With the wide variety of doorknobs available, choosing the right doorknob might be more difficult than it seems. Whether you need help in picking the perfect doorknob for your property or are simply curious about the different types of doorknobs available, we have put together a guide about everything you need to know about these handles.

At Ironmongery Experts, we stock a variety of door handles to suit any of your design and style requirements, from matte black privacy bathroom door handle to brass square mortice doorknobs and more. Discover our extensive range of door knobs today and find the right fit for your property.

Related: Types of door handles.

What are doorknobs?

Door knobs, or knobs for short, are a type of door handle that commonly feature a round shape. Doorknobs are used to operate doors and are an integral part of our day-to-day. As this article on Apollo Magazine so eloquently states, “This modest piece of handheld architecture is our critical interface with the structure and the material of the building.”

Doorknobs allow you to easily open and close doors plus can also provide privacy and style to your home. There are four main types of doorknobs: privacy, passage, dummy and keyed doorknobs.

Privacy doorknobs.

Privacy doorknobs are ideal for bedroom and bathroom doors. These are lockable handles which offer you some level of privacy. The lock mechanism is located on the inside of the door. Most privacy doorknobs can also be unlocked from the outside, in the event of an emergency.

Dummy doorknobs.

Dummy handles are used for decorative purposes only and simply need to be pulled to open the door. These can be used on cabinet doors, cupboard doors and wardrobe doors.

Passage doorknobs.

Passage doorknobs offer uninterrupted access from either side of the door. These do not feature a locking mechanism and can be easily used to open doors by anyone. Passage doorknobs are ideal for spaces that don’t require to be locked.

Keyed doorknobs.

For rooms that require privacy and security, keyed doorknobs are the right choice. These handles feature a lock and key mechanism on both sides.

Types of finishes.

Doorknobs are available in a variety of finishes, from cold tones, such as chrome and pewter to warm colours, including brass and bronze and even neutral finishes, such as porcelain, wooden and black.

What are centre doorknobs?

Centre doorknobs are basically dummy doorknobs, being both decorative and somewhat functional. These are installed in the middle of the front doors to help close the door from the outside. Centre doorknobs can truly be a statement piece for any entrance door, so choose yours wisely.

Should I buy door knobs or lever handles?

Depends on your requirements and desired applications, of course. Whilst doorknobs are operated by rotating the round handle, lever handles feature a bar that is pushed down for the door to open. This makes lever handles have more grip and are, therefore, more suitable for being operated by the elderly or children. If you have curious pets that like to open doors, stay away from lever handles – go for doorknobs instead.

If you have any questions about our ironmongery products, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team. You can easily reach us on mobile at 01376 557 561 or via email at info@ironmongeryexperts.co.uk.