Building a Home Remodeling Design Dilemma

Schlege vs Omnia/ Emtek door handles

last year

last modified: last year

Hi everyone! I wanted to get people's opinions on a design decision. I'm redoing my apartment and need to replace all the doors (and therefore the door handles). I just got the quote from the door hardware company and I almost fell out of my seat. $2,500 for the hardware for 10 doors using mostly Omnia. Admittedly some of the doors have keyed locks and a few have turn locks (for example the bathroom and bedroom) and for Omnia and Emtek that involves having a separate unit for those functions in addition to the lever. I love the satin brass color and just for comparison sake I went to Home Depot today and saw they had a brand called Sclege which seems to be much cheaper. Some of the door levers are only $30-50 with the most expensive one $77 (and the lock function is built into the lever) whereas the Omnia or Emtek starts out around ~$130 each. I'm wondering if anyone really notice these door handles/ what people's opinions are. It seems like a big price difference but on the other hand I also realize it's a one-time cost. Also I don't like the unlacquered look/ patina changing so wanted to ask if anyone had Schlege and noticed the color changing over time. Omnia/ Emtek I've been told should not change color.

Featured Answer

worthy

last year

last modified: last year

Door hardware should be appropriate to the value of the home.

If US$2,500 knocks you out of your seat, I'm thinking it's not the Ritz.

I recently looked at the architectural specs for a home in the US$4-$5m range and the door handles were retailing at far less than US$100 each.

Schlage are solid and well-made. Be sure to actually hold one to see if it satisfies you.

(I like high-end handles, but they're a poor investment come resale. We installed Gainsborough with 24K gold plating in a number of homes; prospects and agents constantly called them "brass".)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

just_janni
last year
DoorhardwareUSA was great to work with - Faith - call and get a quote - you may be pleasantly surprised.

100% satisfied with my Emtek purchased through them . (14 sets)
Related Discussions
Which Door Hardware: Baldwin or Emtek
Q
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 More
Emtek Silver Patina on Cast Bronze @ front door
Q
Comments (0)
Wondering if anyone's lived with Emtek's sand cast bronze hardware with the SILVER PATINA finish? I'm about to purchase an interior Egg Knob w/ deadbolt for my new front door and the salesguy has assured me this finish will hold up for exterior also. This combo is also about 1/2 the cost of a traditional thumb-squeeze handle-type front door lockset ($350 CAD vs $700 CAD) which suits us just fine as we are at the end of our rope both budget & timing-wise on this reno. I don't mind the living finish idea in general, but I've only seen posts on Emtek's Oil Rubbed Bronze finish, not on Silver Patina, which is very light silver and will be super high contrast with the dark bronze underneath when/if it ages or rubs off. I've got little ones and so the traffic will be insanely high. Thanks! Any and all advice greatly appreciated...
...See More
Which door handle/rose ?
Q
Comments (26)
Very nice! Mine came in a week or so ago, but they haven't been installed yet (waiting on floor finishing before installing doors). I showed them to DH and his comment was "those like expensive." I'm happy with that. :D Then he pointed out my GC (BIL) is going to hate them, because round roses don't need to be square to the edge of the door. Oh well.
...See More
Barker Doors vs. Semihandmade vs. Scherr's in IKEA kitchen : RESULTS
Q
Comments (134)
@jdesign_gw and anyone else wanting to tackle hinge drilling affordable. While the 3-in-1 Blum drill is great, it's not diy affordable. One extra step, but not bad if you're not doing this everyday. I did this and painted 100+ doors in my house. For the 35mm bore hole. https://www.amazon.com/Kreg-Tool-Company-KHI-HINGE-Concealed/dp/B01JQ74FMQ/ref=asc_df_B01JQ74FMQ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309763090755&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11433647920691291326&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1026411&hvtargid=pla-423472884902&psc=1 For the 8mm alignment hole. This is used after drilling the 35mm hole. INSERTA Boring Template Blum 65059A https://www.woodworkerexpress.com/hinge-accessories-inserta-boring-template-0-type-inserta-boring-template.html Both can be used with a hand drill if desired. No adjusting out errors. That was taken out of context.
...See More
Farah A
Original Author
last year
Thank you! I think that's a great way to think about it. I think you just verbalized what I was thinking about in the back of my mind. I've spent way more than I was expecting to for things like the vanity and the bathroom tiles but I think the vanity is stunning and will be memorable with the design of the tiles. I just don't know if anyone will remember the amazing doorhandles....
PRO
Jeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor
last year
You get what you pay for in hardware.

$9.50 is about starting price (HD has) & you might find these in rentals, entry level homes & apartments. $30-50 is decent stuff. We'll budget $50 in the $1 mil price range (with no apologies) but many upgrade to Emtek, higher level Baldwin and other $100+ pieces. Some brands have multiple lines above & below $100 that aren't built the same.

The Schlage in my 65 yo home failed a couple years ago at 60+ but its not built the same as their less expensive models.

Have fun looking at cabinet knobs too.
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
last year
Funny you mention cabinet knobs. My last two homes and my office have been Emtek knobs throughout- you touch them every day! I never balk at the price. Show me a cabinet knob for over ten dollars and I start to twitch. We all have things that are important!
worthy
last year
There's always P.E.Guerin in Gotham City, where if you have to ask the price, you (and mois) cannot afford it!
chinacatpeekin
last year
I recently replaced all my interior doors and chose Emtek door hardware. I completely agree with the above comment that it is well worth the extra expense for something you touch so often. Every time I see or use them I’m glad I chose Emtek. They feel heavy and solid. Choose doorknobs that feel good in your hand.
WestCoast Hopeful
last year
We have Emtek throughout our home and they are lovely. It cost a pretty penny but I’m very pleased with them.

Schlege vs Omnia/ Emtek door handles

worthy

Comments (8)

just_janni

Related Discussions

Farah A
Original Author

Jeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor

HALLETT & Co.

worthy

chinacatpeekin

WestCoast Hopeful

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Schlege vs Omnia/ Emtek door handles

worthy

Comments (8)

just_janni

Related Discussions

Farah AOriginal Author

Jeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor

HALLETT & Co.

worthy

chinacatpeekin

WestCoast Hopeful

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Farah A
Original Author