FAQs

How do I install Corston hardware? +-

Although some of our hardware products can be fitted by anyone proficient at DIY, we recommend that our door handles be installed by a qualified builder or joiner.

How do I fit my items? +-

You can view and print instructions from our mobile-friendly support page.
We recommend using a professional to fit all Corston products. Electrical items must be installed by a qualified electrician.

Can Corston handles be used outside? +-

Our door handles are only suitable for indoor use.

Do Corston door handles come in pairs? +-

We sell all our door handles and knobs in pairs, except for our recessed door handles which are sold individually.

Which latch strength should be used with which handle? +-

For our sprung handles, we would recommend a light latch, or alternatively, you can use your own mortice latch.

If you opt for our unsprung handles, a strong latch will work best with our lever handles to prevent drooping. You can use a lighter latch with our knobs to ensure they're easy to turn.

Do Corston shelf brackets come in pairs? +-

Our shelf brackets are all sold individually.
They'll support 40kg per bracket.

Do your furniture handles come in pairs? +-

No, all our furniture handle designs are sold individually.

Do your window handles come in pairs? +-

No, all our window handles and casement stays are sold individually.

Can your window furniture be installed on UPVC windows? +-

Our window furniture ranges have been designed for use with timber windows (you could install the products on aluminium frames too – we just don’t provide the fixings for this). 

Do you offer spare parts? +-

Spare screws for our furniture handles can be found here. For all other spare part enquiries, please contact our customer service team.

How do I install Corston electrical products? +-

You can view and print instructions from our mobile-friendly support page.
We recommend using a professional to fit all Corston products. Electrical items must be installed by a qualified electrician.

How do I install Corston clear switches and sockets? +-

Our clear switches and sockets come with backing paper that you can either paint, or use as a wallpaper template.
When you're happy with your chosen look, secure the clear front plate over the backing paper to conceal the wires.
All Corston electrical products should be installed by a qualified electrician.

Do I need to use Corston back boxes for your electrical products? +-

All Corston switches and sockets require a back box with a minimum depth of 35-47mm. It's the only way you'll achieve a flush finish. Our 6G and 8G switches must be used with a Corston 2x double metal back box portrait because of the bespoke size.

Can I create a custom switch arrangement? +-

Yes – we sell individual components which you can find under the Switches and Sockets tab at the top of the page.
For help with creating your own combinations, just give us a call.

How do your retractive switches work? +-

Retractive: this is sometimes called a momentary switch. It makes the ON connection when pressed and springs back to the OFF resting position. A short press will turn the light on and off. A press and hold will dim and brighten the light.

Centre retractive: this version has springs that make sure the switch returns to the centre OFF position. It can be pressed up or down to make two separate connections. middle OFF position.

* Both versions must be used with one in-line dimmer module per circuit.

When should I use an intermediate switch? +-

Intermediate switches need to be used when three or more switches are required to control the same light. Two-way switches are used at the start and end of the circuit, and one or more intermediate switches are added to the middle of the circuit. Our intermediate switches can be found here.

Can I have more than one two-way dimmer controlling the same circuit? +-

Multiple two-way dimmer modules can't be used to control the same light. A two-way dimmer can be combined with two-way or intermediate switches to control the light from multiple locations.

Retractive and centre retractive toggles/rockers can be used for a multiple point dimming circuit when used with an in-line dimmer module (one per circuit).

Alternatively, our multiway dimmer module can be used to dim and turn lights on/off from multiple locations on one circuit.

How do I stop my dimmers from flickering? +-

All our dimmers have been engineered with anti-flicker technology. If flickering is something you're experiencing, please follow our mode setting instructions here.

Are your products suitable for use outside of the UK? +-

Our UK site is for products designed for use in the UK only. Please find our EU sites here.

How do I install Corston lighting products? +-

You can see and print out instructions from the support page.
All Corston electrical products should be installed by a qualified electrician.

Can all your lights be used outdoors? +-

Some of our lights are only suitable for indoor use. Follow the information here to make the right lighting choices for inside and outside your home.

Wall lights (fixed): IP44/54 – suitable for outdoor use (excluding our medium Claremont wall light with fine porcelain shades only). Can be used in zone 2 of bathrooms.

Wall lights (hanging): IP20 – not suitable for outdoor use. Can be used in zone 3 of bathrooms.

Indoor spotlights: IP20 – not suitable for outdoor use. Can be used in zone 3 of bathrooms.

Pendant: IP20 – not suitable for outdoor use. Can be used in zone 3 of bathrooms.

Outdoor spotlights (Ealing): IP44/56 – suitable for outdoor use.

Are all your lights dimmable? +-

Yes, all our lighting designs can be dimmed when used with a suitable dimmable bulb.

Do the lights require a driver? +-

All our lights are mains powered, using bulbs with built-in drivers.

What's the difference between the Baylis and Perryn spotlights? +-

Our Perryn spotlights are made for plasterboard ceilings and walls, as the electrical fittings need to sit in a hollow space.
Whereas the Baylis spotlights are surface mounted, so they’re suitable for anywhere.
If you're still unsure, our team will be happy to help you out.

What type of glass do you use for your shades? +-

All our glass shades are hand blown, rather than pressed or machine made. We prefer hand blown glass for its superior quality and artisanal look and feel.
Occasionally, small air bubbles can get trapped in the molten glass during the process, and you may be able to see these in your shade. Similarly, slight variations in the thickness of the glass can occur. These natural (and unavoidable) differences make each one of our shades unique.

Can your wall lights be installed horizontally? +-

All our lighting is tested for water ingress in the orientation shown online. For safety and compliance, lighting must be installed as pictured on the product page.

Should I choose the 24V or mains voltage Cambridge lights? +-

Mains voltage is better for larger gardens, especially if you have other mains lights on the same circuit. However, the cable needs to be installed properly and safely by a professional to meet regulations, particularly around flower beds where digging occurs frequently.

The 24V option is safer, but it’s not suitable for large gardens as the voltage drops over long cable runs. Our 24V lights require our Brunswick LED driver, so you'll need to find a place to hide this as well.

Why has a product been discontinued? +-

If you’re searching for a particular product and you can't find it on our website, it may have been discontinued.

We discontinue slower-selling products from time to time to make way for new designs and ranges. You can subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know about upcoming launches.

Can I still purchase a discontinued product? +-

In some instances, we gradually deplete our stock levels, so there may still be an opportunity to buy the product. If this isn’t the case, the product will be removed from the site and the option to buy it will be unavailable.

If you’re interested in the availability of a specific product, please get in touch with our customer support team.

For more information on stock availability, please contact our customer support team here.

Will the company offer a replacement product? +-

If we no longer have stock of the product, a replacement won’t be issued. Please contact our customer support team if you need help.

Can I still get aftercare support for a discontinued product? +-

We provide support for all products, even after they’ve been discontinued. Our customer support team will be happy to answer your questions.

In addition, accessories for your product may still be available to buy.

What do I do if I need parts for a discontinued product? +-

In some instances, we may still stock parts for discontinued products, although this isn’t guaranteed. For help, please contact our customer support team.

Why are some discontinued products still available in other countries? +-

We stock our products in warehouses in the UK, EU and US. Some products may still be available in certain markets, or the remaining stock could be depleting at a different rate depending on the market.