Entry Door Handles

Think of your front door as the “handshake” of your house. It’s the first impression that every visitor experiences. If you want to increase your house’s charm and curb appeal, make sure that first impression is a good one. The most important factors to look for in front door hardware are:

• Durability
• Appearance
• Easy installation
• Security

When you’re planning your home improvement projects, consider what your entry door handlesets communicate to visitors, neighbors, and especially yourself. Do they seem luxurious? Inviting? Safe? Choose your knob sets wisely. 

Here are the typical handlesets available:

• Single Cylinder Handleset: Keyed entry on one side and a thumb turn on the other
• Double Cylinder Handleset: Keyed entry on both sides
• Electronic Handleset: Features keyed entry on one or both sides; also has an electronic keypad

Handlesets can also feature one-piece construction, with the deadbolt and handle in a single unit; two-piece, with a separate deadbolt and handle; and full-plate, with a connecting plate encompassing the entire handle.

What Type of Doors Do You Have?

When it comes to entry doors, there are three main types: single doors, double doors, and glass doors.

Single Door

Most houses have a single front door. The door can contain a small viewing window at the top to let in some light. 

Solid doors with no window or glass at all can use single cylinder handlesets. However, doors with windows should use double cylinder handlesets. That way, if an intruder breaks the window, there is no thumb turn to access and easily unlock the door.

Double Door

Double doors can create a security issue without the right entry door handlesets. Double doors typically feature one functional active door that acts as the main entry point, while the other door is fixed in place with a lock. 

This inactive side usually features a dummy handle for a symmetrical appearance, but it must also allow the active door to latch properly. That’s why the inactive door has slots for receiving the deadbolt and handle latch.

Glass Door

In general, a glass door will be set into a frame of some type — it typically isn’t made entirely of glass. For security purposes, these doors usually have double-cylinder handlesets. Remember that if you need to exit your home quickly in the event of an emergency, you’ll need to have a key handy. 

Safety First

As you can see, the type of front door lock set you need for peace of mind depends largely on the type of door you have. Remember that when installing handlesets, particularly double cylinder handlesets, you want the mounting screws to be on the interior. Otherwise, an intruder could simply unscrew the handleset! 

Electronic front door lock sets provide remote locking and unlocking. These handlesets are perfect for:

• People who want to check the status of their locks while away
• Homeowners who accidentally leave their keys in their locked house
• Rental owners who don’t want to give out physical keys to renters

If you choose electronic handlesets, you must remember to periodically replace the batteries.

What Finishes and Materials Are Available?

Choosing the right handlesets is also an aesthetic choice, and the material or finish you select impacts the visual appeal of your entry doors.

• Stainless steel is rust-resistant and durable with a brushed matte appearance 
• Satin nickel provides a more glossy finish than stainless steel
• Black and matte black feel more luxurious and stand out well against light colors
• Tuscany bronze feels weathered and aged

Which one do you prefer? Each has its advantages and disadvantages, but ultimately, the choice comes down to which works with your particular style.

Find Your Perfect Front Door Lock Sets at Seconds & Surplus

Transform your entryway with quality entry door handlesets from Seconds & Surplus! Our offerings are budget-friendly and built to last. You can also find doors and other building materials at our Texas warehouses in:

• Dallas
• Grand Prairie
• Richardson
• Lewisville

Order for pickup and we’ll have your materials ready to go when you arrive. Don’t live in the DFW area? That’s okay — Seconds & Surplus ships locally and nationwide. Order now and save!