Unlike uPVC doors, which have the hardware built in, a bespoke solid oak door can give you greater choice in door furniture. That extra freedom can allow you to choose the perfect architectural hardware to suit your security needs and suit your home beautifully.
What is door furniture?
Door furniture, or architectural hardware, encompasses all the items on or in the door that make it functional. A prime example would be a door handle and hinges, which allow the user to open and close a door easily.
It can also include locks, latches, bolts, doorbells, letter boxes, hinges, door stops and signage, for example house numbers.
What door furniture do you need?
The door furniture needed will largely depend on the purpose of the door and where it is in the house.
Door furniture for external doors
Exterior doors such as front doors or garden doors will need slightly different hardware than an internal door. This can include letterboxes, house numbers and a lock, all of which have specific functions for your home.
An external door that leads to a garden might not require a letterbox but may need a cat flap or a split stable door. A garage door might need windows and additional locks and hinges.
Locks on external doors need to be far more robust than internal locks. In the UK, locks and barrels for locks are tested by Sold Secure, owned by the Master Locksmiths Association, to ensure they are secure and fit for purpose.
Door furniture for internal doors
The doors between rooms and hallways in your home will require a different set of door furniture. These doors are generally lighter and don’t need to be resilient in all weathers; therefore the door furniture does not have to be as sturdy.
In addition to handles, latches and hinges, locks or internal bolts may be required on some rooms, in particular bathrooms. These are often able to be opened from the outside in case of emergencies or accidents.
Depending on whether the building is let, rather than a private dwelling, it may need fire-rated self-closing devices. Although technically not considered traditional door furniture, it is something to consider if you want to rent your property out.
Doors for offices or studies may require additional security with a skeleton key lock built into the door latch.
Push plates, pull handles and kick plates may also feature on internal doors, to protect the wood and increase the longevity of the door.
As you can see, there are many decisions to make on what hardware you might need for your doors, and Bespoke Oak Doors have a wide variety to choose from.
