Door handles and fitting tips

Whether you’re renovating your home or simply replacing your door hardware, be sure to choose the door handle that works best for your home, 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 person or children living with you, perhaps a lever, rather than a knob, would be easier for everyone to use. There are definitely a lot of things to consider when shopping for a door handle. Here are some suggestions that 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 a long time. Some people are itching to splurge on high-tech lock sets like keyless and card reader systems. However, you need to make sure that they are 100% reliable.

For your front and rear doors made of solid materials such as wood, a single cylinder deadbolt would suffice. However, if you have delicate glass doors, which are accessible and attractive to burglars, your best option would be a double cylinder deadbolt, which must be opened with a key from both the inside and outside.

It is possible to have both design and function in your door handles and lock sets, especially the ones at your front entrance. Many stores, physical or online, offer a full range of door handle designs, from antique to modern minimalist. If you have a Victorian or other traditional home, you may want to try a glass door knob to add elegance and highlight your architectural design. Your minimalist home, on the other hand, would look very chic in any type of chrome door handles, whether in a satin or polished finish. With the right design, this little piece of hardware can definitely pack a big punch.

Once you have installed your door accessories, you must of course also maintain them properly. Make sure door locks and latches are aligned correctly 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 get locked inside or outside your house or room.

You should also immediately check if your door hinges are squeaky. Sometimes it may just need a little cleaning. You should also be aware of what kind of material your door hardware is made of so that you don’t apply any harmful chemicals that can easily rust it. For example, brass door hardware only needs soapy water or beeswax for cleaning, while chrome door handles are generally maintenance-free and only require non-abrasive wax, if you want a thorough maintenance.

In fact, it would be a shame if you go to all this trouble to find the perfect door hardware, only to be left with a malfunctioning one in just a year or so. Be sure to keep these tips in mind so that you have door hardware that suits your requirements, both in design and function.