The Emtek American Heritage Collection is a perfect example. There's something to suit every design sensibility, but why pick levers over knobs? Simply choosing something different from the traditional knob is one reason. Another is practicality: Levers are easier to operate than knobs. This can be quite useful for younger and older individuals as well as anyone whose hands are full. 

The designs in the American Heritage Collection add beauty to functionality, and homeowners have three customization levels for creating the perfect look. The shape, the backing rosette and the finish all contribute to a personal design theme.

The Emtek Classic & Designer Brass levers present an amazing number of choices. Consider the simplicity of the smooth Aireon lever or the Milano's straight lines. Include just a touch of fashion with the ringed Turino or the sculpted Wembly. Step up the game with bold curves in the Coventry, the Rustic or the Cortina, and add swirling detail with the Rope or the Elan. There's also the sophisticated Ribbon and Reed, the deep grooves of the Santa Fe and the unique woven cage of the Lafayette.  

Emtek's Arts & Crafts levers offer two choices in the classic lines of the Arts & Crafts lever or the Hammered lever with its remarkable stippled appearance.

If you are in need of Emtek door hardware we can help. Our customer service personel have been selling Emtek since 1999.

What brand of hardware should you order.

Schlage is perhaps one of the most well know brands of door hardware on the market. Schlage door hardware is good quality and comes with a factory warranty. Prices for Schlage door hardware would be considered mid-range. An average price for a Schlage door knob would be $ 15.00 while door levers would average $ 30.00.

Emtek door hardware offers versatility in style, design and finish. All Emtek door knobs and levers are custom assembled to match the customers needs. Once you select from the large array of different knobs and levers you can customize your hardware's look with one of Emtek's many different rosette styles. Emtek door knobs and levers average $ 65.00. Emtek is excellent qulity and is made from solid brass. Most orders ship in 2-3 days.

Dynasty door hardware features several affordable knob and lever designs. From the Heritage or Vail lever, to the Sierra, Tahoe or Aspen knob you are sure to find a design that suites your needs. Dynasty offers good quality hardware that ranges in price from $ 11.00 to $ 15.00.

What you need to know.

Backset - The backset is the measuremet from the edge of your door to the center of the hole in the door where the hardware is mounted. The most common backset dimensions are 2-3/8" or 2-3/4". Most doors are 2-3/8" backset. Schlage and Dynasty offer adjustable latches so they fit either backset dimension. Emtek requires that you order the backset that your door requires.

Latch- The latch mounts into the edge of the door. The latch can have either square or rounded corners. You should check the edge prep on your doors to see if they have round or square coners. You should also consider the dimensions of the latch prep. Most latch prep's are 1" x 2-1/4" while others are 1-1/8" x 2-1/4".

Keying- When ordering your new door hardware you should consider having your locks all keyed alike so you only need one key for your entire home. If you have an existing lock and you want to have your new hardware keyed to match it, you can simply look on the key for a 5 digit number that is normally stamped on your key. You will however, have to make sure that your new hardware uses the same keyway as your existing lock. The keyway refers to the brand ie. Schlage "C" or Kwikset. Check with the company your are ordering from and they can help you with this.

Functions- Door hardware comes in different functions. Passage, Privacy, Dummy and Keyed.

• Passage sets are used on hall doors, closets and bedrooms. Passage sets latch but to not lock. 
• Privacy  sets are used on bedrooms and bathrooms. Privacy sets latch and can be locked by turning or pushing a button on the inside. Privacy sets also have an emergency unlock feature on the outside.
• Dummy sets are used on the inactive door of a pair of doors and pantry or closet doors. Dummy sets do not have a latching mechanism.
• Keyed Entry sets are used on garage doors and back doors. To add extra security consider adding  a deadbolt above.

Tools Required

• Phillips Head Screwdriver
• Flat Head Screwdriver
• Hammer
• Wood Chisel

We do not recommend using power screw guns when installing door hardware. You can tighten the screws just fine with a hand held screwdriver. However, if you are intalling door hardware on brand new doors you should pre-drill the screw holes for the latch and door hinges so that the door does not split when tightening the screws. Make sure not to pre-drill the holes to large or the screws will not hold.

How To Install The Hardware

Installing new door hardware can be done by most homeowners. Please read the directions that come with your hardware. If you do not install your hardware correctly it may not function properly.

Enjoy your new door hardware! 

Links to manufacturers websites:

Schlage Door Hardware

Emtek Door Hardware

Dynasty Door Hardware

 Emtek Door Hardware - Authorized Online Dealer

First Impressions

Your entry door is the first thing that guests see when they come to your home. The door hardware you choose can convey a look of distinction, a feeling of luxury, contemporary attractiveness, Victorian charm or various other appearances. Hardware creates the finishing touch for a door and completes its visual effect.

Emtek has hundreds of different doorknobs and levers in many finishes, and selecting pleasing combinations that complement your décor adds value to your home. Even though the knobs and levers on your doors make up only a small percentage of the accessories in your home, they have a great impact on your home’s overall appearance.

The company uses superior-quality brass, bronze, crystal, porcelain, stainless steel and wrought steel to manufacture hardware for doors, and the variety of hardware styles is seemingly endless.

Emtek's hardware provides exceptional functionality as well as style for your doors. Their electronic locks are great for people who do not want the bother of carrying keys, and their deadbolts provide extra measures of safety.

The company recently introduced a Sandcast Bronze Keypad Entryset that is factory programmed with secure user codes and provides residential security without keys. The set is available with several different finish, lever and knob options to harmonize with your doors.

Two other new additions to Emtek's high-quality products are the Norwich Brass Classic Knobset and the Coventry Brass Designer Leverset. You can order them with either the traditional exposed fasteners or the CF Mechanisms. Finish choices for the sets are Oil Rubbed Bronze, Satin Nickel, Pewter, French Antique, Polished Chrome or PVD-Lifetime.

DoorHardware.com

DoorHardware.com has been selling door hardware since 1988, and we have a staff of experts with years of experience. They are happy to share their extensive knowledge of hardware and offer professional advice to those who want assistance concerning any of our products. We are an authorized dealer for Emtek and can offer low prices for their products because we distribute the hardware directly from their factory. Our fast shipping is free with orders of $100.00 or more and only $7.95 for lower priced purchases. Most orders leave the factory in just two to three days.

The members of our staff provide great service, and you can take advantage of their expert advice when you call during our business hours. One of our friendly customer service representatives will answer your questions and offer valuable suggestions to help you make the right decisions and purchase the hardware that will serve you flawlessly for years.

Schlage recently launched a new collection of door hardware that allows customers to tailor features in several ways The six designs in the Decorative Collection range from simple to elegant and come with diverse handle types, finishes and lock options. There are enough choices to create a unique look and accommodate various practical needs. 

Rosette Styles

The rosette style provides distinction and anchors each design:

--The Addison offers a time-honored motif with a rectangular, terraced look.

--The Andover has a round, traditional design with a lathe-like appearance.

--The Brookshire is the most ornate style, displaying elegant scroll accents at the top and bottom of the round form.

--The Camelot takes the rectangle a step further with curved top and bottom borders that present a classic outline.

--The Century has a modern, slightly convex shape for a clean, minimalist appearance.

--The Wakefield offers another classic look with the only oval form and a raised, traditional border.

Handle Types

Each new Schlage design comes with three or more lever styles and at least one knob style. Most knobs are round, although the Andover and the Wakefield include an oval shape. The knobs have smooth finishes without embellishments, or they have lathe-like accents. Levered handles offer greater variety, with flat, rounded, curved and flared versions suited to each rosette design. The levers themselves have few accents, relying more on sculpted shapes to make a statement. At least three lever styles are offered with each design.

Finishes

Several finishes add to the customization options, and each is available with every other option in a given design. Selection varies with each rosette, although there are always at least four choices. Finishes available for most designs include Bright Chrome, Satin Nickel, Matte Black, Aged Bronze and Bright Brass. Additional finishes on certain designs include Distressed Nickel, Antique Pewter, Antique Brass, Oil-Rubbed Bronze and Satin Chrome.

Lock Functions

Although choosing the perfect combination from so many options could prove to be a daunting task, the various lock functions fill practical needs. The Keyed Entrance fits main doors or rooms where privacy is needed. The Bed/Bath handle requires only a small, straight instrument to unlock, but it does offer some privacy. The Hall/Closet handle doesn't contain a lock, and the Decorative Trim style is an ornamental door pull that doesn't turn.

The Schlage website features images of every Decorative Collection design, finish and style combination for preview purposes.

The Falcon W Series offers a collection of medium-duty, Grade-2 cylindrical locks that manage lock functions across a range of industries. Educational institutions, healthcare facilities, government offices, commercial businesses and industrial plants will find sturdy hardware to suit their needs. Some of the lock  functions include keyed entry, privacy, passage, storeroom and classroom. The range of lock functions available makes the W Series beneficial for protecting building entrances, storerooms, offices and more.

The conventional cylinders of the W Series contain small-format, interchangeable cores. They have pinning in six chambers with removable assemblies for rekeying, and all cylinders feature machined solid-brass housings and plugs. The conventional cylinders are compatible with other manufacturers' SFIC, six-pin products, such as Schlage, Yale, Sargent and Corbin-Russwin. Interchangeable core cylinders with six or seven pins are also available.

Door knobs and levers are available in this series, each offering two styles. For those who prefer levers, the Dane lever and the Quantum lever present solid function in two different looks. The Dane lever contains a straight bar ending in an angled tip, while the Quantum lever offers a bar that curves slightly toward the handle's end. All levers are constructed from solid, pressure-cast zinc with roses wrought from brass or bronze over steel through-bolted inserts.

The two knob styles include the Hana and the Elite. The Hana knob is a round, ball style with end indentations for key or button controls. The Elite offers geometric styling with a slightly flared knob and a modest concave surface supporting lock controls. Knob construction is from either brass or cold-formed steel; both are zinc-plated. Rose construction includes heavy-wrought bronze or brass over steel reinforcement plates.

All latch bolts are made from stainless steel, and each handle style comes in a selection of finishes, including Oil-Rubbed Bronze, Bright or Satin Brass, and Bright or Satin Chrome. Whatever your industry or specific access needs may be, the W Series from Falcon Lock provides reliable and economical commercial door hardware you'll trust for years to come.

More than just a brand name, Baldwin Hardware identifies a right to the claim that time-tested skills create the surest path to beautiful design solutions. Since 1946, Baldwin Hardware has created modern luxury for discriminating architects, designers and homeowners through superior design, craftsmanship and functionality. From being the first to forge solid brass door hardware to offering Lifetime Finishes, Baldwin is synonymous with innovation and unsurpassed quality.

Baldwin Designs

Baldwin hardware offers a wide range of door hardware, bath accessories and cabinet hardware allowing the homeowner the flexibility to create the perfect combination of hardware choices for their home. Designs range from sleek minimalist to classic architectural designs. The Reserve collection is designed for architects, designers and homeowners seeking a product allowing a certain level of personalization while being readily available, easy to order and install. Baldwin's Images and Estate collection offer over 50,000 combinations of door knobs, levers and rosette allowing ultimate flexibility and complete customization.

Baldwin Finishes

Baldwin hardware comes in a full range of 21 lustrous finishes ranging from brilliant to matte, smooth to textured. Depending on the desired look, whether clean and minimalistic or well-worn and vintage, the hardware will go through a very different finishing process. For a smooth, flawless finish, an ultra-hard coat of lacquer is applied to the hardware. Lacquer protects the hardware from normal wear and tear while retaining the natural, polished brass tone. To achieve a more weathered look, we take a little more time to make hand-relieved touches before coating with lacquer.

Finishes such as chrome, nickel, or bronze are created by adding layers of metal plating over solid brass. The thicker the plating, the better the protection. A piece of Baldwin hardware may have 10-30 coats to ensure the highest level of strength and durability. For those who appreciate the patina that comes with a well-loved vintage piece, Baldwin offers “living” finishes. Baldwin's living finishes are aged 6-12 months during the manufacturing process, and they continue to subtly change over time to reveal a natural weathered character.

For the strongest and most reliable finish that will withstand the effects of wear and tear as well as coastal conditions, Baldwin’s patented Lifetime PVD Finish is the best.  PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) finishing uses a sophisticated formulation of layered nickel alloys to produce crisp detailing and brilliantly pure color. It interrupts the aging process and provides superb resistance to corrosion in even the harshest salt air environments. Typical “lifetime” finishes of competitors have only two layers – half as many as Baldwin’s, making ours 89% thicker.

In the final stage of production, Baldwin hardware goes through two stages of polishing – the first to thoroughly remove any imperfections such as scratches or nicks and the second to buff the hardware to a flawless shine. In the first stage, rapidly spinning wheels wipe away potential scratches left by the forge. Then jeweler’s rouge is used to carefully buff the metal. Some of our more detailed hardware requires a human touch – these are carefully buffed by the hands of skilled workers with years of practice to ensure a perfect shine while retaining every detail.

Baldwin Hardware is truly an American iconic brand. Recognized for quality and craftsmanship, Baldwin Hardware is designed and engineered to last a lifetime. Click here to view the Baldwin Hardware website.

The styling of each of the front door locks conveys a sense of refined elegance in its clean lines and simplicity of design. Although these lock assemblies are available in several finishes such as satin nickel and flat black, it is the oil rubbed bronze finish that is most representative of the rich wood tones found in the historic homes. The textural quality of the hammered bronze plates also captures an element of style associated with this era.

As expected with such quality door hardware, Emtek has designed their front door locks to suit the needs of their customers. Each product can be ordered with a brass knob or lever for the inside door trim. These lock sets also include the latch and strike plate.

Hardware specifications should not be overlooked as each set has different backset width and door prep requirements. For example, the Emtek Arts and Crafts Full Length Handleset can be ordered to fit either a mortise door prep or cylindrical lock door prep. Be aware that handing, the orientation of handle grips or levers, is also required for all Emtek door hardware.

Customers should contact a local sales representative with any specific question or concerns they may have regarding hardware installation or existing door conditions. A representative can also assist customers with price quotes based upon the style and assembly they are interested in purchasing.

Electronic deadbolts are offered in a variety of styles and finishes. While many Emtek keyless deadbolts take on a more traditional style with a bronze finish, Schlage deadbolts tend to have a modern feel and look with their satin nickel finishes. Keyless deadbolts are also popular in oil rubbed bronze and polihed brass.

It is also important to note that each electronic deadbolt comes with its own set of functions. For example, the Boulder AC Zigbee Deadbolt by Baldwin Hardware is equipped with a backlit keypad for visibility and a motorized deadbolt with one-touch locking. The Emtek E1020, while also having illuminated keys for night time viewing, differs in that it can be programmed with up to 20 different key codes. Other features to consider are customizable access codes, protective keypad coatings to prevent wear, and low battery indicators.

Be aware that electronic deadbolt manufacturers do provide limited warranties on their products. Warranties will differ with each manufacturer and product and will often have separate mechanical, finish and electrical warranties.

It is highly recommended that homeowners research each hardware assembly before purchase to ensure that it meets their needs. With the right product selection, homeowners will find electronic deadbolts functional and convenient for all occupants of the home.

The first thing to consider before you even start to shop for door hardware is, will it fit my door. Most homes use a handleset on their front door. Handlesets come in many different configurations.

Determine if you need a cylindrical lock or a mortise  lock. Cylindrical locks are the most common type of front door hardware and require two holes drilled in the door which are 2-1/8" in diameter. There are two types of cylindrical handlesets, sectional and monolithic. Sectional handlesets come in two separate pieces, the lower part being the handle and thumb piece and the upper being the deadbolt. The Monolithic type handleset is all one piece. (Monolithic Type Shown In The Image To The Left). You will need to determine what the hole spacing is on your door. The most common center to center hole spacing used for front door handlesets is 5-1/2". This refers to how far it is from the center of one hole to the center of the other hole. With the sectional handleset it is not important how far the holes are spaced from each other. With the monolithic type of handleset it is important that you consider how far the holes in the face of your door are spaced. The most common hole spacing for monolithic handlesets is 5-1/2" but they do come in different sizes.The other type of lock used on front doors is a mortise lock. A mortise lock requires a pocket in the edge of the door where the lock body fits.

What backset do you need? The backset refers to the distance from the edge of your door to the center of the hole in the door or, to the center of the mortise lock body.  When you measure the backset, with the door closed, stand on the side of the door where the knuckles of the hinges can be see when your door is closed. Normally this would be inside your home since most doors open inward. The most common backset for a front door lock is 2-3/8" but you need to make sure before ordering your lock. Other common backsets are 2-3/4" and 5". Mortise locks are available with either 2-3/8" or 2-3/4" backset. If you are installing a new mortise lock and the holes on the face of the door are not yet drilled you can order either backset and it will work. If you are replacing an existing mortise lock you need to make sure you order the lock to match your existing backset condition. 

How to determine the door handing. Some front door locks require that you specify the door handing. If you are ordering a mortise lock it is recommended that you call the sales desk to determine what handing you need. If you are ordering a cylindrical lock it is very easy to determine which handing you need if you follow these instructions. When determining the door handing always stand outside your door. Facing the door if the hinges are on your right you would order a right hand door lock.

Time to order your door hardware. Now that you have determined what type of lock will fit your door you can start the process of selecting your front door hardware. There are hundreds of brands of door hardware to choose from. Some of the most well known include Schlage, Baldwin Hardware and Emtek Door Hardware. All three of these companies offer excellent warranties and a great selection of hardware. Schlage offers very affordable door hardware and is available in many different styles and finishes. Baldwin Hardware offers door hardware that varies in price from medium price to the higher priced estate collection. Emtek door hardware is made from solid forged brass. Emtek offers both cylindrical and mortise locks and has a very large selection to choose from.

Now that you know a little more about front door hardware you are ready to make your door hardware purchase. Your new hardware will enhance the look of your home and provide security for your family for many years to come.