When buying any door hardware, you need to understand how it will be used. This translates to knowing which type of door the hardware will be mounted on; exterior door, front door, interior, bedroom or garage door. You also need to consider the purpose of the hardware; is it for safety, aesthetic or for utility? In most cases, when something goes haywire, homeowners tend to blame the door itself not considering that a door is as dependable as its components. If you have a steel roller door for your garage and there is a problem with the rollers, the whole door may fail to work. So when shopping for new door hardware, consider the following tips.
Safety Comes First
Locksets are important parts of an entryway. When shopping for locksets, ensure they are high quality in terms of safety and yet durable. This means that you should avoid high-tech lockset models if they require a lot of maintenance and are not reliable. For traditional doors, opt for single cylinder deadbolts where you use a key to open from the outside and a thumb switch to open from the inside. For glass porch doors, buy a double cylinder deadbolt where you need a key to open from the inside and from the outside.
The Handle
Besides security, it is important to consider the latch. Interior doors are fitted with simple handle locks. These handles use simple mechanics and for this reason are easy to bypass; they can be opened by a simple hairpin. Nevertheless, these handles are only there for privacy’s sake and their vulnerability is an advantage; if, by mistake, you are locked inside a room, you can easily be rescued. When shopping for door knobs, the most important factor to consider is alignment; does the door close and open swiftly? Occasionally check the working of the latches keeping in mind that a door is as effective as its upkeep.
Aesthetics
Though security comes ahead of form, an entryway should look as good as possible. It is also important to maintain uniformity in all your door hardware. Brass handles and glass door knobs never go out of style. You can look for traditional styles to beautify your home even more. Given that the entryway is the first thing a visitor or a neighbour sees, you should invest on appropriate door décor to enhance its look.
Attachments
Door components do not end at latches and hinges. To protect your walls, invest in kick plates and spring door stoppers. To still up the looks of your entryway, buy an address plate or a door knocker and in the bathroom, mount a hanger or two for wet towels. New decorations are being invented every day. You should install door levers if you have elderly guests and automatic openers for interior doors if living with a handicapped individual. There are always new innovations for simple wooden doors as well as a complex steel roller door.
Maintenance
To keep the door functioning optimally, you need ensure that all the outer and inner workings of the door are running smoothly. Check all hardware and fix those that require fixing. Lubricate moving parts and never leave a lock broken. Always call a locksmith or a handyman whenever there is something you cannot fix.