Questions
Product Questions
These are our most common questions related to our products.
What door hinges do I need?
The type and size of hinge you need will depend on the thickness and weight of your door:
Internal Doors
- Thickness: Around 35mm
- The most popular door hinges for internal doors are 2 ball bearing 3" (76mm) high x 2” (50mm) door hinges, although most 76mm high hinges are also suitable.
- Note: 4" (102mm) hinges are too wide for most internal doors.
- Quantity: For doors weighing over 20kg, most manufacturers recommend 3 hinges per door.
External & Fire Doors
- Thickness: 40–44mm (external and fire doors are typically 44mm)
- The most popular door hinges for external and fire doors are 2 ball bearing 4" (102mm) x 3" (76mm) door hinges, although most 102mm high hinges are also suitable.
- Quantity: 3 hinges per door (for stability and compliance)
Note: Almost all hinges are sold in pairs – when you order a unit, you’ll receive 2 individual hinges (except concealed hinges and some specialist hinges). If the door hinge is sold as a pack of 3 hinges, then three individual hinges are supplied.
If you’re unsure, always check with your door supplier for their hinge recommendations.
What locks or latches do I need?
The types of locks or latches you need are the same for door handles on a backplate, door handles on a rose and door knobs. For information on lock and latch sizes please see FAQ; "How to work out what size lock or latch I need?"
Internal latch doors.
All non-locking internal doors need a tubular latch, we supply a contract latch or a better quality high-quality latch, the difference being the overall quality and spring tension. The one that you purchase will generally be determined by your budget. We always recommend the quality tubular latch as this feels solid and smooth in use whilst providing a long working lifespan. For un-sprung door knobs (all good quality door knobs are unsprung so they are not too stiff to turn!) we also recommend the high-quality latch. Please see below for recommended latch sizes.

Locking Doors.
Locking doors will need a 3 or 5-lever lock as below.
External locking doors. All external doors must have either a BS-certified 5-lever sash lock or a rim cylinder night latch used with a BS-certified 5-lever deadlock. This is a minimum security standard required by most UK household insurance companies. If you do not have these fitted to your external doors, your insurance company may contest your claim in the event of a break-in.
Internal locking doors. Doors that are required to lock from a key internally can use a 3 lever sash lock, providing they are not exit doors. We do not recommend locking internal doors for fire safety reasons.

Bathroom doors.
All bathroom door handles supplied by Simply Door Handles require a bathroom lock. We supply a high-quality bathroom lock and a contract bathroom lock, the difference being quality. The quality lock is engineered to a high standard that will feel solid and smooth in use and provide a long working lifespan, the contract lock is engineered to a price. For door handles on a round rose, when using with a turn and release you may use any of the above bathroom locks or simply add a tubular bathroom deadbolt. Doing this lets you position the turn and release independently of the handle.

Euro Cylinder locking doors.
Euro locking handles require two additional locks. The benefits of this handle and lock arrangement are that you have smaller keys, and the locks are easier to change when required (you are only removing the euro cylinder barrel). However, the main benefit is if the door is fitted with a cylinder and turn, a bedroom door, for example, can be locked and unlocked by the turn only that is fitted to the inside of the room. This is far more convenient in daily use, and it meets most UK building regulations requirements for fire safety reasons.
We supply a high-quality architectural euro sash lock or a contract euro sash lock which offers convenience locking without the need for security. Plus, you will need a euro cylinder to complete the lock.

How to work out what size lock or latch I need?
All UK locks and latches are quoted and sold based on the total depth measurement as dimension 'Y' on the diagram below. The backset size on a lock or latch case is the distance from the edge of the door to the centre of where the handle spindle passes through the door (or the key/turn where applicable), this is dimension 'X' below. For example, a 2 1/2 inch or 64mm latch has a backset size of 44mm and a total depth of 64mm.

- For 64mm Latch, X = 44mm (back-set), Total depth Y is 64mm
- For 76mm Latch, X = 57mm (back-set), Total depth Y is 76mm
- For 102mm Latch, X = 82mm (back-set), Total depth Y is 102mm
- For 127mm Latch, X = 108mm (back-set), Total depth Y is 127mm
- For 152mm Latch, X = 134mm (back-set), Total depth Y is 152mm
These measurements apply to all door locks, bathroom locks and latches we supply. When replacing existing locks or latches, the important dimension is to purchase the same as what X measures on your current doors.
Generally, rules apply as follows:
For door knobs you need a minimum of 3" case depth locks. We do, however, recommend 4" or 104mm latches, providing that these fit your doors. This is to prevent your hand from scraping on the door frame when closing the door.
Fire doors generally have a deeper frame rebate (overlap around the door!). This means you need a minimum of 3" case depth locks.
When replacing old locks, the critical dimension is X as above, but this can vary by 3 to 4mm, so don't worry if you are slightly out. This is needed to prevent the filling and redecoration of the door.
Are your handles supplied with locks/latches?
All handles are supplied without locks or latches. This is standard in the UK, as different applications require different types and sizes of locks, which must be purchased separately.
Using Existing Locks/Latches
- If your doors already have locks or latches in good working condition, they can usually be reused with new handles.
- The standard UK spindle size is 8mm (7.9mm).
- As long as your current locks accept an 8mm bar width spindle, you should have no issues fitting new handles.
Are your handles supplied in pairs?
All door handles and mortice door knobs are supplied in pairs, complete with fixings and spindles.
When you order 1 unit, you will receive 2 individual handles – enough to complete 1 door.
Please check the Specifications tab on each product page for exact details of what’s included.
Please note the following exceptions, these items are sold and supplied as single units;
- Kitchen cabinet handles and knobs.
- Flush pull handles.
- Door pull handles.
- Centre Door Knobs.
Do your prices include VAT / Tax?
Yes. All prices include VAT at the current rate of 20%. You can also view prices excluding VAT by selecting this option from the drop-down option at the top of any page.
What are latch, lock, euro lock and bathroom handles?
A latch door handle is supplied on a plain backplate for standard internal doors, a lock door handle has a cut-out in the backplate for use on a door with a lock, and a bathroom door handle has a turn and release integrated into the handle for a privacy function. Euro locking handles are for use with euro sash locks in conjunction with a euro cylinder lock.
Example;

Are your products suitable for external use?
All items in the "External Door Hardware" category are manufactured from brass, stainless steel, or other durable materials specifically designed to withstand outdoor conditions.
Important Considerations:
- Over time, certain lacquered finishes may naturally deteriorate and show signs of tarnishing.
Coastal & Harsh Environments
- Coastal areas (with salty air, high humidity, and strong winds) can accelerate surface breakdown. This is especially noticeable with lacquered brass and some grades of stainless steel.
- For the best long-term performance in these environments, we recommend Grade 316 Stainless Steel, which offers superior resistance to corrosion.
Customer Service Questions
Questions related to customer service
When will my order arrive?
Please see our delivery page.
How can I contact you?
Our full contact details can be found on the 'contact us' page.
We can be contacted by the following methods:
Telephone:
Monday–Thursday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Tel: 01484 42 60 42
Email:
Our primary e-mail address is: sales@simplydoorhandles.co.uk
What is your returns policy?
At Simply Door Handles, we stand by the quality of our products and offer a 90-day money-back guarantee. You can return any unwanted items within 90 days of purchase for a full refund.
You can find our returns page under "Information" at the bottom of any page.
