Doors and door furnishing is an important consideration in achieving the look that your client wants for their home. When helping your clients choose doors and accessories, consider the following points to deliver a seamless look and feel for their space:
- The look
- The entrance door
- Type of door handles
- The finish
The Look
We’ve been talking about the popular modern looks, so when choosing door designs approach it like any interior design project. Consider the overall look of the home you’re building or renovating, then think about the room the door will be installed in.
If your client is going for a coastal look then choosing angular handles might not work for the home, and curved handles will not go well with the scandi barn.
For door designs, find out if your clients want to use the same door design throughout the house, or if they’ll want to use different doors for certain rooms. There are door designs that can work for multiple looks, while some of them will look out of place.
When choosing door handles, you need to consider the type of doors that were picked for the space. For example, if your client wants to use the same door design throughout the house, then they may want to be consistent and use the same handles or they may want to use the handles to differentiate the rooms and spaces to add a design edge to the space.
More than the door, you should also talk about security with your clients. Digital locks have gained popularity and increased security for homes across Australia, the added benefits of the new technology may offer greater peace of mind for your customers.
Type of door handles and security
Internal door handles will either be levers or knobs. Levers are easier to open for people with disabilities, the elderly, and children.
Once they’ve decided on the type of hardware, you will now have to look at the function of the door. For linen press and hallway doors, recommend non-locking levers, while locking should be considered for bedrooms and bathrooms. It will help to take a tally of all the doors and their unction to ensure that you’ve considered their function and what they require.
The entrance lock set is primarily used on the front door of a house. This is because the inside knob (or lever) is free for egress and you can unlock it from the outside using a key. Both the inside and outside knob (or lever) can operate the latch unless the door is locked from inside
Mortice lock
Set within the body of a door, a mortice lock is recessed, offering a secure locking mechanism.
A door handle set with a non-lockable function, allowing free access through the door from both sides.
Used on bathroom or bedroom doors, Privacy sets have an internal locking button, pin, or snib and an emergency function to unlock from the outside.
Dummy
A dummy is a face-fixed lever or knob, matching passage, and privacy sets. It is used on cupboard or wardrobe doors, usually sold individually without a latch.
Backset
The backset is a fundamental measurement in door hardware, referring to the distance from the edge of the door to the centre of the hole for your lever or knob. It is a critical dimension to ensure proper installation and functionality.
Construction Cylinder and Key
During the building phase, a construction cylinder and key are often employed. The construction key allows the builder access, and once the homeowner's keys are used, the lock's internal pinning arrangement changes, rendering the construction key ineffective.
Master Key
A key capable of opening multiple locks, providing convenient control over an entire building or facility.
Cylinder
The cylindrical mechanism within door locks containing the tumbler and keyway is known as the cylinder. It's the core component where the key is inserted to operate the lock.
A deadbolt is a bolt engaged by turning a key (Double Cylinder)or thumbturn(Single Cylinder). It provides enhanced security compared to spring-operated latches.
Single Cylinder
A locking barrel operated by a key outside and a turn or snib inside for easy emergency exit.
Double Cylinder
In a double cylinder setup, a locking cylinder barrel is controlled by a key on both the internal and external sides of the door. Commonly used in entrance sets or deadbolts for external doors.
Flush Bolt
Recessed into the inactive leaf of a pair of doors, the flush bolt secures the door at the top and/or bottom.
Handed Products
Products designed for either right-hand or left-hand doors, not both, due to style or functionality considerations. More commonly seen with dummy Levers
Jamb
The frame surrounding the door in the doorway is known as the jamb, this come in a wide variety of sizes, it is also available in steel like the Ezy Jamb & Timber
Strike/Strike Plate
A metal piece attached to the door jamb where the latch mechanism engages, ensuring proper door closure.
Internal doors to consider:
| Bedrooms | Privacy set |
| Internal door to the garage | Privacy set |
| Bathroom door | Privacy set |
| Doors to external spaces (e.g., laundry room, al freso area) | Entrance set and Deadbolt |
| Hallways | Passage set |
| Closets/wardrobes | Passage set and Dummy |
The finish
There are a few finishes to choose from for door handles, allow your clients to choose a finish that will suit their vision:
