Interior Door Hardware

Interior door hardware includes all the hardware necessary to make your door function. This includes the lock, door knobs or handles and hinges. This hardware adds to the beauty of your home and makes a statement about you.

In a new home the builder's designer will probably ask you to select the style and finish of your door hardware first. Why? Other hardware selections (faucets, shower fixtures, light fixtures) will be coordinated with the door hardware.

Typically, if you choose oil rubbed bronze window latches you will also have oil rubbed bronze door hinges, locks and door knobs or handles. The proper selection of hardware will add a cohesive thread throughout the home.

Types Of Knobs and Locks

Once you decide on the finish of your interior door hardware, you will then need to choose the functionality of the door knobs for each room. Bathrooms and bedrooms will typically receive privacy locks to allow the occupants of that room to lock the door from the inside.

If you are doing the installation be sure you place the lock on the inside of the room to prevent anyone from being locked in the room and place the unlocking key somewhere on the outside of the room where it can be easily accessed in case of an emergency. (On top of the door molding is a typical location.)

Passage sets are typically for doors that do not require a privacy lock, such as closets, doors to stairways, laundry rooms, mud rooms or hallways. Dummy door knobs can also be used to provide a handle to pull open a door that is held shut by a magnet rather than a lock - these are typically used on closets with double doors.

Knobs Or Handles?

Beyond the function, you can also choose to use door knobs or door handles. Door handles are generally easier to operate (even dogs learn to open them) and add a European look. Door knobs can be more elegant especially if you opt for crystal door knobs, or one of the many other classic styles of interior door hardware.

If you are building a custom home you will also choose the interior door styles. Your door hardware style and finish should be complimentary to the door style.

For example: six panel oak doors with oil rubbed bronze hardware and crystal door knobs will give a new home an older feel especially when matched with oil rubbed bronze ceiling light fixtures and faucets.

If you are restoring an older home you may want to use restoration hardware to maintain the look and feel of the home. One caution here is that you will need to make sure the locks are appropriate for the thickness of the door as this was different in older construction.

Go With Quality, Not Price

There are vast differences in quality and styles when it comes to interior door hardware. For some production builders, hardware is a place where they can save large sums of money in an effort to keep their sales price low in order to lure you into their model home. The problem is, this low-cost and low-quality hardware can cause you headaches not too long after your warranty expires.

Visit a home center and I guarantee that you will find a door knob set for under ten dollars. In fact, you can find them on sale for less than seven dollars.

The surface looks shiny and the device will open and latch a door, but for how long? This hardware is usually made in foreign countries and is considered a commodity item.

There are different levels of quality and a higher cost associated with each level when it comes to door hardware. The next level is one where you can get a door knob set for approximately $20.

These locksets and door knobs are just a slight improvement over the lowest cost item. They work, but don't expect more than five years of service from these hardware sets.

If you start to budget $40 to $50 per door for hardware, you start to get a respectable device that will be trouble-free for many years. Both traditional round knobs and lever handles are available in this price range.

The next level starts between $70 - $80 per door. Now you are beginning to enter the upper levels of the door hardware atmosphere. Buying a door knob in this category is like flying first class - it makes a statement.

You can buy even more expensive interior door hardware. As crazy as it sounds, you can spend $150 per door and go as high as $2,000 per door for custom hand-cast designs made by European craftsmen.

Hinges Are Important

Don't overlook the hinges. Typically, pre-hung interior doors come with commodity machine-stamped hinges. Often these are brass-plated steel. These hinges do work, but they are not well-engineered.

There are higher quality stamped hinges that are solid brass. Accent kits can be added so the hinge pins have a traditional ball or a Victorian finial. The best door hinges are ones that are extruded.

This is a more costly manufacturing process, but the precision of the final product is magnificent. These hinges will provide years of trouble-free performance.

You don't have to be a lottery winner to be able to afford decent door hardware. I urge you to visit a hardware store that just sells locksets and hinges to get a real feel of what kind of quality is available.

You may be surprised to discover that styles and finishes exist that you have never seen. What's more, they may be within your budget. Be sure to make this very important trip.

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