Archive for December, 2008

Rose vs. Backplate?

Wednesday, December 31st, 2008

The rose is the decorative metal plate that covers the “bore” or hole in the face of a door that accommodates the door knob or door lever latch.

Rosette Style Examples

Rosette Style Examples

Roses, or Rosettes, are typically 2-5/8″ round and are the shape of door hardware due to the round hole in the door it is meant to conceal.

Back Plate Example

Back Plate Example

However, some styles employ a more elaborate design, typically rectangular in shape and measuring 2-5/8″ wide by 7″ or 8″ in height. This style is known as a Backplate, though Emtek, a manufacturer of historical reproductions, calls them “Sideplates”. Due to their size, backplates offer many unique design elements that enhance the door knob or door lever appeal. Nostalgic Warehouse, a Denver manufacturer boasting true reproduction hardware, (right down to the skeleton key!), offers six different designs in the most popular finishes like satin nickel and oil rub bronze. They utilize separate spindle and knob design, just like your grandmother use to have, and will fit any modern door as well as old doors without the large 2-1/8″ face bore. The backplate is becoming so popular that many leading manufacturers are now offering them including Baldwin door knobs and Kwikset door knobs

What is Schlage LiNK? (product available soon)

Monday, December 29th, 2008

Access to home. Access to freedom.

In many ways, Schlage LiNK is like our other keypad door locks. It uses proven Schlage construction derived from a rich heritage in commercial security.  But there’s another side to Schlage LiNK — one that brings you a whole new level of freedom.

Schlage LiNK allows you to remotely monitor your doors and grant entry to your home. From any computer or cell phone with an internet connection, you can unlock your door, monitor who’s coming and going, and even receive text message alerts from the system.

What’s more, because Schlage LiNK door locks provides fully encrypted communication between the lock and the user (similar to the security used in on-line banking) your access and online information is safe and secure.

Uses Throughout Your Home

Installation, setup  and everyday usage of the Schlage LiNK system makes home security easy for today’s busy families. In these short videos, the Joneses and the Hills show you how:

Baldwin Brass Door Knobs, Door Levers & Door Harware

Sunday, December 28th, 2008

Baldwin has built it’s name and reputation through our dedication to detail and craftsmanship. Whether you’re looking for Baldwin Door Knobs, Door Levers, Handle Sets, Deadbolts, Hinges or Accessories, when you compare quality and value, you’ll find nothing compares to Baldwin Brass. A wide selection of accessories in matching finishes. Along with our signature polished brass doorknobs, Baldwin offers finishes such as chrome, satin nickel, antique nickel and Venetian bronze. Now, you can echo the finish of your bathroom towel bar or your kitchen cabinet hardware in your locks, switch plates, candlesticks and accent lamps. Architecturally appropriate – It’s easy to find the perfect hardware and accessories for your home. Help is available from leading designers and home industry experts at Baldwin’s Architectural Style Make a splash in your bath. The Estate Bath Collection is an inspired premium assortment of elegant accessories including coordinated towel bars, hooks, vanity items, shelves, holders, switch plates and cabinet hardware. Baldwin Brass is recognized as the premier manufacturer of solid brass lock sets, gift accessories, holiday ornaments, lighting, fine bath products and decorative hardware for the home and office.

Coordinated hardware
Coordinate your bathroom towel bar with your switch plates. Or, your kitchen cabinet hardware with your locksets. Baldwin has everything from outdoor lighting to home accents and hinges. All in coordinated styles and finishes that express your style and taste. Grade 1 ANSI-rated locks – Baldwin has been awarded a Grade 1 Rating from ANSI. This means this national ratings bureau has determined that Baldwin locks provide the maximum level of security for your lock set deadbolt.

Hand finishing
All pieces are polished and finished by hand. This process makes your Baldwin brass hardware a timeless heirloom that will be treasured for generations to come.

Lifetime Finish™
Baldwin developed this proprietary finishing technique in order to guarantee that our unique exterior finishes will, for the life of the product, remain free of pitting, erosion and other tolls that weather can take. Independent tests have proven that the Baldwin finish lasts 8 times longer than leading national brands. We will provide a free replacement in the unlikely event your Lifetime Finish™ should lose its luster or its tone.

Lifetime mechanical guarantee
You can buy with confidence. We guarantee that your Baldwin lock will be free of mechanical defects or we will repair or replace the lock for as long as you own it. 17 décor finishes – Our finishes are researched for historical accuracy and design trends. Baldwin works with America’s leading designers, architects and historians to ensure that each piece is faithful to the style and spirit of your home.

Solid brass core
Baldwin handles and knobs are solid brass. No hollow cores, No fillers and No shortcuts. You can feel the difference, even hear the difference. Baldwin is solid brass. No hollow cores like others. Traditional European forging – For more than 50 years, Baldwin’s hot forging process has been the industry standard. Today, our continuing commitment to the technique endures as Baldwin defines itself with “Timeless Craftsmanship.™”

Now, Baldwin Estate Locksets are UL-Listed for use in high rises. That means, Baldwin front door hardware may now be specified for high rise condos, co-ops and apartments. You’ll never regret you chose Baldwin. Your Baldwin Brass hardware will greet visitors to your home with elegance for many years. Speaking quietly, confidently that you’ve chosen quality.

The History of Door Knobs & Door Levers

Sunday, December 28th, 2008
Door Knob

Door Knob

With 112 million doors in the US, door knobs are an often used but rarely thought of product.

Every day millions of us open and close doors as we weave our way through our daily lives. Early doors were merely hides and textiles. It wasn’t until swinging “hinged” doors made first of wood and then of metals and glass did door knobs make their appearance. The first door knobs were made of wood and appeared in the late 1700s.  About 100 years later in the1800s they were first manufactured and that happened to be here in the United States.

Door Knobs include four main parts. The knobs, typically round, are now often egg shaped like Baldwin Egg Knob, Schalge Sienna and Danbury, Kwikset Laurel, Weiser Carlisle and Emtek Hammered Egg knob. 

Door Lever

Lever styles were designed for both their elegance and practicality as they are simpler to operate and are recommended for handicapped and elderly users. Popular lever designs are Schlage Accent and Flair, Baldwin Wave and Soho, Kwikset Commonwealth and Lido, as well as many others from Emtek, Grandeur, Omnia Weiser and Weslock. The spindle is the second main part and connects the knobs and levers through the door and transmits your hand twist to the latch. The latch incorporates the bolt that protrudes from the door edge and holds the door in the closed position. The fourth main part is the Rose or rosette, typically round in shape that covers the hole made in the face of the door to accommodate the whole apparatus and keep it looking “smart”.