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Updating Doors with New Hardware

Not every project has to be a massive undertaking: sometimes, it’s the little updates that make the largest impact. Here, the window and door experts at Forbes Design Center discuss updating doors with new hardware, and how to make the best choices for your home.

Picking New Door Hardware

While practicality and functionality is critical, it is also important to consider the overall aesthetic of your home, especially that of the doors. Is your home more modern, perhaps necessitating sleek lines and chrome finishes? Or, is it an older home with a more Victorian sensibility, allowing for filigree escutcheons and crystal knobs? There are infinite options available, and at Forbes, we pride ourselves on having a wide array of standard and luxury hardware, certain to meet all your needs.

Aesthetics aside, the key to a simple hardware upgrade is finding a handle-and-lock assembly that lines up with your doors existing drill-outs. Below, we detail how to match up new hardware to your needs.

Lock Type

There are two options for locks: tubular locks, which install into two holes in the door, and mortise locks, which install in one hole. While tubular locks are more widely available and less expensive, mortise locks are often more firmly built and provide a greater layer of security. They will, however, require an expert technician to install. Unless you are choosing to completely redesign with a new window or door, make sure your new lock setup is of the same lock type as what you currently have. Also, make sure that you check the dimensions of the strike plate to ensure it will fit the existing impression in the door jamb—doing so will help you to avoid extra technical work and thus additional costs.

Door Swing

For doors, handled or knobbed entry sets can usually be adapted to either a right- or left- swinging door. Unfortunately, lever sets are not as forgiving. Determining the swing direction of your door is simple—just stand outside and note to which side the hinges are affixed. For example, a door with hinges on the left-hand side swings to the left.

Hole Placement

To determine hole placement, remove the interior knob and thumb-turn lock hardware that cover the holes in the door. Take a measuring tape, and measure from the center of the knob hole to the center of the lock hole to determine the spread. For sets which are one piece, meaning the escutcheon holds the lock cylinder and the latch, the spread must match the holes exactly. A two-piece set will allow for a little more flexibility. Next, measure the backset, which is the distance from the inner edge of the door to the center of the knob and lock holes. Typically, backsets are either 2⅜ or 2¾ inches. The new escutcheon should fully cover the holes when the door is shut, leaving at least a quarter inch between its outside edges and the doorstop.

How Forbes Design Center Can Help You

At Forbes Design Center, we believe doors and windows should be functional and beautiful. With our extensive stock of quality door hardware, you will be able to find a new set-up that perfectly matches your aesthetic. And, with our skilled and certified technicians, we can ensure your hardware will be secure and safe, leaving you with well-functioning doors and windows.

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