I found a whole bunch of glass doorknobs at the Housing Works Thrift Store in my neighborhood. Although my apartment is a rental, the glass knobs look really nice. They cost me $1.00 each.
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I appreciate this article but I still have so many questions! I’m in the middle of a renovation now and I’m stuck on this very thing.
Chief among my questions: what’s really the difference between expensive hardware and cheap hardware. Designer duds notwithstanding, where exactly is the cost? Is it in the mechanism? In the trim? In the materials? How do I know what to look for when determining whether the hardware is worth what I’m paying for? Or conversely, how do I determine something is “cheap”?
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@Max Usually inexpensive hardware will function just fine. That is, it will latch the door and unlatch when the handle or knob is activated. But how this simple function is accomplished is different with well made hardware. Users will notice that the good stuff requires only a small movement in the handle... maybe 30º of rotation with a lever. While a less expensive device might have to rotate a full 90º. No big deal, really, I have this stuff in my home. But when I visit a good friend who's house came with better hardware, I notice the difference. It's all sort of a Chevy vs. Mercedes thing.
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Door Hardware is complicated. Go to a distributor, for example: Emtek, Baldwin, or Ashley Norton distributor, not a home center.
The article gave a lot of information, but still needs interpretation. Door handing was not mentioned, and full mortice locksets will work on doors 1-3/4 inches thick to 2 inches thick, only.
Most finish carpenters, especially a door hanger of 20 years or so would be a good resource. Good luck finding one.
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I beg all architects to please use ADA compliant lever handles, especially on public buildings. I have a wrist disability and it is impossible for me to use certain types of door handles. Many of the long, vertical, rod-type handles being installed these days on new buildings are completely impossible for me to open. If there is no automatic door opener, I am stuck waiting until someone can let me through (which can be a long time). Please, place function over form.
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I keep looking at the photo of Greenwich Village door. Is the door REALLY tall, or is it really narrow!? It just looks odd to me...
If the designer sees this question I’d love to know! Thanks,
SB
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@Susan Baughman
My guess is that the door is very narrow. The stiles (verticals) can be trimmed to fit non-standard openings.
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Just make sure you put a bumper on the wall any door handle's going to hit, unless you like the sight of dents in the wall.
I use plastic ones, but probably the fancy-prancy stores that sell the handles in this article could find you some very costly antiquey bumpers... Or else tell you that bashed-in walls are a "thing" these days!
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@MLChadwick Never had that issue. Don't slam doors open.
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@ MLChadwick Portland, Maine
And not to forget a spike (metal, with a pastic tip) in the wall near floor level, to prevent the edge of the door hitting the wall.
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That’s not the easiest thing to do with kids.
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The blue painting in the image of the arched French doors is by artist Kathleen Holder. Please include credits to all creatives in these articles, NYT.
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Hardware for doors, windows, and cabinets is that, what gives a house its style. Avoid handles and hinges made of the alloys that blacken or become otherwise oxidized. In France, big hardware stores still carry antique items. In the US, one has rather to go to flee markets, house-demolition sales, and specialty stores.
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Bought an 1850s house in Flatbush and kept the old oak knobs and the old Bennington knobs original to old doors. They needed to get scores of years of paint off 'em, along with a good polishing.
When I had a downstairs closet built, I found a Bennington knob look-alike from Assa Abloy, I think based in New Haven. Matches the one on the basement door.
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When I renovated a loft 30 years ago, the architect recommended Soss hinges. He said they weren't that much more expensive. But he neglected to tell me that the installation cost is considerably higher.
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We worked with a wonderful carpenter who was able to put different knobs on either side of the doors. So all the hallway levers matched, but the knobs inside the rooms (bedrooms, office) better matched the room decor. Also, our house was built in 1942 and the doors are solid wood three-panel doors we wanted to keep.
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I am struggling with this now. Purchased home here while we take care of my parents and fixing house up a bit. There are so many options! Plus do I have to switch out hinges to match knobs? I am thinking "yes".
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@Karen When I've switched out the hinges, I never notice them again. When I skip that step, I notice them all the time.
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