Existing Vertical Push Pull Handle?
Posted by Jim Noort on 23rd Apr 2026
Vertical push pull handles look sleek and are increasingly common on modern residential and apartment entry doors across Queensland. But when a homeowner wants to add a smart lock or a deadbolt, these long slender handles create a real puzzle.
The handle runs vertically alongside — or directly over — the area where a lock body normally sits. That overlap means you can't just order any smart lock or deadbolt and assume it'll fit. The geometry of your existing handle determines which upgrade path is right for you.
There are three proven pathways. Which one suits your door depends on a handful of measurements. This article explains all three, shows you exactly what to measure, and links you to compatible products for each route.
Visit our dedicated category page: Smart Locks for Doors with Vertical Push Pull Handles — filtered and curated specifically for this door configuration.
The Five Measurements We Need
Before our team at Gold Coast Smart Locks can confirm which pathway suits your door, we need five key measurements. Take these with a tape measure and photograph them clearly — or bring the photos along when you visit us.
Your Three Pathways
Once we know your measurements, the solution will fall into one of three categories:
Pathway ①: Replace With an Integrated Smart Lock Handle
This is often the cleanest solution. A purpose-built entrance pull handle with an integrated smart lock replaces the existing push pull handle entirely. The lock mechanism is built into the handle body — there's no need to retrofit anything around the existing hardware.
These systems typically combine a long vertical pull bar (similar in form to your existing handle) with a smart lock module that manages pin codes, fingerprint, Bluetooth, or RFID access — all within the one unit.
Common Access Methods Available
Products – Integrated Smart Lock Pull Handles
McGrath Grange Entrance Pull Handle Smart Lock
A full entrance pull handle with Bluetooth, fingerprint, pin code, and RFID access built in. Replaces your existing vertical push pull with a single integrated unit.
Yale Luna Pro Facial Recognition Smart Lock
A premium integrated pull handle smart lock featuring facial recognition, pin code, and backup key access — suited to modern architectural doors.
Keyin L Mortice Smart Lock
A mortice-based smart lock designed to work with pull handle configurations, with pin code, fingerprint, and card access as standard.
Pathway ②: Keep the Existing Handle — Add a Retrofit Smart Lock
If your measurements show there is sufficient clearance between the existing push pull handle and the current lock position, a retrofit smart lock may be able to sit alongside or above the handle without conflicting with it.
Retrofit smart locks replace the thumb-turn and/or exterior cylinder of the existing lock — leaving the handle completely untouched. These are by far the simplest installs, but they are only suitable when the handle geometry gives enough room for the lock module to operate freely.
Access Methods Available
Products – Retrofit Smart Locks
Yale Assure Keyed (with Yale Home)
Keypad and app-controlled deadbolt with a physical key backup. Compact profile may suit doors where there is moderate clearance from the push pull handle.
Yale Assure SL (No Key Cylinder)
A slimmer-profile smart deadbolt without an exterior key cylinder — this thinner body may sit more comfortably beside a push pull handle where space is tighter.
Igloohome Retrofit Lock
The Igloohome Retrofit replaces only the interior thumb-turn, leaving the exterior completely unchanged — so the visible push pull hardware stays exactly as-is on the outside. Check it our case study blog
Pathway ③: Replace With an Offset Pull Handle — Then Add a Smart Lock
When the existing handle sits directly beside the lock with no clearance to retrofit, and a full integrated replacement isn't preferred, the third pathway is the most creative — and often the most effective.
An offset pull handle is a door pull that bends or steps away from the lock zone. Instead of running in a straight vertical line through the lock area, the handle sweeps to one side — leaving the lock position clear for a standard smart deadbolt, smart cylindrical lock, or smart mortice set.
Example Offset Handle Options
Terry's Offset Pull Handles — Gold Coast Hardware
What Smart Lock Can I Add Once I Have an Offset Handle?
Once the offset handle is installed and the lock zone is clear, you have a much wider selection of smart locks available to you — including many standard smart deadbolts that would have been blocked by the original straight handle. The products shown in Pathways ① and ② above all become candidates, depending on your door's existing lock bore.
Your locksmith will confirm the bore size, backset, and door thickness before recommending the matching smart lock.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I keep my existing push pull handle and just add any smart lock?
Not always. It depends entirely on how close the handle sits to the existing lock. If the handle bar passes directly over or very close to the lock position, most smart locks will not fit without modification. This is exactly why we need measurement ② — distance from handle to lock. - Will the Igloohome Retrofit work on my door?
The Igloohome Retrofit only replaces the interior thumb-turn side of the lock. It leaves the exterior completely unchanged — so the push pull handle stays as-is on the outside. This is the least invasive pathway, but it requires a compatible deadbolt lock body to already be present. - I live in a strata apartment. Can I still change my front door hardware?
Apartment fire doors have specific compliance requirements. Changing a push pull handle or adding a new lock must be assessed against the one-penetration principle and your building's fire door certification. Please read our article on apartment fire door compliance in Queensland before proceeding. - What is the most important measurement to take?
All five matter, but if we had to prioritise, measurement ② (distance from the handle bar to the lock centre) is the one that most often determines whether a retrofit is feasible. A distance of less than 40 mm typically means only Pathway ① or ③ will work. - Can I browse products online before calling?
Yes. Visit our dedicated page at goldcoastsmartlocks.com.au/by-door-style/has-vertical-push-pull-handle/ where products are filtered and curated for exactly this door configuration.
Not Sure Which Pathway Suits Your Door?
Take the five measurements above, photograph them clearly, and reach out to our team. We'll confirm which pathway applies to your door and recommend compatible products before you spend a cent.
Gold Coast residents can also book one of our experienced locksmiths via tlslocks.com.au | Or get an expert locksmith recommendation