Commercial door pulls are categorized by their mounting configuration, profile shape, and functional purpose. The primary categories address different installation conditions and aesthetic preferences.
Back-to-Back Pulls
Back-to-back pulls are mounted through the door with a pull on each face, connected by through-bolts. This is the standard configuration for entrance doors and vestibule doors where a pull is needed on both sides. Back-to-back mounting provides structural rigidity because the two pulls reinforce each other through the door panel.
Back-to-back pulls are available in straight, offset, and curved profiles. The through-bolt connection must be coordinated with the door thickness, and the bolt length must accommodate the door panel, any applied surface materials (such as cladding or protective plates), and the pull standoff distance.
Single-Sided Pulls
Single-sided pulls are mounted to one face of the door only, using surface screws, through-bolts with back plates, or concealed fasteners. This configuration is used when a pull is needed on the pull side of the door but the push side has a push plate, push bar, or no hardware.
Single-sided mounting requires consideration of the fastening method's pull-out strength, particularly on hollow metal doors where the door skin may not provide sufficient anchorage for surface screws alone. Through-bolt mounting with a back plate distributes the load and is the preferred method for high-traffic applications.
Offset Pulls
Offset pulls have an angled or cranked profile that provides clearance between the gripping portion and the door face. This offset is important for two reasons: it provides adequate knuckle clearance for comfortable gripping, and it creates the minimum projection distance required by ADA standards.
The offset dimension typically ranges from 1-1/2 inches to 2-1/2 inches, measured from the door face to the centerline of the grip. Offset pulls are standard on entrance doors and are available in round, flat, and square grip profiles.
Straight Pulls
Straight pulls mount parallel to the door face with standoff posts at each end. The grip-to-door clearance is determined by the standoff post height. Straight pulls are available in lengths from 6 inches to 72 inches (full door height) and are commonly used on glass storefront doors, aluminum-framed entrance systems, and architectural interior doors.
On glass doors, straight pulls require through-glass mounting with specific washer, bushing, and spacer components to distribute the clamping force without cracking the glass. The glass manufacturer's minimum edge distance and hole size requirements must be followed.
