doorgreep

Doorgreep is a Dutch term that translates roughly as “door grip.” In general usage it refers to the component and the action involved in operating a door, including the handle or lever and the mechanism that unlatches and allows the door to open and close. The term is more common in historical or technical contexts; in everyday speech, people typically use deurkruk or deurhendel for the handle, and deurklink for a knob.

In carpentry, architecture, and product design, doorgreep encompasses both the physical grip on the door and the functional interaction with the latch or bolt. Ergonomic considerations—such as the shape, size, material, finishing, and required driving force—affect how easily a person can grasp and operate the door. Accessibility standards often guide doorgreep design to ensure that door handles are usable by people with varying levels of strength and dexterity.

Variations of doorgreep include different types of door handles and associated hardware, such as lever handles, round knobs, backplates, and escutcheons. Materials range from metals like brass and stainless steel to plastics and wood, with finishes selected for durability and aesthetics. Although doorgreep is a valid descriptive term, it is less common in contemporary Dutch retail language, where specific hardware names are preferred; the concept remains relevant in design manuals, architectural drawings, and legacy documentation.

See also: door handle, door latch, door hinge, door frame, threshold.