You may have never thought of this, but the doors inside your house are very important. They play a key role in giving you privacy and protecting you from the elements and any potential intruders. They’re also a huge part of the home’s aesthetics and contribute greatly to the house’s warmth. To complement and improve the door’s functions, you need to have the proper hardware like door latches, handles, hinges etc. The right additional elements can elevate its functionality and looks.
Lock Latches
No door is complete without a latch. It doesn’t matter if it’s inside your home or the front door, this element is a must. A high-quality door lock latch will make the door functional and easy to work with. There are different types of locks you can choose from. The most common one for internal doors is the 3-lever mortice lock.
They’re considered more conventional and come with two skeleton keys and reversible tongues. They’re available in two different backsets, 44mm and 57mm. They also have a rebated face and striking plate for French doors. 5-level mortice locks are similar and used on external doors.
There are also box and rim locks, which are considered to be low-security options. They work on inward opening doors only. To stay locked they need mortice knobs with a threaded spindle that will allow the knob to get fixed by grub screws. Next are euro mortice locks. They come in different lengths and there’s a key-key or vey-thumb turn version of them.
If you need something for an external door, you can go for euro roller mortice locks. They’re always combined with pull handles and have an adjustable roller. They can be with a rebated face or a strike plate. A privacy bolt and turn lock is perfect for places where you need privacy, like the bathroom. In case of an emergency, you can unlock them from the outside by putting a screwdriver or a knife in the slot.
Another great privacy lock is the privacy mortice lock. It has reversible tongues and comes with 2 different backsets, 44mm and 57mm. Last but not least are the tube latches. They’re making the door functional when there’s no need for a lock. They can have 3 backsets, 45mm, 60mm and 70mm.
Magnetic Door Stoppers
Whenever you open the door, it often slams shut in the slightest breeze. This can harm the door itself as well as the walls behind it, and it is extremely annoying. Thankfully, there are magnetic door stops that can help with this issue. It’s a very simple, 2-piece mechanism that’s also easy to install.
One piece goes on the door, at the bottom inside corner to be more precise, and the other part is installed on the adjacent wall. Once you open the door the forces in the magnet come together and prevent the door from slamming. The magnets will keep the door open, but when you need to close it, you don’t have to use a lot of force.
This is a very beneficial thing to have, especially if you live in a windy area. The door will stay open for as long as you want in case your hands are busy or you need to take things from one room to another. Plus, it’s cheaper and easier to replace a door stopper instead of the whole door.
Stoppers come in many shapes, sizes and materials. One thing you should think about when buying the stopper is the installation method. You can either do it on the floor or the wall. If it’s on the floor it’ll be less visible but it can sometimes get in the way. The wall-mounted ones are more visible but won’t bother anyone that’s passing by.
When it comes to materials, wood, plastic and metal are the most common. Wood is strong but can rot if there’s moisture, plastic is cheap but not so aesthetically pleasing and metal is very durable but more expensive. In most cases, you can do the installation alone, but if the mechanism is more complicated, call a professional.
Handles
You may not notice them enough, but door handles are a very important item, we use multiple times a day, every day. Choosing the right size, material and shape can influence your everyday life so choose carefully. The handle’s style should match the rest of the room’s aesthetics.
Stainless steel is a durable material that requires minimal upkeep and is highly resistant to corrosion, making it an ideal choice for long-term use. Bronze looks amazing and very elegant and aluminium is durable and lightweight and you can find it in many colours. Brass may look appealing but if you don’t take care of it, it can corrode over time.
Instead of handles, you can use door knobs as well. Handles are traditional and come with a traditional door lock latch. They also have better grip. Knobs on the other hand don’t have a lot of grip but can become a visual interest inside the room. Some of the finishes you can choose from are matte black, graphite nickel, brushed nickel, satin brass, satin chrome, rustic brass, powder coated and many more.
Hinges
The purpose of hinges is to support the door and door frame and provide movement for it for a certain distance. They have a very simple design but are so practical. They can be made of stainless steel, brass, copper, chrome and other metals. There are many hinges you can choose from, butt, ball bearing, cut, barrel, railway, pivot, piano, spring, flush hinges etc.
Door Chains
A door chain restricts entry to your house when you open it, keeping robbers out while you’re away. This mechanism is simple to fit, install, and control. It’s also among the least expensive locking solutions. It’s one of the favourite extra locking mechanisms for elderly people. However, you need to install it right so it works properly. Door chains are great for wooden doors. They can work on PVC ones as well but you need the right screws and security rivets.