Tips and tricks to choose the best DOOR HANDLES & KNOBS
Finding the right door handles and knobs can take a lot of time and effort, not to mention it’s challenging and demanding. But with the right ideas and preparation, you can make it work. The truth is that once you start trying to find the best door handles and knobs, it will take a bit to identify what works for you and what to go for. Yet at the same time, it’s well worth the effort. You just have to commit to finding the right products, and if you do it right, the potential can indeed be worth it.
Should you go with lever handles or knobs?
The thing to consider here is that door knobs are great if you want to have a simple and efficient way to open and close the door. They aren’t really the most impressive way to open up a door, but they do provide you with the results and quality you want, and it can take a bit of a trial and error to make it work.
On the other hand, door handles tend to deliver a better grip. They can help everyone regardless of their dexterity and strength levels. On top of that, you do have a variety of designs and finishes. Most door handles are very appealing and modern, which makes a lot of people very interested in them. That’s why you want to check them out and give them a try for yourself.
Common door handle and knob designs
Rim knobs are very common, they do need a rim lock and this works better for the more traditional and old school designs. It still conveys great value and results, and you will find that it provides you with the quality and experience that you may need.
Modern mortice knobs have a polished finish, they are very contemporary, so the quality you receive is indeed among some of the best.
Traditional mortice knobs on the other hand come with a beehive design. Again, they are more for the old school doors, but they do work great.
Lever handles on roses are designed to work in most situations. They can have plenty of styles, not to mention you will have minimalist options too.
Lever handle on back plate is maybe the most popular, classic furniture style handle. It’s very good for traditional door designs, but it can work in other situations just as well, which is exactly why a lot of people like it in the first place. That alone makes it well worth it.
Think about the door style and finish
The paneled doors are usually very common, and you can find them in listed or heritage buildings.
Boarded doors will go pretty well with contemporary and traditional properties.
Veneered doors have an outer layer added with the idea of having it feel just like solid wood.
Lastly, you have painted finishes that do look great. Plus, they are an alternative to veneers, which is exactly the type of thing that you would want to pursue in a situation like this all the time.
What handle shapes should you go for?
Oval handles tend to be more tubular, polished and smooth. They are appealing because the design is really nice. Round handles on the other hand will be great in the front of a round backplate, but the design is a bit dull. Angular handles have a rectangular backplate and a boring design. But they can be very efficient and dependable, and that’s where most of the value comes into play.
You can also go with a more classic design. The Victorian style is very appealing since you have a rectangular backplate and a very decorated curved handle. In some cases, you will find it in brass, other times less so. Of course, you can also find contemporary styles that still work very well for you. Some of these have a statement colour, but for the most part they are made out of chrome.
Think about the door furniture for other rooms
When you pick door handles and knobs, the reality is that you want the existing ones to match what you are buying. Why is that? It’s a great idea design-wise to have some consistency in your home. Not having that will make things less appealing, and it’s just not a good idea. That’s why you want to have handles which stand out and make a statement in your entire home. You also want to make sure that you go with something complementary in case you can’t find the same style. The idea is to maintain a sense of consistency, as that’s what will offer you the value and quality you are interested in. And in doing that, the payoff can be great.
Are the door handles and knobs delivering the functionality you want?
Even if you buy some great looking door handles and knobs, the truth is that you want them to be the best possible option out there. That’s why you want to focus more on functionality than anything else. Without the right functionality, it’s just not what you need and expect, and it will end up being an issue more than a solution. Which is where you want to go and focus on as much as possible.
When it comes to this, you want to see if the hinges can bear the weight of these handles. You also want to know how often you will use the door handles. Are they easy to use for everyone in your home, will anyone have issues? Even if it might not seem like a lot at first, all the simple things matter and that’s the thing you want to take into consideration. That alone can make it worth the effort, so use that to your advantage. If you think about functionality and perform some tests, you will find it easy to figure out whether this works for you or not.
Why is weight important?
The reality is that not all door hardware can be installed on your door. If it’s too heavy, that can be a huge issue, and you want to avoid it as much as you can. The best thing that you can do is to ensure that you make the right measurements and see if there are weight restrictions. On the other hand, a heavier product tends to be more durable, not to mention more expensive. That’s definitely a thing to pursue and focus on, so use it to your own advantage.
Is the material durable?
Most people go for metal based door handles and knobs because they are versatile and harder to break. Wood is also a good option, but in this case you want the type of wood that lasts for a long time and which is very reliable. The last thing you want is any type of wood that’s super ornate, but which is easily damaged. Durability and versatility are key here, and they will help take things to the next level. Just focus on that and the experience can be well worth the effort.
Should you go with ornate door handles and knobs?
That all depends on the style that you are going for. The truth is that having a more ornate set of knobs and handles can actually be an advantage. Some people avoid these because there are a lot of parts that can break. Handling that accordingly and making sure that everything is worth the effort every time. Just use that to your own advantage, and you will appreciate how everything can fit your ideas and truly push the process to the next level.
It doesn’t hurt to read user reviews either. Most door handles and knobs have reviews online, and that will give you a good idea of what you can expect and what return on investment you can get. It certainly helps a lot, since you will know exactly what quality you get and how’s the experience overall.
Get some samples first
As always, you don’t want to buy door handles and knobs in a batch. Instead, you want to ensure that you place a sample order to see the handle and knob durability, what benefits you can expect and how are things as a whole. That can be hard to understand without the right sample order. This way you actively get to see the product, its quality and in the end that’s certainly something that you want to consider as much as possible. That alone will bring in an incredible opportunity.
Do colours matter?
Most of the time, you want to have a colour that matches your door’s colour. Usually people will just go for the neutral colors, because those don’t stand out. Of course, you are free to go with all kinds of unique and engaging designs if you want. The idea is to always try out something new and cool, and it can be super fun and interesting. Just try to push the boundaries and come up with the entire approach and experience you always wanted.
Leave the door handles and knobs at the end of the process
You don’t want to choose these before you pick doors for example. The idea is to have one less thing to think about. Ideally, you need to think about these things at the end since it’s simpler. It’s definitely not simple to do that, but it is something that you want to consider as much as possible. It all comes down to sending this stuff at the end, because that’s what will give you the ultimate quality and experience every time. It really is a great opportunity, and people will certainly appreciate the way it all comes together.
Think about comfort first
Obviously comfort reigns supreme. You always want to be certain that you have the highest amount of comfort and you know what you are getting into. Even if some door handles and knobs might seem comfortable and easy to use, that’s not always the case. That’s why you really want to go with those things that you like and which you enjoy using. Which is why we continue recommending you to get a set of samples, as that’s what will offer you the quality and experience you are interested in.
Always buy more than you need
Yes, you want to buy more because you never really know what might happen. Some of the door handles and knobs might break as you try to install them. Others are just malfunctioning from the factory. Regardless, you always want to have some replacements at the end. Having that does help a lot, and it will convey the idea of quality and benefits. It certainly helps more than you might imagine, and in the end that’s the thing that you want to go for.
Think about your budget
Not everyone has a high budget for door handles and knobs. The reality is that these things are left towards the end, so you are basically scraping the barrel. It’s not the ideal thing to have, but if you know how to manage everything correctly, it will be well worth the effort. The most important aspect with the door handles and knobs is that they can give you tremendous benefits and quality, and you will appreciate the results and process.
Conclusion
These ideas and tricks can help you identify the right door handles and knobs for you. Yes, this is a very personal thing to focus on, so every person will most likely pick different things. But that’s where the true value resides, since you can express yourself the way you want. There are always options for all budgets, it all comes down to understanding the criteria above and always bringing in something new and unique to your home’s design. Doing that can help a lot, and it will convey a sense of professionalism and outstanding results every time. It will also show that you are free to decorate your home the way you want, with extraordinary and impressive door handles and knobs!