Question: I want to use the same Hawthorne pull for an interior front and back on a barn door. Is that possible? -Barb
UPDATED AUGUST 11, 2026
Yes! Our leather drawer pulls and handles can be installed "back-to-back" for the interior/exterior of a door, with two handles mounted on either side of the same door. In this post, we'll show how.
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What is Back-to-Back Handle Installation?
In this chalkboard sketch, you can see an illustration of what we mean by "back-to-back" installation on a door with our leather-and-wood Sellwood handle:
How Does the Back-to-Back Hardware Work?
In the following photos, you can see how our Chicago screw hardware fits together as a mock-up using our hinged Burnside leather handles.
The Chicago (internally-threaded) screw goes through one side, and the back screw comes through the other side to thread inside the door:
The main difference with a back-to-back installation is aesthetic rather than functional: the hardware will have a smooth, surfaceless head on one side of the door, and a screw face on the other side of the door.
The screw face is necessary to secure the handle to the door. Crafty customers who don't want to see a screw head may want to consider screw caps and plugs, which are available at hardware stores and supply companies.
DIY Solutions for Disguising the Back Screw
Sometimes the zinc back screw is less than ideal for showing on the backside. The zinc color blends in with the Nickel hardware, but is a contrast to Brass and Black. And it will show the drive recess (the flathead/Phillips head cravices). Unfortunately, our suppliers don't have these back screws available in either brass or black, and the head needs a drive in order to be installed.
Here are 3 ideas for achieving a more clean-looking finish:
- Check with your local hardware store to see if they have what our suppliers don't. Back screws require M4 (metric) threading to fit in the receptacle end of the Chicago screw.
- For brass or black: blend the color in with paint. Spray paint the head before installing. Then put masking tape on the bit of your driver to prevent it from chipping/scratching the paint during install.
- Check your local hardware store for decorative snap-on screw cap covers. We recommend putting a dot of hot glue was to make it secure.
A typical listing on our website includes one set of hardware per handle, but for back-to-back installation you'll only need one set of hardware for every two handles. Keep a backup set, or order the handles with "No Hardware" and purchase half the number of hardware kits using our Drawer Pull Kit listing.
However, sometimes folks need an extra-long backscrew to cover the entire span of their door width. We provide these free upon request when assembling back-to-back hardware kits.
Which Handles Can Be Installed Back-to-Back?
For the Flanders, St. Johns and Lovejoy handles in particular, which do not include washers, the longer oval-head back screws included in our hardware kits (used for thicker surfaces) may require a smaller, supplemental washer. (When included, pan-head back screws should be wide enough.)
Below is a sketch showing the placement of the supplemental washer used on the back side of these handles:
How to Order Back-to-Back Hardware
When you order, let us know you plan to install these back-to-back, we'll be sure to match and assemble the hardware instructions to ease installation. If you think you need an extra-long back screw, let us know the door/surface width.
Leave us an "Order Note" or "Note to Seller" in the cart during checkout (we read every note!) or contact us with the order number.
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