Switch up the look of your storm door with a new handle
Not only does your storm door serve as the entrance to your house, but it’s also the first impression that guests get of your home. It might seem inconsequential, but you can actually change the look and feel of your humble abode by picking out a storm door handle type that complements the rest of your house (and stands up strong against the elements).
There are two primary storm door handle types: mortise handle sets and surface mount handle sets, the latter of which comes in a few different styles, including knobs and push-button handles. Below, learn more about these storm door handle styles and decide which one is best for your home.
Mortise handle sets have latching hardware built into the side of the door panel. The interior and exterior handles are the same shape (they’re often lever-shaped), like the handles on your home’s interior doors. In other cases, the handles have different shapes. For example, the exterior handle might be lever-shaped, while the interior one is knob-shaped.
Beneath the handle, there’s a separate locking mechanism that you can twist to lock the door from the inside. Some mortise handle sets also let you unlock (or relock) the door from the outside using a key.
Best for: Homeowners who want a modern design, added security, or have issues turning a knob handle
Knob handles are a type of surface mount handle, meaning that the door latching hardware is inside of the door. These types of storm door handles have a circular-shaped knob on the outside of the door, which needs to be twisted to open. Inside your home, there’s a small handle that you’ll need to push to open the door.
There are two ways to lock knob handles: You can lock them from the outside with a key or twist a lock from the inside.
Best for: Homeowners looking for an antique or vintage look and who don’t have issues turning a knob
As another type of surface mount handle, push buttons have a downward-facing handle with a button at the top. To open the door from the outside, you’ll push the button and pull the handle toward you. Sometimes, the button is keyed, so you can lock and unlock it with a key. The interior handle is similar to a knob or lever, with a smaller handle that you push inward to open the door.
You may have grown up with these classic handles since they peaked in popularity a few decades ago. These days, however, you’re more likely to find mortise handles on storm doors.
Best for: Homeowners looking for an antique or vintage look or want a handle that’s easy to use for older adults, children, and those with mobility issues
As the name would suggest, you pull these types of surface mount handles outward—rather than twisting or pushing them—to open your storm door and get into your house. From the inside, there’s a small handle that you push to open the door outward, like with any other type of surface mount handle. Some pull handles come with a separate deadbolt so you can lock the storm door from the outside with a key or from the inside by twisting the lock.
Best for: Homeowners who want to DIY their own storm door handle installation and want a handle that opens with one simple motion
There are a couple of things to consider when picking a storm door handle. First, think about functionality. If someone in your home might have trouble grasping a knob handle, then maybe a mortise or pull handle would be better. You’ll also want to consider the aesthetics of your new handle. Mortise handles are more common in modern home design, but maybe you prefer the old-school look of a push-button handle. Either way, it comes down to personal preference.
If you don’t have a storm door, you can work with a local storm door installer to choose the right door and handle for your home. Otherwise, you can learn how to install a storm door on your own. If you’re the DIY type, you could knock out this project on a weekend afternoon.
The difference between a right-hand and left-hand storm door is where the handle is located. When looking at the door from the outside of your home, a right-hand storm door will have the handle on the right-hand side, while a left-hand storm door will have the handle on the left. Your storm door handle will be on the same side as your front door handle.
There are several types of storm doors, including vinyl-clad, steel-clad, aluminum, and wood-core, and each type has its own benefits. For example, vinyl-clad storm doors are excellent at keeping out water, while steel-clad storm doors hold up well against high winds. There are also multiple styles of storm doors, ranging from full-view (made entirely of glass) to high-view (with just a small glass panel).
Storm doors aren’t necessarily outdated. In fact, there are many benefits to installing a storm door, including improving your home’s energy efficiency, keeping pests out of your house, and protecting your home against the elements. However, storm doors aren’t great if you live in an area with high humidity because the door can trap heat and potentially damage your front door.
