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» LOUISE FROST , A SENIOR marketer at Door Controls Direct , a trusted provider of comprehensive door control solutions , addresses the question on every installer ’ s lips – what ’ s better , door handles on a backplate or on a round rose ?
As anyone in the trade will know , there ’ s a wealth of operating furniture on the market today but the big face off that continues to rumble on is round rose or backplate handles . 2024 is my fourteenth year in AI ( no , not that sort ), and I ’ m here to settle some of the on-going debates around ironmongery and door controls …
Fitting and fixings
Visible or concealed fixings , back-to-back bolt fixing or face fixing , grub screw fixing , screw or press on covers – you won ’ t find the difference here . Both lever handles on backplate and roses have these options .
When it comes down to it , the distinction lies in their fitting , or more their flexibility when it comes to installation .
Lever handles on backplate . Let ’ s discuss . The usually large backplates cover a good amount of the door , therefore covering a multitude of sins if you ’ re retrofitting . There are a wide range of fixing centre options – 47.5mm , 57mm , 72mm , 78mm , and 92mm . They can have internal and external sides depending on security and fixings . Brilliant . Or is it ?
Having a fixed centre measurement requires you to have an exact match for an existing lockcase . There ’ s
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no flexibility there . And with lever on backplates sometimes being handed , you could be carrying twice the stock in stores or on your vehicle . And for a bathroom ? Two spindles in a fixed unit to line up , precisely , to ensure proper functionality .
It must be levers on rose then , right ? They ’ re reversible . Plenty of flexibility with the same lever then simply swapping out a key escutcheon for a euro or oval profile , or bathroom thumbturn . You can fit them with a horizontal or vertical lockcase too .
If there is a fitting downside to levers on rose then it ’ s pretty much a visual one . On a 57mm lockcase the roses , typically 52mm , can sit right next to each other , and on larger lockcases they can look like they ’ re floating , disassociated from each other .
Functionality
Levers , whatever fixing plate type , are available sprung or unsprung . When it comes to functionality , the choice between the two options comes down to flexibility .
Backplates – one option . You ’ re stuck .
Rose handles – mix and match with escutcheon types .
Aesthetics
Who says looks don ’ t matter ? Certainly not a client or end user . That ’ s often the deciding factor .
Lever handles on backplate , whilst dominating on a door , have a wealth of designs available . Rectangular backplates can come as radiused or square but it
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doesn ’ t stop there . Stepped , tapered , even Art Deco or Fleur de Lys – backplate designs can be mixed and matched with different lever grip designs . No matter the profile of the lock or latch , backplates provide great uniformity in a facility . Narrow versions are available for glazed door too , so matching sets for the win .
Levers or doorknobs on a rose are much more limited . Other than different diameters , once you have the desired design , the decision comes down to round or square rose . Low profile , flush , and standard depths of roses are the same as backplate options . But they ’ re much neater and discreet aren ’ t they , and a little classier .
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The classic avoidance
Since moving into marketing , I now understand a previously frustrating answer
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to nearly any question – “ it depends ”. And I ’ m going to do that to you now …
Door handles on backplate or roses ? It depends .
Hardware is such a personal and aesthetic choice . What looks good and feels good to use every day ? What works best with the decor and overall design of the building ?
Are you retrofitting on site and require the flexibility of stock – installing a standard lever on rose and whatever turn or escutcheon type you need , or is the coverage of backplates required ?
The construction of a door or the locking requirements may also dictate what hardware works best .
So , it ’ s up to you . Well , you , the client , the type of door , and any existing hardware . And let ’ s never forget the budget .
www . doorcontrolsdirect . co . uk
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