One of the most exciting challenges in modern entry door design is finding the perfect balance between minimalist style and functional performance—especially when you’re working with today’s sleek, custom fiberglass door systems.
We recently installed a fiberglass front door that featured a tall, vertical pull bar handle, clean lines, and a multipoint locking mechanism—all in keeping with the contemporary aesthetic the client wanted. But as beautiful as the exterior hardware was, it introduced one major consideration: how do we operate the door without adding bulky hardware that compromises the look?
In most fiberglass entry doors, the addition of multipoint locks (which secure the door in multiple spots along the frame) means the system needs something to control the latches. Traditionally, this is done with a lever handle or thumb turn. But when the door features only a pull bar, we need a different kind of mechanism—one that still allows full operation with just a key.
That’s exactly what we used on this project.
This setup, commonly called a key-operated multipoint lock, means the door can be locked and unlocked solely using the exterior key cylinder. The result? A clean, uninterrupted modern look on both the interior and exterior of the door—no extra thumb turns, no mismatched levers.
But there’s a catch: no key = no access.
If you step outside without your key and the door shuts behind you, you’re locked out. And that’s not ideal for most people.
That’s why the industry has developed a few clever solutions:
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T-bar leversets that allow you to retract the latch without ruining the modern aesthetic
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Smart lock integrations for remote unlocking and monitoring
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Motorized locking systems that pair beautifully with fiberglass doors and smart home setups
For this project, we used one of our favorite newer hardware solutions—the T-bar leverset. Its small footprint blends seamlessly with the vertical pull bar, and it still lets you open the door easily from the inside—as long as it’s unlocked.
It was a perfect fit for the overall look of the fiberglass door, which had a stained woodgrain finish and sleek architectural lines. The handle set was finished in matte black, while the T-bar was matched to complement both the hardware and the color of the door slab.
What’s nice is that T-bar levers come in a wide variety of configurations and finishes, so they work on a range of custom projects—from traditional stained fiberglass doors to ultra-modern flat panel styles.
This kind of system really highlights what we love about custom fiberglass doors: they allow for so much design flexibility while maintaining excellent insulation, security, and low maintenance.
What would you choose for your entry door?
Would you go for the minimalist setup like this one—with a fiberglass door, pull bar handle, and T-bar leverset—or stick with a more traditional lever and deadbolt combo?
Let us know—we’re always happy to chat through the details.