Decorative Hardware

You know those decorative hardware pieces that attach to the front of your door and look like old fashioned hinges?  What exactly are those things called?  It can be confusing for shoppers.  How do you know what to search for and find exactly what you need.

A Hinge Strap Is a fake decorative front. It is not actually a functioning hinge. It is like an old pioneer false front building.  It is to add character to the existing fixture.  After all you would not want the door hinge exposed, for security purposes.  A Strap hinge on the other hand is a hinge that is fixed to the face of the door instead of the side.  The strap hinge is most commonly used on barns and gates.

You can really add a touch of your own personality with Switch plate covers.  Along with the other decorative hardware in your house, such as cabinet knobs and door hardware, switch plate covers are an easy way to give your home a new look and feel.  You can complete your existing look as well.  The decorative hardware in your home is the most overlooked detail that can really complete your room’s look.

You can use different styles of switch plate covers to add different feels.  For instance, rustic mountain hardware switch plate covers will add a cabin feel to your home.  Shiny metal contemporary switch plate covers will add a new age look

Regardless of your home’s style; new switch plate covers will spice it up!

Has your home been looking dull recently?  Well there is one easy way to spice it up, add new knobs and pulls. New knobs and pulls can add flare to any room.  For example: you could add new knobs and pulls in your kitchen, or you could put them in your bathroom, or you could even put them in both places.

The type of knobs and pulls you get for your home will dictate it’s style.  If you want to give your home a new age style, try adding shiny silver metal knobs and pulls.  If you would like to give your home a rustic mountain look, try adding iron knobs and pulls in addition to some mountain hardware. 

New knobs and pulls are a great idea for any home.  Whether you are trying to spice up an older home or trying to fix up your house to sell; new knobs and pulls are always the answer.  So PLEASE, go out and purchase new knobs and pulls today.

Doors are used by every member of the family several times a day.  Thus, it is worth it to consider what the best door handles for your home are. Door handles come in a wide variety of styles. So choose what will complement the other accessories you have selected for your home.  Door Knockers make great door accessories and can save your door handles from everyday wear and tear.

Look at the door handle’s finish and check if it’s easy to keep clean. Among the popular choices are chrome, brushed nickel, weathered brass and antiqued brass. If you have kids or elderly members in the family, go for door handles that will be easy for them to open.

I was supposed to have been vacationing in Montana for the duration of my winter break, but the fun and excitement of it all disappeared when my snowmobile broke down in the middle of a small section of wilderness on top a lonely mountain.  Everything was fine until I decided to walk back to my cabin, which was about 4 miles down the mountain in deep snow.

As  I snowshoed my way down, I noticed a dead elk carcass lying in some brush.  But what I didn’t notice was the pack of wolves that were guarding it!  Looking back, I could see the wolves following close behind me.  Thank God the cabin was around the corner, because within seconds of closing the cabin door and locking the deadbolt to secure it, the wolves would have closed in and I would have been history!

Lesson learned;  Never go into the wilderness unprepared!

As you all know, the beautiful state of Oklahoma is situated around some of the most volatile weather known to man.  It was a pleasant Monday afternoon when the sound of the sirens gave us that dreadful warning!  We all new this meant that a tornado had already been spotted and to take refuge in a shelter quick!

Even though we had done this quite a few times before, one’s fear of these dreadful storms never goes away.  This time as we all sat huddled together in our shelter, we could hear the unforgettable sound of those freight train like winds getting closer and closer.  The entry door to our underground shelter began to shake with such force, I thought it would be sucked away at any moment into the darkness outside.

Almost as soon as the tornado came over our shelter, it was gone just as fast leaving us frightened and shell shocked.  If it hadn’t been for the mortise lock on the shelters door, we probably would have been seriously hurt or killed.  We all thanked God and modern technology for our safety and were just happy to be alive!

So there just interior wood doors huh?  Wrong.  OK, maybe they don’t get the attention that your entry door gets, but why not give your interior doors a little something special too!  It’s just not good enough that your interior doors have a good looking finish, so maybe lets add some special unique decorative door hardware so as to enhance that beautiful finish!

An interior door can become the icon of the room that it opens up to, thus directing it’s welcome to the visitor that’s entering it.  You might select some door hardware that looks bold and strong, making one feel secure when the door is shut.  Whatever your selection, just try to remember an interior door can and should be just as important as the room it leads to, and maybe more.

 Exterior doors say a lot about your home, and your home says a lot about you.  Lets face it, a plain exterior door makes you look boring. A fresh coat of paint and new decorative hardware will spiff up any exterior door.

When choosing the paint for your exterior door you should be conscious of the color of the rest of your house.  A little bit of contrast will make your exterior door stand out.  For example, a red door on a white house would look nice and make your door stand out.  There is also several different types of door hardware you can get to spiff up your exterior door.  A door knocker for your exterior door will not only look classy in addition to a door bell, but it will also be functional.  Also, a flashy new door knob will draw your neighbors eye, while a brand new deadbolt or mortise lock will give you added security.

Ultimately, what you choose to do about your boring exterior door is your choice.  Just remember, people will like you more if you have a flashy exterior door.

A parent that is always making sure that their children are safe from any source of danger is a loving instinct that is molded deep into each and every dad or mom naturally.  Keeping our children away from any sort of danger whether at home or abroad can become a full time job, but with some of the new products that are made available now on the market, it’s a whole lot easier.

Childproofing your home should be a priority when thinking of your child’s safety.  A good example would be those dangerous electrical outlets that should be plugged up with a safety device that prevents your little ones from receiving a fatal electrical shock.  Or how about installing a childproof door knob on a certain piece of door hardware that might allow them access to something dangerous?

Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our children, so let’s keep them away from harm by adding some of those inexpensive safety devices to your home, then you’ll be able to breathe a little easier.