Account login | Register

Door furniture

The door furniture you select should not only be functional, it should also be in keeping with the style of the door and complement the interior design of the room or exterior of the property. As a general rule, heavier exterior doors should be fitted with more robust door furniture.

Door handles

Although door handles come in a great many designs ranging from classically ornate to the purely functional, generally all are operated by a lever latch mechanism. A spindle connects the handles on either side, so when the door handle is turned a mortise latch is retracted.

The only alternatives are the pull door handle, the pull knob and the D-handle which use a catch mechanism to hold the door closed. These door handles can be used for doors leading to different rooms but are more likely to be found on cupboards and cabinets, where they are only to one side of the door.

Catches

For lightweight doors such as those fitted to cupboards or wardrobes, a catch may be all that is required. They can either be screwed to the door or recessed. The most popular types are magnetic catches, ball catches, and roller catches.

Magnetic catch

As the name suggests this type of catch holds the door closed by magnetic force and are frequently used on glass doors.

Ball catch

Found on kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors. As the door is closed a spring-loaded ball bearing retracts into a housing in the door edge as it meets the strike plate on the door lining. The ball bearing springs into the housing in the strike plate to hold the door closed.

Roller catch

The roller catch has a small, cylindrical, spring-mounted roller fitted into the door edge and works in a similar way to the ball catch, but tends to be smoother and quieter in operation.

Hydraulic door closer

A hydraulic mechanism in the closer body pulls the door shut without allowing it to slam.

Concealed door closer

Usually used for lighter doors the concealed door closer consists of a tube-like closer body that conceals a sprung chain which is fitted into the door edge. There are two anchor plates; one is fitted to the door while the other is fitted to the door lining.

Hinges

Once again there are different types of hinges designed for different types of doors or situations that require the door to open in a specific way. The better quality door hinges tend to be made from stainless steel or brass. After fitting door hinges always lubricate them so they work smoothly. Hinges should continue to work effectively over a very long period of time, occasional lubrication being the only maintenance required. Always avoid painting over door hinges, as this will impair their smooth operation. Sets of hinges often come with the fixing screws. However, if this is not the case always buy screws strong enough to hold the door.

Standard butt hinge

This is the most common type of hinge you will come across. A pin through the hinge barrel joins the two leaves and allows them to move. Each leaf will have three or five fixing holes.

Rising butt hinges

The rising butt hinge is designed to lift the door as it is opened. These are needed if the floor slopes upward in the direction that the door opens.

Parliament hinges

A parliament hinge has extended leaves that allow the door to open flat against the wall and clear of its surrounding frame.

Ball bearing hinges

This type of hinge is similar in appearance to the standard butt hinge; the ball bearings provide a smoother opening and closing action.

Loose pin hinges

The pin holding the leaves of the hinges together can be pulled free so the door can be removed without unscrewing the hinges.

Flush mounted hinges

Unlike the hinges described above, flush mounted hinges are screwed to the surface of the door so you don't have to cut a recess into the door's edge or into the frame.