How to Choose the Right Door Knocker for Wooden Doors

Is it time your house got some kerb appeal? The front door is one of the first things guests see when they arrive to your home and it can be a great conversation starter! Door knockers are a fantastic way to add character and charm to the entrance of a property, as well as being a practical addition to the door. In this guide, we will cover everything that you need to consider to help enable you to choose the perfect door knocker for your property.  

I have a doorbell, why do I need a door knocker?

Even if primarily you and your guests use a doorbell, a door knocker is still a useful addition to your door. Firstly, doorbells are electronic devices that can stop working as a result of a power-cut or an electrical fault. Therefore, having a door knocker on your door enables someone to always make a sound, a knock! Not only are door knockers practical, they can also be very decorative and will add an extra touch of charm to the exterior of your home; they\'re a great way to impress your guests!

Choosing the right door knocker for you and your home

There are a number of factors that will need to be considered before choosing the right door knocker for you and your home, from the material and design of your door to the finish of your door furniture. If you follow the below steps, we\'re confident you\'ll choose the perfect door knocker.

1. Choose a door knocker thats right for the material of your door

The first key step in choosing the right door knocker is to identify what the material of the door that you will be fixing the door knocker to. The material of the door can have a big impact on the type of door knocker you select. There are two main types of door knocker fixings that are suitable for different door materials:

• Surface mount fixing - This style of door knocker is securely screwed in from the front of the door with screws and no fixings are visible on the inside of the door. This style of door knocker fixing is suitable for use on wooden, PVCu and composite doors. You may struggle to fit this door knocker style to a hollow metal door as the screws will have no internal material to grip to. 

• Through the door fixing - This style of door knocker is securely attached with bolts that go through the whole door. This fixing requires a hole being drilled all of the way through the door and nuts attached from the inside of the door. This style of door knocker fixing is suitable for use on all door types, including wooden, PVCu, composite and hollow metal doors. 

2. Consider the design and shape of your door

The design of your door can impact the door knocker that you choose. There are many different front door designs, however there are a number of common door designs that require different considerations when selecting a door knocker:

Flat Solid Door

If you have a solid front door with little or no features, you can generally fit any style of door knocker, in any position on the door. If you have a flat, solid front door then you will need to determine the correct height to attach your door knocker to the door. Too low or too high and it will become difficult for guests to use. Ideally, a door knocker should be fitted at eye or shoulder level, approximately 1.5 metres from the ground. 

Glass Panel Door

If your front door features glass panels, then you need to consider where your door knocker will be fitted. If your door has glass panels then you need to consider where your door knocker is fitted along with the shape and size of the door knocker. As an example, if you have two glass panels and a solid strip between them, you should consider the width of the door knocker to ensure it does not protrude out over the glass. 

3. Choose a finish to compliment your door furniture

It seems obvious, but a useful rule of thumb is to select a door knocker that matches the finish of your door furniture; the handle, lock and letterbox plate. As an example, if you have a brass handle or house number you may want to match it with with a brass door knocker. The majority of door furniture has one of four finishes; brass, black, chrome and nickel; and as a result most door knocker designs match these finishes. 

4. Consider your personal style and the style of your home

The door knocker that you choose should ideally remain in keeping with the personality of your home, whilst also showcasing your own personal style.

The door knocker finish that you choose can help it blend into the style of your home. Brass or iron hardware is better suited to an older period property that features a traditional front door, whereas chrome and nickel door knockers fit a more modern look, be it a new home or renovated property. 

You may want to have the door knocker in keeping with the location you live. Rural properties suit decorative animal door knockers such as our bumble bee design; whilst coastal properties suite a nautical door knocker design such as our shell door knocker.

Whichever door knocker you do select, remember it needs to also showcase your personality! 

Need more help?

The outside of your home is just as important as the inside. This may sound trite, but that doesn’t make it any less true. Sometimes, even the smallest details can make a big difference. Let’s suppose, just for a minute, that you belong to an HOA that contains your entire neighborhood. There are bound to be many, many rules about how you can set up your home. Maybe your current door knocker is worn out? Here are some tips for how to approach this often underappreciated piece of home hardware. 

The Two Main Types 

First things first, let’s go over the two most common types of door knockers used these days. Even though the distinctions between them might not be apparent to the average homeowner, construction contractors are quite familiar with them: surface-mounted door knockers and through-the-door-knockers. Surface knockers are pretty much set up the way you might expect – they are held onto the door by a set of screws. Meanwhile, the through-door knockers are bolted onto the door itself so that they are more stable and secure. Even so, when it comes to picking which one you want, you will still have a tricky decision to make, especially since the through-door knockers can leave unsightly holes behind once they are removed. 

Deciding Which Material to Choose 

Like many other pieces of home hardware, such as mailboxes, you’ll find that they are fabricated from various materials. Metal is perhaps the most popular material for door knockers, but the real question is, how do you know which metal to pick? Let’s consider two examples: cast-iron knockers used to be widely popular since they were simple yet sturdy. Pewter, on the other hand, is no ordinary metal. It is actually an alloy; it is a combination of tin and copper that can add a flourish of elegance to your home’s front entryway.   

Matching External Hardware with the Door

Every homeowner strives to find the perfect aesthetic to reflect their taste in home design. Here, you are presented with another choice: do you want to match the door-knocker hardware to the door with the same color, or select something different? It ultimately depends on the “style” that your home was built in. For light brown wooden doors, be sure to pick chrome or brass. A darker-colored door, surprisingly enough, looks even better when paired with black cast-iron hardware. Lastly, consider the handle of the door itself – the size and shape of that element of your door’s design will also have a tremendous bearing on the knockers that you end up installing.

Choose Your Home Hardware From WalterWorks

No matter what type of home hardware and decorative touches you choose, WalterWorks Hardware has the expertise and supplies you need. We are well known throughout Maryland, Washington, D.C., and the northern Virginia area for our fantastic hardware and unbeatable knowledge. For more information, please call us at (410) 263- or contact us online. For more tips on choosing hardware for your home, follow us on , , LinkedIn, Houzz, and Pinterest.

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