OK, door handles or knobs...

[ireallyhavenoidea]

Hi all

Ok, after advice again. Our house is 1970's with large(ish) regular shaped rooms. We are going to have these doors.

I have to decide on door handles and I assumed we would be having door handles and my dh suggested knobs. Any reason, apart from aesthetics, why I would/wouldn't choose them?

Ok, off to google door handles zzzzzzzzz......

As always, thanks :)

[ireallyhavenoidea]

Should say, I know that this is a stupid question but...

[noyouhavehadawee]

in our old house we had knobs and they were a rain when you had greasy hands or a handful of stuff as you couldn't use your elbow to open the door.

[FrazzleRock]

Knobs! I have handles and am always catching my sleeves on them. I also have bruises permanently on my arms from catching them on them
(I live in a tiny flat!)

[SeashellHoarder]

I generally prefer the look of handles, but just learnt something new about the whole handles / knobs thing

Toddlers seem to be able to manage handles far easier. So if you are planning on having kids or regular toddler visitors this might be a thing to consider...

Maybe I'm over thinking this!

[IHeartKingThistle]

We have knobs. For 3 sets they cost a third of the cheapest handle we liked. That swung it!

Yes, but kids can't do them at all!

[MewlingQuim]

We have knobs, they're definitely handy for restricting the wanderings of a toddler.

They are also a pain to open when I have my hands full.

Personally, I like knobs

[FishfingersAreOK]

I got some dull practical but essential advice here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/property/a1615892-Talk-to-me-about-knobs
We went for black iron screwfix knobs - bargainious £11 each. Children can use (apart from some of the 1930s doors the 4 yo cannot reach )

Love them.
And I do not catch my top/cardigans on handles.

[CarpeJugulum]

If going for knobs, get square or oval shape; it makes it easier to grasp to turn.

However, do think about family members, especially older ones that may struggle to turn the knob rather than a standard handle.

[Startail]

Handles, you can't turn knobs with your elbow.

In this house you want toddlers to be able to open and close the kitchen door, hall by downstairs loo is arctic cold, leaving the door open is a criminal offence.

[ILikeBirds]

We're changing our crappy original Bakelite knobs for handles on our 1950s doors. Straight replacement, with handles with a rose rather than a plate. Hate door knobs personally

[ireallyhavenoidea]

Wow, thanks all! That's why I love Mumsnet. I post something that I think no one will answer and check back 10 minutes later to see loads of people have been through the same thought process as me but, luckily, have been there and done it!

I have a 4 year old ds so maybe door handles are better. I definitely think I will have to go for silver whatever.

Hi again Fishfingers.... I should have just got you to spec your whole house for me :)

Thanks all. I'm just off to google the links.

Now, if anyone knows any good places to get cheap kitchen cabinet handles (keep reading about eBay finds ... But I can't find any!!).

Thanks again

[Elliptic5]

We've got a mixture of knobs and handles. Handles where I want to be able to open the doors easily and knobs on doors I don't want the cat to open as she swings on the handles to open the doors .

[ireallyhavenoidea]

Oh Elliptic. Good idea but that means I need to find 2 things and I am finding 1 a bit too much

[IHeartKingThistle]

ILikeBirds make sure you eBay your Bakelite knobs!

[LavenderBombshell]

If you are replacing like for like and the knobs work , then your choice, However I believe tht knobs need a bigger "reveal" (not sure if that is the right term) . Basically , the way it has been explained to me is that if the side panel of your door & where the architrave is , is not wide enough you will scrape your knuckles with knobs. (And I do know this from experience )
Personally I prefer knobs (oor er missus) . We are just having all our doors replaced and some would suit handles and some knobs. I will have a small house and would prefer all the same - so - will go for handles (see above , prefer knobs , but frankly this stuff has to work well )

I am guessing if you have a spacious house not too old with doors made to fit the same you can choose either .

Does PigletJohn know about the knob/handle thing ? I'd take his word on it if he does. Otherise I would ask the door people or whoever is going to fit them .


Summary
Yes there is more to handles and knobs than aesthetics .

[FishfingersAreOK]

If you click on my link Piglet explains about the spacing thing in the previous thread...our guru...

[ireallyhavenoidea]

Thanks all. They are new doors so no old footplate so to speak. Will re-read your post Fishfingers...

[HandleShop]

I would suggest then when you source a new latch for the door, assuming you are using new doors, then get the one with the largest backset possible this will step the knob out further from the door and reduce the chance of scraping knuckles.