The door is the barrier to an enclosure, and it has to make a statement. This swinging or sliding barrier is very important. Front doors, partitioning doors, closet doors all say something about your home. So, when you want to buy a door, you want to be the one to pick the design for your home. Are you wondering if all doors come with holes for handles? We inquired from experts, and here's what they say.
Not all doors come with holes for handles. Most doors will come with a kit or set and suggested measurements for handles. This allows consumers to install the doors according to their home decor. Handle placement will depend on whether the door will be a traditional swing door, pocket door, or barn door. To save time and money, you could buy a prefabricated door. These doors come ready for installation. They've got hinges, frames, and pre-drilled holes for handles.
Continue reading as we explore more on why most doors don't come with holes for door handles. We'll also see what we should know before buying doors.
Why don't all doors come with holes for handles?
Manufacturers avoid putting holes for handles on all doors because consumers may not want the holes where they may be placed. There are many different styles and designs of handles. Some handles do not require holes to mount them. In hardware stores, you'll find handles with keyholes whilst others don't have.
Prefabricated doors come with a predrilled hole for the handle. They have a hollow-core and are mostly installed in kitchens, bathrooms, or bedrooms. Prefabricated doors are application doors with a jamb. These doors have all their units assembled together.
This brings us to asking this inevitable question below.
What you should know before you buy a door?
Before you buy a door, take time to consider the following:
1. Location
You need to understand where the door will be situated. Is the door an outside or inside door? Outside doors are massive and need secure locks.
They need to be sturdy and sit properly in the doorframe. Whatever material or style you choose, the door must serve for a long time. Outside doors are exposed to the elements more than inside doors.
Inside doors serve the purpose of partitioning rooms and other enclosures. They needn't be too heavy or massive. Inside doors sometimes have a hollow-core. Locks placed on inside doors are more for privacy than security.
2. How the door opens
You must understand how your doors will open. This goes for both inside and outside doors. Doors have what experts call 'swing' or 'handing.' Before you buy a door, it should be clear if it will be left or right-hand active.
The left or right-hand swing is marked by where the handle and the hinges will be located. Another thing to consider is the direction the door will open. The enclosure determines whether the door opens inwards or outwards.
3. Measurements
Here are two types of measurements you must consider before purchase:
Door Measurements
Have the exact parameters of your door and doorway. You could have an expert take the measurements to avoid miscalculations. Both outside and inside doors need to fit properly. Well-fitted doors keep out noise, draught, and smells.
Wall Measurements
The thickness of the walls in the enclosure determines the size and weight of the door you purchase. The outer walls of the house are always thicker than the partitioning walls in the house. Know also which walls in the house can carry which type of door.
4. Door Styles
The door style you have in mind might not be suitable for a particular location. The purpose the door will serve dictates the style. Doors ranging from barn doors to pocket doors need different specifications. Outside doors are wider and sturdier, whilst inside doors are smaller and less massive.
What Height Should A Door Handle Be?
The recommended height for door handles is 34" (86.36 cm) to 48" (121.92 cm) above a floor that has been finished. Most installers prefer to put the handles at 36" (91.44 cm). This is the most comfortable height for most people. For most, this height will be around the hip area.
For egress into swimming areas, the door handles are usually at a height of 48" (121.9 cm) to 54" (137.2 cm). This is to safeguard small children from gaining access into potentially dangerous areas.
Are All Door Handle Holes The Same Size?
Most interior doors have a prepared standard hole with a diameter of 2 1/8" (5.4 cm). You could widen the handle hole depending on the handle you want to install. The standard hole for the latch is 1" (2.54 cm) in diameter.
Do Prehung Doors Come With Hardware?
Yes, they do. Prehung doors come not only with hardware but also with a frame ready for installation. They come with hinges and a doorstop. Basically, these doors are partially assembled making them fairly easy to install. Don't underestimate the work that needs to be done though. To successfully erect a prehung door, you'll need a hammer, levels, nails, wood shims, a screw gun, and 3 inch-long screws.
How To Install A Door Handle Set
Before you start working, ensure that you have all your tools prepared. Tools that you'll need for a ">handle installation are a drill, drill bits, tape measure, set square, a hammer, a wedge, a screwdriver, pencil, and a sharp chisel.
Most importantly, don't forget the door handle set, instructions, and safety gear. Get everything assembled, then check the other doors in your house to see the level of the door handles. You could also use the general rule of thumb, which is, the handle should be 36" (91.44 cm) above the finished floor.
The following instructions will assist you with installation:
- Use the template to mark where the door handle should go on both sides of the door. The template has the barrel and the backset on it.
- Next, drill the door where you made the markings. Make a pilot hole first before the actual drilling. Always hold the drill firmly.
- Drill a bigger hole for the fixings i.e. the spindle and the barrel. To install the latch, mark where the faceplate should be. Chisel the door for the faceplate. Ensure that the faceplate is flush with the door.
- If you don't have a pre-existing striker plate on the door jamb, you'll need to install one. Use the barrel to mark where it should be on the door jamb. Drill the striker plate in.
- Put the handle. Align it together properly before screwing it. Make sure it opens in a downward position.
Note: Put your handle set in when the door has been painted.
The Bottomline
Remember, most doors don't come with holes for handles, but prefabricated doors do. These doors come with a pre-drilled handle hole and hinges. Prefabricated and prehung doors are mostly for the interior of the house.
Installing a door handle could seem intimidating for beginners. Luckily, they come with instructions on how to install them. Hardware stores could provide assistance when you request them.
But first, know what kind of door you want and where it will be fixed. When your new handles are installed, you can then open your home to guests, or your office for business.
