Entrance Door Lever Sets

An entrance handle set is a door handle set designed specifically for the front or entry door of a home. It includes a keyed cylinder lock integrated into the handle or separate lockset, providing external security. Entrance sets are available in a range of styles from contemporary to traditional and must be rated for external use, exposed to the elements, with weather-resistant finishes.

In Australia, look for entrance handle sets that comply with AS 4145 (Mechanical Locksets) and are rated Grade 1 or Grade 2 for security. Premium brands like Yale and Lockwood carry appropriate ratings. If your home is in a high-humidity coastal area, ensure the handle finish is rated for external use, stainless steel, marine-grade finishes, or PVD coatings perform best in coastal environments.

A privacy set can only be locked from inside, with emergency external release only, there is no keyed cylinder. An entrance set uses a keyed cylinder for external locking, providing security from outside. Privacy sets are for internal use only; entrance sets are for external-facing or high-security internal doors.

They're most often sold as entrance lever sets or entrance handle sets, since "lever" describes the handle shape (a downward-pressed arm rather than a round knob) and "entrance" describes its placement on a front, side or back door with a keyed lock built in or fitted alongside it.

A lever is operated with a simple downward press rather than a full grip and twist, which makes it easier to use one-handed, with an armful of shopping, or for anyone with limited hand strength. Levers have become the more common choice on new entry doors for that reason, though knobs are still available for a more traditional look.

These labels come from Australian Standard AS 4145.2, which classifies mechanical locksets by their security grade rather than their handle shape. The classification applies to the locking mechanism itself, not whether the handle is a lever or a knob, so it's worth checking with the specific product's listed grade rather than assuming a type from the handle style alone. For the actual lock and security-grade side of an entry door, see entry door lock sets.

A straight or slightly curved lever with a round rose, in matte black or brushed nickel, is currently the most common choice on new and renovated entry doors, generally matched to the window and roofline hardware finish for a coordinated exterior. Traditional curved levers in polished chrome or brass still suit period and Hamptons-style homes.

It depends on the product. Some entrance lever sets have a keyed cylinder built into the lever itself; others are a lever handle paired with a separate deadbolt or lockset for extra security. Either way, the lever is the part you grip and press, while the cylinder and bolt mechanism is what actually secures the door, worth checking which configuration a listing includes before buying.

Yes, since they're exposed to sun, rain and, in coastal areas, salt air every day. Look for a finish specified for external use, stainless steel and PVD-coated finishes generally outperform basic plated finishes outdoors. See exterior door handles and hardware for more on weather-resistant finishes and upkeep.