There is a lot to consider when it comes to choosing door hardware for your home. From material to functions and more. It is extremely important to accurately measure your door to ensure your new hardware will fit.

Our hope is to simplify this process with this article and make your decision an easy one!

Knobs or Levers

First item to consider, choosing whether you want knobs or levers. With knobs you twist the handle around the central pivotal point, and levers are operated by pushing the handle down.

Here are some reasons to choose one option over the other and hopefully aid in making your decision

Levers

• Easier to operate
• Excellent for homes with elderly or weak hands
• Can be opened with elbow, nice if your hands are full

Knobs

• Not as easy to operate compared to lever
• Allow for doors to be off limits to children (and dogs)

Finishes

With so many finishes to choose from it basically comes down to personal preference. However, it is important to note when matching door hardware to other fixtures, one company’s finish may vary from another. We carry door hardware in satin nickel, polished chrome, satin brass, flat black, oil rubbed bronze. For more finishes, contact us and we will be happy to help.

Materials

The material of your hardware can affect its lifespan. Our top choices are hardware made of brass, bronze, aluminum, or stainless steel. These are high quality materials that will provide you with the best finish and longest duration.

Functions

Different functions can be chosen for each door of your home depending on your needs. Consider going door by door to determine what you need each individual door to do. Does it need to lock? For example.

Passage

Passage sets do not have any locking function. They are used for closets, pantries and sometimes on bedroom doors.

Privacy

Privacy sets are usually used on bathroom and bedroom doors. They have a locking function consisting of a small pin that is pushed on the interior side of the handle set. When the pin is engaged the door cannot be opened from the outside, thus providing privacy in bathrooms or bedrooms. They include an emergency egress that can be used in case of emergencies by inserting a small pin (paper clip or bobby pin) through a small hole on the exterior side.

Keyed entry

Keyed entry sets feature more security than privacy sets, they can be locked and unlocked using a key on the exterior side or turning a piece on the interior. Keyed sets do not have emergency egress functionality. They are typically used for exterior doors, private offices and closets requiring added security.

Dummy

A dummy set consists of a knob or lever that does not function or turn. It is stationary that is only used to push and pull on. Dummy sets are commonly used in closets with a roller or ball catch to hold the door closed, or on a set of double doors with a functioning set.

Measurements you will need:

You need to order your door hardware according to your doors specifications.

Door thickness:

To get your door thickness, measure your door from the inside to the outside of the door.

Common measurement for interior doors is 1-3/8”

Outdoor 1-3/4”

This doesn’t apply to all doors. Always specify thickness to accommodate the hardware to the door.

Backset

Distance from the edge of the door to the center of the handle set or bore hold.

Common measurements is 2-3/8” or 2-3/4”

Handing

If you are standing from the outside of the door and the hinges are on the left side. It is a left handing.

Handing of a door is alway determined from the outside:

• The outside of an exterior door is the street or entrance side.
• The outside of a room is the hall side.
• The outside of a closet door is the room or hall side.
• The outside of a single communicating door is the side from which the hinges are not visible when the door is closed.