What’s the difference between Door Pulls and Door Knobs?

When our customers get in touch for advice about replacing their front door furniture, we’re often asked what the difference is between a Door Pull and a Door Knob. These two fittings can look very similar, but they operate in different ways.
Some designs in our range are available in both a Door Knob and Door Pull version, so understanding the difference will help to avoid adding the wrong item to your order. Read our quick guide below to understand the difference:

Door Pulls


Also called Centre Knobs or Centre Pulls, Door Pulls are:
  • Sold as a single knob
  • Secured using a bolt that goes all the way through the door. There will be a small bolt cap visible on the inside of the door (these are very neat and usually in a matching finish to the door pull)
  • Fixed in place and won’t turn. These are simply used to push and pull the door open and closed
  • Often fitted in the centre of the door, but can also be fitted on one side, in line with the keyhole
  • Commonly found on period properties (although fitting a Door Pull is a great way to add a sense of grandeur to any property)
  • Often used in conjunction with a Yale lock or similar

Nickel door pull and nickel door knobs in front of green doorShown above: Our Small Octagonal Nickel Door Pull and Octagonal Nickel Door Knobs

Door Knobs


Also called Mortise Knobs or Rim Knobs (depending on the type of latch that they’ll be fitted with), Door Knobs are:
  • Sold in pairs
  • Secured using wood screws that screw the backplates into the surface of the door. The two knobs are connected via a spindle that goes through the latch in the door
  • Fitted with a latch in order to function
  • Turned to engage the latch and open the door
  • Always fitted to one side of the door (whether it’s the left or right side will depend on which way your door opens)

Shown below: Our Brass Pointed Octagonal Door Pull and Brass Pointed Octagonal Door Knobs

Brass door pull and brass door knobs