There are two types of uPVC door handles — Type A and Type B.
To identify each type, you must know the screw positions and distance between each screw centre (measurement B). It’s also essential to know measurements A and C when buying uPVC door handles.
This guide explains all three measurements, helping you purchase the correct handle for your uPVC door.
Type A
Type A uPVC door handles have a screw at the bottom of the backplate (the vertical piece where the handle goes) and another under the handle (see Fig 1 above).
Type B
Type B uPVC door handles have screws at the top and bottom of the backplate (see Fig 2 above).
Difference Between Type A and B
The diagram below illustrates the key differences between Type A and Type B. It also shows the three essential measurements.
In Fig 3 above, the handle on the left is Type B, and the handle on the right is Type A.
The measurements A, B and C are crucial to identifying uPVC handles correctly. The table below shows the measurements for each type.
| Measurement | Type A | Type B |
|---|---|---|
| A (PZ)* | 92mm | 92mm |
| B (screw centres) | 122mm | 211mm |
| C (backplate length) | 220mm | 240mm |
*Measurement A (known as “PZ“) is taken from the spindle hole centre (where the handle lever is attached) to the keyhole centre. In most cases, it’s 92mm.
It’s important to note that measurements B and C determine the handle type (A or B), whereas measurement A represents the “PZ”. So when buying uPVC handles, ensure you’re purchasing the correct type (e.g. Type A) and PZ (e.g. 92mm).
Pro Tip: E-commerce sites like uPVC Spares 4 Repairs allow you to filter by PZ (measurement A) and screw centres (measurement B).
If you correctly identify your uPVC door handle as type A or B, there’s still a chance of purchasing the wrong handle if your PZ measurement is off. So, double-check all three measurements before placing an order.
Final Thoughts
Measurements B (screw centres) and C (backplate length) determine the difference between Type A and Type B. However, when purchasing a replacement uPVC door handle, you must also measure the PZ (measurement A) to avoid buying the wrong handle size.
To see how to replace a Yale uPVC door handle, watch the video below:
FAQ
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about uPVC door handles.
What does Type B mean for uPVC Door Handles?
Type B uPVC door handles have screw fixings at the top and bottom of the handle’s backplate.
The backplate measures 240mm from top to bottom, with 211mm between the screw centres.
How do I identify the uPVC door handle type?
Type A uPVC door handles have screw fixings at the bottom of the backplate and below the handle.
Type B uPVC door handles have screws fixings at the top and bottom of the backplate.
What are the different types of uPVC handles?
There are two types of uPVC door handles — Type A and Type B. These two types refer only to the handle’s size, not style.
Type A — screw fixings below the handle and at the bottom of the backplate.
Type B — screw fixings at the top and bottom of the backplate.
There are four main styles of uPVC door handles — Entrance, Privacy, Passage, and Blind.
How are uPVC door handles measured?
uPVC door handles have three key measurements:
1. The distance between the spindle hole centre and the keyhole centre — Measurement A or PZ.
2. The distance between the screw centres on the backplate — Measurement B.
3. The overall length of the handle’s backplate — Measurement C.