Door Knobs vs. Door Levers: Which Is Better?

We use doors every day to get in and out of rooms, buildings, and houses. Very rarely, however, do we take the time to thoroughly observe this device and how we interact with it. Door handles come in two different types:  door levers and door knobs. Door knobs are circular and open the door after a rotation of the handle, whereas door levers protrude in one direction or the other from the axis, and are activated by a push downwards upon the handle. Both of these types have their own advantages based on the situation.

One important consideration when choosing between the two is the overall aesthetic of your house. In general, more traditional houses are better complemented with door knobs. Due to the amount of time door knobs have been in use, they come in a variety of styles and finishes. This selection is further enhanced due to the symmetry of door knobs that do not restrict the way it is embellished. The door lever’s asymmetrical design forces them to only be made with specific accessories in order to encourage consistency but allows for a greater variety of shapes. The door lever was more recently introduced and therefore comes in only select styles, but they tend to suit modern homes because of their sleek design.

We should not ignore the accessibility of the handles either. No matter how stylish the door handle is, it needs to be functional to be a convincing product. Door levers have a significant advantage in regard to usage with those who have disabilities. People who have lower grip strength, such as those with arthritis, may find it more convenient to push downwards to open the door, rather than rotate the handle. Still, in general use, the consistency of door knobs is preferable. Because door knobs are circular, no matter the direction it is placed in, it will never risk colliding with the door frame. The door levers protrude from one direction: they cannot be identical to the placement on the other side without touching the door frame. Because of this, door levers are often placed in ways that force the hands and arms to act upon them at awkward angles.

Overall, door levers and door knobs have their own strengths. One or another could suit a door better based on the general look of a room, and the audience who is using it.