When it comes to enhancing the functionality and aesthetics of your home, understanding the various types of door hardware is crucial. From exterior doors to interior doors, the right hardware can make a significant difference in both security and style. This guide will explore the diverse types of door hardware available, while also touching on other popular choices.
Door hardware encompasses a wide array of components designed for interior and exterior doors. These include door knobs, levers, deadbolts, and more. Each type of door hardware serves a specific purpose and comes in various styles to suit different preferences and needs.
Door knobs and levers are among the most common types of door hardware. They're essential for operating doors and come in numerous designs.
Deadbolts provide added security for exterior doors and some interior doors. There are two main types:
Entry sets combine a handle or knob with a deadbolt for a complete door hardware solution. They're ideal for front doors and other exterior doors.
These types of door hardware are commonly used for interior doors:
“Specialty hardware" refers to unique and specialized components designed for specific types of doors and applications. Unlike standard door knobs or levers, specialty hardware caters to the unique needs of doors like pocket doors, French doors, and barn doors. These specialized components not only enhance the functionality of these doors but also add a distinctive touch to your home's decor.
Pocket doors are a fantastic space-saving solution, especially in areas where swinging doors might be impractical.
These doors slide into the wall cavity when open, making them virtually invisible and freeing up valuable floor space.
Key components of pocket door hardware included:
French doors are elegant and often used for double door entries to patios, balconies, or interior spaces like dining rooms. They consist of two doors that open from the center, creating a wide and inviting entryway.
Key components include:
Barn doors have become increasingly popular in both modern and rustic home designs. These doors slide along a track mounted above the doorway, adding a unique and stylish element to any room.
Key components of barn door hardware include:
Specialty hardware is designed to meet the specific needs of unique door types, ensuring smooth operation and enhanced usability. These components often come in various styles and finishes, allowing you to match them with your home's decor and create a cohesive look.
Pocket and barn doors are also excellent solutions for maximizing space, making them ideal for smaller rooms or areas with limited floor space. Additionally, specialty hardware like flush bolts and multi-point locks provide additional security and privacy, especially for French doors and pocket doors.
When selecting types of door hardware, consider the following factors:
Proper installation is crucial for the functionality and longevity of your door hardware. Key points to remember are:
Related: How To Install Bifold Doors: A Step-By-Step Guide
To keep your door hardware functioning smoothly:
Related: Restoring Elegance: How To Clean Old Door Hardware & When To Upgrade
As technology advances, smart door hardware is becoming increasingly popular. These systems offer:
Understanding the various types of door hardware is essential for making informed decisions about your home's security and style. Whether you're updating your front door, replacing hardware on interior doors, or outfitting a new construction, there's a wide range of options to suit your needs.
Milcasa Store offers an extensive selection of modern door hardware, ensuring you'll find the perfect fit for your home. All products are made in Italy, following rigorous quality production guidelines.
Remember, the right door hardware not only enhances the functionality of your doors but also contributes to the overall aesthetic of your living space. Take the time to explore different options, consider your specific needs, and choose hardware that aligns with your home's style and security requirements. With the right types of door hardware, you can elevate both the form and function of every door in your home.
When selecting door hardware finishes, consider the overall style of your home and existing fixtures. Popular options include brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, and polished brass. For a cohesive look, match your entry door hardware with other exterior elements like light fixtures. Interior door hardware can either match or complement your room decor.
Remember that different brands may have slight variations in finish, so try to stick with one manufacturer for consistency. For double door entry, ensure the finishes match on both doors.
A mortise lock is installed inside the door, requiring a pocket to be cut into the door's edge. It offers enhanced security and is often used in commercial settings or high-end residential doors.
Surface-mounted locks, on the other hand, are attached to the door's surface and are easier to install. While they may not be as secure as mortise locks, they're suitable for most doors in residential applications and are easier to replace or upgrade. Mortise locks include a lock body and can be used with a keyed lock or lever handle.
For French doors or double door entries, use a combination of locking mechanisms. Install a keyed lock or lever handle on the active door and surface bolts (top and bottom) on the inactive door.
For added security, consider using a mortise lock with a multi-point locking system. Ensure the door frame is sturdy and properly aligned to prevent forced entry. Use flush bolts for the inactive side of the door to keep it securely closed.
For basement doors, prioritize security and moisture resistance. Use a keyed entry lock or lever handle with a single cylinder deadbolt for exterior access. If the basement is prone to humidity, choose hardware with corrosion-resistant finishes like stainless steel or brass. For interior basement doors, passage or privacy locks are suitable, depending on the room's function. Ensure the door frame is strong and that the door swings correctly for easy access.
To maintain home security during a power outage, have a backup plan for electronic locks. Many smart locks have a manual key override, so keep a physical key accessible. For doors without key access, consider installing a separate keyed single cylinder deadbolt.
Additionally, ensure all household members know how to manually lock and unlock doors in case of emergency. Use a pin hole or small hole on the inside portion of the lock for manual override if available.
Pocket doors slide into the wall, so traditional door swings don't apply. However, when choosing hardware for pocket doors, consider the direction the door slides (left or right) and ensure the handle or pull is on the correct side.
For privacy, use a locking edge pull that can be operated from both sides of the door. Remember that the small hole for the locking mechanism should be easily accessible when the door is both open and closed. Use a ball catch mechanism for smooth operation.
When deciding between knobs and lever handles for most interior doors, consider both functionality and aesthetics. Lever handles are generally easier to operate, especially for those with limited hand mobility, as they require a simple pushing motion rather than a twisting motion.
Knobs, however, can offer a more traditional look. For consistency, try to use the same style throughout most interior doors, but feel free to use statement pieces for main areas like the master bedroom or home office. For double dummy sets on closet doors or other doors that don't require a latch, choose dummy hardware that matches the rest of your home. Ensure the correct key is used for keyed locks and that the locking mechanisms function properly.
We all know that door hardware is important to home interiors and exteriors for aesthetics, function, and security. Did you know that changing your door hardware from one finish and style to another can drastically change the overall feel of your home interior? It can! But choosing the right style and finish of door hardware is only part of the design choice. It is also important to know which door hardware you need for each room in your house and your exterior doors.
Knowing what each knob or lever does (how it functions) and where it goes can be a bit confusing. So, if you are new to the remodeling world or want to know a bit more about what kind of door hardware you need on the different doors in your home - keep reading.
This article will consider the different types of door hardware and where in the home they are used. We will look at the difference styles of door hardware - knobs versus door levers, the difference between locking and non-locking door hardware and also consider the function of the door.
Here is our quick and uncomplicated guide to buying door hardware.
*********************************************************************************************************
Well, to start, there are two primary styles of door hardware - door knobs and door levers.
Door Knobs are round or oval in shape; they come in different finishes and styles and are used on the interior and exterior of a home.
Door Levers are similar to door knobs in function, but they have long bar-shaped handles; they come in different finishes and styles and are used on the interior and exterior of a home.
*********************************************************************************************************
With competitive price and timely delivery, Jifu sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
There are two categories of door hardware - locking and non-locking.
That is pretty self-explanatory - right? Some door handles lock, and some door handles do not.
But where do you use locking door knobs, and where do you use non-locking door knobs?
LOCKING
Well, when we refer to "locking" versus "non-locking" door hardware, we generally mean door knobs and levers that use a keyversus door knobs and levers that do not use a key.
And as you don't want to move about your house with a set of keys to get
from one room to another, non-locking knobs and levers are used on the
homes' interior doors, whereas locking door hardware, which requires a key, is used on exterior doors.
*********************************************************************************************************
Let's start with the non-keyed hardware which are found in the interior of your home. Whether door knobs or door levers, all of the series will have three main "functions" for the door hardware. When we refer to "function" of a door knob or lever - it simply refers to what the handle is designed to do and it will vary from one door type to another.
Here are the three main functions of door knobs and door levers:
Despite what you may be thinking, the word "dummy" doesn't have anything to do with how intelligent the knob is and we aren't being insulting - it just means that the dummy lever/knob is non-functional and do not have connections to a latch.
So if dummy door levers and dummy door knobs are not functional, then why have them?
Good question!
Although they are used categorized as "non-functional", dummy door levers and door knobs are needed and useful. They may not turn or latch, but the dummy lever and knob act as a static handle to pull the door open. Think of the dummy handle as a cabinet pull or knob. They don't turn or move, but they are essential for operating a door.
Additionally, dummy door knobs and door handles are often necessary decoratively to add balance to an overall design.
One final thing to remember, when purchasing dummy door knobs, they are not sold in with two sides (front and back sides) - and that is due to where they are used.
So...let's get to that...
Generally, dummy door knobs are for non-latching doors like pantry doors, side-by-side French doors, or linen closets. Double or "french doors" that lead to offices or dens commonly use an operating lever or door knob and a dummy on the non-functional side of the door, as seen in the image below.
Passage door hardware is sometimes called "Hall and Closet" door hardware and is functional non-locking hardware. Passage door levers and passage door knobs are used on doors that don't need locking but still need a functional knob or lever.
As their secondary name implies, these door knobs are used for hallways and closet doors. The passage function of door hardware is excellent for rooms that you don't want to have locked but have or require a door.
This stunning entryway features passage doorknobs on the double front door closet. The passage knobs are functional and have a latch, but they do not require any locking function.
Privacy door knobs are also commonly referred to as "bed and bath" knobs, as that is where they are more often used - bedroom doors and bathroom doors. They can also be used on office doors, water closets, or dens where extra privacy might be needed.
This bathroom features a privacy lever for a bit of bathroom solitude and quiet. A quick twist of the knob will lock the door from the bathroom's interior, and a quick-release hole on the exterior of the door knob allows for access to the room in case of an emergency.
*********************************************************************************************************
Now on to the keyed hardware found in the exterior of your home. Whether it is for door knobs or door levers, all the series of door hardware we offer will have an option for a locking handle or knob. Let's take a closer look at locking door hardware
Entry door levers and entry door knobs are used on doors from the exterior to the interior of a home. These door handles have a keyed mechanism that allows the handle to lock and requires a key to release the lock. They are often paired with deadbolts (sometimes sold in entry and deadbolt combos) for added security.
The front door handleset is just that - a "set" of handles for your front door. The handlesets typically include:
Sets are locking and require a key to access the interior home.
Deadbolts aren't technically door handles or knobs, but they are part of door hardware and used in conjunction with door knobs and door levers.
Deadbolts can be either SINGLE cylinder deadbolts or DOUBLE cylinder deadbolts.
The single-cylinder deadbolt operates with a key on one side, and the other side is equipped with a turning mechanism, typically a thumb-turn knob, that locks the door from the inside.
The single-cylinder deadbolt gives your exterior doors some added security, often used in conjunction with either an entry knob or lever, a front door handleset, or a passage door lever or knob.
Note: When purchasing home hardware with different keyed levers or knobs, we can provide keying services so that all locks are keyed to one key. So, you would only need one key for all the entry handles and deadbolts.
Double cylinder deadbolts require a key from both the inside and the outside of the lock. These are not commonly used in residential homes due to their inability to be easily opened in an emergency. In fact, in many states, double cylinder deadbolts are not allowed in residential settings.
If your state's residential building codes allow for it, the double cylinder deadbolt can be used in places that require additional security - like exterior doors with glass panes or Dutch doors. Just be sure you know where or have access to the keys should you need to exit the house in a hurry.
*********************************************************************************************************
Just for fun we thought we would include a blip about pocket door hardware as well.
Pocket door hardware handles are used on sliding doors or "pocket" doors when there is no room for a swinging door that hinges.
The sliding door pull are used on sliding doors such as; bi-pass doors, pocket doors or closet doors. The sliding cup pull is used to slide the door from an open position to a closed position. The round pulls fit into the bore hole and are non-functional.
The passage pocket door lock does not lock and is used as a grip or pull for a door that retracts to the interior wall.
This sophisticated pocket closet door showcases a round passage pocket door lock.
The privacy pocket door is used in the same type of sliding door used by the passage pocket locks. However, the privacy pocket lock has a locking mechanism for more private spaces.
The pocket latches with the privacy function can be used on "Jack and Jill" bathrooms with slider doors or on bedroom pocket doors where you want a bit more privacy.
*********************************************************************************************************
There you have it! Our guide to door hardware. We hope you better understand the different types of door hardware and where to use them.
As always, if you have any questions - please reach out to us via chat, text, or . Let our family help your family choose your interior and exterior door hardware.
And check out just some of our other blogs about door hardware.
How to Install a Single-Cylinder Deadbolt
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Residential Door Hardware.