Emtek Hardware or cheapy brand?
firstmmo
14 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (10)
User
14 years agomacv
14 years agoRelated Discussions
Which Door Hardware: Baldwin or Emtek
Comments (27)Maureen- The idea that name brand manufacturers provide a second line of crappy products that look look identical to their regular products to sell in big box stores -- whether it's faucets or hardware or whatever -- is an urban myth. No name brand manufacturers are going to do this and damage their reputations. If your Baldwin handles fell apart, they could have been a not very well-made product, they could have been installed sloppily, or they could have gotten abused in use. Whatever it was, it wasn't that you got an inferior, second rate version of an identical item from a big box store. Traditional brick and mortar stores perpetuate this idea to often justify their higher prices for the same item. They may even believe it, but it’s not true. Whatever you paid the locksmith for your Emtek hardware, you should check out the price online, like at Amazon. Fifteen years ago I added Emtek deadbolts to my outside doors to supplement the standard Emtek key-in-knob handles. I had my choice of spending a certain amount for the dead bolts locally, or half the price online. Guess what I did? And 15 years later they are still in perfect functioning condition....See MoreDoor Hardware: Emtek, Schlage, or Kwikset
Comments (11)I don't actually have any firsthand experience with Emtek, but it appears to be good quality middle-range door hardware. I usually specify door hardware from Omnia, which makes very good architectural-quality hardware. I think it's probably a bit more more expensive than Emtek, but it's nowhere near the cost of stuff like Rocky Mountain Hardware, and some of the other brands that advertise heavily in the fancy design magazines. You can check out Omnia at their website: http://www.omniaindustries.com/ You can also compare prices on Emtek vs. Omnia at the website of Knobs and Things.com. They carry a wide range of both brands at competative prices (see the link below). One other bit of advise, if you're buying a whole house worth of door hardware, you might be better off letting your contractor place the order, unless you're willing to carefully think through every detail of every door. Door hardware is more complicated than most people think. You need to specify which hand, door thickness, offset, strike and type (privacy, passage, etc.). If the contractor makes a mistake, it's his problem. If you get it wrong, it's yours. I also recommend that you specify that all locks should be keyed the same. Then one key opens everything, so you don't have to find a different key for every door. James...See MoreEmtek entry sets - good source, and 'living finish' question
Comments (8)I'm a metalsmith. I use patinas extensively on my sculptures. Almost all patinas are surface finishes. They don't act as a paint, but rather a chemical reacts with the uppermost molecules of metal on the surface, and oxidizes those molecules. A few molecules down, and you're into plain unoxidized metal again. Most metals will oxidize naturally when exposed to the elements. The commercial ORB finishes are meant to mimic the ancient technique of sealing bronze, which is, to heat it up and plunge it into oil. The patina created by the natural aging and oxidizing process is going to be thicker and more durable. All metals take a patina differently. Also, bronze is inherently darker than brass; in its raw state it is duller, kind of pinkish, and does not have that strong yellow color we call "brassy". In addition, bronze is notoriously hard to patina well. The same qualities that make it a good choice for outdoor sculpture means it resists chemicals. Often it will be given a flash plating of copper before applying the patina chemicals: because copper is a metal that takes patinas well. Brass is easier to patina than bronze, though that too may be plated with copper first if a darker final color is desired. Surfaces can be lacquered after a patina, but lacquer wears off too. Special lacquers can be baked on, but almost never onto a dark finish: usually only onto polished, un-patinated shiny brass or copper. The heat of baking the lacquer on would wreck the dark colors. Also, most lacquers don't survive long outside. So consider the base metal of whatever your piece is. Brass will wear to be brassy. Bronze will wear to a dull tan....See MoreEmtek or Schlage for interior doors
Comments (3)I have Schlage exterior handles in brushed nickel. After 4 years on one door that is exposed to the elements, the finish is turning gold. I emailed Schlage. They had me email them pictures of the tarnished handle. They sent me a new handle and deadbolt, keyed to match my existing one. Great customer service and lifetime warranty. I'm happy with the Schlage....See Moremacv
14 years agoandrelaplume2
14 years agoUser
14 years agokudzu9
14 years agojamesbodell
14 years agoStacey Collins
14 years agofirstmmo
14 years ago
Related Stories
GREAT HOME PROJECTSNew Hardware Gives Doors a Turn for the Better
New project for a new year: Get a handle on how to find the knobs, levers or pulls that will make your doors memorable
Full StoryDOORSDiscover the Ins and Outs of Pocket Doors
Get both sides of the pocket door story to figure out if it's the right space separator for your house
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGN8 Kitchen Design Tips for Foodies
If you own at least one pricey knife and have a slew of kitchen tools, you’ll want to read this
Full StoryMATERIALSAn Architect Shares His Go-To Materials
Aluminum doors, porcelain tiles, polished concrete. Here are the features and finishes this professional returns to time and again
Full StoryKITCHEN OF THE WEEKKitchen of the Week: Refacing Refreshes a Family Kitchen on a Budget
Two-tone cabinets, vibrant fabric and a frosty backsplash brighten this eat-in kitchen
Full StoryTASTEMAKERSPro Chefs Dish on Kitchens: How Marc Vetri Cooks at Home
Learn an Iron Chef's kitchen preferences on everything from flooring to ceiling lights — and the one element he didn't even think about
Full StoryWINDOW TREATMENTSEmbellishing Tricks for Cost-Effective Custom Curtains
Get curtains that look high end — even if you don't sew — with just a little trim here or a little banding there
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNThe Most Popular Kitchen Storage Ideas of 2015
Maximizing every inch, keeping necessities close at hand and finding room for technology top Houzzer favorites
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNKitchen of the Week: Salvage Meets High End in Vancouver
Reclaimed fir floors and a salvage-yard gate cozy up to choice appliances in a warm and sophisticated Canadian kitchen
Full StoryTROPICAL STYLEMy Houzz: New York Chic and Laid-Back Hawaiian Style on Maui
A relocating New Yorker designs an island home influenced by her former city life
Full Story
firstmmoOriginal Author