Add a Sense of Nostalgia with Antique Door Knobs
Can you remember back to your grandparent’s house? Was it a wonderful place, full of keepsakes, pictures, and antiques? For many homeowners, the chance to create something similar stands at the forefront in their minds, even in some of today’s most modern homes. One element that is often overlooked are antique door knobs. The new door knobs and handles are often very expensive, but lacking terms of character. Antique door knobs can quickly add character and style to your favorite rooms and sometimes, at a more affordable price.
Finding the Gems in Antique Door Knobs
There are a number of businesses that specialize in older building supplies. Sometimes, the stock may come from houses or apartment buildings that are being demolished. Before the destruction begins, these buildings are stripped of everything of value, including all their antique door knobs. The items are cleaned and put up for sale at a building surplus store. You can find some beautiful antique door knobs at these stores, but you also have to use a little caution. Some may not have all the pieces they need to function properly. Others may be scratched or otherwise marred. You will also need to know what size of door knob you’ll need. You can’t trust the sorting system used at a building surplus store because many people search through those bins. It’s inevitable that the parts and pieces will get mixed up.
Choosing the Right Antique Door Knobs for Your Home
There are many styles and designs for antique door knobs. Some may be made of glass, porcelain, brass, or wood. Many of the very early styles had hand painted designs, such as a small flower or tree. However, few were completely painted. If they were, it was usually a very simple color, such as black or white.
The hardware was different, of course. You won’t find antique door knobs with complicated locking mechanisms, as the lock was usually separate from the door handle. Many of you may remember the old skeleton keys that were quite common. Even these old keys have become very popular collector’s items.
In most cases, the knobs were circular, although there are few that were square or even oblong. These are much more difficult to find nowadays, as most people that have these types of knobs hold onto them.
The Right Room for the Right Door Knob
While you wouldn’t want to put an antique door knob inside a state of the art entertainment room, it’s a beautiful touch for studies, living rooms, and bathrooms. You’ll find many homes that showcase these antique door knobs by installing a door that is quite simple and one color. If you have a hand painted white porcelain door knob, a dark brown or black panel door would look great. However, it truly boils down to your preferences. Most people today wouldn’t put antique door knobs on their entrance doors, simply because of safety concerns. They are a fantastic touch for closets, pantries, and other simple doors within your home.
Antique Door Knobs Tip #1
The latching mechanisms in these types of door knobs are usually quite different from those used today. You may have to modify the door jam in order for the door to latch properly.
Antique Door Knobs Tip #2
There are a few modern door knobs that look like an antique, but have a hidden lock. You simply move a small piece of swinging metal to reveal the lock.
Antique Door Knobs Tip #3
Your local locksmith may have quite a selection of antique door knobs and locks, especially if the company has been in business for several decades. Antique Door Knobs – You may have to ask quite nicely, as some aren’t willing to part with these pieces of the past.
Can you remember back to your grandparent’s house? Was it a wonderful place, full of keepsakes, pictures, and antiques? For many homeowners, the chance to create something similar stands at the forefront in their minds, even in some of today’s most modern homes. One element that is often overlooked are antique door knobs. The new door knobs and handles are often very expensive, but lacking terms of character. Antique door knobs can quickly add character and style to your favorite rooms and sometimes, at a more affordable price.
Finding the Gems in Antique Door Knobs
There are a number of businesses that specialize in older building supplies. Sometimes, the stock may come from houses or apartment buildings that are being demolished. Before the destruction begins, these buildings are stripped of everything of value, including all their antique door knobs. The items are cleaned and put up for sale at a building surplus store. You can find some beautiful antique door knobs at these stores, but you also have to use a little caution. Some may not have all the pieces they need to function properly. Others may be scratched or otherwise marred. You will also need to know what size of door knob you’ll need. You can’t trust the sorting system used at a building surplus store because many people search through those bins. It’s inevitable that the parts and pieces will get mixed up.
Choosing the Right Antique Door Knobs for Your Home
There are many styles and designs for antique door knobs. Some may be made of glass, porcelain, brass, or wood. Many of the very early styles had hand painted designs, such as a small flower or tree. However, few were completely painted. If they were, it was usually a very simple color, such as black or white.
The hardware was different, of course. You won’t find antique door knobs with complicated locking mechanisms, as the lock was usually separate from the door handle. Many of you may remember the old skeleton keys that were quite common. Even these old keys have become very popular collector’s items.
In most cases, the knobs were circular, although there are few that were square or even oblong. These are much more difficult to find nowadays, as most people that have these types of knobs hold onto them.
The Right Room for the Right Door Knob
While you wouldn’t want to put an antique door knob inside a state of the art entertainment room, it’s a beautiful touch for studies, living rooms, and bathrooms. You’ll find many homes that showcase these antique door knobs by installing a door that is quite simple and one color. If you have a hand painted white porcelain door knob, a dark brown or black panel door would look great. However, it truly boils down to your preferences. Most people today wouldn’t put antique door knobs on their entrance doors, simply because of safety concerns. They are a fantastic touch for closets, pantries, and other simple doors within your home.
Antique Door Knobs Tip #1
The latching mechanisms in these types of door knobs are usually quite different from those used today. You may have to modify the door jam in order for the door to latch properly.
Antique Door Knobs Tip #2
There are a few modern door knobs that look like an antique, but have a hidden lock. You simply move a small piece of swinging metal to reveal the lock.
Antique Door Knobs Tip #3
Your local locksmith may have quite a selection of antique door knobs and locks, especially if the company has been in business for several decades. Antique door knobs ,you may have to ask quite nicely, as some aren’t willing to part with these pieces of the past.