06 / Journal

The front door is where the hardware decision for your home is most on display. It’s the very first and last thing that’s experienced by you and guests as you enter and depart. The front door hardware tends to have a different scale than what you’d use indoors. And when opening your front door,handles and pulls set the design tone for the remainder of the interiors.

It's this prominence that can make the decision seem tricky. Entry pull handles look more architectural and considered, while lever handles have their own distinct look. The lever door handle vs pull handle question goes beyond aesthetics, determining how your front door operates at the basic functional level. This guide explores the two options so you can confidently decide between the two.

In This Guide

• What's the Difference Between an Entry Pull and a Door Handle?

• When to Choose an Entry Pull

• When to Choose a Door Lever or Handleset

• Can You Use Both an Entry Pull and a Lock?

• Choosing a Finish for Your Front Door Hardware

• Entry Hardware by Interior Style

• Shop Entry Pulls and Door Levers at Lo & Co

• Frequently Asked Questions

What's the Difference Between an Entry Pull and a Door Handle?

An entry pull is a fixed handle with no moving parts. It allows you to simply pull the door open without engaging a latch or lock. A separate deadbolt or smart lock secures the door. A door lever handle is more traditional. It has a moving mechanism that engages a latch when pressed or turned, which holds the door closed without a deadbolt. Entrance door pull handles are usually sold in back-to-back sets (one for each side of the door). Lever handle sets come with the latch and locking mechanism fully integrated. Choose the best mechanism for your door based on what it needs to do, rather than what looks more better on its own.

When to Choose an Entry Pull

Entry pulls suit specific contexts, and are typically used for large-scale doors. The security setup of the door and how you prefer to use it also guides whether or not you choose the pull option.

Architectural and Statement Front Doors

Entry pulls belong to larger, heavier doors. pivot doors and double front doors. They also define architectural entryways in which the door itself is part of the design language of the building. The scale and form of the pull become part of the visual statement. A standard lever handle, set against a 2.4-metre pivot door, can look significantly undersized. The pull performs the ideal accent for showcasing a large door.

Entry Pulls and Security: What You Need to Know

Entry pulls don’t latch. To secure the door, you need a separate deadbolt or smart lock. Most modern smart lock systems integrate cleanly with entry pulls. The lock sits below the pull on the door face, and the combination is increasingly standard for designer entryways. This is a functional constraint that suits doors that are properly locked when not actively in use, rather than relying on a passive latch.

Entry Pull Sizing: Matching Scale to Door

Pull length should be proportional to the door's scale and height. Shorter pulls (300–600 mm) suit standard residential entries; longer pulls (900 mm and up) suit grander entries, double doors, and pivot doors. Oversized pulls on a small door look forced; undersized pulls on a tall door look mean. When in doubt, scale up — entry hardware is meant to register.

When to Choose a Door Lever or Handle Set

A door lever or handle set is best suited to standard residential front doors, especially where the door is the primary point of secure entry. The lever engages a latch every time the door closes, holding against being blown open by the wind. It’s also the more subtle solution, suited to smaller entries and to homeowners who prefer a single piece of hardware to do both jobs. The Lo & Co lever range offers traditional and contemporary front door handles in solid brass.

Can You Use Both an Entry Pull and a Lock?

Yes. For architectural entryways, this is the favoured approach. There is a pull on the exterior side of the door, a separate deadbolt or smart lock for security, and a matching pull on the interior face for pulling the door closed behind you. Lo & Co entry pulls are sold in back-to-back pairs. The pull is the design statement and the lock does the security work.

Choosing a Finish for Your Front Door Hardware

Your entry door hardware is exposed to the elements, including rain, dust, wind and UV rays. The choice of material for this hardware is more consequential than for the hardware inside your home. Solid brass with a quality lacquer or living finish is the most durable. Travertine is inherently weighty and pairs particularly well with warm or stone-clad palettes. The Lo & Co finishes range offers both. We advise coordinating the entry door hardware finish with the interior hardware that’s visible from this door.

Entry Hardware by Interior Style

As a general style guide, Japandi and contemporary entries suit minimal bar pulls in solid brass or matte black. Hamptons and coastal homes call for a classic bar or curved pull in aged brass or nickel. Statement and maximalist entries can carry oversized pulls or travertine stone for a sculptural moment. Traditional homes suit a classic long bar or ornate handle set in aged brass or bronze. The Lo & Co entry collection is suitable for all design styles.

Shop Entry Pulls and Door Levers at Lo & Co

When shopping for door hardware, first decide between an entry pull and a lever based on the type of door and security setup you have. Then choose a finish that suits the exterior palette and coordinates with interior hardware. Lastly, browse the Lo & Co entry collection and lever range to find just the right scale and form for your doors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lock with an entry pull?

Yes. Entry pulls are fixed handles with no latch, so they have to have a separate deadbolt or smart lock. This is inherent in the entry pull design and suits doors that need to be properly locked each time they are closed.

What size entry pull handle do I need for my front door?

Match the pull length to the size of your door. Standard residential doors take 300–600 mm pulls. Grand entries, pivot doors and double doors require 900 mm or more. Entry hardware is meant to be showcased, so when in doubt, scale it up.

Are entry pulls suitable for exterior use?

Yes, when made from quality solid brass or natural stone. Lo & Co entry hardware is built for exterior performance. Choose high-quality finishes suited that can withstand coastal and high-humidity environments.

Can I use an entry pull on an interior door?

You could, but the proportions seldom work well. Entry pulls are scaled for tall, heavy front doors. Standard interior doors with oversized pulls tend to look out of proportion, so it’s best to use a lever or interior pull instead.

What's the difference between an entry pull and an appliance pull?

The functionality is essentially the same. Both are fixed pulls, but the scale differs. Appliance pulls are sized for refrigerators and tall kitchen cabinetry. Entry pulls are scaled and finished for exterior front doors.