the right UPVC handle for your door, as long as you accurately take three measurements. These measurements are the overall door handle length, the distance between the middle of the handle and the middle of the barrel and the distance between the handle screws.
The two main structures that UPVC door handles are available as are ‘pad’ and ‘lever’. Pad handles feature a pad on the outside and a lever on the inside, whilst lever handles have a lever on both the inside and the outside. The pad on a pad handle can be offset to the lever, thus preventing entry without a key. The pads on UPVC door handles tend to be oval-shaped. Levers can either by straight or ‘swan-neck’, the latter term meaning the handle has a slight curve in it. Furthermore, levers vary in width.
UPVC door handles are nowadays available in an array of finishes and colours. The most common finishes are matt, semi-gloss and polished, whilst popular colors include black, white, silver, gold and chrome.
Whatever types of UPVC door you have, and wherever their location inside or around your home, UPVC door handles are increasingly becoming a smart choice. They have come a long way in recent years and this is reflected in their rising popularity.