Get Smart: How to Choose View All
Door Hardware
- Style Guide Think of exterior door hardware as a fine piece of jewelry on a solid color door. There are a wide variety of styles and finishes to complement your home from classic contemporary. The rule is to match the exterior hardware to other metallic features, such as lights or house numbers.
- The Safe and Sound Test Look for the toughest materials and the most advanced technology. Does the lock have lifetime warranty? Heavier duty locks stand up to blunt object attacks, picking or kick-ins. Ask if the new lock can re-keyed to match other locks in your home.
- The Maintenance Test Ask yourself how much maintenance you want to do on your door hardware. The important factor to consider is the finish of the door handle or knob. In an outside environment, particularly where the door is exposed to rain, wind or sea air, the finish will tarnish at a faster rate than if it were indoors.
- Heavy Metal Generally chrome or anodized bronze will fare better than polished brass. If you want polished brass outside, do for high quality, slightly more expensive handle as the lacquer will last significantly better.
- Open Door Policy How many exterior doors do you have? Will you replace them all or just selected ones? Do not forget doors entering garage doors as well.
- Price Check Double check the price against other exterior door hardware you have looked at. Quality locks and door hardware are available in all price levels. Generally, the choice of finish and heaviness of material such as brass or steel determine the price. -Steven M. Fisher
