Door Handle and Hardware Tips
If you are refurbishing your home or simply replacing your door hardware, make sure you choose a door handle that would work best for your house, from design to functionality. For your Art Deco home, a chrome door handle would be perfect to complete the look. If you have an elderly or kids living with you, perhaps a lever, instead of a knob, would be easier to use for everyone. There are definitely many things you should consider when shopping for a door handle. Here are some suggestions you should keep in mind.
Security is, of course, your main concern when looking for a door accessory. Latches, locks and handles need to fit perfectly and last long. Some people are eager to splurge on high-tech lock sets like keyless and card-swipe systems. However, you need to be sure if they are 100% reliable.
For your front and back doors made of solid materials like wood, a single cylinder dead bolt would do. However, if you have delicate glass doors, which are accessible and attractive to burglars, your better option would be a double cylinder dead bolt, which needs to be opened with a key from both inside and out.
It is possible to have both design and function in door handles and lock sets, especially the ones on your main entrance. Many shops, brick-and-mortar or online, offer a full range of designs for door handles, from antique to modern minimalist. If you have a Victorian or other traditional type of home, you might want to try a glass door knob to add elegance and highlight your architectural design. Your minimalist home, meanwhile, would look very chic in any type of chrome door handles, whether in satin or polished finish. With the right design, this little piece of hardware can definitely make a big impact.
Once you have installed your door accessories, you should, of course, maintain them properly, too. Make sure your door locks and latches are aligned properly and can be easily opened and closed. If you keep using misaligned locks and latches, you will not only destroy the hardware, but you may also be locked inside or outside your house or your room.
You should also check immediately if your door hinges are squeaking. Sometimes it might need just a little cleaning. You should also be aware of what kind of material your door hardware is made of, so you won’t be applying any harmful chemical that might make it rust easily. For instance, brass door accessories need only soapy water or beeswax for cleaning, while chrome door handles are usually maintenance-free and require only non-abrasive wax, if you want a thorough maintenance.
It would, indeed, be a pity if you go through all this trouble of finding the perfect door hardware, just to be left with one that does not work properly in just a year or so. Be sure to keep in mind these tips so you will have door hardware that suits your requirements, design- and function-wise.
