Hardware Resource Guide

Tips on Interior Door Hardware

Interior door hardware features a number of attractive designs and finishes, which help the door blend with the look and feel of a room. More important than aesthetics are the safety and basic working functions. In some cases, the choice of hardware material can actually influence the health of the home’s occupants.

Hinges

Hinges provide for the limited movement of the door when connected to its frame. Hinges most commonly used in residential and commercial buildings are of the butt variety. Sizes vary, although the smallest measurement is 3 by 3 inches. A square corner butt hinge with a removable pin — the standard sizes are 3.5 by 3.5 inches or 4 by 4 inches — is a good choice for interior residential doors because the homeowner can remove the door by lifting out the pin rather than unscrewing the hinge. For doors that open in both directions, double-spring butt hinges provide the needed mobility. Typical door installation requires three hinges. Finishes include polished chrome, bronze tones, brass, stainless steel and nickel.

Doorknobs

Interior doors do not generally feature keyed cylindrical locks, as do entrance doors. Instead, consumers can choose between three distinct models when shopping for interior door closing devices: dummy, passage and privacy knobs. Dummies are nonfunctional knobs or handles that are largely decorative and do not turn. Passage knobs — also called “hall and closet” knobs — turn and latch but do not offer a locking feature. Privacy knobs sell as “bed and bath” handles and offer a one-sided locking feature and a generic door key release from the outside. As with hinges, knob materials and finishes vary widely. The healthiest choices are brass or copper fixtures because research shows they are bactericidal, whereas stainless steel is not.

Kick Plates and Push Plates

Although largely ornamental, kick plates and push plates do have some practical applications. Kick plates protect interior doors from scuff marks caused by shoes and scratch marks caused by pets with sharp claws. They add aesthetic appeal to a door because they come in a number of materials — some examples are wood, plastic and metal — and can complement the decor of other interior door hardware. Push plates allow homeowners to open doors hung with double-spring butt hinges by pushing from either side. Style selections vary and aesthetic considerations usually decide the choice of materials and finishes.