Door Hardware - 396+ Styles

Door Hardware for Every Room and Style

Door hardware serves as both a functional necessity and a design statement in your home. From the entrance that welcomes guests to the private spaces that require security, the right door hardware combines practicality with aesthetic appeal. Whether you're renovating, building new, or simply updating your interior spaces, understanding the diverse range of door hardware options available helps you make informed decisions that enhance both security and style throughout your property.

Quality door hardware encompasses much more than simple knobs and handles. It includes locks, latches, hinges, deadbolts, handlesets, and various accessories that work together to ensure smooth operation and lasting durability. The Australian market offers an extensive selection of door hardware options suited to different architectural styles, from contemporary minimalist designs to classic traditional aesthetics, ensuring you'll find pieces that complement your home's character.

Understanding Door Hardware Types and Functions

Selecting appropriate door hardware begins with understanding the specific function each door serves in your home. Different rooms require different levels of security and privacy, which directly influences your hardware choices.

Interior Door Hardware Options

Passage Sets are designed for doors that don't require locking mechanisms. These function perfectly for hallways, closets, and general living areas where you simply need a latch to keep the door closed. The hardware turns freely on both sides, allowing easy access without any locking capability.

Privacy Sets feature basic locking mechanisms ideal for bathrooms and bedrooms. These typically include a push-button or turn-lock on the interior side and an emergency release hole on the exterior, providing privacy while maintaining safety access when needed.

Dummy Hardware consists of non-functional handles or knobs that don't turn or latch. These decorative pieces work wonderfully on closet doors, double doors where only one side needs to function, or as decorative pulls on bifold doors and pantries.

Exterior Door Hardware Solutions

Entry Sets combine a locking mechanism with a handle or knob, providing security for exterior doors. These come with key operation on the outside and a thumb-turn or push-button lock on the inside, offering reliable protection for your home's entry points.

Handlesets deliver an elegant solution for front doors, featuring a decorative exterior handle with an integrated deadbolt and an interior lever or knob. These comprehensive sets provide enhanced security while making a strong design statement for your home's entrance.

Deadbolts offer additional security layers for exterior doors. Available in single-cylinder (key on one side, thumb-turn on the other) or double-cylinder (key on both sides) configurations, deadbolts significantly strengthen door security when used in conjunction with standard entry hardware.

Essential Components of Quality Door Hardware

Understanding the components that make up door hardware helps ensure you select complete, functional sets for your installation needs.

Handles and Knobs form the most visible part of door hardware. Knobs offer traditional styling with their round design, while levers provide easier operation, particularly beneficial for children, elderly users, or anyone with limited hand mobility. Levers require less grip strength and work with a simple downward push rather than a twisting motion.

Latches and Bolts secure the door within its frame. Standard latches come in drive-in, round-corner, and square-corner configurations. The backset measurement—the distance from the door edge to the centre of the handle—typically measures either 60mm or 70mm in Australian doors, though variations exist.

Strike Plates mount into the door frame and receive the latch or bolt. Properly installed strike plates distribute force across the frame, enhancing security and preventing damage from regular use or forced entry attempts.

Hinges enable smooth door operation and support the door's weight. Quality hinges prevent sagging and ensure long-term functionality. Most standard doors require three hinges, though heavier doors may need four or more for proper support.

How to Choose the Right Door Hardware

Selecting appropriate door hardware involves considering several practical factors beyond aesthetic preferences.

Assess Your Door Type: Determine whether you're outfitting interior or exterior doors, as this fundamentally influences security requirements. Consider the door material—wood, steel, fibreglass, or composite—as some hardware types work better with specific materials.

Measure Your Door: Standard residential interior doors typically measure 35mm thick, while exterior doors often measure 40-45mm. Verify your door thickness before purchasing hardware. If replacing existing hardware, measure the current backset and bore hole diameter to ensure proper fit.

Consider Accessibility Needs: Lever handles generally provide easier operation than knobs, making them preferable for households with children, elderly residents, or anyone with arthritis or limited hand mobility. Many modern Australian buildings incorporate accessibility requirements that favour lever-style hardware.

Plan for Handing: Some lever-style hardware requires specific handing (left or right) based on which side your door hinges sit. Verify whether your chosen hardware offers universal handing or requires specific left or right configurations.

Popular Materials and Finishes

Door hardware comes in various materials and finishes that affect both appearance and durability.

Stainless Steel offers excellent durability and corrosion resistance, making it ideal for exterior doors and coastal areas where salt air accelerates deterioration of lesser materials. Its clean, modern appearance suits contemporary design schemes.

Brass provides timeless elegance and naturally antimicrobial properties. Available in polished, antique, or satin finishes, brass complements traditional and transitional interiors while developing an attractive patina over time.

Bronze delivers rich, warm tones that suit period homes and rustic design aesthetics. Oil-rubbed bronze finishes offer particular popularity for their ability to hide fingerprints and minor wear.

Matte Black has surged in popularity for contemporary and industrial design schemes. This versatile finish works across various architectural styles and provides striking contrast against lighter doors and walls.

Chrome and Nickel finishes range from bright polished to brushed satin, offering clean lines and cool tones that suit modern interiors. These finishes resist tarnishing and maintain their appearance with minimal maintenance.

Care and Maintenance Tips

Proper maintenance extends the life of your door hardware and ensures smooth operation over years of use.

Regular Cleaning: Wipe hardware with a soft, damp cloth regularly to remove dust, fingerprints, and grime. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners that can damage finishes. For most finishes, mild soap and water provide sufficient cleaning.

Lubrication: Apply graphite powder or silicone-based lubricant to locks and latches annually to maintain smooth operation. Avoid oil-based lubricants that attract dust and can gum up mechanisms over time.

Tighten Screws: Check and tighten mounting screws periodically, as regular use can gradually loosen connections. Loose hardware can cause misalignment and premature wear.

Address Issues Promptly: If handles stick, locks become difficult to operate, or doors don't latch properly, address these issues quickly. Minor problems often indicate simple adjustments needed, but ignoring them can lead to more significant damage requiring hardware replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions About Door Hardware

What's the difference between passage and privacy hardware? Passage hardware doesn't lock and works well for general living areas, while privacy hardware includes a basic lock suitable for bathrooms and bedrooms with an emergency release feature for safety.

Can I replace door hardware without changing the doors? In most cases, yes. Measure your existing backset and bore hole dimensions to find compatible replacement hardware. Many manufacturers offer options that fit standard measurements, simplifying upgrades.

Should I choose knobs or levers? Levers offer easier operation, especially for those with limited hand strength or mobility issues. Knobs provide traditional styling and can prevent pets from opening doors. Both options function well when properly installed.

How do I match door hardware throughout my home? Choose a consistent finish across visible areas for cohesive design flow. You can mix knobs and levers as long as the finish remains consistent, and you can use different functions (passage, privacy, entry) as appropriate for each door's purpose.

What security features should I look for in exterior door hardware? Look for solid construction, grade 1 or grade 2 security ratings, anti-pick features in locks, and reinforced strike plates. Combining a quality entry set with a separate deadbolt provides optimal security for exterior doors.