Burns VP Series Door Pulls: How to Read VP Numbers, Ends, Posts and Lengths

Burns Manufacturing lists its vertical door pulls as the VP Series, and a VP number such as VP4260 or VP5350 stands for one combination of bar, ends and posts. This page reads the numbers VP4220 to VP5351 from Burns' own descriptions and lists what to state when you order.

Burns VP numbers and what Burns calls each pull

The Burns documents we used - product pages and templates on burnsmfg.com and the 2016 Architectural Vertical Pulls brochure - print no key to the four digits; each number has a printed description instead. The tables here cover the 35 numbers of the 4000 and 5000 series in that brochure. They are a selection: Burns' website lists more 4000 series numbers and the 6000 to 8000 series.

VP4220, VP4221 and VP4222 are the Round Profile - Top and Bottom Radius Bends pulls: their templates show one bar bent at the top and bottom, with the fasteners in its two ends.

In these rows 42 and 52 go with square ends and 43 and 53 with round ends, but that is not a rule for every VP number: Burns describes VP4280, for example, as a narrow profile round bar with round ends.

Square ends, round ends, offset and step-down posts

Burns publishes a one-page template for each of the 35 models (Rev. 2 dated 7/15; VP4341 is Rev. 3 dated 12/16). The drawings show what the names stand for:

• Square ends, round ends: the ends of the bar are drawn flat or rounded.
• Straight post mount: the posts are centered behind the bar; all 22 such templates show 1-1/2 inches between the door face and the bar.
• Offset post mount: the bar sits to one side of the posts; all ten such templates show 1-3/4 inches from the centerline of the bar to the center of the post fastener.
• Step-down post: a wider base at the door and a 5/8 inch neck at the bar (all six templates).
• Oversize post: the post is larger than the bar (for example 1 inch behind a 3/4 inch bar); on the plain straight post templates it is smaller (for example 7/8 inch behind a 1 inch bar).
• With collar: a collar is drawn around the bar at each post.

Bar diameter and projection by VP number

For the models on this page, numbers ending in 0, 1 and 2 have 1, 1-1/4 and 1-1/2 inch bars. In the oversize post rows they have 3/4, 1 and 1-1/4 inch bars, and the 5000 series has only 0 and 1. The projection printed on Burns' product pages, in inches:

The straight post column holds for plain, step-down, oversize and collar posts. The radius bend pulls VP4220, VP4221 and VP4222 project 2-1/2, 3 and 3-1/2 inches.

Vertical door pull length: overall and center to center

Burns' pages for these models say "Specify Center to Center and Overall Dimension". The 32 post mount templates have one box for the dimension from end to end of the bar and one for the dimension between the centers of the two posts. The distance from each end of the bar to the center of its post is marked 3 inches "Standard", with a box for another value; at 3 inches each, the overall length is the center-to-center dimension plus 6 inches. The radius bend templates have one dimension to fill in, between the two fastener centerlines.

For spans over 80 inches center to center Burns recommends an optional intermediate post, ordered with the suffix IP (VP4260-IP).

Door pull mounting: thru bolt, back to back or concealed

All 35 Burns product pages list the same seven fastener types. Burns' 2014 full line catalog asks for the type by name or number, plus the door material (wood, metal or glass) and thickness.

What to state when you order a Burns VP pull

The finish is not part of the VP number, and not every model comes in every finish: Burns' pages list ten for VP4240 but four for VP4222. The Burns finish list, the other VP series and the option suffixes are in our guide to Burns model numbers, sizes and finishes; finish numbers in general are in the door hardware finish codes chart.

Burns' templates have a block to fill in with quantity, door type, door thickness, finish and mounting. With the two dimensions, that makes the checklist:

• VP number
• Overall length and center-to-center dimension
• Finish
• Mounting (fastener type)
• Door type and door thickness
• Quantity, and the suffix IP for an intermediate post

Burns VP Series pulls at The Builders Supply

Our page titles use Burns' descriptions: VP number and description, then the bar diameter, a length range and the finish. Each length range and finish has its own page - the VP4260, for example, comes in five ranges, from up to 20 inches to 85 to 108 inches - so go by the range in the title. Examples, with a 1 inch bar, a 37 to 60 inch range and satin stainless steel unless noted:

• VP4220 radius bends (bright stainless steel)
• VP4250 offset post, square ends (satin brass)
• VP4260 step-down post, square ends
• VP4270 oversize post, square ends (3/4 inch bar, 21 to 36 inches, satin anodized aluminum)
• VP4340 straight post, round ends
• VP4350 offset post, round ends
• VP5240 straight post with collar, square ends
• VP5350 offset post with collar, round ends

• Architectural and vertical pulls, the category that holds these pulls
• Burns products in our catalog
• Burns' product templates on the manufacturer's website (the templates ask you to check there that yours is current)

Not sure which VP number, length range or fastener type fits your door? Our customer support team is available Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM Central Time, at 1-888-800-7789 or [email protected].