How to Replace a Storefront Door Handle Set with a Retrofit Handle Set

Hey guys, this is Gary with Door Closers USA. In today’s video, I’m going to show you how toorder, remove, and replace an existing storefront door handle set using ourretrofit handle set.

While we do offer OEM storefront handle replacements, we also offer a retrofit handle set.In many cases, the retrofit option is a better long-term solution, especially if your doorhandles keep breaking.

Why Choose a Retrofit Storefront Handle Set?

If you’re watching this video, chances are you already have a broken storefront door handle.Traditional OEM handle sets typically use smaller 1/4-20 hardware, which is moreprone to snapping or loosening over time.

Our retrofit handle sets are designed differently. The primary advantage is the use ofheavier-duty 3/8-24 hardware, which is:

• Thicker and stronger
• Less likely to break under daily use
• Much more durable for high-traffic storefront doors

If your door handles are constantly failing, this retrofit handle set is the solution.

Retrofit Pull Handle Options

We offer retrofit pull handles in multiple center-to-center sizes.The most common sizes include:

• 9 in center-to-center
• 10 in center-to-center
• 12 in center-to-center

For example, the pull handle shown here is a 9 in model, measured from the centerof one mounting hole to the center of the other.

These handles are available in:

• Clear aluminum finish
• Dark bronze finish

They are threaded on both sides, allowing one side for the cone head and the other for thethrough-bolt hardware.

Retrofit Push Bar Options

We also offer matching retrofit push bars for various storefront door widths.

• 36 in doors
• 42 in doors
• 48 in doors

For a standard 36 in storefront door, the push bar measurement you’re looking for is33 in center-to-center, measured from the center of one mounting post to the centerof the other.

Push bars are available in:

• Single-bend configuration
• Double-bend configuration

The bend style is purely aesthetic and does not affect fit or function.

How to Measure Your Existing Storefront Door Handle Set

Let’s look at a traditional storefront door setup.In this example, we’re working with a 36 in x 84 in storefront door.

Measuring the Pull Handle

Measure from the center of one mounting post to the center of the other.This is known as the center-to-center measurement.

In this case, the measurement is 9 in center-to-center,which tells us we need a 9 in retrofit pull handle.

Measuring the Push Bar

Next, measure the push bar on the interior side of the door.You’ll measure from the center of one mounting post to the center of the opposite mounting point.

Most storefront doors will have a rivnut already installed in the door stile.On a standard 36 in storefront door, this measurement will be33 in center-to-center.

This same measurement applies whether your push bar is single-bend or double-bend.

Other Door Sizes

In addition to 36 in doors, we also carry retrofit pull handle and push bar sets for:

• 42 in storefront doors
• 48 in storefront doors

As long as you measure center-to-center correctly, we can supply the proper retrofit handle setfor your specific door size.

Final Notes

Retrofit storefront door handle sets are an excellent upgrade when OEM handles repeatedly fail.The heavier-duty hardware significantly improves durability and long-term performance.

If you’re unsure which size or configuration you need, send us photos and measurements of your door,and we’ll help you select the correct retrofit handle set.

All retrofit storefront door handle sets are available at DoorClosersUSA.com.

Thanks for watching, and that wraps up our storefront retrofit handle replacement guide.

Watch the Video

Prefer to follow along visually? Watch the full video below to see how to measure and replacea storefront door handle set using a retrofit solution.