Door Knobs Buying Guide
A door knob is touched daily and seen constantly, giving it genuine influence over how a home feels regardless of how considered the rest of the interior is. Getting the function right, matching the knob to what the specific door actually needs to do, matters just as much as the finish chosen.
Choosing by function
Passage knobs have no locking mechanism, suited to hallways, living areas, home offices and children's bedrooms, the most commonly used internal configuration in Australian homes. Privacy knobs add an internal push-button or turn-snib lock, suited to a bathroom or bedroom, and can still be released from outside in a genuine emergency with a coin or small tool. Entrance sets include a keyed cylinder for external security, rated for weather exposure and suited specifically to a front or back door. Dummy knobs are non-functional, fixed in place purely for visual symmetry on a wardrobe door, the inactive leaf of a French door, or a decorative cabinet front.
A closer look at named products
The Iver Cambridge knob, on a round rose, spans passage, privacy and entrance kit configurations in satin nickel, the entrance and privacy kits pairing the knob with a separate high-security lock or privacy turn. TradCo's Milton range brings a long-backplate passage, privacy and entrance set across an extensive finish selection, satin chrome, matte black, chrome plated, antique brass, antique copper and polished brass among them, with the entrance set including a high-security lock. TradCo's Bungalow knob and Rim Lock and Milled Edge knob round out the passage and privacy range in antique brass and mixed matte black/polished brass or antique copper combinations. Lane's Bala dummy knob, on a round rosette, is available in matte black, satin stainless steel and polished brass.
Choosing a finish
Matte black and brushed nickel are the most requested finishes for a contemporary interior, while antique or aged brass and antique copper suit a period home particularly well. Settling on one finish across every internal door, matched to hinges and other hardware, keeps the home reading as a considered, cohesive whole rather than a room-by-room mismatch.
Knob or lever?
A lever is operated by pressing down on an elongated arm, genuinely more accessible than a knob's grip-and-turn motion for anyone with limited hand strength, and is recommended under the Disability Discrimination Act for accessible homes. A knob still suits a traditional or heritage-style interior particularly well, and the choice between the two ultimately comes down to style preference for most everyday doors.
What is the standard height for a door knob in Australia?
Under Australian Standard AS 1428.1, door handles including knobs should be installed between 900mm and 1100mm above the finished floor, a range chosen for genuine accessibility and ease of use.
How do I remove a door knob with no visible screws?
Look for a small slot or hole on the knob's neck. Inserting a paperclip or similar tool into this slot releases the knob, after which it can be pulled off to access the concealed screws beneath.
How do I fix a loose door knob?
First identify the fixing mechanism. If screws are visible, tightening them with the appropriate screwdriver usually resolves the issue. For a knob with concealed fixings, locating the release slot to remove the knob and access the screws underneath is the first step, and applying a thread-locking adhesive to the screws helps prevent them loosening again over time.
What is a passage handle set?
A passage handle set includes two knobs or levers connected by a spindle that operate a latch, letting the door open from either side without a lock. Passage sets suit an internal door where privacy isn't required, hallways, living areas and children's bedrooms among them, and remain the most commonly used internal configuration in Australian homes.
What is a privacy handle set and where is it used?
A privacy handle set includes a locking mechanism engaged from inside the room, typically a push-button or turn-snib, and can be unlocked from outside in a genuine emergency using a small pin or coin. Privacy sets suit a bathroom, toilet or bedroom door where privacy matters but a keyed lock isn't necessary.
What is an entrance handle set?
An entrance handle set is designed specifically for a front or entry door, including a keyed cylinder lock integrated into the knob or as a separate lockset for external security. Entrance sets span contemporary through to traditional styles and must be rated for external use, with weather-resistant finishes suited to ongoing exposure to the elements.
What is a dummy door handle?
A dummy handle is a non-functional knob or lever, decorative only, that doesn't operate a latch or lock. Dummy handles suit a door that doesn't need a latch, the fixed side of a pair of double doors, a sliding or swinging wardrobe door, or a decorative cabinet front, giving the appearance of a complete handle set without the mechanical function.
Completing the home
Door knobs are easiest to choose once a consistent finish direction is settled across the home, since matching passage, privacy and entrance hardware keeps every room reading as one considered design. The Blue Space's Door Levers and Cabinet Handles collections are worth reviewing alongside a door knob selection to plan the full home together.
