If your job is a renovation then you will approach the choice of door fittings in a different way than you would if you were building a new home from scratch.

New Homes:

The best way to start planning your new home security is to discuss the general requirements with your architect. Again, do not be too specific about the types of locks to be installed until you have determined the security provisions you need.

We often find that customers set their hearts on a particular decorative style of door hardware only to find later as they develop their hardware list that the chosen style cannot be obtained to match the all important security locks they need. Our qualified staff are able to provide free guidance here.

If you wish and before you start please let us have a set of floor plans which show all of the doors in your proposed new project. Architects usually give a door number to every door on the plan and this is useful as a reference should you subsequently request a written quotation or wish to discuss the matter with us over the phone.

Compared with renovation work there are many choices available for "new" construction because you are not controlled by existing holes in doors or old locks already installed. For internal doors such as bedrooms and bathrooms which do not require top security you must first make a decision as to whether you prefer to install "door knobs" or "lever handle sets". There are advantages and disadvantages with both types.

Knobs:

Knobs fall into a number of categories. Solid brass door knobs with a square internal operating spindle generally are used with separate latches as they are not normally supplied by the manufacturer with the knobs. These knobs may be either contemporary in design or they may be of a period design to match older style construction. Some porcelain knob sets which are also very popular fall into this category.

One advantage of some ranges of porcelain knob furniture is that the manufacturers have available an optional integral adapter which provides an efficient privacy function for bathrooms and bedrooms obviating the need for a change in knob design or any obvious extra door fittings.  These latches are relatively inexpensive and simple to install and they are used extensively in many  designer homes.

They usually have electro-plated "gold" die-cast rose plates upon which the knobs are mounted although many other round rose plate designs are also made including matching porcelain roses and solid brass roses in the higher price bracket. In addition a range of matching smaller cupboard and wardrobe knobs are available from these suppliers to enable you to fully integrate your decor. Our staff will be pleased to assist you with the various options.

The popular solid or hollow brass knobs in the "Delf" and "Superior" range similar to the top picture generally are incapable of having an annular privacy adapter built in as an integral fitting. If you chose this type of latch furniture which is commonly used by those customers constructing "new" Federation style homes, and you require a privacy function as well, then you must install a separate turn-bolt on the door (usually below the door knob itself).

If your interior decorator chooses to select knobs without these backing plates and you require a privacy function then you have no alternative but to add a privacy turn-snib and bolt as a separate item. Our in-house locksmith technicians are generally able to incorporate such arrangements to suit customers special needs if any particular privacy design is not available from a regular

All privacy arrangements discussed so far have emergency release features the knob furniture with the correct type of latch. Many of the more inexpensive brass knobs on the market do not have any return springs or cam stops fitted. If you purchase the wrong type of latching back-sets

One of the common problems here is that the normal latch spring is not strong enough to reject the tongue causing the door when closed to not latch fully. Doors fitted with these weak latches are often blown open with the slightest puff of wind and are a frequent source of income for our mobile locksmith crew. 

If you buy these inexpensive "spring-less" door knobs you will need to install "heavy duty" latch mechanisms to go with them. "What you save on the swings you spend on the round-abouts" as the saying goes! The heavy duty latches cost more than twice the price of the standard latches used with knobs fitted with return springs and hence the saving with the cheaper purchase may not be really worthwhile.