Why You Should Stop Pulling Doors by the Key: A Guide to Dortrend Cylinder Pulls
It is a habit many of us are guilty of: stepping out of the front door, pulling it shut behind us, and using the key as a makeshift handle to drag the door into its frame. While it might seem harmless, this everyday action is one of the leading causes of snapped, bent, or weakened keys, not to mention the unnecessary lateral strain it places on the internal lock cylinder.
Fortunately, there is a simple, elegant, and highly cost-effective solution that protects your keys and extends the lifespan of your locks: the humble cylinder pull.
In this guide, we will explore why a cylinder pull is an essential addition to any handleless door and look at two premium options from Dortrend, a highly respected UK manufacturer based in Worcester with over 50 years of experience in crafting architectural hardware.
The Problem with Pulling by the Key
When you insert a key into a cylinder and pull the door shut, you are applying significant lateral force to a thin piece of brass or nickel silver. Keys are designed to rotate cylinders, not to act as levers for heavy timber or composite doors.
Over time, this repeated pulling action causes:
- Bent Keys: A slightly bent key will struggle to slide smoothly into the keyway, eventually jamming the lock.
- Snapped Keys: The metal fatigues over time, leading to the key snapping off inside the plug - usually at the worst possible moment, resulting in an emergency locksmith callout.
- Cylinder Wear: The pulling force puts uneven pressure on the internal pins and the cylinder plug, which can cause the lock mechanism to wear out prematurely.
By installing a cylinder pull, you introduce a dedicated, ergonomic grip point right next to the cylinder. This completely removes the strain from the key and the lock plug, transferring it safely to the door itself.
Choosing the Right Dortrend Cylinder Pull
Different doors use different types of locking cylinders. To ensure your cylinder pull fits perfectly and looks professional, you need to match it to your specific lock type. Dortrend offers two outstanding, durable options in Satin Anodised Aluminium (SAA) to suit the UK's most common lock profiles.
1. For Rim Cylinders: The Dortrend 451 Cylinder Pull
If your front door is secured by a traditional nightlatch (often referred to as a Yale-style lock), it will feature a round rim cylinder on the outside.
The Dortrend 451 Cylinder Pull is designed specifically for these setups. It features a circular aperture that sits neatly behind the cylinder's outer collar, extending downwards into a comfortable, curved lip. This lip gives you plenty of leverage to pull even heavy timber doors firmly shut without touching the key.
2. For Euro Cylinders: The Dortrend 8558 Cylinder Pull
Modern timber, composite, and uPVC doors are more commonly fitted with Euro profile cylinders. Because Euro cylinders have a distinct keyhole-and-bulb shape, they require a matching pull.
The Dortrend 8558 Cylinder Pull is precision-cut to frame a standard Euro cylinder beautifully. It provides a clean, minimalist, and contemporary look while offering a robust grip point.
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Why Choose Dortrend Hardware?
When choosing door furniture, the quality of the material and manufacturing process matters. Cheap, low-grade metal pulls can bend, tarnish, or corrode quickly when exposed to the British weather.
With over five decades of manufacturing heritage, Dortrend is renowned for its architectural-grade hardware. Their cylinder pulls are manufactured from high-quality aluminium and finished with a Satin Anodised Aluminium (SAA) coating.
SAA is highly favoured by architectural ironmongers for several reasons:
- Corrosion Resistance: The anodising process creates an extremely hard, protective oxide layer that shields the aluminium from rain, salt air, and pollution, preventing rust and unsightly pitting.
- Low Maintenance: Unlike polished brass or chrome, SAA does not show fingerprints easily and only requires an occasional wipe with a damp cloth to keep it looking pristine.
- Modern Aesthetic: The clean, silver-grey satin finish complements both traditional timber doors and modern composite doors, blending seamlessly with other stainless steel or chrome hardware.
How to Install a Cylinder Pull
Installing a Dortrend cylinder pull is a quick and satisfying DIY task that requires minimal tools.
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For the Dortrend 451 (Rim Cylinder):
- From the inside of the door, unscrew the two retaining screws holding the rim cylinder to the nightlatch body.
- Gently pull the cylinder out from the front of the door.
- Place the Dortrend 451 pull over the hole, aligning it so the cylinder will pass through it.
- Push the cylinder back through the pull and the door, then tighten the retaining screws from the inside. The pull is now securely clamped between the cylinder collar and the door face.
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For the Dortrend 8558 (Euro Cylinder):
- Loosen the cylinder retaining screw located on the edge of the door.
- Slide the Euro cylinder out slightly (you may need to turn the key slightly to align the cam).
- Position the Dortrend 8558 pull over the cylinder cutout on the door face.
- Slide the cylinder back into place through the pull, and tighten the retaining screw on the door edge to secure both the cylinder and the pull.
Upgrade Your Door Furniture Today
Investing in a high-quality cylinder pull is one of the simplest preventative maintenance steps you can take for your home or commercial property. It is a small detail that saves you from the hassle of broken keys, protects your lock cylinders, and gives your entrance a polished, professional finish.
Explore our full range of cylinder pulls to find the perfect match for your door style and security setup.
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