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Building a Home

ORB door hardware w/o living finish?

16 years ago

Hi Everyone,

I'm about to order the door hardware for the new house and have been looking at Emtek's ORB, etc. I know their finish will change over time--is there any brand of hardware whose ORB will just stay the same as the day it was purchased or does ORB just change?

thank you

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Comments (9)

txgal06
16 years ago
I used Kwikset Venetian Bronze and am happy with those. It is not living finish. Ordered through Simpson Hardware online; great customer service and quick shipping.
gunter
Original Author
16 years ago
txgal06,
Is it a heavy solid feeling hardware?
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gardenchick1
16 years ago
I also have Kwikset's Venetian Bronze and love it. Our GC recommended it when I told him I wanted ORB but didn't like the living finish. It is very solid and looks just like ORB.
oruboris
16 years ago
I was going to mention the Kwikset, too: have it on a couple backdoors, hasnt' been long enough to know how it will last, but so far, so good.

I find it interesting that a very mainstream company like this often gets to market with features like a 'non-living' ORB finish before the pricey brands like Emtek.

I am using emtek on my front door and interior doors, I couldn't resist the style.
txgal06
16 years ago
It does not feel as heavy as the Baldwin knobs and levers I looked at, but the Kwikset is substantial enough. I loved the Emtek but knew that I could not live with the finish.
gunter
Original Author
16 years ago
Does Baldwin have an ORB that won't change color?

I do like that solid feel. So the Kwikset is just like the ordinary Schlage that can be found at any of the big box stores, right?
txgal06
16 years ago
Baldwin has ORB that does change. They also have distressed ORB, venetian bronze, distressed venetian bronze, and rustic bronze. The Baldwin venetian bronze more coppery than the Kwikset. The Kwikset venetian bronze is very dark. I have a girlfriend that used the rustic bronze and said it is lacquered and will not change.

Baldwin was unfortunately out of my allowance. I felt/tried all of the brands and felt that the Kwikset Ultra was heavier than their regular line. There was a reason I didn't use the Schlage (something that could be seen on the outside of the door or the lock out mechanisam?) but I can't remember what it was exactly. The entire line of Kwikset Ultramax is not stocked at big box stores. You can view it at Simpsons Hardware online or other people have suggested lockhouse.com.

Here is a link that might be useful: Simpson's Hardware
gunter
Original Author
16 years ago
So what I should do is get hardware that is lacquered.
What about having someone coat the Emtek with a lacquer--wouldn't that solve the problem with Emtek's finish changing over time?
juliacali
3 years ago
@gunter I am also looking for ORB which doesn't wear off. What did you end up getting and has the ORB rubbed off over the years.

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