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A door knob can come in hundreds of styles, designs, colors and purposes. Then there is the matter of security. By the time you go through all of this, you probably wondering why you ever wanted to deal with a door knob. If broken, the door knob itself is easy to install once you figure out how to get the old one off the door; the locking mechanism is the part that is complex if it is for a very high security door. If so, call the locksmith right away. Do not attempt to do it yourself, or the door knob will be in hundreds of little pieces by the time you get done . . . and the door knob still will not be on.
The two most common locksets for the door knob are the dead latch and the spring latch.
Locksets come in many different styles but these two are the most common. And of the two, the dead latch is more common because it offers more security than the spring latch, which is easier to install. I guess it depends on knob priorities, security versus easy and less stressful. Remember this when your knob needs fixing; it can be done. There are so many new door knobs available that your door knob will be one in thousands. The only way to begin is to know your decor and what you want, or in the general area. Probably one of the best websites for different architectural periods is “House of Antique Hardware.” No matter what era, style or hardware compatibility you need, they will have it. They also provide custom doorsets for what you personally want for the door knob of your choice. A door knob for a door that was built after the 1930s will probably need a conversion doorset. Interior doors that are modern in design will usually measure about 1 3/8" thick and drilled and ready for that particularly type of doorset. Another style was the Vintage door, usually manufactured before 1940. These doors are thinner than the modern style door, needing something like the Mortise Door, where the locksets slide into a slot bored into an antique door, and then accepting a spindle for the knob. Skeleton keys are used for it and a strike plate. There are many other brands and styles of the door knob, but you will need to know your door first. Measure the thickness of the door, and take the equivalent of door know what is on the door right now in with you for exact matching of the type. |
Hardware