Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use hardware to make a door functional for opening and closing

It does not matter if you are creating a house door, a rabbit hutch door, a cabinet door, or a jewelry box door, you will need some type of hardware to make the wooden door more functional. Almost all doors operate with hinges. Use metal hinges to attach the door to the product, usually with a screw and screwdriver. If placed on the side, the hinges allow the door to move back and forth like a cabinet door. When placed on the top, the door opens up and down as required for a box. Purchase hinges in silver or gold from providers of building hardware to add to the appearance of the door.

I recommend: Learn about painting cabinet hardware from the article at eHow. Discover more about door hinges from E Direct Hardware.

Add hardware to doors to make opening and closing easier for the user

Putting hardware to the opposite side of the door from the hinges creates an easier way to open and close it. Handles, knobs, pulls, and push plates all enhance door operation; they usually attach with screws on the opposite side of the door. Some people use locks and hooks to add more security. Decorative hardware is also available from providers of construction hardware. It is very important that one ensures the latch and the hardware are aligned; in room doors, the knob on the door must match with the closure on the doorframe. Simple door closures include a chain and a nail. Simply place a nail in the doorframe and a chain on the door. Slip the chain over the nail when the door needs closing.

I recommend: Service Magic offers an article with five tips on door hardware. Ebuild offers an article about auxiliary door locks hardware.

Consider metal hardware corners for decoration and safety

Some boxes are finished with metal hardware corners. These small metal pieces fit over the corner of a box or anywhere else two sides meet. People often use them on trunks and decorative storage boxes and luggage. Smooth metal corners make the objects safer. Decorative corners add eye appeal to the objects. Simply slip the hardware over the corner of the item and screw or nail it in place. One may add them to desks, cabinets, and other furniture.

I recommend: View the home improvement article from Corner Hardware about building a tree house and the hardware involved. Get more tips on home improvement hardware from Home Tips.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  After a period of use, hardware may become loose. Recheck and retighten your hardware on cabinets and doors periodically.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for building hardware at your favorite home improvement store

Many hardware and home improvement stores offer both home improvement and industrial hardware. Some stores provide websites where you can compare products and prices and purchase what you need online.

I recommend: View a large selection of power tools, hammers and mechanic supplies at Sears. Home Depot also provides an online version of their store where you can purchase building hardware. Aubuchon Hardware supplies building hardware from attic ladders to skylights and now hosts an online store.

Find specialty products at online hardware stores

If your business requires careful attention to detail, look for a specialty store that offers a wider variety of similar, but specially designed, products. Many sell to small businesses while others offer products to businesses that act as distributors.

I recommend: Simpson Strong Tie offers wood connectors for use in construction. Its website includes detailed application drawings to help you attach this construction hardware correctly. Boat builders or store owners can find wholesale pricing for stainless steel and marine-grade fasteners from deck screws to u-bolts at Marsh Fasteners. Family-owned Swisco offers replacement parts for closets, windows, cabinets and more. Visit Knobs and Hardware for everything from door hinges to doorbells.

Learn about the latest hardware and how to use it from professional associations

Professional associations help you improve your business by offering information about current hardware and equipment trends and by providing guidelines on how to use building hardware and other tools. They also offer hardware suppliers a place to get the word out to industry professionals about new or certified products. In addition, they offer advice on safety and proper installation methods for industry-relevant hardware.

I recommend: The Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry provides a product showcase for hardware suppliers to present building hardware to contractors. The Air Movement and Control Association International Inc. allows you to seek certification for your air system components and lists the hardware on their website so industry professionals can find it. The American Society of Plumbing Engineers sells manuals that describe how to properly install plumbing hardware such as roofing drainage systems.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When buying hardware in bulk, ask the store for a quote. Some stores provide an online form to make this easier, but you may need to set up an account first.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Complete a training course for home and industrial hardware

Training courses or classes are often the first line of training for providers of building hardware, but anyone in the industry can benefit from these courses. The best classes offer a selection of topics about building hardware and building hardware tools. Courses can be offered by a hardware brand name or an independent educational institution.

I recommend: The Door Hardware Institute offers educational courses for home hardware. For specific brand name focused training, check out Sargent. Its hardware is used for home improvement, restoration and industrial projects.

Gain an association membership for access to updated hardware training courses

Regardless of your job or business in the building hardware industry, there is at least one professional association that would welcome you as a member. Associations offer a large variety of training programs that can't be found elsewhere.

I recommend: For retail store owners and managers, the North American Retail Hardware Association offers training programs that focus on the home improvement hardware and home restoration hardware sections of the industry. To educate yourself on the performance standards for all architectural hardware in the United States, check out the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association.

Attend a building hardware conference for continuing training options

In any industry conferences offer unique training opportunities. For providers of construction hardware, hardware store owners and hardware suppliers conferences are the ideal place to learn about new pieces of building hardware.

I recommend: The Decorative Plumbing and Hardware Association offers an annual conference that focuses on bath hardware. For a broader conference topic range, attend The Hardware Conference. It is open to anyone within the industry.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be sure to check on association membership requirements before signing up for a home hardware training opportunity. Some associations save training classes for members only.

Guide to Hardware Types and Styles

Choose the right hardware for the job

By Emily Lugg

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use industrial hardware for commercial jobs

Providers of hardware types and styles such as construction hardware ensure that industrial hardware is made durable to withstand more weight. Industrial hardware includes building hardware such as hinges, latches and locks are often made out of stainless steel to ensure they survive the test of time. Industrial hardware is best used in warehouses, production plants, and other large-scale construction projects.

I recommend: Providers of construction hardware such as Industrial Hardware Distributors detail industrial construction hardware. Eberhard Hardware Manufacturing Company illustrates the features of an industrial compression latch used in building hardware projects.

Use home hardware tools and hardware for home improvement projects

Home hardware and tools are made for small-scale projects such as re-hanging bathroom doors and locking up the tool shed. Home hardware is made smaller and less heavy-weight than industrial hardware, but is strong enough to weather the demands of a home. Door knobs and locks that are used in the home also come in more designs and styles than industrial hardware since in the home, decor plays a role.

I recommend: E Direct Hardware discusses cabinet door hinges and how to select the right one for a project at home. Service Magic also provides tips on home building hardware.

Purchase specialty hardware from hardware suppliers

There is common hardware and there is specialty hardware. Specialty hardware includes specialty door knobs, drawer pulls, door handles, hinges, etc. These unique home restoration hardware options often have intricate designs or features that set them apart. Specialty hardware can be purchased from providers of building hardware and hardware stores to be used both in the home and office and is typically used more for its decor than its function. However, there are some specialty hardware items that are obscure and are considered specialty because they are not often used.

I recommend: The Knob Gallery displays some unique specialty hardware pieces. Blum highlights some of the more obscure hardware that is only needed for very specific construction jobs.