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Home Decorating

Where To Buy Good Quality/Attractive Handleset For Entry Door?

8 years ago

We are going to have a new entry door installed on our house and need to pick out a handleset. We won't have a storm door, but we do have a front porch. While the door won't be fully exposed to the elements, quality is important since I live in WI. Home Depot/Lowe's are my obvious first places to look, but would love other suggestions on where to search to find good quality products that won't totally break the bank. I'm willing to spend $200-300. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

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Comments (12)

rococogurl
8 years ago
Excellent selection, service and fast delivery. I've used them several times. Cape Cod Brass
ratherbesewing
8 years ago
Mine is made by Baldwin. I purchased thru a local hardware store where I bought the door. Although I ordered from a catalog, the store had sample sets of of the different finishes : antique brass, shiny brass,pewter etc.
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Thanks everyone for your comments.... I'm afraid I don't think about doors very much, so I don't know what looks good or not. It seems like a wood look and glass are what "looks good" and I want neither. Wood grain is fine, but the door is going to be painted. I agree about the jamb being key to security. I'm definitely going to beef up that part with a stud between the door and sidelight and a better strike plate. I realize that anyone who really wants to get in will, however I'm counting on most would-be robbers being discouraged by slightly above average security measures. But I don't want to make my house into Fort Knox! :-) Would anyone here tell me what the starting price is for a Provia steel door, no glass, and no sidelight? I'm just trying to get a feel for what kind of costs I need to look at. Thanks again.
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Don't apologize someone2010 -- this is new to me, and while I've tried to familiarize myself with the jargon, I don't want to give anybody the impression that I know what I'm doing! It never hurts for me to double-check. The Baldwin Lexington handleset I'm considering is available with a 2 1/2" backset, which mine is. It also fits my 1 3/4" thick doors. The only thing about my existing doors which limits my handleset choices is the diameter of the holes. Because we use the front door primarily, I do want good quality hardware. The Weslock is attractive enough and certainly less expensive, but you indicate that Baldwin is better. I don't mind paying more and going through the hassle of enlarging the diameter of the holes, if I wind up with trouble-free hardware. I've posted on the woodworking forum about enlarging the holes, and they've given me good advice. I think I can do it myself. There are pitfalls, however. I could wind up with correctly-sized cross bores, but non-standard backsets -- I think I said that right! Thanks!
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A real lumberyard or a true window and door store (not a chain).
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Michael
8 years ago
Mid-level Baldwin, marketed as Reserve, offers a very nice, well built residential hardware. It's best to contact Baldwin to find a Reserve dealer.
lkplatow
8 years ago
We have ordered several handlesets (both interior and exterior) from Emtek -- my husband's best friend is a locksmith and he recommended them highly as having the best quality in their price range. The ones we have outside are holding up nicely. We purchased ours from www.simpsonshardware.com. They are a small family owned business (when you call you talk to the owner or his wife) but their prices at the time met or beat other competitors. Plus they spent a lot of time with me trying to figure out exactly what pieces I needed (including having me send pictures of my existing hinges to make sure I was getting ones that matched the mortises.) I haven't ordered from them in years so I don't know if they are still owned by the same folks but if they are, I would definitely recommend them.
deeinohio
8 years ago
I second lkplatow. I've ordered Emtek from Simpson Hardware for all hardware, interior and exterior, for two homes, the last about 18 months ago.
PRO
Sombreuil
8 years ago
For the budget, you can't get any lockset that is both showy and good quality. You can get a modest-looking high quality one.
Bunny
8 years ago
I like Emtek.
sas95
8 years ago
We bought Emtek for our new door and are very happy with the quality and the look.
kkalvarado
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for all of the feedback. I'm going to check out these options tonight. Sombreuil - I'm not sure if our definitions if I need "showy" (or if our definitions of that word are truly the same), but out of curiosity, how much do you think I would need to spend to get showy and good quality?
bac717
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Another vote for Emtek. Highly recommended by the door store where we recently purchased our new front door.

Look at their website to see what they have to offer.
Michael
8 years ago
I've installed $135 hardware on a $3,500 Provia door and I've installed $600 hardware on a $700 door.

I installed Laforge on my entrance doors. They're ok for $400.00. If blindfolded, I couldn't tell the difference between Laforge & Schlage.
akl_vdb
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
We were going to go Baldwin Reserve...ended up with Schlage and we are more than happy with it. I've also had older Schlage hardware and the finish was getting worn. I called them and they told me just to exchange it at the local big box store, so great customer service.

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