Surface, Through-Bolt, or Back-to-Back
ANSI/BHMA A156.6 · 2010 ADA §404.2.7
Maryland, DC & Northern Virginia
A door pull handle is a fixed grip mounted on the pull side of a door. It has no latch and no moving parts. You grab it and pull. Pull handles work best on doors held shut by a closer, a magnetic lock, or a roller latch. Most are paired with a push plate or push bar on the other side. Commercial pulls come in straight, offset, ladder, and D-shaped styles. Lengths run from 8 inches for office doors to 72 inches for lobby entrances.
Staff and visitors open the door in one motion, with no latch to turn or release.
A pull needs no tight grasping or twisting, which helps meet ADA rules for operable hardware.
With no springs or moving parts, solid stainless pulls last for years in the busiest entrances.
King Locksmith and Doors Inc. is a locksmith and commercial door company serving Maryland, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia. We help small businesses, government agencies, hospitals, hotels, and large enterprises keep their doors safe, code-ready, and easy to use. Our technicians supply and install door pull handles from trusted commercial brands. We match each pull to your door type, traffic level, and preferred finish. We also fix loose, bent, and worn pulls on short notice.
The right pull handle depends on your door, your users, and your building. Use these five factors to pick a pull that fits well, meets code, and holds up to heavy daily traffic for years.
Pull handles fit glass storefront doors, hollow metal doors, and wood doors. Each one needs a different mounting method. Glass and thin aluminum doors often use back-to-back pulls bolted through the door. Wood and hollow metal doors may use surface mounting or concealed fasteners.
Check door thickness before you order. Most pulls fit 1-3/4 inch doors, but glass doors need special washers and bushings. We measure every door on site so the pull sits tight.
Pull handles range from short 8-inch pulls to tall ladder pulls over 6 feet. Short pulls suit office and interior doors. Long pulls suit busy lobby and storefront entrances where people of all heights reach for the door.
Style matters too. Straight pulls look clean and modern. Offset pulls give extra knuckle room. D-pulls and loop pulls offer a softer grip. We help you balance looks, comfort, and the brand image you want to show.
The 2010 ADA Standards say door hardware must work with one hand. It must not need tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. Most commercial pull handles easily meet this rule when the grip shape and clearance are right.
Mounting height matters as well. ADA places door hardware between 34 and 48 inches above the finished floor. We check grip size, knuckle space, and mounting height so your pulls pass inspection the first time.
Stainless steel is the top choice for most commercial doors. It resists rust, dents, and harsh cleaning. Aluminum is lighter and very common on storefront systems. Bronze and brass give a warm, upscale look for hotels and offices.
Finish affects both looks and hygiene. Satin stainless (BHMA 630) hides fingerprints well. Some hospitals and clinics choose pulls with antimicrobial coatings. We help you pick a finish that matches the rest of your existing door hardware.
A pull handle does not lock on its own. Pair it with a closer, a deadbolt, an electric strike, or a mag lock to control who gets in. Many offices add a card reader next to the pull.
Some spaces need special pulls. Behavioral health units use ligature-resistant pulls. Hospitals may use hands-free arm pulls for infection control. Exterior doors may need through-bolted, tamper-resistant mounting. We plan the full door setup, not just the handle.
Many older buildings still use knobs on commercial doors. Here is how door pull handles compare on the points that matter most to facility managers, building owners, and code inspectors.
Consideration
Door Pull Handles
Door Knobs
Easy one-hand use with no twisting
Require tight grasp and wrist twisting
Open doors in one quick motion
Slow entry since users must turn first
No moving parts to wear out
Springs and latches loosen with heavy use
Can be opened with forearm or wrist
Need a full hand grip every time
Lower repair costs over the door’s life
Frequent latch and spindle repairs add up
Even strong pull handles wear down under heavy daily use. Watch for these four warning signs. Catching them early keeps your door safe, secure, and easy for everyone to open.
We install pull handles on glass, wood, and metal doors with the right fasteners and mounting height.
We tighten loose pulls, rebuild stripped mounting holes, and fix bent posts for a safe, solid grip.
We remove worn or broken pulls and fit new handles that match your door's holes and finish.
We swap knobs and other noncompliant hardware for ADA-friendly pulls with the right height, grip, and clearance.
We install pull handles and push plates so both sides of your door look and work together.
We pair pull handles with closers, electric strikes, mag locks, and card readers for secure, controlled entry.
Tell us about your doors, and we’ll recommend, supply, and install the right pull handles. Free estimates across the DMV.
