Frequently Asked Questions

In this section we aim to answer any questions you may have regarding us or any of the products that we manufacture and in doing so we hope that you will be able to find all the information that you require.

We understand that we cannot always answer everything but through these answers, our product information, photographs, videos and the fitting guides we hope we have provided enough information for you to make an informed choice of From The Anvil products and services.

Please click on a topic from the list below to find an answer to your questions. If you cant’t find what you’re looking for then please feel free to check out our guides section or do not hesitate to ask us a question using the form provided.

• Q: How do I find the product I am looking for?

  A: If you know the product code (sku) of the item you are looking for then simply enter that code into the search bar (top right corner) of the website and you will be taken straight to the item. If you are unsure of the code it is possible to search for any item via the top menu (door, window, cabinet furniture etc.) where a menu will appear with all the subcategories of products.

  Alternatively why not email or call us to get the information you need or you can get in touch with one of our registered stockists for a friendly and helpful service.

• Q: Can I receive a copy of the latest colour brochure?

  A: Of course. We have the latest edition available to all and it is very simple to get your own copy. The quickest way would be to download a version via the tab on the right hand side of our website. If you would rather a printed copy then please fill in the form with your details and we will send a copy out in the post as soon as we receive them. All of our registered stockists have copies of the latest brochure in stock so a visit to their showroom or a quick email/call can also get you a copy.

• Q: Is there a price list so I can compare the various retail outlets for the best price?

  A: Yes there is and it can also be ordered via the ‘Request Our Brochure’ tab on the right hand side of the website. Alternatively fill in the form, email or call in to us to receive an up-to-date R.R.P. price list.

• Q: How can I buy a From The Anvil genuine product?

  A: There are a number of ways to buy our products but by far the easiest is to locate your local stockist via our ‘How To Buy’ section on the website. Here you have a number of options to get hold of our products. Firstly you can enter a postcode and be directed to your closest ‘From The Anvil’ registered stockist, their website and contact details. Secondly, we recommend a number of trusted online stockists who provide a fantastic service which is completely worry and hassle free. As with all order enquiries you can still get in touch with ourselves for any further help or advice.

• Q: What if I live abroad, is there an international delivery?

  A: As we sell our genuine products through a network of registered stockists there are a number of companies that do offer a very reasonable delivery service whether it be national or international. Please call or email us and we would be glad to put you in touch with someone that can offer this service.

• Q: Is there anywhere I can see the product before I buy?

  A: We have a large showroom at our distribution base in Mid-Wales so if you are ever in the area then please feel free to call in. Many of our stockists have their own extensively stocked showrooms which have a number of display boards showcasing our products. Enter your postcode in our ‘How To Buy’ tab on the website and you will see the nearest stockist to you with a brief description of the display/showroom.

• Q: What if I need more information on a certain product or finish and to see if it is suitable?

  A: The information we display for our products on our website is constantly being kept up-to-date and with any relevant details clearly available to aide you in making an informed choice. Please see individual products to see all the help we provide regarding descriptions, finishes, fitting instructions etc.

• Q: What do I do if I need more screws or lose a certain part of my product?

  A: The best thing to do would be to get in touch with the company you placed the original order with as they may have the spares you are looking for and they will have all of your details on record. If for any reason they cannot help you then please get in touch with one of our online stockists where screws and spare parts can be ordered and delivered on a next day basis.

• Q: What are the different types of finishes available?

  A: There are many finishes available each with differing properties, material and methods of manufacture. For a full list of finishes and where/when to use them please see our ‘Product Finishes Guide’ or alternatively see the latest issue of our brochure.

• Q: Can all the finishes be used externally?

  A: No, not all the finishes can be used externally, see the full finishes guide for which can or cannot. The one finish we really wouldn’t recommend using externally is one of our main finishes and it’s the Beeswax. As the base metal is only protected by a coating of wax any adverse weather conditions would easily remove this protective layer, expose any metal to the elements and would therefore allow surface rust to build up if untreated.

• Q: Are there any restrictions to using products?

  A: Yes. We recommend that you don’t fit our products in a room/house where the plaster hasn’t had a chance to fully dry yet. The moisture in a newly plastered room is phenomenal and can allow a surface rust to build up.

• Q: Can I use the products in coastal areas?

  A: No. None of our products are suitable for coastal areas due to the high salt content in the air. Only a stainless steel product will not rust in these circumstances and even then a certain amount of maintenance is required.

• Q: What to do to my product when I first receive it (Beeswax finish only)?

  A: When choosing the Beeswax finish, sometimes because of temperature changes, your product might have a slight white bloom when opening the packaging. We recommend you buff it with a soft cloth, this will remove the white bloom and restore the finish.

• Q: What can I do to maintain the finish/quality of my genuine From The Anvil product?

  A: With all our products, when used externally, any moving parts will require the occasional oiling and we recommend that the ironmongery is wiped with a lightly oiled cloth from time to time. This will remove harmful deposits and restore it to its original condition. Do not use any form of chemical. Always use the products we recommend for external use, otherwise you may encounter a degradation of the lacquer/wax finish. Our internal finishes aren’t recommended for external use but can still be used, if desired, in an enclosed or protected area, like a porch but you may need to reapply an extra coating of wax (beeswax finish only) and you may encounter some rusting issues if not totally protected.

• Q: What type of door bolt should I be using?

  A: There are a number of different bolts available and with many uses around your home including doors and windows. The main bolts have a straight or cranked barrel which have two main uses. Door bolts for the push side of a door (one which opens outward) are Cranked Bolts, which shoot into a flat or receiver plate. A straight bolt would be used on the pull side of a door (a door that opens inwards), which shoots into a receiver bridge rather than a flat plate.

  A number of our bolts are now being supplied as ‘universal’ in that they come with two or three different keeps so that they can be used on inward or outward opening doors.

  Flush/slide bolts are also a type we manufacture and are mostly used on sliding or bi-folding door systems. They can be flush fitted to the edge or face of your door and provide a non obstructive locking mechanism.

• Q: What type of hinge should I choose for my door?

  A: It really depends on the job you are trying to buy hinges for but most modern/new doors are solid or at least 44mm thick and therefore would require a standard Butt Hinge whereas the more traditional plank or ledged and braced doors can only really be fitted with T or Strap Hinges as the door is too thin for a butt hinge leaf to be screw fixed to the edge of the door.

  Other types of hinge include our ‘H’ or ‘HL’ Hinge which can also be used on a multitude of door sizes and styles with the H offering a slimline but strong solution. Whereas the HL hinge serves the same purpose but provides extra strength for heavier or damaged doors and shutters.

  Other types of hinge in our range include Parliament Hinges which are used to project a door away from the frame when opening, butterfly hinges which are more decorative but ideal for use in kitchens and on many types of cupboards, stormproof hinges which give a close, weatherproof fit for windows and even friction hinges, suitable for wood upvc or aluminium windows.

  For full details of each hinge see the individual product on our website for more info.

• Q: What size of hinge should I choose for my door?

  A: As with choosing the right type of hinge for your door/window it is also very critical to get the right size of hinges for your particular job. For traditional plank doors (using T hinges) the strap part of the hinge would traditionally reach two thirds of the way across the door width but in this day and age of using stronger manufacturing materials as long as the hinge reaches halfway across the door then there shouldn’t be any problem with holding the weight. There are some exceptions to this rule i.e. if you have a particularly heavy door you may need to use a longer strap or alternatively add another hinge (three).

  Obviously this method only applies to strap hinges and not butt or other types. As a general rule if fitting a front/back door or a particularly heavy solid door then choose a 4” butt hinge. If the door is likely to get a lot of use over the years then ideally a ball bearing hinge would suit better.

  For more specific types of hinges please either see the product on our website or do not hesitate to give our technical team a call/email to get the information you require.

• Q: How many hinges do I need for my door?

  A: As with choosing the right type of hinge for your door/window it is also very critical to get the right number of hinges for your particular job. Most hinges will carry a certain type of door and then depending on the weight of that door you can decipher the amount of hinges needed. For example, a standard solid door can easily be carried by a pair of butt hinges but, depending on the weight (if it’s solid oak etc.) may be best suited to having three hinges or a pair and a half on them, just to be on the safe side.

  The same applies for a strap/t hinge when hanging a ledged and braced or plank door, usually a pair will suffice but sometimes and especially with a heavy door a pair and a half would be more suited. The best advice would be to speak to whomever is fitting or manufacturing your door to see what they recommend or alternatively get in touch with us at ‘From The Anvil’

• Q: Do hinges come as pairs and are they supplied with matching screws?

  A: All of our hinges come complete as a pair with the relevant amount of matching fixing screws. We are unable to split pairs of hinges. If you have screws missing from your packing or have managed to loose your fixings then please get in touch and we can either replace missing screws or sell you some extra ones.

• Q: What is the difference between a door knocker that has surface fixing or bolt-through fixing?

  A: A surface fixed door knocker is exactly that, the knocker would be screw fixed to the front/exterior surface of your door. If the knocker comes supplied with a bolt-through fixing then a hole would need to be drilled through the complete thickness of your front door. A solid wood door would be no problem for either type of fixing but you may need to check for other types of door material or manufacture (plastic, composite etc.) to see what would be most suitable.

• Q: Which thumblatch should I choose for my door?

  A: First things first with choosing the right thumblatch is, is how thick is your door. For example, is it a ledged and braced or plank door and will my thumblatch be passing through a single or double plank. Secondly you must decide on the style of thumblatch e.g. ‘Bean’ or ‘Gothic’ and ideally get them to match your hinges (bean-penny end or gothic-arrow head) although this is not essential. Once you have deciphered the thickness and style then it’s time to get the most suitable size for your door. Our standard ‘Medium’ thumblatch will work perfectly on a door with a thickness of 55mm whereas the ‘XL’ version will work on a door of up to 75mm. This is due to the ‘Thumb Bar Length’. The thumb bar allows the user to depress the thumblatch. The thumb piece or thumb bar then passes through the door which in-turn raises the latch bar off the keep.

• Q: What are all the parts of the thumblatch set and what do they do?

  A: Handle/Thumb Bar - Fitted to one side of the door to allow the user to depress the thumblatch. The thumb piece or thumb bar passes through the door which in-turn raises the latch bar off the keep.

  Latch Bar - This is the horizontal bar that is fitted to the other side of the door and is screw fixed loosely at one end to allow the upward movement of the thumb bar. This allows the latch bar to be lifted off the keep from either side of the door.

  Staple Pin or Screw-on-Staple - These are used to restrict the movement of the horizontal latch bar. Either can be used for this purpose with the other, unused product, to be discarded.

  Frame Keep Pin - The keep is driven into the door frame, screw fixed for safety and is used to hold the door/thumblatch closed.

• Q: What if I want my thumblatch to lock, is that possible?

  A: Absolutely. All you need for this to work is to replace the existing Staple Pin/Screw-on Staple Pin with a locking version of the same. This locking version comes with a metal pin attached via a leather strap to hold in place.

• Q: What is a privacy latch?

  A: A Privacy Latch offers opening on one side of a door only. For example if you have a thumblatch on your bedroom door you may wish to carry the theme into the bedroom and have latches on your wardrobe doors. These latches offer you that at a fraction of the cost of a full thumblatch set and something that is really designed to be used on both sides of a door.

• Q: What are the different types of lever handles?

  A: There are basically five different types of lever handle available and they all have varying uses around the home.

  A Lock handle is designed for use where there’s a need to have a keyed/locked access to a property or room and used in conjunction with a 5 lever mortice lock, the Latch version is mostly for internal doors where there is no need for locking of the door and is designed to be used with varying sizes of mortice latch. Bathroom handles are pretty self explanatory and should be used in conjunction with a bathroom mortice lock which allows locking by way of a thumbturn on the handle.

  The other types of handle are the Euro lever handle which is to be used with Euro cylinders and Euro sash locks and are usually used for patio/conservatory doors. The last type of handle is an Espagnolette lever handle, is used with multi point locks and Euro cylinders on sliding/bi-folding door sets and modern front doors using these type of locking systems. All lever handles have a measurement called a ‘Centre’ which relates to the measurement/distance between the centre of the door handle and the centre of the key hole. This in turn relates to which type of lock is needed. All of our door handles have standard ‘Centre’ measurements to fit all types of British locks and latches.

• Q: What does sprung/unsprung actually mean?

  A: Lever handles come as either ‘Sprung’ or ‘Unsprung’ which relates to whether there is a spring incorporated into the handle or not. The purpose of this spring is to help the lever return back to the horizontal or original position. All locks and latches have a spring inside to help the lever to return but some handles can be quite heavy and will also rely on the spring in the handle.

  Most of our From The Anvil handles are now sprung but some are not and would require using a heavy duty lock/latch to aid this process, please see the individual product descriptions to see about the handle of your choice.

• Q: What type of lock/latch should I choose?

  A: The choice depends on what your door is being used for and what type of handle/knob you have selected. For a full description and images to help you please our ‘Locks & Latches Guide’.

  There are two types of most of our locks/latches and they are either Heavy Duty or Standard and this relates to the type of spring inside. Heavy Duty are to be used where the handle is unsprung and needs help to return to the original position whereas the Standard can be used for most purposes and when the handle is sprung.

  All of our locks, latches etc. are British kite marked and are insurance rated. The 5 lever sash locks, which are ideal for all locking purposes, should be used when a door requires to be secured (e.g. front, back or shed door). A mortice latch is normally used for internal doors where they need to be closed and stay closed when left but can be opened easily. Bathroom mortice locks are used in conjunction with bathroom lever handles which then operate a thumbturn located on the handle or can be used to work with any door knob sets and separate thumbturn. Euro cylinders are more of a common occurance in these modern days and they will be used in conjunction with either Euro sash locks (which are usually used for patio/conservatory doors) or multi-point locks (which are increasingly being used on the latest composite front doors but also have many other uses around the home due to their secure nature).

• Q: What size of lock/latch do I need?

  A: All locks/latches come in various sizes i.e. 2.5”/3”/4” etc. which actually relates to the overall size of the case. The important measurement that needs to be considered is something called the ‘Backset’. The ‘Backset’ tells the user where the centre of their door knob, handle and spindle will be in relation to the edge of the door i.e. the backset of a 2.5” lock is 44mm which means that the centre of your door knob will be 44mm from the edge of the door. This is important to bear in mind when choosing your locks or latches as you wouldn’t want your door knob to be too close to the edge of the door so as to scrape your knuckles when opening. If using a door knob it is reccomended that you consider a 3” lock/latch as an absolute minimum but using bigger would probably be best. See the backset sizes and the width of your chosen door knob to work out the best size to use for your individual job.

• Q: My bathroom handle has the thumbturn on the wrong side of the door (handle faces the wrong way)?

  A: We supply all of our bathroom lever handles with a fixed thumbturn so sometimes, depending on the way round you have your door, the handle may be pointing in the wrong direction to get the thumbturn on the inside of the bathroom door. This can easily be rectified by locating the washer/cir-clip on the back of either the handle and using a pair of cir-clip pliers can be removed to actually turn the lever around to suit whatever direction. If you are a little unsure if this applies to you please ask your local stockist at the time of purchase.

• Q: What to do if my lever doesn’t return to the horizontal position?

  A: If you have fitted your lever handle and it doesn’t return back to the horizontal position it would imply that the spring in the existing lock/latch isn’t strong enough to force the handle back and that the handle you have isn’t sprung. This can be rectified in a number of ways. A sprung handle should be used and therefore eliminates any need for any other fixes. A new lock or latch can be purchased and fitted but it must have a heavy duty spring incorporated into it or finally, if it still doesn’t return to horizontal then a spring unit cassette can be retrofitted to help with this job. It is fitted behind your existing door handle/knob, goes over the existing spindle and helps to strengthen any existing, spring in the lock or latch.

• Q: What if I have a very thick door?

  A: If your door is thicker than average then you can still use our products but you would have to purchase a longer spindle (the bar that passes through the door, works the lock/latch and joins the two handles/knobs together).

• Q: Are the door knobs sprung or unsprung?

  A: All of our door knobs come as unsprung and therefore we recommend only using heavy duty locks and latches.

• Q: What type of lock/latch should I choose?

  A: The choice depends on what your door is being used for and what type of handle/knob you have selected. For a full description and images to help you please our ‘Locks & Latches Guide’.

  There are two types of most of our locks/latches and they are either Heavy Duty or Standard and this relates to the type of spring inside. Heavy Duty are to be used where the knob is unsprung and needs help to return to the original position whereas the Standard can be used for most purposes and when the knob is sprung.

  All of our locks, latches etc. are British kite marked and are insurance rated. The 5 lever sash locks, which are ideal for all locking purposes, should be used when a door requires to be secured (e.g. front, back or shed door). A mortice latch is normally used for internal doors where they need to be closed and stay closed when left but can be opened easily. Bathroom mortice locks are used in conjunction with bathroom lever handles which then operate a thumbturn located on the handle or can be used to work with any door knob sets and separate thumbturn. Euro cylinders are more of a common occurrence in these modern days and they will be used in conjunction with either Euro sash locks (which are usually used for patio/conservatory doors) or multi-point locks (which are increasingly being used on the latest composite front doors but also have many other uses around the home due to their secure nature).

• Q: What size of lock/latch do I need?

  A: All locks/latches come in various sizes i.e. 2.5”/3”/4” etc. which actually relates to the overall size of the case. The important measurement that needs to be considered is something called the ‘Backset’. The ‘Backset’ tells the user where the centre of their door knob and spindle will be in relation to the edge of the door i.e. the backset of a 2.5” lock is 44mm which means that the centre of your door knob will be 44mm from the edge of the door. This is important to bear in mind when choosing your locks or latches as you wouldn’t want your door knob to be too close to the edge of the door so as to scrape your knuckles when opening. If using a door knob it is recommended that you consider a 3” lock/latch as an absolute minimum but using bigger would probably be best. See the backset sizes and the width of your chosen door knob to work out the best size to use for your individual job.

• Q: What if I have a very thick door?

  A: If your door is thicker than average then you can still use our products but you would have to purchase a longer spindle (the bar that passes through the door, works the lock/latch and joins the two handles/knobs together).

• Q: Can I fix a door knob to one side of a door so that it doesn’t turn (e.g. a wardrobe door etc.)?

  A: Yes you can fix fit any of our door knobs to a single side of a door so that it just becomes a pull rather than a working knob by first fitting a ‘Taylor’s Spindle’ to your door. For door knobs you must use a ‘threaded’ Taylor’s spindle which can be seen in our accessories section.

• Q: What type of hand-crafted nail should I be using?

  A: It really depends on the job you are trying to complete. Rosehead nails are to be used for fixing plank or ledged and braced doors so that the nail protrudes all the way through the planks and is then curled/clasped over to hold everything in place. They are also often used to fix floorboards in a very traditional manor. The other types of nails we produce are both practical and indeed decorative in the hand-made nail which can be used in a multitude of creative and practical uses around the home.

• Q: How many nails do I get in a kilo bag?

  A: It largely depends on what size of rosehead nail you choose. Please see individual product codes for approximate quantities.

• Q: Can I use rosehead nails externally?

  A: Rosehead nails are finished in a black oxide coating to help prevent against rust but unless a product is stainless steel there is absolutely no guarantee that they will not rust. The coating is also there to help prevent grey staining and wood degradation which, when used externally, will happen.

• Q: Can I use rosehead nails in any type of wood?

  A: They can be used in any wood types but be aware that some types will become stained if used externally and the harder the wood you may find the need to drill pilot holes.

• Q: How does a ring turn handle work?

  A: A ring turn consists of two ring handles and a square spindle which is used to pass through your door, through a mortice latch and join your two handles together. Our ring turns are not supplied with a latch so one must be purchased separately.

• Q: What size/type of latch should I choose?

  A: All latches come in various sizes i.e. 2.5”/3”/4” etc. which actually relates to the overall size of the case. The important measurement that needs to be considered is something called the ‘Backset’. The ‘Backset’ tells the user where the centre of their ring turn and spindle will be in relation to the edge of the door i.e. the backset of a 2.5” lock is 44mm which means that the centre of your ring turn will be 44mm from the edge of the door. This is important to bear in mind when choosing your locks or latches as you wouldn’t want your ring turn to be too close to the edge of the door so as to scrape your knuckles when opening. If using a ring turn it is recommended that you consider a 3” lock/latch as a minimum. See the backset sizes and the width of your chosen door knob to work out the best size to use for your individual job.

• Q: How does a thumb turn work and what is it normally used for?

  A: Thumbturns are generally used for locking bathroom doors as they have a thumb grip for the inside of the door but a flat plate with a slot in for the outside to be able to open in case of emergencies. We supply a separate thumbturn to work alone or in conjunction with door knobs and pull handles or as a fixed element of a bathroom lever handle.

• Q: What size/type of latch should I choose?

  A: A bathroom mortice lock is the preferred option as it allows the larger spindle from a lever handle or knob set at the top of the lock and a smaller spindle at the bottom which operates the bathroom thumbturn.

  All locks come in various sizes i.e. 2.5”/3”/4” etc. which actually relates to the overall size of the case. The important measurement that needs to be considered is something called the ‘Backset’. The ‘Backset’ tells the user where the centre of their thumb turn and spindle will be in relation to the edge of the door i.e. the backset of a 2.5” lock is 44mm which means that the centre of your thumb turn will be 44mm from the edge of the door. This is important to bear in mind when choosing your locks or latches as you wouldn’t want your ring turn and door knob to be too close to the edge of the door so as to scrape your knuckles when opening. If using a door knob it is recommended that you consider a 3” lock/latch as a minimum. See the backset sizes and the width of your chosen door knob to work out the best size to use for your individual job.

• Q: Which type of window handle should I be using?

  A: This depends largely on the type of window the handle is being used on and what you want your handle to do.

  There are a number of questions to guide you through the process e.g. do I want the handle to lock? If yes then a locking fastener is needed and if not a non-locking fastener. If there is a locking system fitted into your window already (e.g. pvc windows) and if so the choice is not of fasteners but of Espagnolette Handles (see espagnolette section below). Once this function has been decided then there is a question of style, is it monkeytail, peardrop or shepherd’s crook followed by a question of is the handle to provide night ventilation or not and therefore choosing a night venting handle. Each one of these questions will lead you to a varied choice of fasteners where you will find the next question/answer and then lead you to your correct choice of handle. But as always your local stockist or ourselves are only a call away to help.

• Q: How do locking and non-locking fasteners work?

  A: They work by way a small grub screw incorporated into the handle. This grub is screwed down into the fixing plate of the handle by way of an allen key.

• Q: Why are some handles left or right handed and how to choose what is right?

  A: When buying a window fastener there will sometimes be a reference to the window fitting being ‘handed’ so it is important to follow this simple rule: when viewing a window from the inside, if your handle opens clockwise away from the frame, choose a ‘Left Hand’ and if your handle opens anti-clockwise away from the frame, choose a ‘Right Hand’.

• Q: How do Night Venting Fasteners differ from normal fasteners?

  A: Night venting fasteners differ in the way that they can be locked in an open or closed position to provide some secure ventilation. Whereas our standard fasteners hold the window closed by way of an ‘arm’ being fixed into a window frame and mortice plate the night fasteners close onto a pin which protrudes away from the window frame.

• Q: Can fasteners be used with weather seal/stripped windows?

  A: Our fasteners, when used with the supplied flat mortice plates have been designed to close up onto weather sealed/stripped windows thus producing a nice tight fit without damaging any seals.

• Q: When using a locking fastener would this be enough security to satisfy my insurance company?

  A: As far as we are concerned this product provides a locking mechanism which is strong enough to secure against any attacks on your home but would have to be checked against your insurance policy to see whether it satisfies all criteria. For complete satisfaction please consult with your insurance company.

• Q: 8”, 10” or 12” stays, how are they measured and from where?

  A: The stays are categorised into 8”, 10” or 12” but as the majority of stays are hand-crafted and over the various different styles some differences will occur. Usually measured from the fixing plate to the end of the stay it would be best to use the individual product measurement for each item which can be found on our website or in the brochure.

• Q: Can the stay be locked?

  A: Yes stays can be locked but it is a separate item called a Locking Stay Pin which must be purchased as an extra. Simply replace one of the existing pins with the locking pin and by way of an allen key operation the stay can be locked in an open or closed position.

• Q: When locking a stay, using a locking pin, would this be enough security to satisfy my insurance company?

  A: As far as we are concerned this product provides a locking mechanism which is strong enough to secure against any attacks on your home but would have to be checked against your insurance policy to see whether it satisfies all criteria. For complete satisfaction please consult with your insurance company.

• Q: Is there anything I can use if my windows have heavy moulding or I want to use the stay as a dummy or side mounted?

  A: Yes. There are now a number of different ways to secure or mount your stays to moulded windows or to use as a dummy for looks only and they can be found in the accessories section of our window furniture category.

• Q: What is a window espagnolette handle and how does it differ from a fastener?

  A: An ‘Espagnolette’ handle is designed to operate a locking mechanism which is always fitted into your windows. Usually a secure shoot bolt system which operates when you turn the espagnolette handle and in turn moves the attached spindle to work the lock. These handles usually come with a fixed spindle which is a standard diameter to fit all lock types and a spindle length that can be cut down to suit. All espags. are handed so care must be taken to choose the correct type (see relevant question for a guide). All of our espag. handles come with a locking grub screw located under the handle to give extra peace of mind that it is secure and is provided with an allen key to operate.

• Q: Do I need a left or right handed handle?

  A: When buying a window espagnolette there will be a reference to the window fitting being ‘handed’ so it is important to follow this simple rule: when viewing a window from the inside, if your handle opens clockwise away from the frame, choose a ‘Left Hand’ and if your handle opens anti-clockwise away from the frame, choose a ‘Right Hand’.

• Q: What type of locking system does an espagnolette handle fit?

  A: All types of locking system that require a spindle operated locking system.

• Q: Will they fit any type of window style, type or material?

  A: Our espag. handles are designed to fit any standard fixing locking system, whether it be a stand-alone or multi-point lock set as all fixing centres and spindle sizes are standardized. Likewise with window style or material our handles will fit any type as long as the lock inside is designed for espagnolette handles you will have absolutely no problems from timber to plastic and aluminium.

• Q: Can I join the curtain poles to make them into longer lengths or cut them down to make them shorter?

  A: The curtain poles can easily be joined together to increase the overall length by way of a joining bar sold as a separate item. This item can be glued in to provide extra peace of mind but would always need to be supported by an extra mounting bracket wherever possible (ideally in the centre of the two bars, also helps to cover up the join and doesn’t get in the way of the operating of the curtains).

  You can also cut the poles down to length to suit any size simply by using a good quality metal saw (please be careful of any sharp bits of metal after cutting as can be quite sharp - always file down).

• Q: Will the curtain poles work in a bay window?

  A: Unfortunately due to the way the mounting brackets hold the poles it is not currently possible to use them in a bay window situation unless going straight

• Q: How many mounting brackets do I need for my length of curtain pole?

  A: We feel two mounting brackets should be sufficient for holding up any of our standard lengths of curtain poles assuming you have fixed them to the wall correctly and also dependant on the weight of your curtains. If you decide to join two or more poles together to increase the length please be advised that an extra mounting bracket should be used at each join to offer extra support and also helps to cover any joins.

• Q: How many curtain rings do I need for my length of curtain pole?

  A: We suggest using approximately 4 rings per 300mm of pole length. For example, 12 or 13 rings for the 1m length, 20 rings for the 1.5m length and about 26 for the 2m length.

• Q: Should I choose a lock or a latch?

  A: It really depends on what job you want the door to do i.e. does it need to be locked or is it an internal door which is constantly in use and would never need to be locked. See our locks guide for a full use of all the different types of locks/latches, their different uses and what all the sizes mean.

• Q: What type of latch should I choose?

  A: If you are wanting to fit an ‘unsprung’ lever handle then fitting a heavy duty latch would be advisable to help with returning the lever to the horizontal position. If however you are fitting a ‘sprung’ lever handle then a standard latch would suffice. We have a mixture of sprung and unsprung lever handles in our range so please consult individual product descriptions for this info. The same applies when fitting door knobs (all From The Anvil door knobs are unsprung so please fit heavy duty latches in all conditions).

• Q: What size of latch should I use?

  A: If using a lever handle then a 2.5” or a 3” would be suitable. If, however you are choosing a door knob set then we suggest using a 3” minimum and bigger to move the knob away from the frame of the door so as to not catch your knuckles as it turns.

• Q: What type of lock should I choose?

  A: If you are wanting to fit an ‘unsprung’ lever handle then fitting a heavy duty lock would be advisable to help with returning the lever to the horizontal position. If however you are fitting a ‘sprung’ lever handle then a standard lock would suffice. We have a mixture of sprung and unsprung lever handles in our range so please consult individual product descriptions for this info. The same applies when fitting door knobs (all From The Anvil door knobs are unsprung so please fit heavy duty locks in all conditions).

  The various types of locks are described in detail in our ‘Locks & Latches Guide’ which explains the different types and their uses. Please consult this guide for full details.

• Q: What size of lock should I use?

  A: If using a lever handle then a 2.5” or a 3” would be suitable. If, however you are choosing a door knob set then we suggest using a 3” minimum and bigger to move the knob away from the frame of the door so as to not catch your knuckles as it turns.

  The various types of locks are described in detail in our ‘Locks & Latches Guide’ which explains the different types and their uses. Please consult this guide for full details.

• Q: What is the difference between a standard and heavy duty lock/latch?

  A: The difference is purely the strength of the spring. Heavy duty being suggested for unsprung products and standard for sprung items.

• Q: Deadbolts and deadlocks, what’s the difference and when to use?

  A: The various types of locks are described in detail in our ‘Locks & Latches Guide’ which explains the different types and their uses. Please consult this guide for full details.

• Q: What’s the difference between a Euro lock and a Euro Din Sash Case?

  A: The various types of locks are described in detail in our ‘Locks & Latches Guide’ which explains the different types and their uses. Please consult this guide for full details.

• Q: When to use a Euro Cylinder and how to get the right size?

  A: The various types of locks are described in detail in our ‘Locks & Latches Guide’ which explains the different types and their uses. Please consult this guide for full details.

• Q: What should I do if I have an existing lock or latch and it doesn’t allow my lever handle to return to the horizontal position?

  A: If this should happen it usually means the spring inside the lock/latch isn’t strong enough to return your handle to the starting position. Don’t worry, this can be rectified. There are a few options available to cure this, firstly you could get a new heavy duty lock/latch to replacing the existing one. Secondly you can replace the handle with a ‘sprung’ version or thirdly a Spring Unit Cassette can be fitted behind the handle to help strengthen the existing lock/latch. Please see fitting guides on how to do this.

• Q: What are the different types of window locks available and which handles should I be using?

  A: We have a couple of solutions if you are looking to fit a locking system to your windows. The simplest is to fit a Stan-alone window lock which works in the same principle as your normal door locks. A small window lock is fitted (mortised) into the window with a keep fitted into the frame, a specific type of window handle called an Espagnolette would then be fitted to operate the lock mechanism. Also, a more complex multi-point locking system can be supplied to provide a British Standard and insurance rated locking system for timber, pvc or aluminium windows. This however would be advised to be fitted by an experienced window fitter or joiner. This system also use the epagnolette window handle to operate and provides top of the line security.

• Q: What are the different sorts of spindles and when to use them?

  A: We supply three different types of extra spindles for when they are required. Threaded spindles in imperial and metric for the different types of door knobs available and in a number of different lengths for various door thickness’s (for the best help with what length you may need please get in touch for advice). A split spindle for use with all lever handles to replace an existing or missing one.

  We also supply something called a Taylor’s Spindle, which is threaded or not and can be surfaced fixed to a wardrobe door for instance, a handle or knob is then fitted to the spindle and allows the product to be used purely as a pull handle or for decorative purposes. For the best help with what length you may need please get in touch for advice.

• Q: What is maintenance wax used for and when should I apply it?

  A: The maintenance wax will restore your Beeswaxed products and afford a bit of extra protection. Surface rust can occur due to humidity and moisture (bathrooms etc.) so if surface rust does occur rub with wire wool and apply maintenance wax with a rag or brush. See Maintenance & Care Guides for full details on all of the finishes available.

• Q: Can I buy any spare screws as I don’t have enough?

  A: Of course. We have made available all screws that come with our products as spares. They are in packs of 25 and available in all finishes. Please call to find out the right size for your product as it does vary between items.

• Q: What is a spring cassette and how do I fit one?

  A: A Spring Unit Cassette is used to help strengthen an existing lock/latch and is to be fitted behind the handle or door knob. Please see ‘Fitting Guides’ on how to do this.

• Q: What if I have lost or need to replace a certain part of my product, are there spares available?

  A: We can supply a complete range of spares and accessories for the majority of our products whether you have lost something or trying to replace an old part we have a large selection on our site in the Accessories category. If you cannot find what it is you are looking for then feel free to get in touch with your local stockist or directly with ourselves.