The type of handle, letter plate, knocker or other fitting you choose, can complement or detract from the overall appearance of a door. When you buy a new door it will be sold without fittings. You may find door suppliers offer a hardware pack separately or stock a range of fittings to choose from; otherwise you will have to find a shop specializing in door fittings or door furniture as it often called, or buy from a hardware shop or a large store. The range of fittings is so wide it may be confusing at first, but if you narrow your choice to suit the type of door and house you have, you will find selection much easier.

Different styles
There are many contemporary designs for a modern house, for older houses you can get reproduction fittings to suit the period, and for old country properties you can choose between period styles and reproduction antique iron fittings.

Before buying, make a note of the fittings you need. There are various extras and combinations of fittings, for example, a letter plate may incorporate a knocker and house number, but the basic items for exterior doors are: mortise knob, escutcheon, letter plate, knocker and/or bell push and house number. For an interior door you will need a mortise knob or lever handle and probably an escutcheon and finger plate. You will also need latches and locks, which you buy separately, and hinges.

You can get a whole suite of fittings in the same style, if you want a co-ordinated look throughout the house, you can match cupboard knobs, hooks, bathroom fittings and light switch plates with your door furniture. So having decided how many fittings you require, you must choose which style is most suitable.

Period
The traditional ornate patterns of door furniture – as found in Georgian, Regency and Victorian houses,for example – are now widely reproduced. Exterior doors normally have a carved knob and a knocker may be in the shape of a lion’s head, dolphin, Grecian head or urn. The fittings are usually made of cast brass, which is polished and lacquered. It retains its appearance reasonably well; but after a while the lacquer may deteriorate, especially when exposed to the weather, and will need renewing.

Other finishes are available to order, including antiqued brass, silver plate, oxidized silver, gold plate and bronze. Brass is also used for interior fittings and there are elaborate filigree patterns finished with lacquered French gilt. Classic designs are also made in porcelain, cut glass, alabaster and onyx and these are equally suitable for modern interiors.

Antiqued
If you have an old country house or cottage, you can enhance its rustic look with reproductions of traditional iron fittings. The iron is treated with a rust deterrent and is usually available in a matt black or armour bright finish. Fittings include knockers, thumb latch handles with lever latches, ring handles, pull handles, letter plates with or without knockers, bell pulls, hinges, hinges front, bolts, hat and coat hooks and gate furniture. Window fittings are also available in the same range.

Modern
Contemporary fittings are available in many materials, of which anodized aluminium is probably the most widely used for both exterior and interior doors. Aluminium fittings are generally silver coloured, other finishes include satin chrome-plate, satin nickel-plate and bronze metal-plate. Lacquered brass fittings are also made for inside and outside. Some ranges include switch and socket plates, bolts, hinges, door stops, door closers, cupboard knobs, window fittings and hat and coat hooks, enabling you to co-ordinate your fittings throughout the house.

Other materials used for interior fittings include clear Perspex, smoke brown acrylic, plastic in a wide range of colours, plain and decorated chine, and wood such as pine, beech and teak.