Help Choosing Door and Window Hardware.Written by Ali Arnold
Who would be best person to help you find suitable fixtures and fittings for doors and windows? Architects are trained to create designs that are structurally sound, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. They also often have a basic knowledge of construction materials, though not detailed knowledge required when choosing appropriate hardware. Interior designers specialize in decorating and furnishing of rooms and can offer fresh, innovative ideas and advice, but will be concentrating on appearance rather than how fittings work. Maybe a blacksmith or metal worker would be person to ask.. No, a joiner is best person to give advice. Joiners understand what is needed, they have made doors and windows and know ho big a hinge would be needed to hold weight of a solid oak door, or which lock would fit properly and safely in rebated french windows. Advise is needed when ordering and choosing door knobs; perhaps one of most complex pieces of door hardware to order. When choosing knobs you have to consider so many things, knob needs to be far enough away from door so that you don’t scrape your knuckles, seems obvious, but many people don’t think about it until too late. A knob may not be a possibility if there is already a hole in your door that is too close to edge. Knobs are sprung in different ways too; heavier knobs have stronger springing, lighter ones lighter springing. The weight of springing must match weight of springing on latch or lock you intend to use on door, if knob and lever are ill matched knob will either be too hard to turn or won’t spring back.
| | The Difference Between Malleable and Cast Iron Door Hardware.Written by Ali Arnold
There is often confusion about difference between malleable iron and cast iron hardware. There are many cheaper cast iron products for sale now, many of which are identical in size, shape and general appearance to quality door and window hardware. The difference is that cast iron will break.Kirkpatrick Ltd for Walsall in UK, has been synonymous with production of high quality malleable iron builders's ironmongery for over 140 years. Producing an extensive range of Black Antique and Plain Gothic styles. Kirkpatrick's malleable iron products are hand-made in their foundry in Walsall using green sand casting process. At this stage castings are hard and brittle and cannot be hammered, so they are subjected to a heat treatment known as 'annealing'. In this process castings are surrounded by an inert haematite ore within iron drums and loaded into ovens of six to eight tons capacity. The ovens take about two days to reach annealing temperatue of 980 C. The castings are then soaked at this temperature for around 80 hours, after which they are allowed to cool naturally. During this process carbon structure of iron is changed. The resulting castings are no longer hard and brittle, but soft and malleable.
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