Ordering new door hardware definitely has its unique qualities. The more you know about what you need, the easier the process will be.

When ordering your new door hardware, be sure to choose the proper:

• Application
• Security level
• Handing
• Finish

Application: Are you ordering new door hardware for an indoor application or outdoor application? The location has everything to do with what type of door hardware you get.

For indoors, there are three basic functions:

• Privacy: Used to secure interior rooms, these are locked by either a thumb turn or push button on the inside. An emergency key (provided) is the only way to unlock the door from the exterior. Common applications are: bedrooms, bathroom and offices.
• Passage: No locking function is included as this style provides transition from one room to another. Common applications include: hallways, closets and bedrooms.
• Dummy: This surface-mounted fixture lacks any function that allows push/pull for applications like: cabinet drawers, inactive doors, appliance doors and closets.

For outdoor application (front or side door that leads from inside to outside the home), you’ll want the security and good looks that a handleset provides. This requires a key to lock or unlock from the exterior and usually has a thumb-turn or push-button to unlock from the interior.

Security level: A standard single-cylinder locking system is the most common system in residential application. For a little more security, a double-cylinder lock requires a key to lock or unlock from both sides. Double-cylinder locks are prohibited in some locations due to their hindrance of quick exit during a fire.

You might also consider augmenting the front door with a deadbolt.

Handing: This is basic door hardware-ordering stuff, but it can still be confusing, and even sound counter-intuitive.

• To figure out the handing of the door, stand outside of the room that has the door and face the door.
• If the hinges are on the left, your door is left-handed. If the door swings outward (toward you), it’s left-handed reverse.
• If the hinges are on the right, your door is right-handed. If the door swings outward (toward you), it’s right-handed reverse.

Finish: OK, now for the fun stuff. Door hardware is offered in a number of finish options.

While most finishes will retain their glamorously good looks for years of use, other finishes are actually are designed to change over time. These living finishes (also called organic finishes) include some brass or bronze finishes without a lacquer clear coat over the top.

For example, the oil in the oil rubbed bronze finish (the most popular living finish) will wear gradually so that after a few years the bright brass underneath will reveal itself.

Not every oil rubbed bronze finish is a living finish, though—it all depends on the manufacturer.

So, there you go. Those are the basics when it comes to choosing and ordering door hardware. As you can see, there’s a lot that goes into it. You’ll be using your new fixtures for years, so let the process be fun.

Until next time, Happy Home Improving!

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