Saturday, July 7, 2012

Choose the Right Door Hardware For Your Home


 

Door hardware for your home includes all those extra items added to a door that allow it to swing or slide open. This also includes the handles which control the direction it should open and the locking or latching devices that ensure security when the door is shut.

The typical home owner is usually only concerned with the appearance of these items but the function cannot be ignored. The most visual hardware item is the handle. There is an enormous range of knobs, handles and plates available to serve this function. They can range from the most intricate and antique of designs through to ultra modern sleek minimalist styles.

It makes sense to choose a design that will compliment the style of the home and not make a choice on personal preference alone. You may want to choose a style to suit the interior decor of the house however if you later wish to change this your door hardware style may not suit. It is probably best choose something that will suit the lines of the house with no furniture in it.

Hinges and locks may not be the most visible items of hardware in the house but they need to be considered as well as robust and durable. Think of how often a bathroom door is opened and shut during the course of a day especially if there are children of any age living in the house. They should also match the handles as the doors are not always shut.

Other hardware items that may need to be considered are barrel bolts for securing exterior patio doors and security bolts for securing exterior sliding units. Most other doors within the house usually only require a latch system. Bathrooms and toilets might have a privacy lock.

Metal and plastic exterior doors usually come with their own handles and locks due to the specialist skill required to install them. Timber exterior units generally provide more scope for owner selected hardware as they can be installed on the building site.

While there is a huge range of furniture types they are also available in a selection of materials. Most manufacturers use mild steel, brass or stainless steel as the base material. These are coated or plated with other material to give them their appearance. This might range from paint powder coating through to chromium plating or polished as in the case of stainless steel.

Timber and plastic can be used for door knobs and nylon has been used for some cheaper latches. Chrome plated and powder coated plastics have also started to make an appearance in the door hardware range. If car components are anything to go by then the coating durability of these items could be questioned.

The range of product that can be used for door hardware for your home is almost infinite. The temptation may be to go for the cheaper options as it maybe toward the end of a building process which could be challenging the budget. It is however worth holding out for appropriate designed well made door hardware items if possible. They will put the appropriate finishing touch to your home.