One of the best reasons to purchase a custom folding door system is that you’ll literally be able to customize every single aspect of your doors. You can choose the material you want for the doorframe, the type of glass you want, the size of your door system, the type of door sill and track you want, and even the type of handle that you want your folding door to have!

Some folding door manufacturers only offer a couple of options for their door handles, while other manufacturers provide several different choices for folding door handles.

In today’s post, we’re going to discuss how to choose your folding door handle and show you some of the most common options for customization that you’ll be able to choose between. Isn’t it time you opened a new door in your life?

Common Folding Door Handles You Can Choose

For the most part, door handles haven’t changed much over the last few centuries. The design of the door handle is simple; it’s either knob that you can twist or a lever that you can pull. Either way, both lever and knob-style handles activate a spring mechanism within the doorframe that engages or disengages the door’s locking and latching mechanisms.

So, with that being said, let’s take a look at what your options are!

1) Lever-Style Door Handles

When it comes to folding doors, lever-style door handles are the most commonly used. They are easily identified by their distinctive L-shape, which makes for an easy-to-grasp lever that can be pulled upwards or pushed downwards to release the door latch.
L-shaped lever handles are a key aspect of modern design and create a clean, symmetrical finish that other types of door handles simply can provide.

2) J-Lever Door Handles

So-called “J-lever” door handles function exactly like traditional lever-style door handles. The only difference is in their appearance. These door handles are known for their distinctive curled shape that resembles an “S” or a “J.” These types of door handles create a more classical aesthetic, making them a great choice for colonial architectural styles.

3) Door Knobs

Door knobs are ball-shaped handles that can be twisted left or right to release a spring mechanism, opening the door. Door knobs are almost never used for exterior folding doors but are quite common to see used with interior folding door systems.

Overall, they aren’t as easy to grasp as a lever-style door handle and are more likely to malfunction. The main advantage of a door knob over a lever-style door handle is its low-profile design.

Door Handles And Multi-Point Locking Systems

Now, you may be wondering why lever-style door handles are the most common choice for exterior folding doors…
The reason is that they work better with modern multi-point locking systems. These modern locking systems feature multiple locking points that create a more secure, safe, and energy-efficient door system.

However, to engage the system, the handle must be lifted upwards with a significant amount of force to activate the lock springs. While you could use a door knob-style handle for this, you would have to apply more twisting force, which would be a good bit more difficult than using the mechanical advantage provided by a lever mechanism.

How Durable Are Folding Door Handles?

As long as you’re purchasing your doors from a high-quality manufacturer, then your folding door handles should be designed to last through the life of the door itself. Most folding doors have a factory warranty that lasts for between 10 and 15 years, and the actual doors can easily last longer.

The good news is that if your handles break, then they’re fairly cheap and easy to replace!

Picking Your Handle’s Finish

Once you select the type of handle that you want for your folding door system, it’s time to select the finish that you want. Most door handles are made using aluminum or brass, which means that you can apply an anodized finish to the metal to give it a long-lasting finish that will stand up well to daily use.

Here are the most common door handle finishes.

Brass

Brass door handles are a classic look that resembles bright gold. This look contrasts well with wooden doors as well as white or black-toned doorframes.

Bronze

If you’re looking for a dark, modern door handle, then a dark bronze finish is a good choice. Plus, thanks to its non-glossy finish, smudged and oils won’t show up and ruin the appearance of the door knob.

Chrome

Chrome is a shiny, high-gloss silver that goes well with aluminum door frames and creates an opulent aesthetic.

Brushed Steel

Brushed steel is another common finish thanks to its non-glossy surface and neutral appearance. It goes well with just about any other doorframe material or doorframe color.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the type of folding door handle you choose is 100% up to you. As long as you’re purchasing your doors from a high-quality manufacturer, the handle should easily last throughout the life of the door and will be able to stand up to daily use by you and your family.