The Hardware Chronicles

Hey January, What's New?

2012-01-12T11:53:00.000-08:00

Here's five brand spanking new items that we've got on The Hut this month! I'm going to feature these five well, because I think they're really neat. We constantly add new items to the site so it's pretty much impossible to keep up, but I do like to flip through the category about once a month to catch up.

First up is the Amerock Abernathy knob I love this knob. It's a smidge modern, and a little traditional, it has good form. All around it's a classic design. Who would have thought that I would ever say, I actually like the look of the Oil Rubbed Bronze best, but it comes in Satin Nickel and Antique Silver as well.

Second, is the Renaissance push plate by Brass Accents. They've introduced a series of these that are all from roughly the same time period. The Gothic happens to be the one that I like best. These come in seven different finishes, and the detail on each one is pretty amazing.

If it didn't sound creepy to say, "I'm in love with this knob!" I'd say, "I'm in love with this knob!" At the moment, this is my favorite knob on our entire site. Granted, that could change in a few days but who's keeping track? This knob screams mid century modern to me, but honestly it could be used in a number of different styles. Straight out of Mad Men, I tell ya.

This isn't nearly as pretty, but cool none the less. It's a cabinet lock that's completely hidden with a keypad to lock and unlock the door. The StealthLock operates by radio frequency. Pretty slick! I think these would be really useful in medical offices, assisted living facilities, child care centers, gyms, probably a lot more places that I can't think of.

Last, but certainly not least is the Top Knobs Aspen Bronze appliance pull. Cast Bronze isn't usually my thing and when I see it, it's typically rustic styles. This line does offer a more rustic look as well, but this particular pull is sleek. I'm beginning to really like the look of the clean lines and soft patinas mixed with the imperfections of bronze. Bonus, there's not many appliance handles on the market that are offered in Cast Bronze.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Thankful

2011-11-22T10:26:00.000-08:00

When I started working at Spokane Hardware Supply in 2001, I don't think I anticipated being here almost 11 years later. I don't know why exactly, but I suppose the prospect of being a "Hardware Lifer" just isn't that glamorous. Over time, I really have grown to love this business. I get excited about new hardware. I look at finishes on everything. Not intentionally, it just kinda happens. Who knew?! The majority of my coworkers have been here for 10 plus years. That's pretty remarkable.

I moved across the country, from Michigan to Washington at the ripe age of 19. I moved here with two friends, that was the extent of my social circle. Not knowing anyone, my coworkers became my friends and family. Since starting here; I have had the pleasure of becoming best friends with one of my coworkers, my mom works here, we go to each others events, I've been a part of children being born, the women of SHS go on an annual road trip together.

I am thankful to be a part of this company. Especially, when I see so many companies across the country that are closing due to the economy. I definitely don't jump out of bed everyday and say, "Hey I want to go to work!" But, knowing that I have a job to go to, and working for a company like Spokane Hardware it's like adding the Whipped Cream to the Pumpkin Pie.

We wouldn't be in business this long if it weren't for awesome employees and super awesome customers like you. Truly, from everyone at Spokane Hardware & The Hardware Hut, Thank You for being a part of us.

Happy Thanksgiving!

*If you'd like to purchase the adorable turkeys above, click the image. It takes you to happythoughts etsy store.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

LED Lights by Tresco

2011-11-10T10:49:00.000-08:00

Over the years we notice trends that happen in homes. In the time that I've been doing this Oil Rubbed Bronze was a big trend in kitchens, I've seen the rise of custom panels on appliances grow into what it has, Mid Century Modern is a trend that's on the becoming popular, and LED lights in the kitchen is something relatively new but I think it'll be big in a few years.

When I think of LED lights, I usually think of commercial settings like display cases in stores, and spot lighting on signage. Task lighting in the kitchen is important and really, LED is a super smart way to go. You don't have to change light bulbs, they last forever, LED is energy efficient, and they're versatile. There are pocket lights that can be surface mounted or recessed. These can go in ceilings, in upper cabinets with glass panels, in Curio or display cabinets, you name it. We carry a line called Tresco, they make pocket lights in 1.5 watt and 3 watt and my favorite thing they make is the FlexTape. It's literally an adhesive backed roll of lights. You can put this stuff anywhere!

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Alice In Wonderland

2011-10-07T16:07:00.000-07:00

I am a lover of movies. Typically, if it's quirky or artsy...I like it. The idea of reading something and turning it into something you can watch just fascinates me. I love a good story, or excellent acting, and I even like special effects. But, my favorite thing off all is cinematography. The way a movie is filmed, the method, technique, type of camera, type of lens, lighting, these all create the "feel" of the movie.

Do you ever see an object that reminds you of something completely different? For example, a pair of shoes that remind you of a car. The two seem completely unrelated, but it might be the lines or curves, etc. I do this all the time. Yes, this is a blog about hardware, so where am I going with this? I've done this with a number of movies and hardware. It usually happens with one piece of hardware that reminds me of a movie and then I go on a hunt to find other pieces that would fit. I've got enough pieces picked out that I might do a series of these, just because they're fun.

First up on the list: Alice In Wonderland.

I chose the Tim Burton version because well, he's Tim Burton and you're bound to get some striking effects with his movies. For those of you who haven't seen the movie, here's some stills to give you an idea of the "feel."

What kind of hardware could possibly remind me of this movie, you say?

See what I mean?

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

D.I.Y Hook Rails

2011-07-19T15:00:00.000-07:00

I'm one of those types that sees something and says, "I can do that!" I love D.I.Y projects. In most cases you spend less money, and you get exactly what you want. We're in the age of the internet, literally everything is a few clicks of the mouse away. Do a search on the internet for almost any project your interested in and there's bound to be a tutorial. It's great!

I've gone to quite a few craft fairs, and over and over I see what I will call, hook boards. You know those boards that are mounted in your entry way with hooks on them for keys, hats, scarves, coats, etc. Usually, I see them made from reclaimed barn wood or old doors, and a few made from old windows which are actually pretty neat. The price for these usually is somewhere around $50. Now, I know not all of you are eager to start your own project. But, for those of you who are willing to give it a try, we've got some pretty cool hooks to make your own.

Here's a couple examples of different hook boards that I found online. Man, Google is an amazing tool! First up is a beachy, kind of shabby chic look. I like that the artist made a spot for a mason jar that you can use as a vase.

(Photo Courtesy Old New Again)

This one is really cool. I'm a sucker for antiquey stuff that's been re-purposed. Bonus, this one is a tutorial. *Just click the photo.

(Photo Courtesy My Salvaged Treasures)

In my opinion, I saved the best for last. Obviously, this doesn't fit into all decor but it's so stinkin fun! Again, another tutorial. *Just click the photo.

(Photo Courtesy Amanda Blake Soule of SouleMama)

Are you inspired yet?
All you need is a piece of wood, some decorative moulding, a window, old yard sticks, you can pretty much use anything with a little creativity. Some tools, and of course hooks! (Which is where I come in.)

The first example above used something like this:

The second example used a mix of old and new and various styles. I think something like these, would look good:

The last example actually used cabinet knobs instead of hooks. Pretty clever.

For those of you who aren't so crafty or just don't have the time. There's always a pre-made hook board by Amerock. Which, yes, they're not as artsy but they definitely serve the same purpose as the ones above, and they're quite reasonably priced.

Have any projects that you used hardware in creative ways? Share them with me at: erica@spokanehardware.com

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

An Interruption To Your Regularly Scheduled Program

2011-04-29T11:08:00.000-07:00

I feel like I just need to vent a little bit, so bear with me.
We make mistakes here, everyone does. I realize that no one is perfect, and with the volume of people we interact with every day. I'd say we've had a good track record of customer relations. All in all, we've got great customers and in return we try to be the best at what we do. But.....yep, here it is, the but....

Sometimes, we've got to step up and be the "tough guy," and by that I don't think we've ever been unfair. I want to share a scenario with you. Let's say we accidentally shipped you two items when you only ordered one. We realized after the fact, and contacted you to let you know. We would normally ask you to call us when you get the package and we would arrange to pick up the extra item. This would be no cost to you. Pretty straight forward, I think. Our items are packaged in their original manufacturer boxes/bags. Each component is usually compartmentalized so that the items don't get damaged in transit. In this hypothetical situation, I know this to be the case with packaging.

Now, back to said scenario. A package arrives to us, with no return authorization. Our warehouse doesn't know where it goes, we don't know what to do with it, we track down the original order and look at the notes. We double shipped an item, but in this box are two items not one. Since we only shipped on extra, there should only be one in the box. Here's the kicker for me....the items inside the boxes were put back partially assembled, not in their individual compartments, screws loose, glass portions banged against each other and are broken. At this point, what can we do with these items? They are not resalable to anyone else, the manufacturer will not take them back, so we're not getting any money back from them. We're either stuck with two items that we have to throw away, or we have to pay to ship one of them back to the customer, or deal with a dispute with the credit card company. Here's where the "tough guy" part comes in, we now call the customer to tell them that they are due no money back, and this typically doesn't end well. We don't ever want to be, the "tough guy." I would much rather, not have to be the bearer of bad news. I would much rather have a happy, satisfied customer.

My point to this rant is that, we all need to be better consumers. I'm guilty sometimes of not asking enough questions or reading a policy and getting stuck with a shipping charge or restocking fee. I've been doing this for 10 years, and I know better. But really, it's the old rule that we were taught as kids, "treat others as you want to be treated." If you get an item and it's in perfect condition, make sure it gets back to us the same way.

I promise, the next post will be back to normal. Sometimes, you've got to vent.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

The Doorknob Of The Future

2011-04-15T15:59:00.000-07:00

Soss has just introduced the Ultralatch, which is a one of a kind item. It's a door knob, lever, er...handle. What do you call this? As they say, it's the door knob of the future! What makes it so great, you ask? It's ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant. With a push or pull of just a half inch you can open the door. There's no turning movement like a traditional lockset, so you can bump it open with your hip, even. It can accommodate 1 3/8" to 2" thick doors, it comes with a 2 3/8" or 2 3/4" latchbolt. The Ultralatch comes in passage, privacy, or dummy functions and a multitude of finishes.

Check out the video below to see this baby in action.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

It's Hip To Be Square

2011-03-10T12:23:00.000-08:00

Everyone has a preference in terms of style. Some people like dark finishes, some like shiny, some like light colors. Personally, I'm drawn to most things that are square, or angular. I like clean straight lines. Based on my Mid Century Modern post, you've got the idea of what I prefer. To be honest, it's not so easy to write an entire blog post about a style or theme that you don't really care for.

I've compiled a grouping of some really neat square items that we carry. They're not all modern (see I can step out of my modern box). Most yes, but there's some craftsman, rustic, and traditional in here too.

In order of appearance from top left to bottom right:

Emtek Square Doorknob
Waterwood Stainless Doorbell Button
Top Knobs Nouveau Cabinet Knob
Atlas Homewares Acrylic Cabinet Knob
Top Knobs Sanctuary Cabinet Knob
Atlas Homewares Cabinet Knob
Linnea Stainless Handrail Bracket
Waterwood Cabinet Knob
Atlas Homewares Mission House Numbers
Amerock Markham Bath Hardware
Gado Gado Cabinet Knob
Linnea Door Stop & Holder

Dream On!

2011-03-03T10:02:00.000-08:00

Winter in Spokane is not pretty....It snows a lot, everything is dead, the snow melts and everything is drab and dirty. This winter we didn't get a ton of snow, but it got cold! Just last week we were in the single digits for the entire week. For me it just gets old. It's wet and inconvenient, not to mention my winter wardrobe is not nearly as exciting as my summer wardrobe. In general it's just kind of depressing.

I woke up this morning and thought, "I want to be someplace warm, tropical. Sunny skies, sandy beaches, drink in hand." I can't be there in body but dang it, I'll be there in spirit. So, readers....today we can all share a little paradise.

(Photo Courtesy Four Seasons Resort Estates Nevis, West Indies)

Just a minute, I'm taking in the scene........
Ready. Some of us aren't fortunate enough to call a place like this home, but you can still bring some tropical elements into your house with cabinet hardware that have tropical themes. There's also bath hardware and door hardware that have tropical elements, but I think cabinet hardware is a subtle enough touch.

Top Row-left to right:
Atlas Homewares Mermaid Knob
Belwith Shell Knob
Belwith Shell Pull
Bright&Thorpe Octopus Pull
Middle Row-left to right:
Bright&Thorpe Sea Turtle Knob
Modern Objects Sea Urchin Knob
Schaub Symphony Crab Pull
Notting Hill Anchor Knob
Bottom Row-left to right:
Notting Hill Lighthouse Knob
Modern Objects Seahorse Knob
Sierra Lifestyle Dolphin Pull
Sierra Lifestyle Pelican Knob

Just because I'm feeling festive, I'll go all out and get right into the tropical vacation mindset. How about a Martini glass and shaker?

A little taste of paradise for your Thursday, it's not even close to the real deal but it's all I've got. Summer is right around the corner, Erica......

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Finding A Match

2011-01-25T10:53:00.001-08:00

Hinges can be tricky, especially European Hinges. To the untrained eye they all pretty much look the same. One specific hinge when paired up with the correct mounting plate can work for several different applications.

We make every effort to have as much information online about all of the hinges that we sell, and in the case of the concealed European hinges we've even paired up common combinations of hinges and mounting plates to make the process of finding the correct hinge easier.

Here at The Hut we can usually match up your hinge. All you have to do is call us, and we'll give you the information to mail your exiting hinge. Sometimes we can find the correct hinge based on a few emailed pictures but in some cases we need the actual hinge. We can either locate an exact replacement or a replacement that might not be exact but will still work. If we are not able to locate a replacement hinge, we'll just mail yours back to you. It's a pretty simple process, really. In some cases, we've had customers make a return on hinges that they've ordered incorrectly and include one of their hinges in the package.

Our customer service staff is open Monday through Friday 7 to 5 pacific time to answer your questions. 1-800-708-6649.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Mid Century Modern

2011-01-13T14:45:00.000-08:00

Mid Century Modern is probably my favorite design. I love the style of houses, furniture, and decor. It's sleek, stylish, functional, and often reflects nature. Mid Century Modern is simple and bold at the same time. I'm sure most people have at least heard of Mid Century Modern, but some may not be familiar with the overall aesthetic. If you've ever seen the Disney/Pixar movie "The Incredibles" you've seen an almost perfect depiction of Mid Century Modern. Have a look at some screen shots from the movie, they've nailed the look. If you haven't seen the movie, I strongly recommend watching it. Not only is a feast for the eyes for Mid Century Modern fans, it's a great story.

Good stuff huh? When I first saw this movie, I decided I wanted a house just like this. For some, you've probably grown up or lived in a house similar to this because that was the current style. So, maybe Mid Century Modern isn't such a big deal to you. I for one, am excited about it's reemergence.

Due to the rise in popularity, a number of our manufacturers have come out with items that reflect this era. Emtek is one brand that has introduced an entire collection called "Mid Century Modern."

They've also got some pretty cool door levers and knobs that fit the Mid Century Modern bill. Below is the Bern knob:

Or how about the Hermes lever:

Really, you should go check out the rest of the Emtek Mid Century Modern cabinet hardware collection. There are some real gems that are not shown in the picture above.

Speaking of gems, look at the design on these house numbers. Both Atlas Homewares and House Art make some incredible house numbers but the design on these two are again, the epitome of Mid Century Modern.

I've shared my favorite design/style. How about you?

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Custom Engraved Door Knockers

2010-12-28T08:10:00.000-08:00

Brass Accents makes engraved door knockers. They are made from Solid Brass and come in a variety finish choices. Brass Accents is known for heavy, solid, quality items. They make the door knockers in two sizes, an 8" overall and a 6" overall.

The 8" knocker comes in Weathered Black, Oil Rubbed Bronze, Antique Brass, Satin Brass (which is not an easy finish to find,) Polished Brass, and Weathered Rust. It has 4-1/2" hole spacing. You can get up to nine characters engraved on it. The letters will be in all capitals.

The 6" knocker comes in Weathered Black, Oil Rubbed Bronze, Antique Brass, Satin Brass, and Polished Brass. It comes with a door viewer built in or without. The 6" size has a 3-15/16" hole spacing and can also have up to nine capital characters engraved.

Brass Accents also makes mail slots and some door hardware so you can complete an entirely new entry. These also make a great gift for a new home owner.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-20T08:49:00.000-08:00

Happy holidays from everyone at Spokane Hardware and Thehardwarehut.com.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Cliffside Is Color Crazy!

2010-12-14T14:38:00.000-08:00

Cliffside knows what they're doing! They have always had great quality and lots of options for styles and finishes but this year they've started grouping their cabinet hardware by finish as opposed to by design. If you ask me, this makes picking out your hardware much easier.

The thing is, it's your house....you can mix and match styles or go with all of one design. Regardless, you want the finishes on each piece to match. Cliffside has knobs, pulls, hinges, and latches in pretty much every finish.

Flat Black has become quite popular and to be honest, not a lot of manufacturers have this finish in all of the items needed for cabinets. Cliffside has these super cool icebox latches in flat black. Which by the way, are one of my favorite hardware items ever.

They also have cup pulls, knobs, handles, and appliance pulls in 8" and 12" on center.

Polished Nickel is another finish that has become popular. I could probably write five posts about new polished nickel collections and trending styles that feature polished nickel. The knob below is a neat one that they're offering in the Polished Nickel finish.

Cliffside does have your typical finishes; Polished Brass, Antique Brass, Satin Nickel, Polished Chrome and Oil Rubbed Bronze but they also have a few finishes that aren't typical such as Iron and Antique Copper.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Door Hinges 101

2010-09-09T10:49:00.000-07:00

First, I'd like to preface this with an apology for being absent. New computer, new photo editing, it's been pretty busy around The Hut, and of course summertime with vacations and such. But, I'm back in full swing so let's get started......

You don't usually give much thought to door hinges until you go to replace them. Hinges come in a variety of sizes. The typical size for an interior door is 3 1/2" high by 3 1/2" wide. This is not a rule but fairly typical. For an exterior door you usually will have a 4" by 4" although, depending on your door size the hinges can be larger than this. Door hinges will usually go up or down in 1/2" increments. For example, door hinges usually start at 3 1/2"x3 1/2" and go to 4"x4", 4 1/2"x4 1/2", and 5"x5". Occasionally you'll have a 4 1/2"x4" or a 5"x4 1/2" but it doesn't seem to be as common.

Door hinges come in either plain bearing or ball bearing. This refers to the pin or as some people call it, the barrel and how it's put together. Most interior hinges are a plain bearing, meaning the two leaves of the hinge are interlocked around a straight pin and pivot directly onto the pin. A ball bearing hinge is put together the same way but in between pin and the interlocking leaves are ball bearings. The bearings give the hinge a smoother action and they disburse the weight of the door so they can withstand heaver doors and more use.

On a 3 1/2" hinge there will be three screw holes on each leaf, on a 4" or higher there will be four screw holes on each leaf. The hinges that have four screw holes get a little tricky. The hole pattern can be different, so it's wise to double check your holes and measure their placement as well. There is what's called the architectural pattern which is the shape of an arch or what I call a half moon shape. The hole placement for this pattern is pretty consistent from brand to brand. The other pattern is called Staggered. The holes are in a zig-zag pattern, and these can vary. On some hinges the top hole starts closest to the pin, the next hole is closer to the outside edge, third hole is closer to pin, and last hole is closer to the outside. This pattern can be reversed on the other leaf or it can be the same on both leaves. It can also be the exact opposite where the top hole starts on the outside and zig-zags from there.

Lastly, there are the hinge corners. There are three types; a square corner, a 1/4" radius, and a 5/8" radius. Square corners are obvious but the radius isn't so easy to spot. You're geometry might be a little rusty, so most likely you don't remember how to measure a radius. The simplest way to find out which radius you have is to use coins. A quarter or .25 cents when held up the the corner of the hinge is very close to a 5/8" radius. A dime is very close to a 1/4" radius.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Hardware Abyss

2010-07-07T14:15:00.001-07:00

No, There's not a hardware abyss or black hole that I've been sucked into. I'm blaming my lack of posting on the absence of photo editing software. For the sake of being non-biased, I won't name names. But-there is a certain type of photo editing software that I use to make my fancy pictures and I don't have it on my new computer yet. Let me tell you, trying to edit, crop, collage, and beautify objects in MS Paint is just not fun.

So, dear readers. Pretty soon I'll have my program back and will be posting more hardware goodness. In the meantime, I'll tell you a few neat things at the Hut that some people don't know about. On all of our products, there is a photo and under that are tabs. One of the tabs is labeled "Specifications" there is almost always more information there that isn't on the first page. Also, many items have pdf files of installation instructions and detailed line drawings. And, if you haven't been to the Hardware Hut recently, you should go check out the new page layouts. Instead of the items being lined out in a row they're in a grid pattern. I think it looks pretty slick! If you don't like that particular view you have the option to change it now too.
So, until next time......

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Colors, Clippers, Flowers, and Frill-Cabinet Hardware for Kids

2010-04-01T09:45:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have children, decorating their bedrooms can be a lot fun. A kids room is an area where you don't have to worry about things flowing with the rest of the house. You can be creative, bold, and fun. You can go with a theme or if your kids have outgrown a themed room there's bright color choices, and neat shapes that still make a statement.

For little girls, we've got a collection of knobs and pulls by Vicki Lane that are ballerina slippers and hearts. This collection is sickeningly sweet, they look like they could be marzipan cake toppers. Vicki Lane hand molds all of her designs out of clay and then they're made into cast resin pieces.

If your little girl is not so little anymore, but you still want a "pretty" design, Altas Homewares makes a collection called Le Fleur. Even though I don't consider myself to be particularly girly, I can appreciate pretty flowers. Besides, I'm a sucker for anything french. Atlas chose a perfect color combination of white, coral, and teal green.

I don't know what it is, but regardless of age there's something about sparkles that us girls like. Cal Crystal has an entire line of crystal cabinet knobs that comes in various shapes and colors. They glimmer, they shine, and yes they're sparkly.

For those of you who have a boys room to decorate, you know there's just not as much stuff out there to work with. You've got cars & trucks, sports, animals, and that's about it. Emenee makes a couple of collections that are really cool. They have you're typical sports collection, but they include things like a golf tee that you don't normally see. They also have a collection called workshop. This is my favorite collection by them. The workshop collection are replicas of real tools like pliers, a hammer, a trowel, and a wrench. These come in a silver finish, so they match almost any color scheme and the detail is amazing.

Another collection for a boys room is Altas Homewares Bon Voyage. This collection could actually be in either a boys or a girls room but a lot of little boys are interested in landmarks, maps, and traveling. The Bon Voyage collection features a major landmark from Rome, Paris, New York, and London. Perhaps, they'll inspire your little one to become a world traveler.

Since I covered both girls and boys separately, I'll share a few collections that could be used interchangeably. Simply put, they're just fun! If you don't have a specific theme, and want something bright these definitely fit the bill. First up, the Swirls knobs by Artisan Knobs. They're ceramic knobs with a swirl shape carved into the top. They come in all kinds of bright yummy colors like blueberry, black cherry, coconut, green apple, mango, lemon.....you get the idea.

I saved my favorite until the end. The Altas Homewares Indochine Beauties collection. I really want an excuse to be able to use some of these somewhere in my house. I love bright colors and modern design. These two elements are wrapped into one perfect package in the Indochine collection. Again, in the right setting or on the right piece of furniture these would go great in either a boys or a girls room.

Whether you're in nesting mode, or remodel mode, or your kids outgrowing their nurseries there's tons of fun hardware on the market to make their room reflect their personality.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Room With A View

2010-03-19T08:36:00.000-07:00

I'm a visual person. I like pictures, I keep a tape measure handy at my desk because, I even though I know what 3" looks like I can't really visualize it. I need the actual tape to give me that visual. I wish more hardware manufacturers would realize that there are people in the world who can't automatically envision something in their head when they're planning their designs.

With this post, I thought I'd share a few pictures of the hardware that we sell in a setting. Feast your eyes on these beauties.

This picture shows the brand Sietto on a cabinet. To be honest, I wouldn't pick out this pull based on the picture of the pull alone but shown in this kitchen it looks fantastic.

This is the Architectural Mailboxes Coronado mailbox, it's shown in the black with copper trim.

Atlas Homewares is one of the few manufacturers that produce some good pictures of their hardware in the appropriate settings. The handles shown are from their Euro Tech line. This handle....

could be this.....

Here's a Schlage push button electronic lock that's installed an a door to a wine cellar.

And, another Atlas Homewares collection. The Zanzibar bath hardware, I think this looks pretty good on the dark cabinets but it would look good on a light wood too.

My last picture is a towel warmer by Amba These styles tend to look modern when not shown in a setting, but this bathroom is kind of retro, and definitely sassy. These towel warmers can really blend into any style.

Hey March! What's New?

2010-03-11T16:41:00.000-08:00

Bosetti Marella has come out with a really cute colors collection. This collection has knobs and pulls that are inlaid with colored enamel. You've got bold color choices like lemony yellow with grassy green and pastel pink with cotton candy pink. I think they're pretty cool. I see a dresser refinishing project in my near future.

Gatco has been doing a good job of keeping of with the styles and trends in today's hardware world. They have an incredibly popular collection of bathroom hardware called Latitude. They've recently rounded out the collection with mirrors and now lighting and faucets. Gatco does offer a number of collections in different styles that now have lighting and faucets as well.

Home organization is an area of the home that is often overlooked, but definitely needed. I have noticed more and more baskets, brackets, and ,hooks being ordered. With shows on TV like Mission Organization, people are bound to get motivated to do something about it. We offer a pretty extensive line of items to aid in organization, but for now I'll show you some of Amerock's new hooks. These come in 3 wood finish choices and 3 metal finish choices. You can get single hooks or a row of hooks, and they're giving the "over the door hook" a comeback as well.

The last thing I want to mention is Berenson's new Polished Nickel cabinet hardware collection. To be honest, there's no ground breaking design hiding here, but there are some nice timeless styles that are now offered in the Polished Nickel. Which, is still gaining in popularity. The bonus....since these are new, they're on sale right now!

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

A TV Lift That's Pretty Slick!

2010-02-23T13:44:00.000-08:00

Lots of people have flat screen TVs now; some hang them on a wall, some have an entertainment until that the TV sits on, but a lot of people like to have their TV hidden in a cabinet. Wood Technologies makes the Whisper Ride TV lift that's very affordable and fits almost every flat screen on the market. This TV lift will accommodate a TV that is 200 pounds or less and up to 50 inches. I've personally never installed one of these, but having seen it in action a number of times, it doesn't look like such a difficult task.

The TV lift comes with what is essentially a track that runs vertically on the back of the cabinet. It has a cross bar that's shaped like an "H" that mounts to the back of the television. It comes with a power supply that gets plugged in, and when you press the button on either your remote or the rocker switch it moves up and down. Mounted to the mechanism is what the manufacturer calls a "lid lifter" so that when the TV comes up the lifter hits the wood and lifts it, rather than the TV hitting the wood directly. Below is a line drawing of the lift.

The great thing about these is that you can use an existing cabinet as long as your TV will fit inside, or you can have a cabinet custom made to fit this. I've even had a couple of people mount them upside down to drop a TV down from the ceiling. These really are pretty slick!

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Hey February! What's New?

2010-02-05T14:18:00.000-08:00

Apparently, February is the month for silver. This month we've added polished nickel hinges, stainless steel bath hardware, stainless flush pulls, and silver waste containers, practically everything has been silver!

Emtek has been really focused on the modern look with their hardware, I've talked about some of their leather items and they've got an entire line of levers and knobs that are geared toward modern interiors. They've come out with a modern entry called the Orion that I love! It goes great with their line of interior door hardware. Even though the picture is shown in Satin Nickel, it also comes in Flat Black (which has become popular), Oil Rubbed Bronze, and Polished Chrome.

Another new collection to our site is the Modern line of bath hardware by Emtek. These come in three styles to match the door hardware, all three styles are offered in stainless steel. You can chose from the Beveled rosette, the Disk rosette, or my personal favorite-the Square rosette.

We've carried storm door latches on our website and in our store for years, but Deltana makes a version that seems to be a little better quality than the previous brand that we've carried. We are in the process of switching over brands so right now we've only got three finishes offered online. We are able to order all of the major popular finishes though. Below is a picture of the Satin Nickel version, just look at the finish on this...it's a perfect example of what Satin Nickel should be.

Deltana also makes a line of cabinet hinges, I could post an entire blog about how amazing these hinges are. They are literally the nicest cabinet hinges I've ever seen. By far. I can get into the technicalities of why they're so great, such as the smooth opening and closing action. The finish is perfect, there are no pits or spots, nothing. Perhaps, I will save this for another post. I mention these hinges because, Deltana has just introduced a Polished Nickel finish in this line. The cabinet hinges come in various sizes ranging from 1-1/2" by 1-1/2" up to a 3" by 3".

The last item I'll talk about is the Hager ADA compliant flush pull. These aren't actually a new item, but we recently put them on our website. We do have a limited quantity on hand and once we sell out of those they'll be gone. Why even talk about it? Information folks! I get lots of inquiries about ADA compliant hardware because most of the time it's hard to find. A flush pull that is ADA is even harder to find. It's unique because in order for a piece of hardware to be compliant with ADA regulations it has to be easy to use for people with physical limitations. Imagine if you will, you don't have full function of your fingers. You're going to need a lever or flush pull or whatever to be easy to use without actually having to grip the item. Hardware like knobs just don't work, but a lever that has enough projection for you to fit your hand behind it and use more of your hand and/or wrist would work just fine. On a flush pull, the problem is that you can only have so much depth because most doors are 1-3/8" or 1-3/4", so how do you fit a hand in something that is shallower than that. The Hager flush pull is wide, really wide....five inches wide. You can fit your hand in and under part of the flush pull to slide the door open and closed.

That's it for February....until next time.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

The Historic Fleur De Lis!

2010-01-14T15:00:00.000-08:00

The Fleur De Lis is a symbol that has been around for centuries and from what I can gather no one can pinpoint it's origins. I want to point out, that I am no scholar on symbols so the information that I have gathered is merely from some light internet reading.

Fleur De Lis or sometimes spelled Fleur De Lys is translated literally from french as "Lily Flower." It's origins are somewhat of a mystery. As early as the 700's the symbol shows up on coins, clothing, pottery and totems from all over Europe. The Fleur De Lis doesn't make an appearance as a symbol with any specific significance until about the 12th century. Again, the origins of the significance are varied from source to source. Here are a couple of theories as to why the Fleur De Lis is popular.

One source argues that the FDL is more likely to be an Iris rather than a Lily. A species of Iris called 'Iris Pseudacorus' or 'Yellow Flag' as it's known in English, or Lieschblume in German. This Iris is known to grow in marshes in Northern France. The interesting thing about the German name is Liesch was also spelled Lies and Leys in the Middle Ages. It is easy to imagine that, in Northern France the Lieschblume would have been called "fleur-de-lis."
It is said that either King Louis VI or VII became the first French Monarch to use the Fleur De Lis on his shield. Later, English kings used the symbol on their coat of arms to emphasize their claim to the throne of France. Another historical figure that the FDL is associated with is Joan of Arc. She carried a banner when she led troops to victory over the English showing God blessing the French royal emblem of the Fleur De Lis.

There are also legends about the origins of the FDL regarding Clovis, king of the Franks. One legend states that Clovis was on his way to fight the king of Aquitania Alaric and needed a place to cross a river. He searched in vain to find a ford to cross, when he and the soldiers startled a deer. The deer crossed along a ford that only it knew, the entire army followed. On the banks of the river, wild yellow Irises grew in abundance. Clovis picked one and put it on his helmet as a symbol of future victory.
Another Clovis legend is that a Lily was given to him at his baptism by the Virgin Mary. The Lily is said to have sprung from the tears shed by Eve as she left Eden. Over time, Christianity has adopted the FDL as a symbol that is associated with Mary that signifies purity. Today, in Christianity the Fluer De Lis is sometimes symbolized as the Holy Trinity.

The Fleur De Lis seems to be prevalent throughout North American in places that have been settled by the French. Places such as Quebec, St. Louis, Louisville, and New Orleans.
People may be attracted to the Fleur De Lis due to it's rich although somewhat confusing history. The one undisputed claim is that the FDL is directly linked with French Royalty.Places such as New Orleans are steeped in tradition and history, displaying the FDL is paying Homage to their ancestry. You see FDL as fence toppers (even Buckingham Palace has these) as decorative facades on buildings, and the New Orleans Saints have a Fleur De Lis as their team logo.

There are a number of manufacturers who make Fleur De Lis themed hardware. You can get door entry hardware, doorbells, bathroom accessories, and cabinet hardware with the FDL theme.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Sassy Switchplates!

2010-01-06T10:49:00.000-08:00

You use them every day, they come in a number of different sizes, and you don't even think about using them when you do......what are they? Outlets and switches, of course!

Here at The Hut we sell covers for these. The actual switch, or outlet, or receptacle can be purchased at a typical "big box" store. The covers are the fun part anyway. So, first of all what are these darn things called. I usually call them all "switchplates" as a general term, and some people call them wall plates.

I will break down the different configurations for you so you can familiarize yourself with the industry terms. We'll start with "Toggle" switches, these really don't go by any other name. These are the small rectangle cut out that you use on bedrooms for example.

Another type is called a "Rocker" or a "Decora" or a "GFI/GFCI" or a "Paddle" switch. They are called rockers because they are look like a large rectangle paddle that rocks up and down as opposed to flipping up and down. They are called GFI's because that is the technical name for the type of electrical component that goes in the rectangle cutout. As far as Decora, I'm not sure why some people call them that. I'm sure someone out there has an answer though.

And of course, there's the "Outlet" which is two circles that are used for plug-in items. This, very much like the toggle is pretty self explanatory.

All of these configurations come in singles, doubles, triples, and sometimes quads. The pictures below depict the some of the configurations in the different sizes.

You can also mix and match configurations, for example a common mixed configuration would be a double toggle and an outlet on one plate.

The next time you turn on a light or plug something in, maybe you'll have a fancy new plate. Not only do they come in plain styles, but you can get some fairly funky covers to add a little personality to your place.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Towel Warmer Time!

2009-12-01T09:33:00.000-08:00

This time of year seems to be a good time to buy towel warmers, it's probably due to the fact that the mornings are chilly. You step out of the shower and the tile is cold on your bare feet. Large quantities of hot chocolate and tea are consumed in an effort to keep ourselves warm as the weather turns cold. Towel warmers are a great gift idea as well as practical for everyday use. Most towel warmers use as much energy as a standard light bulb, they keep your towels toasty warm when you're ready to use them, they dry undergarments, and some even help keep a small room warm.

I will focus on three brands that we carry; Amba, Warmrails, and Wesaunard. The first brand I'll talk about is Warmrails.

Warmrails is what I would call an economy towel warmer. They offer a good product for a good price. The average price for a Warmrails unit is around $160. Warmrails only offers electric units, some of them softwired (meaning they plug into a wall) and some of them are hardwired (they are wired directly into your electrical system.) Warmrails has a limited selection of styles and color choices and they are manufactured in China.

Wesaunard is what I would call the deluxe towel warmer. They are a custom made brand, when you order from them almost every item is hand made in the UK. They are made from solid brass and come come in about six color choices.

Wesaunard also offers a big selection of size and style choices, as well as having the option to either electric hardware the units or getting a hydronic model. Hydronic means that the unit is hooked up to your radiant heating and water flows through it to heat it up and keep it warm.

The last brand that I'll talk about is Amba. Amba is the middle of the road priced brand. You get a great quality for a reasonable price.

Amba tends to carry more modern styled warmers in polished & brushed stainless, as well as oil rubbed bronze & white. Amba's average price is about $500, but you get a number a style and size options. Amba products are made out of stainless steel in Italy, South Africa, and some parts from the US.

The important things to consider when purchasing a towel warmer are:
1. Size-you have to keep in mind the space you have and what you can fit.
2. Utilization-what will you be using your towel warmer for. Will you be using your warmer for keeping towels warm, drying clothes, or keeping a space warm.
3. Material and color choices-Solid Brass & Stainless Steel are better conductors of heat so you're more likely to get a more even heated surface with something made out of these materials. Unfortunately, with a material like Stainless Steel your finish choices are very limited.
4. Price-the bottom line is what can you afford. While there is a great variance in price from brand to brand, the basic functions of a towel warmer are all basically the same. In order for a towel warmer to be UL listed they all have to heat to a specific temperature and have the same core features.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-25T08:09:00.000-08:00

This is the time of year when we are all supposed to take the time to think about our loved ones, all the blessings we have in our lives, and everything that we are thankful for. From all of us here at Spokane Hardware and The Hardware Hut would like to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and Thank You for all of your support.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Hey November, What's New?

2009-11-18T12:23:00.000-08:00

November is already shaping up to be a busy month for us here at the Hut. We've added quite a few unique pieces of hardware that I'm willing to bet you'd have a hard time finding someplace else.

Let's just say you need a door knocker in oil rubbed bronze, that's not so difficult but let's just say you need an oil rubbed bronze door knocker that says Mozart (because that just happens to be your last name....it could be) Well then, you've come to the right place. The Hardware Hut now offers three choices for engraved door knockers. The differences being; one is pretty large-8", one is a "normal" size, and the last is a "normal" size but with a door viewer built in.

How about cabinet lock that can hold either a padlock or a combination lock. Yeah, cabinet locks are pretty common but if you've got a storage shed or a rental property with cabinets and you just want to use a combination lock as opposed to worrying about carrying a key then this is the right item for you. It's pretty neat, you just drill a 3/4" diameter hole through the cabinet and when the two front pieces are lined up for the padlock to go through the door will be locked. When you remove the padlock and rotate one of the front pieces about 45 degrees the cam inside the cabinet rotates as well and allows the door to open.

Another really cool new item is the Warmrails Dual Position towel warmer. Not only is it a standard freestanding towel warmer where your towels are draped over the top of the unit but each panel folds down into what is essentially a heated towel shelf. You can fold both panels or just one or neither. Also, the top rail is heated on this model which in previous versions of this style it was not.

And, a little more on the mundane side of hardware but still cool are a couple of hardware pieces by Emtek. They've added an entry set called Apollo to round out their modern line of hardware. I really like this! Emtek has also come out with an affordable version of Mortise pocket door locks. You can get these dummy, passage, privacy, and keyed functions.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

EPCO Stainless Steel Cabinet Hardware

2009-11-12T11:18:00.000-08:00

Stainless steel is a material that is timeless; it's durable, versatile, as well as functional. Today's kitchens all seem to feature a stainless appliance or two. Stainless steel typically is used in a modern design setting but it can be used in a traditional room as well.

EPCO (Engineered Products Company) has the largest offering of stainless steel styles in cabinet hardware that we carry. They've embraced the idea that people love the stainless look but they also want choices. The Bar pull type of handle has traditionally been what people have ordered because, for a while that was the only design choice. If you choose the bar pull design, I have seen kitchens with one length on all of the doors and drawers and I have seen kitchens where multiple lengths are used that cover almost the entire length of the door or drawer. This offering still has largest number of size options available, ranging from a 5 1/2" to a 33 3/8".

EPCO's arch pull comes in five size offerings and tends to be used in either a minimalist setting or at the opposite end of the spectrum in a traditional setting. The arch design seems to be a softer look than a straight pull does.

Square, angular shapes have also become increasing popular. The square designs are pretty much exclusive to a modern design but because they are so simple they could pass on a neat piece of furniture of a built in that wouldn't typically be considered modern. EPCO's square design comes in five different lengths as well, ranging from 5 3/8" to 14 3/16". Because these are offered in larger sizes and with the square design they definitely give the impression of being heavy duty.

EPCO offers another four Stainless Steel style choices that are shown below. They've got another style that is a combination of round bar with square posts for those of you that can't decide which look you want to go with. Whether it's round or square or both that you choose, Stainless Steel is a great choice for cabinet hardware. The material itself will last practically forever.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Schlage's New Deadbolt

2009-11-04T11:33:00.000-08:00

Schlage has introduced a new deadbolt this year to take the place of their B360 & B362 model. It is now the B60 or B62. The B60 is the single cylinder version and the B62 is the double cylinder version. The difference between the two is that the single cylinder has a key on the outside and a thumbturn on the inside, the double cylinder has a key at both sides.

The reason for the change over is that they have improved the deadbolt. The first difference from the old style to the new is that is looks slightly more decorative. As seen below, the B360 was very simple with no decoration. The new B60 has an extra "lip" around the base for added decoration.

Another difference is that it can be easily installed by one person, Schlage has designed the new deadbolt with an internal lip that holds the exterior piece onto the door while you are screwing on the inside half.
On the new deadbolt, Schlage has also upgraded the latchbolt that comes with to a grade 1 commercial latch. The diameter of the latchbolt changed from 3/4" to 1". The new B60-B62 can now fit into either a 1 1/2" or a 2 1/8" diameter face hole as well. And, as always Schlage offers a lifetime finish and mechanical warranty.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Hey October, What's New?

2009-10-28T11:04:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's fall already, where does the time go? It's starting to get gloomy and cold, it's dark when we come to work and dark when we leave. Next thing you know, it'll be snowing. Towel warmers are perfect for this time of year. I've never really given towel warmers much thought before I started working here. They seem like such a frivolous item, but now that I've seen them in use I can't believe everyone doesn't own one. A warm towel or robe right after your shower when it's 30 degrees outside is one of the best feelings! Not only are they great for warming up your items, but they're good dryers for small items. If you've got children, and they've got wet socks or mittens from playing in the snow you can lay them on the warmer and they'll dry. Items that can't go in the dryer such as undergarments can dry on the warmers. Some models even help heat up a room. Amba has come out with some new styles that I just love. They're not your traditional bar type so they've got a modern look.

We've also added an Oil Rubbed Bronze curved shower rod by Taymor, we've carried the satin nickel and chrome version for some time and it seems to be a fairly popular item. These are great because it gives you a little more room inside the shower without touching the curtain. You see these a lot in hotels.

Deltana makes a number of different door stops in pretty much every finish that's made. We added a new style to their line. This floor mounted type is easy to install, it's relatively discreet, and it comes in a variety of colors to match all types of decor.

As I've mentioned in a few previous posts, we've been adding items from our print catalog to our online catalog, this month we've added a ton to our Pemko selection of door shoes, door bottoms, and weatherstripping.

The last item I'll talk about is the Grass Unisoft door bumper. These are a great way to customize/upgrade your existing cabinets. They allow the door to slowly close and not slam shut. They are universal in the sense that you can use them on both a framed and frameless cabinet and the tension is adjustable so it will work on almost any cabinet door.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Restocking Fees, What?

2009-10-13T15:04:00.000-07:00

It's Monday morning and the phones are ringing like crazy, and I'm typing away like a mad woman (I'm pretty sure I can see my fingertips smoking) and then the call comes in. A customer wants to return their order because the finish didn't quite match everything else. I don't mind doing a return on product sometimes it's just not right, but with returns comes restocking fees and that's not always the most pleasant call to take. I'd like to shed some light as to what restocking fees are and why they're charged.

When an order is placed; a person has to manually process the order, the order is sent to the warehouse-someone pulls the order and makes sure it is correct, a different person packs does a double check to make sure it's correct and ships the order to the customer, then the order goes to accounting and gets charged. When an order needs to be returned this process is almost exactly the same just in reverse. Except, someone has to inspect every piece and make sure it's in perfect resalable condition when it comes back. In most cases a return is made to a manufacturer since that it where it is shipped from and they will forward us a copy of the credit memo so that we can issue credit to your card. This process takes a lot of manpower and time to complete.

There are some manufacturers that literally stock hundreds of the same item and the process is fairly simple, but there are a good number of manufacturers that offer one product but with a number of different configurations. When an order is placed with these manufacturers you are essentially getting a custom piece of hardware. These items are assembled to your specifications and if they are returned they need to be disassembled. There are also companies that sell specialized, niche hardware (let's just say a pine cone knob in antique brass) now, this is something that's not going to fit into everyone's home decor like a round satin nickel knob would. Naturally, the stock availability will be much lower on these and when a few sell the manufacturer replenishes their stock. If that item were to come back to them, they would be "overstocked."

I don't like having to enforce these policies, but I can at least understand whey they are charged. There are a few manufacturers that do not charge a restocking fee, but these are a very small number. I do think that restocking fees are a necessary part of doing any kind of business. So, what type of restocking fees am I talking about exactly?

Our policy on The Hardware Hut is that if the item is something that is stocked here in our warehouse and it is perfect when we receive it (original packaging, no scratches, dents, other signs of use) then we will not assess a restocking fee(there are a couple of exceptions). The majority of items on our site are shipped directly from manufacturers and we have to enforce their restocking policy. The polices are displayed via link on every single product on our site. These restocking fee policies vary anywhere from 5% to 35% depending on the manufacturer. Just to give you an idea of where we are on the spectrum of internet hardware retailers, I have scoured all of our major competitors websites and looked at their policies. Here is a sampling of what is out there:

"Samples cannot be returned-25% restocking fee on all items. No returns on special order items."
"Return must be over $60.00"
"Refund of store credit valid for 6 months-25% restocking fee."
"No returns on opened packages-if shipping was free at the time of purchase, credit will be issued after restocking fees and the original shipping expense is assessed."
"Stock items 15%, non stock items 25%-30%"

One site has a 20%-40% and most sites have a flat 25% restocking fee on all items(with a few exceptions). There were also three sites that I could not locate their return policy at all (and I think I'm pretty internet savvy.)

After looking through these other sites, I'd have to say we're right in line with the rest of the industry. As a consumer myself, I'm always comparison shopping on what my best value is and what my repercussions are if it doesn't work out. I think a lot of sites try to conceal what there policies are, but I feel it's so much easier on everyone if it's all out in the open. Not only are our policies displayed on each item, but there is a link in the shopping cart, and there is a ton of helpful information in our FAQ section. With that, I hope you've become better educated consumers. That way there are no surprises, regardless of where you shop online. If you have any questions or need clarification feel free to contact me.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Moooove On Over & Make Room For Leather

2009-10-05T10:47:00.000-07:00

Leather hardware has become fairly popular in recent years. When I think of leather, I think of Western or Northwestern styles. Leather is typically seen in log homes, or rustic type settings, but lately we've seen a trend in contemporary homes that feature leather hardware.

For the past few years out manufacturers with leather offerings was limited to one or two, mainly a British company called Turnstyle Designs. It seems, Europeans do tend to be ahead of the curve on trends. Turnsyle Designs is well known for their exceptional quality and craftsmanship. All of their leather products are hand stitched, and depending on the collection have reinforced steel sewn into the leather. Turnstyle offers leather cabinet hardware and leather bath hardware.

Atlas Homewares is a brand that is new in our line up, we've been carrying them for about two years now and have had great success with their line. Atlas is well known for their product offering, they've created a versitile line of hardware with something for just about anyone. Atlas makes leather cabinet pulls in a traditional style, modern, and what I'll call sassy. They also make leather bath hardware and they also make leather switchplates.

Recently, Emtek has come out with door levers that are wrapped in leather. These levers tend to be more along modern design elements, but in the right finish and setting they'd go pretty well in any room.

I like the way the leather looks because it adds a soft element to the cold look of the metal. My personal tastes lean toward a modern/contemporary design and the leather is an added element to mix styles. These designs definitely can't be called boring.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Hey September, What's New?

2009-09-28T08:29:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's September already! This month at the Hut we've added a couple of new items, but mostly rounded out collections that already exist. We've made additions to cabinet hardware collections like Lewis Dolin's glass series. Lewis Dolin offers glass knobs and cup pulls with metal bases, and he's come out with a clear glass and polished chrome base. A classic look.

We've also added a number of finishes to the Cliffside cabinet latches. These little gems are quite popular, and with pretty much every finish available you're bound to find one that matches your hardware. This month we added the Venetian Bronze, Iron, and Antique Brass to the IBCL model and for the SBCL model we've added Venetian Bronze, Antique Copper, Iron, Antique Brass, and Polished Nickel.

We do sell quite a few of the closet rods in both round an oval but there aren't very many center support options. Engineered Products Company (EPCO) has come out with a center support/shelf bracket combination in both stainless steel and oil rubbed bronze.

The last thing I want to talk about today is a pull from First Impressions They call this the "Germ Free" pull, I like the sound of that. This pull is perfect for a public restroom application. Whenever I have to touch a door handle after washing my hands, I have to use a paper towel or try to get the door open without actually gripping the handle. What a pain! The nice thing about the hands free pull from First Impressions is that you can fit your arm behind the handle so that your hands are still germ free. An added bonus, this pull is ADA compliant.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Cabinet Locks

2009-09-22T10:21:00.000-07:00

Cabinet or drawer locks come in all different sizes and applications. Some are used on filing cabinets, gun cabinets, liquor cabinets, or desk drawers. The most common questions that I get asked are; "What size do I need for my application, and Can I get them keyed alike?" I will go over all the basic points of cabinet locks in this post. First, what types are there? Cabinet locks come in either a disc tumbler or a pin tumbler. The term tumbler is interchangeable with the term cylinder. See the anatomy listed below:

A disc tumbler works by discs inside the cylinder that rotate back and fourth to lock and unlock. A pin tumbler has spring loaded pins that drop down into place when it's locked and unlocked. A pin tumbler works the same way a door lock that would be on your front door works.

Next would be the types of application, we carry the disc tumblers which is by far the most popular. These would go on doors or drawers for filing cabinets, liquor cabinets, built-ins, etc.. the "everyday use" cabinet. The pin tumblers would be used in similar applications but with a little more security. Another type would be a plunger lock, these come in both disc and pin options. The plunger locks are used on sliding doors or on the side of a filing cabinet. You can press the front of the lock in and it will push a small "button" into the strike. When someone tries to pull the drawer out or slide the door over the "button" will not allow the door or drawer to move. When you unlock it with a key, the "button" retracts into the lock and allows clearance for the door or drawer to move.

A drawer lock comes in either a dead latching (works just like a deadbolt on your front door) or spring latch (works just like a door knob on your bedroom or bathroom.) A drawer lock is specifically made to latch up into the frame of the cabinetry when the drawer is closed.

And, the last application that we have is a combination lock. You can either use the combination or the key override for locking and unlocking the cabinets. These would be great in a school, church, gym, or any other public setting where you have multiple people using common areas.

So, can you get the locks keyed alike? Yes, all of the cabinet and drawer locks that we carry either come keyed alike or keyed different right from the manufacturer. If you want six locks keyed alike then all you have to do is order the one that has the KA in the part number and when you get them they will all use the same key. If there is a KD in the part number then all of the locks will use different keys. We stock two different key numbers from National Cabinet Lock, our numbers are 413A and 415A. National Cabinet Lock's part numbers look like this C8053-14A-KA413A. The first set of five digits are the specific model of lock, the second set of digits is the color of the lock. 14A is Nickel, 3 is bright brass, and 4G is antique brass. The last set of digits will be the keying of the lock. KA413A will be keyed alike with the number 413A, KA415A will be keyed alike with the number 415A, KD will be keyed different, and KDMK will be keyed different and master keyed.

Last would be the dimensions. On our site we list the overall length of the lock in the first line of the description, in the product specifications it will tell you the maximum material thickness. For example: The NCL-C8060 is 1 3/4" long but will only accommodate a material thickness of 1-7/16". This can work in a number of ways, if you have a door that is 3/4" thick and sits on a frame that is 3/4" thick this lock will work with the straight cam that comes with. If you have a door that is flush with your frame and your door is 1-3/4" thick, you will need this lock plus you will use the offset cam (the bent one.) The bend in the cam that comes with the locks is 1/4" so when you add the 1-7/16" thick and the extra 1/4" you're right at 1-3/4".

For the most part, the National Cabinet Locks that we carry will come with the straight and the bent cam inside the package. We do also carry additional cams to accommodate different applications.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Ironing Center Sale!

2009-09-16T11:30:00.000-07:00

Ironing centers are another item that have become popular. If you ask me, I don't really see why. But, this is coming from the girl who's ironed about a whole five times in her life. If I did iron, I'd definiately want one of these. On some of the models you can store your iron and starch (do you even use that anymore?) and the best feature is that you don't have to store a big ole ironing board under your bed or in your closet or wherever you typically hide that thing. These are always in the same spot and easily hidden.

Most of the models have to be recessed into the wall, which is a great feature because they don't stick out very far at all. And, for the less construction savy person there's even a surface mounted model.
The ironing centers come with an array of features, sort of like a car. You've got the base model let's say a Dodge Neon which is basically an ironing board, and a built in hanger. At the top of the line there's a model that has a built in light, an electrical outlet, a larger board that swivels, all the bells & whistles sort of like a Cadiallac Escalade.

All of the ironing centers that we carry in stock are hinged on the right side, but we can special order them left handed or the hinge is easy to change on site. The doors are made out of an unfinished birch veneer so you can stain it or paint it the same color as your wall. I know, they're starting to sound pretty appealing aren't they? Heck, I might even get one and take up ironing. But, the best part about these is that right now through the end of September they're on Sale. Yep, it just doesn't get any better than that. Who doesn't love a sale?!

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

What's In Your Closet?

2009-09-10T10:42:00.000-07:00

Have any of you watched "MTV Cribs?" No. How about "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous?" Probably. These types of shows always intrigue me, because you get a peek into all the wonderful, crazy gadgets that are available in the world that one might not own unless they've got money to spend and nothing to spend it on. Aside from the 17 different cars in the garage, all of the houses shown have a common feature. They've usually got a humongous closet (or two.) Not only are the closets about the size of my entire house, but they've got "mad features," as they say. There's all kinds of organized storage; pull out shelves, shoe racks, pull down closet rods, jewelry drawers, towel warmers.... you name it. Of course we can't all have a closet like this, but for there's a lot a really neat items to make your closet feel like it's fit for "Cribs."

There are two color choices for most closet hardware that's available now, Chrome and Oil Rubbed Bronze. The oil rubbed bronze is a newer finish in these items, but because it has become so popular in homes today it's been added to most product lines. The one word of caution I'll make to anyone interested in Oil Rubbed Bronze closet rods is that metal hangers tend to sratch the surface of the rod. On a Chrome rod the scratching is barely noticable, but on an Oil Rubbed Bronze rod it will be something that you'll notice.

The run-of-the-mill items such as closet rods and ends come in both Chrome and Oil Rubbed Bronze, and they come in round or oval. As far as I can tell the only advantage to having the oval over the round is that there is less friction from the hangers on the oval rod. Other than that, it's mostly aesthetic.

Now for the fun stuff, we carry a company called Rev-A-Shelf and they specialize in home organization. Some of the items I'm going to talk about are new for them, so they're not uploaded to our site yet but I think they're worth mentioning.

Rev-A-Shelf makes a number of items that are extendable or pull out's, these come in various baskets, tie & belt holders, extendable hangers, and pants racks. The beauty of these is that they can be used for storage and then, pull out for easy access of the items you need.
Here are a couple of tie/belt organizers. These are universal, you can hang either ties, belts, or scarves from any of these.

They also make valet rods, or extendable hangers. They take up very little space inside the cabinet, but if you need to hang your clothes while your getting ready, or packing, the rod can be "whipped out" and voila you've got a ready made closet rod.

Pull out pants racks have been pretty big sellers for us as well, to me this is a little crazy but in all fairness this is coming from the girl who has used an iron a whole five times in her life. The pants racks can be used for dress slacks, jeans, or even skirts. The first type below is simply a pull out model for easy access. The second is a pivoting pants rack. It mounts to either the left or the right cabinet wall and then pivots front to back for access.

And, you've got items like pull out hampers that can be stored inside the cabinets, and wall mounted ironing centers, and also towel warmers if your closet is big enough to change in.

The last cool thing I want to talk about is a pull down closet rod. These are really cool for those of us with limited closet space. You can mount these up high where you normally wouldn't be able to reach and then pull down with the provided bar, it brings the entire closet rod down to about shoulder height. That way you can have two tiers of closet rods as opposed to one.

Regardless, whether your closet is small or huge there are some really neat space saving products to help organize and customize your space. You can turn your space into something that's envied. Think, Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous!

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

"Maggio ho un bicchiere di vino?"

2009-09-02T10:26:00.000-07:00

Studies have shown that a glass of wine here and there is actually good for you. Maybe that's why so many people are putting bars and wine cellars in their houses these days. No, you don't think so? Ok, well let's just say that's the reason.

It seems pretty common lately to look in any home oriented magazine and see at least one wine cellar, a section of the kitchen or a small bar area featured. New homes in particular are being built with an extra space for wine storage. Homes that are being built now seem to focus more around entertaining family and friends. Kitchens are larger,more open and more functional. Mostly for the purpose of entertaining our guests. I've even seen a few magazines that show wine cellars with a kitchenette and seating in them.

All this talk about wine...it's got you thirsty doesn't it? Well it's not even noon! So you might want to wait, but in the meantime here's some really cute wine themed cabinet hardware to spruce up your bar area. Many manufacturers make knobs and pulls with either grapes or actual wine bottles, but some of these are really spectacular. There are a few with actual mother of pearl inlay, and hand painted enamel.

If you're not into the themed hardware and want a more subtle touch, there's always hand carved corbels and rosettes with a grape theme that can be incorporated right into your cabinetry or as decorative accents under your counter top.

And, don't forget the most important part...storage. Where are you going to store all of those beautiful bottles and glasses? We carry a couple of manufacturers that have open storage racks that can be installed in what is basically a cabinet without a door. These come in styles that look like a big letter X, and squares that hold individual bottles, they also have pull out racks that are installed in the cabinetry if you don't want to display your bottles. There is also an alternative to having your glasses put away in a cupboard, there are small racks that can be installed under the cabinets for easy access. Oh yeah!

If you're remodeling or building a new home, odds are pretty good that you could use a glass of wine. Cheers to a new beautiful room!

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

It's All In The Details

2009-08-25T10:11:00.000-07:00

What is a Corbel? According to Dictionary.com a Corbel is an architecture term meaning: 1. any bracket, esp. one of brick or stone, usually of slight extent. 2. a short horizontal timber supporting a girder.
In older classical style buildings you see stone corbels a lot around the corners and under balconies.

Woodworkers and Cabinet makers have been using wood corbels for years as architectural details in the kitchen, living room, dining room, you name it. The nice thing is you can use the different items where ever you want. I've seen them under mantels for fireplaces, as corner pieces in doorways, under crown molding, under cabinets, and I know someone who uses them as bookends. The first two pictures below show a couple of corbels that we sell unfinished and the picture below shows what they would look like in a kitchen setting. Corbels come in all different styles and sizes.

We also have wood turnings that can be used on the corners of cabinets, on tables, and islands.
This:

Can be turned into this:

Appliques are a good way to add detail to a lot of different items, the example I have is for a range hood. Again, these elements are found on picture frames, armoires and furniture, directly onto a wall, kitchen cabinets, and more.

These types of products are no for everyone, but for homes with a more traditional or classical style these are a good way to make your fixtures blend in and look more like furniture that has been there forever.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Hey August, What's New?

2009-08-21T13:44:00.000-07:00

This month has been a slower than normal month for adding new items to the site, but behind the scenes we've been diligent little worker bees with our stocked items. For those of you who have not read my initial post, THH (The Hardware Hut) is part of Spokane Hardware. We have a print catalog of all of the items that are stocked in our warehouse that we are able to give to builders to take on job sites and order their stock items from. There are a number of items that are what I call "more functional and less visual", such as roller catches for cabinets, sand paper, adhesives, padlocks, etc. Our print catalog is about 400 pages with approximately 5 items per page, we are in the process of adding those items to our website. For the time being we've got the "Print Catalog" items listed in a category with very basic descriptions and a price. Little by little, we are editing the descriptions and adding images to each item and moving them from the "print catalog" category to the category that they belong in on the rest of the site. It will take some time, but we'll get it all done eventually. I mentioned the print items in last months post, but thought I should elaborate a bit.

Since I'm on the subject of items that are stocked here, some items that have been added to Thehardwarehut.com are commercial bathroom accessories by Bradley. These are items such as the double toilet paper roll holders, or the wall mounted soap dishes, and the sanitary dispensers for the stalls. These items are all made out of stainless steel which is typical for commercial applications because of it's durability.

Another new collection is the Schaub & Company Vinci line, they've come out with cabinet knobs & pulls as well as appliance handles made out of solid bronze. The great thing about this collection is that they are made from what is typically a rustic material but the style is more modern. My personal favorite is the Polished White Bronze finish, it's very similar in color to what a polished nickel would be but not quite as mirrored and it's got slight imperfections. This collection is very linear and clean, I think square shapes are becoming pretty popular.

And the last thing I'll share for this month is a new "component" by Lewis Dolin. Lewis Dolin has had the Bar Pull series for a number of years, these pulls come in a number of different lengths and a few finish choices. He has come up with a bracket that you can add to any of his bar pulls to make a towel bar out of it. Currently, he does not have any other bath hardware such as robe hooks or toilet paper holders, but I think the towel bar is a good idea for the kitchen. I can see one of these hanging on the end of a counter or on an island and it would be a perfect match to the rest of the pulls.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Quirky Is The Word Of The Day

2009-08-18T12:00:00.000-07:00

We all have our own quirks and silly things about us, some of the items we carry seem to fit in the "quirky" category. Now, I'm not saying they're weird or that you're weird for buying them (okay, maybe one of them is a little weird... I'll leave you to guess which one.) It's just that they don't fit the bill for being conventional.

Check out these cabinet hardware items below. Starting from the top Left is a pull by Notting Hill Hardware. They have an entire series dedicated to labeled pulls such as forks and spoons, but who ever heard of "pieces of string to short to keep?" We all have one of those junk drawers in the kitchen and what a cute way to call something "junk". The Pipe Smoking Frog by Schaub and Company is just comical. I imagine this in a study or den (or some sort of mancave.) This style frog has been around for a while, I can think of one book from childhood that has a frog who's dressed very similarly. Directly next to the frogs feet is a pewter baby face by Soko.....need I say more? OK, fine. This cherub like baby face is made from solid cast bronze and well, it wouldn't go just anywhere in ones home but I'm sure someone could find a spot for it. Perhaps Tim Burton? To the right of the baby face is a faux antler by Wilderness Treasures. These are actually pretty popular here in the Northwest, the best part about these-they're cruelty free. Wilderness Treasures has done a great job in making resin look like the real thing. The Level pull by Lewis Dolin, this is my favorite. Obviously it looks like a real level and measuring tape, and the cool thing is the measurements are correct and the level works. The not so cool thing is that you've got to have level cabinets or anyone can tell. Again, the right place for these and they'd actually be useful. I'd like to have one of these in my craft room. I wouldn't have to search for my ruler ever again.

Quirky doesn't stop in the kitchen, Anne at Home makes some cute hooks that are shaped like cowboy boots. They've even added an extra quirky twist, the boots come as a front half and as a back half like they're growing right out of the wall. The next time you're in a Levi's store, take a look around-you might see some of these.

Moving on to the outside of the house, some people don't like to get as eccentric outside of their home but just in case you're one of them, there's still some pretty fun stuff for the exterior. House Art has come out with some house numbers that come in colors like Miami Mango and Key Lime, they probably wouldn't be so funky in Miami but in Denver they might. Still, in the right setting they're pretty darn cool.

Also, for the outside of your house there's a palm tree door pull from First Impressions (hey, this wouldn't be bad with the colored numbers!) It comes in a frosted white acrylic, but First Impressions can do custom colors too. The Gecko doorbell button by Waterwood Hardware, they've paid great attention to detail and making this critter look pretty realistic. And, I bet you no one else on your block would have the steer head door knocker by JVJ.

Hardware is definitely not boring, and with any one of these pieces you can express your personality. Have fun with the things in your life, be creative, be quirky! Sometimes, it's just a lot easier to go with the flow rather than keep up with the Jones'.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

It Doesn't Take A Hunt To Find A Treasure!

2009-08-12T09:25:00.000-07:00

I'd like to take the opportunity to introduce you to Richard Fulton from Authentic Craftsmanship. Mr. Fulton is a patron of The Hardware Hut and he makes some outstanding Treasure Chests.

Over the past eight years, I've met some neat people and heard interesting stories as to what our hardware is being used on. No one stands out as much as Mr. Fulton and his amazing chests. Each one is crafted by hand with the utmost attention to detail. He sands each piece by hand, starting with 100 grit and working up to 300 grit, after the sanding, six coats of polyurethane are applied (again by hand) and sanded with 400 grit in between coats. I can't imagine how much time is involved in just the sanding process alone.

Mr. Fulton is not just a Treasure Chest maker; he's a craftsman, and artisan. Just by looking at his pictures you can tell each piece is made with great care and pride. Every chest is even numbered, dated, and documented so that they will not be duplicated. These chests are crafted to last a lifetime; whether it's holding your life's memories, or storage for your children's keepsakes, or a chest for your family heirlooms. Every one of us has "our story" just as every one of his chests has its own story.

Authentic Craftmanship uses the NSD-20 by Sugatsune for his chests. You can see the soft close motion in his video.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Spelled Like Beyerle-Sounds Like By-Er-Lee

2009-08-04T11:20:00.000-07:00

Many people call it Barn Door Hardware, some people call it Pocket Door Hardware, it's actually called Sliding Door Track. To be a little more technical, you could call it Exposed Sliding Door Track. The track is the type that is mounted on the wall so that the door slides over the opening to close it. Very much like what you see on a barn door. Most people like these because they have a modern, industrial look. These would fit nicely in an urban chic loft or even a rustic place with modern accents.

This is a line by Beyerle that we started carrying earlier this year and it's really exciting stuff. Mostly because over the years, I've gotten a lot of requests for it and we've not had a source to get it. When you look at the track on our website, it seems a bit intimidating but it's really pretty simple. I know, there are a lot of dimensions and a lot of information to process but it just needs to be broken down. We show the most common sizes and scenarios on our website in packaged sets.

The first thing you will need to determine is what type of door that will be used, will it be glass or wood.

The next thing you will need to do is pick out the style of trolley (bracket). Your options are:
Objekt

Unotec

Flatec I

Flatec II

Tritec

Duetec

Next you will need to know what your opening width is. The opening width is basically how wide the doorway that you walk through will be. For example; if you have a 36in. wide opening you will want the 82 11/16in. rail length.

There are a few other things that may or may not come into play, but as long as you have the answer to the three points above you've practically got it ordered.

We've got a small display in our showroom and I've been able to try it a few times and check it out. These things are really cool! They're very durable and they roll really smoothly on the track (you can't hear a thing when the door moves.) Go have a look, and if you've got any questions you can always give us a call. 1-800-708-6649.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Good Things Come in Small Packages

2009-07-30T11:20:00.000-07:00

In today's world of imports and mass production, it's refreshing to see artisans who can make a living doing what they love. At The Hardware Hut, we love to support "The Little Guy" as long as they can produce quality product and stand behind it.

We distribute for some manufacturers on our site, that do just that. Each of these brands are made by Artists either as a full time business or in their spare time and the entire company is run by them and or family/friends. When you order items by them, you're getting an individual miniature work of art.

I'll start with Earth To Peter, ETP is run by a man named Peter Conley who personally designs each piece and fabricates each one. ETP hardware is designed in a manner that embraces the beauty in imperfection and the grace of age. ETP hardware is made from solid pewter that's poured into a mold and every single piece is hand finished before it ships out.

Next up is Roscoe's Expressions, this is a company that uses unfinished wooden knob bases, and hand paints every single item. All of the designs are original to the owner and her daughter. Because every piece is painted as they are ordered, the design will be the same on all of the items but the colors slightly vary from one piece to the next. Roscoe's Expressions is a company that is run solely as a hobby and done for the love of painting.

Keeping along the lines of fun, whimsical, and unique is a company called Stuck Up Knob Company, this little establishment is run by one woman. Each piece is made from ceramic, the glaze is hand painted on the individual items, and fired at the time of order. Ann over at Stuck Up Knob does it all; not only is she the designer of the hardware, she's the artist who glazes, fires, and finishes them, but she also runs the office and ships the product. Talk about Superwoman!

Another colorful company that we carry is called Sietto, the name Sietto is a combination of two Italian words "Solido" meaning solid and "Schietto" meaning straightforward. I think that's fitting name, considering the product. When an order is placed with Sietto they cut the sheets of glass, fire them in a 1500 degree kiln that fuses the layers together, and affix them to their three base choices. There are a number of different styles and textures to choose from in this line so if you're looking to add some personality to your room, this line has it!

Last but certainly not least, is a company called Bright and Thorpe. Bright and Thorpe are based out of Hawaii (lucky ducks!) This is one of the more expensive lines that we carry, but to see these items in person you can tell why. I once spoke to the owner about why her products cost so much and I got a pretty good explanation. She comes up with the designs and takes them locally to a mold maker; the molds that she uses deteriorate slightly over time and lose some of the detail so she makes molds more often than most companies. The mold making process is pretty expensive. Gail at Bright and Thorpe started out as a jewelry maker and needed some hardware for her own home, she decided to make them herself and Bright and Thorpe was born. Each piece has such intricate detail that they truly do look like pieces of jewelry.

As with all handmade products there will be variances from piece to piece and typically there is a longer lead time than most companies, but we all know Rome wasn't built in one day. The outcome can be so much more rewarding than having the same items as everyone else. Purchasing from small companies such as these can even help stimulate our economy.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Can You Handle This?

2009-07-22T14:28:00.000-07:00

When it comes to ordering appliance handles it's hard to decide on which size to get. This is another scenario where personal preference is key. I personally contacted four major commercial/professional appliance manufacturers and asked them if they had any recommendations for sizing. I basically got the same answer from all of them, depending on which configuration you have you will want something that is proportionate. So, now that I've gotten all that help, I'm still back to our original consensus of getting what you want.

It seems that the most common sizes for refrigerator doors are anywhere from 12in. to 18in. on center. For the type of refrigerator that has a freezer drawer down below we've seen a fairly good mix of either the same size pull as on the doors or one that's slightly smaller. For ranges and dishwashers the sizing seems to range from 6in. to 12in. on center. Also, when looking for appliance pulls you will want something that has a diameter of about 3/4in to 1in. These are typical dimensions for most appliance handles anyway, but it's something you should be aware of. Due to the force that it takes to pull open a commercial appliance you don't want to use a pull that's much smaller in diameter or one that is made for a regular cabinet because it just won't be strong enough to hold up over time.

Again, these are by no means hard fast rules that you need to live by, the decision should be based on the scale of the rest of the hardware in the room and how much of the appliance you want covered by the hardware.

There are a few manufacturers that have starting coming out with various size appliance handles to match the regular cabinet handles, but there are still quite a few manufacturers who only make one or two sizes in the appliance handles.

Amerock, Berenson, Schaub & Company, and Top Knobs are four brands to look at that have sizes ranging from 3in. to 18in on center so you can order in complete collections.

TIP: To get a visualization of what size would be appropriate you can cut out a piece of cardboard that's the length and width of the pulls you are considering. Tape the cardboard to the appliance and look at it for a few days, if it feels right-you know which size to go with. If not-try a different size.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Hey July, What's New?

2009-07-17T15:05:00.000-07:00

As usual, around here at the Hardware Hut we're busy little bees. So far in the month of July we've added five new Gatco bath hardware collections, two new Schaub and Company cabinet hardware collections, some door locks, some keyboard slides, and some miscellaneous cabinet hardware items. Not only have we added all of that but, we have just started a fairly big project. We will be adding our complete stock catalog to the website. When I say a fairly big project that's actually an understatement. Our stock catalog is roughly 400 pages with five or 6 sku's per page. That's a lot of product! Perhaps, I'll save that for a blog post in itself.

Back to what's new for July...I'll start with the new Gatco bath hardware. We've added the Oldenburg collection which comes in finish choices of burnished bronze, polished chrome, and satin nickel. This style would be suitable in a traditional setting. It looks elegant and rich. We've also added the Jewel collection which is more square in design but it's a soft design. You can get the Jewel collection in satin nickel or polished chrome. Another collection we've added is the Irvine collection, this collection is my personal favorite from the new Gatco items. My own personal tastes are typically more contemporary, but there's something about the shapes on this collection that appeal to me. The Irvine collection comes in burnished bronze, satin nickel, and polished chrome too. We've also added the Philadelphia collection which is another square style but this one has a little more detail to it, and more defined edges. It sort of reminds me of crown molding. The last new collection from Gatco is the Max, the Max collection is the sleek modern look that I like, the robe hook in particular is really cool. This collection reminds me of plumbing parts a little, it's a little bit industrial looking without being "cold."

We've also added a square passage pocket door set by Valli and Valli to match their privacy set. Valli and Valli make some great quality, unique pocket door items and when a privacy set and a passage set are ordered together they can be used on double pocket doors.

We've also added some Schlage commercial locks in oil rubbed bronze. We've carried the Commercial levers in satin chrome and brass for some time, and have finally added the oil rubbed bronze. Schlage's commercial locks come in keyed functions as well as interior functions such as passage and privacy.

And to wrap up this post before it get's too long, is the Schaub and Company Firenza collection. Schaub does a great job of coming up with innovative designs that a lot of other companies try to replicate. They seem to always be ahead of the pack when it comes to styles. The Firenza collection has a hint of old world italian charm. I like the lace-like scroll pattern they've incorporated into the pulls. The Firenza collection comes in three finish choices.

That about sums up the month of July so far. Stay tuned for next months new stuff!

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

We Love Earth!

2009-07-14T09:16:00.000-07:00

How many times over the past year have you heard the term "Green?" To be honest I've heard it enough to be sick of it, but I'm not sick of what the term "Green" means. Our planet is not a renewable resource, and with roughly 6 billion people living on Earth we should each try and do our part to keep our home as clean and healthy as possible. But, I'm not here to preach about how we should all be living, instead I'll fill you in on a few products that we have that will help you do your part.

You don't have to be an Environmental Crusader to do your part, you can pick up some garbage laying on the street or recycle your plastics and aluminum. If you're not a recycler it's not too late to start. Most of us don't recycle because we feel like it's a hassle, with a product like Rev-A-Shelf's recycling center it's easy. This unit is mounted inside a cabinet and is compartmentalized into 3 bins and one canvas bag. The one shown in the picture is with multi-colored bins to make sorting easy but it does come in all white too. That way you can sort as you go inside the house and just take one bin at a time outside as it gets full. Hassle free!

Rev-A-Shelf has also come out with a new line of kitchen organizers made out of Bamboo. What's so special about Bamboo? Bamboo is a rapid growth wood that is very strong and durable and looks pretty cool too. As a frame of reference; according to INBAR (International Network for Bamboo and Rattan) a 60 foot tree cut for market takes 60 years to replace, where a 60 foot bamboo cut for market takes 59 days to replace.

Another type of wood that's on the rise in use is Mango wood, Mango wood is eco-friendly because it used to be grown for the sole purpose of bearing fruit. Mango trees grow to be pretty large and their fruit production is about 20 years. After they stop bearing fruit they are cut down. Now Mango wood is being harvested after fruit production for multiple uses. Not only is the Mango tree re-purposed, but it's an alternative wood to Teak and Mahogany that's being harvested in fragile forests.

A new line of hardware for us is by a company called Duverre, they've come out with numerous collections made from recycled Aluminum. Here is an excerpt from their website, "Die cast aluminum hardware is precision crafted from post-consumer recycled aluminum. This methodology causes less impact on the environment. Using post consumer recycled aluminum reduces the generation of air and water pollution by 95%, requires only 5% of the energy and greenhouse gasses used in production of new metals, and helps prevent clear-cutting of tropical rain forests. Die cast aluminum hardware allows for precise measurements and consistent finishes, ensuring that each production piece is identical to and as flawless as the original." Not only is Duverre responsibly manufacturing items, but they've got a number of finish & style choices to choose from.

The last company that I want to talk about is called Longleaf Bronze. They manufacturer bath hardware, door locks and accessories. Longleaf Bronze, has been ISO 14001 rated. ISO is the acronym for International Standardization Organization. The ISO rating basically means they set certain standards and companies have to follow those standards to get a certain rating. The 14001 rating has to do with the environment; the ISO states that a company has to "Identify and control environmental impact of activities, products or services and to improve environmental performance continually." Longleaf Bronze basically has made a commitment to set a high standard and uphold it to reduce their environmental impact in their manufacturing processes.

So, you don't have to go out of your way to reduce your carbon footprint, and you don't have to go buy a hybrid car to help out mother earth. Next time you're shopping around for new home stuff check out these companies and products. Oh yeah, and don't forget your reusable bag!

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Polished Nickel Is The Bee's Knees!

2009-07-06T14:26:00.000-07:00

Polished nickel is quickly becoming the latest craze in the hardware world. Really.....? Why.....? To be honest I don't fully know the answer, but every chance I've gotten I've asked my customers why they've chosen polished nickel over polished chrome and the one answer that's been the same is that it has a much richer warmer tone than chrome does. I've also noticed that polished nickel can go into almost any design setting while polished chrome is almost exclusively in a contemporary setting.

I started doing a bit of research on nickel and from the tiny amount of information I have been able to find, polished nickel was favored early on for a plating choice because it's extremely durable and when plated it finishes very hard. In early automobiles all of the bumpers, fenders, etc. were actually nickel plated as opposed to chrome plated.

Basically the main difference from polished chrome and polished nickel is that the chrome has a bluish white undertone and nickel has a golden amber undertone. I know, it's hard to think of a piece of silver material having any golden tone in it at all, but it does. Even though the undertone is there the material is still overall a silver color. The color difference has to do with the different types of elements and compounds added in the plating process.

There are a number of items available today that come in the polished nickel, but for now I will focus on a few that seem to be reemerging. In the past few months I have had quite a few people ask for "Christopher Peacock" type hardware. After a few people asked, I was on the hunt to find out who this Christopher Peacock was. After some web searching I have found that he is a high end designer. He uses very similar design elements in all of his rooms. He seems to focus on functionality, durability as well as beauty. Almost every room that he's designed has an elegant, rich warmth to it. Christopher Peacock is well known for his Scullery kitchens, which almost always use polished nickel hardware.

Here are some polished nickel items that are similar to items I've seen in Christopher Peacock kitchens.

There are a number of different hardware items available in polished nickel, but in the near future I think we can expect to see quite a few more.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Handrail Brackets

2009-06-30T15:13:00.000-07:00

If you're installing a new handrail or replacing an old one there are two main types of handrail brackets you can buy. The first being what I call a "residential bracket." I only call them this because it is what I typically see in a person's home.

These rest under the bottom of the railing and the piece that looks like a clamp is screwed onto the underside of the railing.

The other type looks a little more like a bracket that's used commercially but I have seen it in modern homes with metal railing. These are the type with a round disc that mounts to the wall and an arm that bends in the shape of an "L" or "C" and a bracket that screws directly onto the railing. Most of these types have a flat bracket to screw onto the rail for use on a rail that has a flat bottom, but if you've got a rail that is completely round you can notch out a rectangle the size of the plate, so it sits flush.

Handrail brackets come in almost any color ranging from a traditional polished brass to a newer finish such as flat black. Most handrail brackets have a projection of either 2-1/2in. or 2-3/4in. to the center of the railing. To meet requirements for codes a handrail should be mounted 32- 38in. off the first and last step, this seems to be the standard but you should always check locally in case your codes are different. Also, there is no specific distance between brackets that we have found that's required, but a few manufacturers as well as quite a few D.I.Y sites recommend as least every 3-4 feet. But as a tip, usually wall studs are spaced every 16in. on center so I would suggest mounting a bracket on every other stud.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Schaub's Symphony

2009-06-22T11:03:00.000-07:00

Schaub & Company has come out with a new line of hardware over the past year called Symphony Designs. I want to mention them just because they are so beautiful. First of all, I want to say that not a single one of these pieces are in my own personal taste (I'm more of a sleek modern kinda girl) but man, these are gorgeous. They're like miniature artworks for your furniture or cabinets. And, just because something isn't my style doesn't mean I can't appreciate the beauty.

The pieces in the Symphony collection are made on a low volume basis by artisans, so each one is unique. They have very slight variations that make them one of a kind. They feature rare inlaid materials, and all the pieces are individually molded.

There are a few pieces I'll post as examples and of course I'll pick my personal favorites, but you should really check out the rest of the series.

This piece reminds me of something out of the Art Nouveau period, for those art lovers out there the whole Heirloom Treasures collection reminds me of Alphonse Mucha. This pull is made out of solid brass that's been aged with a subtle greenwash. It has two types of Mother of Pearl, Tiger Penshell, and a giant piece of Jade inlaid in the center.

This next piece is a branch pull that comes in a left and a right, and of course at 8" long you can't use a lot of them in one space, but a few would make a pretty big statement. The attention to detail in these is insane, the branches have little grooves that look like real bark, the flowers have tiny veins, and there are real black pearls, and crystals strategically placed on it. I can envision these on a big armoire or hutch.

The octopus is probably my favorite, and I can't pinpoint why other than it just looks really cool. The best part about this piece is the design. The placement of the tentacles is perfect, the eyes are a different color than the body so they stand out, and under the tentacles they even made little indents for the suction things (I know-very technical).

This is another one that I can't say exactly why I like it. The patina is perfect, it looks tangible and soft. This is a piece that just makes you want to touch it. Again, the attention to detail is incredible. It kind of reminds me of a piece cloth that's been rolled instead of a piece of metal. The entire French Court collection has the same soft look.

These are just a few pieces out of the 13 different collections that Schaub & Company for the Symphony Designs series. If you have a minute, you should check out the rest. They truly are magnificent.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

How Can We Help You?

2009-06-16T09:15:00.000-07:00

I had mentioned in my first post that when you call The Hardware Hut you're likely to get one of the five people that answer the phones. Over the course of this blog you'll get to know me fairly well so I'll skip my personal details, but I would like to introduce you to my coworkers. The Hardware Hut is a division of Spokane Hardware Supply which is our physical store in Spokane Washington. When you call our 800 number for customer service you will get Cindi, Stephanie, Johnny, Kelly or I on the phone.

In the world of Internet shopping there are a million more competitors than there would be for a bricks & mortar store. But, with having such knowledgeable, friendly staff I think we definitely have an edge over our competition. Prices typically play a big factor in ordering hardware for your home, as a consumer myself I never underestimate the power of "Value." For example, there is a small family owned hardware store up the street from my house. They sell paint, nuts & bolts, tools, and do equipment rentals so I'm not very knowledgeable in those types of hardware items. Every single time I go in there I am greeted with a hello and have employees sincerely ask me if they can help. They're friendly; they've known the answer to every question I've asked. They even let me borrow a tool once. I go there for every home improvement project I have instead of a big box store. Yes, they are more expensive (and really not by much) but the Value of the goods and services that I am getting far outweigh the price differences.

My point to that little story is that when you call The Hardware Hut you are getting a valuable shopping experience as well as great products at a competitive price. Each of us here brings our own strengths and knowledge to the table.

Cindi has worked at Spokane Hardware for 16 years. Cindi started working here in our showroom as a floor salesperson, she moved up to Showroom manager, and when the time came for a website Cindi was our very first customer service representative.

Stephanie has worked for Spokane Hardware for 18 years. Stephanie started here while she was in college studying to be a graphic designer; she started out here putting our print catalog together and over time took on more tasks. She has grown into our marketing manager. Not only does she still put our entire print catalog together, but she is in charge of adding new vendors to our website, making product announcements to customers, putting together promotions for our physical store & our website, and she does customer service for the Hardware Hut.

Johnny has worked for Spokane Hardware/The Hardware Hut for 7 years. Johnny was hired because of the growth of our internet business, initially Johnny's tasks were to focus on order entry and phone calls but Johnny has quickly picked up a number of tasks including being in charge of all international shipments, and helping add new products to our website.

Kelly has worked for Spokane Hardware/The Hardware Hut for 5 years. Even though she is the newest member of our customer service staff Kelly has brought years of customer service experience with her. Her experience has been in various fields, both in physical stores and online retailers.

Not only do we all answer your calls with questions about your orders or the products that we sell, but the five of us deal with almost every aspect of our website (other than the actual building of our site.) If an order has been lost one of us will take care of it, if an order needs to be returned we'll take care of that too. We each have added products to our website, we change specifications or pricing if it needs to be done. When you call here you're not getting just another person who just takes phone calls, you're getting a person who has a very integral part of making our company run. We're like Customer Service, Accounting, Marketing, Data Entry, Shipping, Sales, and Hardware Guru's all wrapped into one. We've each played a big part in making Thehardwarehut.com what it is today.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Hey June, What's New?

2009-06-11T11:35:00.000-07:00

We've got four very different products that we've added to thehardwarehut.com this month. We are constantly adding new items, collections, and manufacturers to our site. Sometimes, it's even too hard for me too keep up. Since there's new stuff out all the time and it's easy to get swallowed up in all the other items we've got. I'll bring some to the forefront on this blog.

The first product I'd like to mention is a company called Gado Gado, this company works closely with Indonesian artisans to create unique, one of a kind pieces. All of their hardware items are made from hand cast brass and finished by hand in an unlacquered antique brass patina. Because of the handmade aspect, each piece is literally one of a kind and with an open finish each item will age over time. We carry cabinet hardware and a few hooks by Gado Gado and they've got some really neat intricate pieces but my favorites by far are their latches. These could go on trunks, armoires, built in cabinets, you name it. They remind me of hardware that would be found on a pirates treasure chest, or some piece of furniture that escaped an Asian dynasty. Very cool stuff!

First Impressions has been a manufacturer of ours for a while, they specialize in door pulls. They've made some really neat custom items such as dolphin door pulls, pulls shaped like dog bones, and even a guitar door pull. We tend to sell items of a more simple variety by them. They've introduced a line of door pulls specifically made for shower doors. These pulls come in a set of two and are made to be mounted back to back. They come in a variety of sizes and styles.

Berenson is another company that we've been distributing for ages. They seem to come out with new items fairly regularly and typically do a good job of judging what customers want. One of their newest collections is called Art Nouveau. They offer this collection in three different finishes, Vintage Bronze, Venetian Bronze, and Vintage Nickel which conjure nostalgic images of an age gone by. The floral motif is just simple enough that it doesn't come off as frilly or over the top, yet adds a hint of softness to each piece.

Another new collection that we've added this month is the Atlas Homeswares,Sutton Place. This collection is reminiscent of 1930's New York City; sophisticated, elegant, with clean geometric lines. This Sutton Place comes in Venetian Bronze, Brushed Nickel, and the reemerging Polished Nickel. Atlas Homewares also offers cabinet hardware in the Sutton Place collection for a completed look.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Amerock....Ingenious!

2009-06-08T14:25:00.000-07:00

Amerock has once again pulled ahead as the industry leader in innovation. Amerock has just come out with some new collections that I think are going to be trend setting.

The first collection is called Blackrock. This collection is unique because it offers standard and over sized knobs in square and round. On the pendant pulls they've engineered and patented the design so that when the bail swings back down it will not hit the cabinet. This collection has clean strong design elements that would compliment a utilitarian galley kitchen or a contemporary cottage and almost any design in between.

The next collection is called Highland Ridge, I have to say that his is probably my new favorite collection. Amerock has managed to take period accurate design elements such as the cabinet latch and exposed screws on the cup pull, and they've paired those with modern finishes and smooth curves to create a unique collection. Highland Ridge is reminiscent of early 20th century kitchen hardware, but it's less utilitarian and more elegant.

Another offering from Amerock that I think will be popular is the Revitalize collection. The name says it all, this collection is a traditional style that has been revitalized. This collection takes typical traditional design elements such as round knobs with grooves and faux backplates and matched them to pulls that have detail but are square in shape. Mixing the two elements still gives the collection a formal, classy feel but not overdone or outdated. It's a collection that is timeless. In the revitalize collection Amerock is introducing Gilded Bronze. A warm golden finish designed to coordinate with the latest in kitchen cabinet, appliances, lighting designs and color palettes.

Last but certainly not least is the Riva collection. If you want dramatic without all the fuss, this collection is it. The Riva collection emphasizes bold crisp lines that accent any modern kitchen. There's no frills or fancy detail on these knobs and pulls, yet with the color choices of Satin Nickel and a new finished called Graphite they'll definitely draw attention. The Urban design is a trend on the rise, suburbanites and small town residents love the look of a mid-city loft. The Riva collection brings the big city to your home.

Not only are these new collections innovative in the style offerings and design themes but Amerock is expanding their size ranges. Starting with these four collections Amerock is offering their pulls in 3in., 3-3/4in., 5in., 6-1/4in., 8in., 12in., and 18in. hole spacing. With the variety of sizes available of the pulls in these collections you can do all of your doors, drawers, over sized drawers, dishwashers, freezers, and refrigerators in matching hardware. You've now got a complete, well designed, put together room to enjoy.

*** For the month of June www.thehardwarehut.com has the new Amerock collections on sale for an extra 10% off our regular price***

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Entertainment Centers

2009-06-01T15:14:00.000-07:00

If you are building your own entertainment center or have an existing one that you want to update, we've got all the components to make a fully functional unit. It seems like most people want an armoire type cabinet, which is typically two doors that house the TV and some drawers below. For this application we have the hinges, the slides for the doors & drawers, the pull out TV swivel, and the knobs and pulls for the finishing touches.
For the cabinet portion of the unit we offer what are called pivot pocket door slides. These slides allow the doors to open and push back into the unit giving you an unobstructed view of the TV without having the doors hanging open into the room.

Another option would be to use some armoire hinges, which will allow the doors to open up and wrap around the frame to about 270 degrees. Again, you've got a good view of the TV and it moves the doors out of the way.

Inside the cabinet you could use a TV swivel/slide. I like the model below because you can use your own platform to put the TV on for a custom look. There is another model available that comes with a black metal platform. The swivel slide allows you to pull the TV out of the cabinet and rotate it 180 degrees in both directions.

For the drawers below you can use a regular drawer slide, typical of what you see in kitchens. These come in various lengths to accommodate drawer depths, and they come in ball bearing for heaver items.

Also, for the person who's got every type of media and gadget we've got the little components to give the whole unit a finished look like grommets for the all of the wires and cables.

Media storage rails that go on the inside of the drawers for CD's and DVD's. And of course, the finishing touches the decorative knobs and pulls for the outside. This is where you can get creative and put anything you want.

In today's world it seems like everyone has a TV, DVD player, Stereo System, and some sort of Gaming System and that's a lot of stuff to be out in the open. So, if you've been planning on making an entertainment center or if you have one and just want to spruce it up check out all these neat products to pull it together.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

You've Got The Power

2009-05-27T14:00:00.000-07:00

What's the next best thing since sliced bread? Airplanes you say, Velcro, Lipstick…..Nope. The "Power Search" feature on The Hardware Hut . This is one of my favorite tools on our site, and I think it's under utilized.

I'm going to give you a brief tutorial on how it works, because it really is pretty cool. We have the Power Search on most of our categories, especially the ones that have a lot of options but for the sake of example I'm going to focus on the search for cabinet knobs and pulls.

In the knobs and pulls category your search options are: Color/Finish, Manufacturer, Material, Hole Spacing, Diameter, Overall Length, Style, Type, and Collection. You don't typically want to use every search field because you could eliminate too much and get zero results. I tend to use the Color, Hole Spacing, and Type the most.

Basically, the power search is what I like to call a "process of elimination" search. If you're looking for a Satin Nickel Pull on TheHardwareHut.com you'd have to sort through 636 pulls. But, (here's the cool part) if you know that you have an odd size like 2 1/2in. hole spacing, you can use the Power Search and eliminate everything but those. You would choose Color/Finish, Hole Spacing, and Type in the search criteria. Ta Dah! You now have 12 options to choose from.

If you aren't sure what size you want to go with but know that you are only interested in oil rubbed bronze items you can use the Power Search to eliminate everything but oil rubbed bronze. You just have to choose the Color/Finish and leave everything else blank. Now you have 903 knobs and pulls to look through instead of all 14,000.

Here's a screen shot of the power search page for cabinet knobs and pulls on our site, so you get an idea of what you're looking at.

So now that you've got the power….go ahead and use it! Search away, have fun…there's a lot of stuff you could be missing out on.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Pocket Doors Galore

2009-05-22T11:00:00.000-07:00

When choosing pocket door hardware there are a couple of things you should keep in mind. 1. Do you want the door to lock or be non-locking. 2. Do you have a single door or double doors?

I'll start with single doors; for non locking doors you have two choices to go with. The "all in one" unit such as this model by Deltana

this is great for homeowners because of its easy installation. This unit comes as one piece and has an edge pull built into it. Another option to go with is two flush pulls and an edge pull separately. This option is great because you can choose from various styles and sizes for a customized look. Here are some examples of flush pulls and an edge pull:

On privacy or locking doors the "all in one" unit is an option as well, the difference from the passage version is that there is a turn knob on the inside of the unit and it comes with a strike plate for the jamb side of the door. This is typically used in a bathroom or sometimes a bedroom. An addition to the flush pull option above, for locking doors is the Ives 42B which would be mounted on the interior face of the door. When the button is pressed, the door cannot go back into the jamb while it's locked. Check out the 42b in action at:

Lastly, double doors…..Ah, if there were only more options to this scenario. Unfortunately, for double doors your options are limited. If you want the two doors to latch together in the middle of the opening, your choice would be the converging kit by Gruppo Romi while these locks are pricey, they are worth every penny. Included in this set you get four flush pulls a mortised lock body and two edge pulls that are built in. The Gruppo Romi double door set is heavy duty, solid brass construction, and it's a completely custom look. Here's what you'd be getting with a double door kit:

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Give Your Home A Face Lift

2009-05-19T08:30:00.000-07:00

Curb Appeal is very important when it comes to your home, it's really the first impression that someone gets, whether they are coming to your house or driving by they make a judgment based on the way your house looks. Heck, curb appeal is important enough that HGTV has a whole show dedicated to it.

A fairly inexpensive way to spruce up your entry and give the outside of your house a whole new look is to change your entry hardware. For roughly $300-$500 you can literally change the entire feel of your entry way. Most entrances to homes have these items that can be easily changed. 1. An Entry Handle. 2. Door Hinges. 3. Door Knocker or Door Bell. 4. House Numbers. 5. A Mailbox or Mail Slot. Of course you don't have to have a knocker and a doorbell on the same entry and some of us have a mailbox that is on the street rather than attached to the house. With the pictures below you can at least get an idea of what items can be pulled together to get a specific look and feel.

Satin Nickel with a Modernized Retro feel:

This look has become pretty popular and looks great on mid century homes and contemporary homes with angular shapes. A slight variation on this set would be to get similar items in the polished chrome finish.

Polished Brass with a Traditional flair:

The nice thing about a traditional style is that it fits a number of different home styles and you can make it as "fancy" as you want by adding more items with swirl and leaf motifs rather than something with a plain surface. Polished brass tends to be the most common finish on a traditional style but you could always get the same look in a more subdued finish like antique brass.

Oil Rubbed Bronze with an Old World charm:

Old world is a pretty general term, but it seems to have common themes such as rich dark tones like oil rubbed bronze or a bronze patina. Fixtures tend to be more chunky and substantial. Old world styles fit on houses with stone facings, and natural elements. The style fits on houses that are similar to Spanish and Colonial Revival eras.

Rustic Black with a Craftsman feel:

A lot of people mistake mission style for craftsmen style. Mission is more clean straight lines, and craftsmen style is more of a general term for being of quality and "handmade." The picture above is of a combination of hand forged hardware and items that aren't necessarily handmade but are rustic because of the texture and natural appearance.

Even at $300 that can be kind of steep to shell out at once, the nice thing is you can buy pieces that compliment each other one piece at a time so that it doesn't break the bank. Adding new hardware to your entryway gives your home an updated look that's a great investment in the long run.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Can I Have A Standard Car Please?

2009-05-15T12:00:00.000-07:00

A standard car, what's that? There's no such thing as a standard car, they're all different.
Welcome to hardware 101. The term standard should almost be obsolete in the hardware world because there are very few things that are standard in the industry.

I'm going to discuss door hardware and the options that are available so when you're ready to order you'll be armed with information. On a door there are typically hinges and a lock of some sort. "How many options could there be?" you say, on door hinges for a typical home you have to choose which finish you want, what size you want, and what type of corner you need.

Finishes are pretty easy to figure out, but for the corners you have 3 choices. The self explanatory choice would be square corner, the second choice is a 1/4in. radius, and the last choice is a 5/8in. radius. Here is a drawing that depicts all three options.

Also, a quick easy way to determine your radius is to hold up a dime and a quarter to the corner and see which one fits the best.

On the door locks, it gets a little more complicated. You have to choose which function you need. The different functions for interior doors are Privacy (there is a push button on the inside of the door that allows you to lock it,) Passage (the knob or lever turns but does not lock,) and a Dummy (the knob or lever does not move at all, and it gets screwed onto the face of the door.) Not only do you have to choose the function, but on the locks that move you have to choose the backset. A backset is the measurement of the distance from the edge of your door to the center of the bore hole that your knob or lever goes into. The most common backsets in the US are either 2-3/8in. or 2-3/4in. Here is a diagram to show you where to measure.

For exterior doors the functions are a Keyed knob or lever (there is a key built into the knob or lever and a push/turn button on the inside,) a Single Cylinder Deadbolt (a key on the outside and a turn knob in the inside,) and a Double Cylinder Deadbolt (a key on both the outside and the inside.)

Another option that you will need to know would be the door handing, the easiest way to determine handing is to stand on the outside of the door and look at the hinges. The key is to always be on the outside, if the hinges are on the Right you would order a right hand lock and if the hinges are on the Left you would order a left hand lock. This honestly is the easiest way to figure it out. Many people use different methods, and tell you that the direction the door swings matters but I think it only makes it more complicated.

Last would be door thickness. A "standard" door- scratch that, a "typical" residential door is either 1-3/8in. or 1-3/4in. thick. All residential locks come equipped to fit either of those sizes. Occasionally, you'll have an entry door that will be thicker and some manufacturers make a thick door kit to accommodate those.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Mission: Organization!

2009-05-11T11:05:00.000-07:00

Kitchen Organizers are a great way to maximize the space in your kitchen. Your kitchen is the one room in your house where organization is critical. In some cases, it takes more time to dig through drawers and cupboards to find all of the utensils and supplies that you need for your meal than it does to actually cook the meal. If you could save, say 15 minutes a day, what would you do with that time? I think I'd use it for a cat nap. My point, I bet with a completely functional kitchen you could save at least 15 minutes a day just by not searching for stuff.

So, what kind of organization am I talking about? Since an effective kitchen utilizes the "Work Triangle", I'll focus on each station. A work triangle is basically the three major areas that are used (the sink, the stove/range, and the refrigerator) most kitchens have what is essentially a triangle shape where these are placed.

The Sink area: I don't know a single person that likes to have their sponge out on display. For this there are Sink Front Tip Out Trays. These are great because they use the space right below your countertop in front of the sink where most people have "fake drawers." Why not take that tiny space and use it up. I have two in my kitchen, one is for my sponges and the other is for a bottle brush and for my jewelry when I'm washing the dishes. These are an inexpensive way to move some items off the counter and out of sight. Also, for the under the sink there's usually pipes or a garbage disposal down there, and that doesn't leave a lot of room for anything with height. There is a really cool product that's specifically made to go in this space.

This is nice because you've got the larger basket on the bottom to hold some of the cleaners, and bottles and the smaller basket on top that goes around the pipes that can hold extra sponges and smaller cleaners.

The Stove area: There are a ton of really great products such as Spice Racks that can be mounted to the back of your doors so that they're all in view and you don't have to dig in the back of the cupboard to find the one you need. There are also a number of different types of pull out baskets for you lower cabinets. These come in chrome, or white, and even wood and they're available in a variety of different sizes to fit different cabinet dimensions. This one is one of my personal favorites:

It's a double basket that you can store your pots, pans, lids or what ever you want in. Both baskets pull completely out of the cabinet so you have access to everything without having to un-stack or dig around in the back of the cabinet. In most cabinets, you've either got a bunch of stuff stacked on the bottom or one shelf that runs through the middle of the cabinet. I've been on my knees more than once in my kitchen trying to dig a lid out from the back of the top shelf. Not anymore! Both of the baskets on this unit work independently of each other too. One last product for the stove area is a pull down shelving system.

This is what I like to call the "Shorty Shelf." For those of us who are vertically challenged, this is another way to maximize space that just doesn't get used very much. This is made to go into upper cabinets that are just too hard to reach unless you're a pro basketballer or you use a step stool. These spaces usually end up getting filled with stuff that doesn't get used very often. This leaves all your other cabinet space cramped with the stuff that you do use a lot. The general idea of the pull down shelf is that it's mounted inside the cabinet, and when you pull down on the bar at the bottom it actually pulls out and down at the same time, bringing items down to eye level.

The Refrigerator area: Since I don't know exactly how your kitchen is configured and what type of cabinets are around your refrigerator I can't really say for sure that these products will be good for this area in your kitchen. In my kitchen I have a single cabinet next to my fridge and that's where my Pull Out Waste Container is. These are some of the best products and are not used enough. I think every kitchen in the world should have one of these. Who wants an ugly garbage can in the corner of their room? I'd like to meet the person that says "yes" to that. What's great about pull out waste containers is that they come in a bunch of sizes to fit almost any cabinet. They come with two containers or one, with or without lids, door mountable or not, and you can even get multi colored bins for recycling. There's no reason Not to have one of these.
There are still a ton of other organizers that you could put in your kitchen to make it much more effective. Hidden Towel Holders, Lazy Susans, Mixer Lifts, Pantry Systems, and Silverware & Cutlery Organizers for your drawers. I'm pretty sure we've got a product for every nook and cranny in a kitchen. So the next time you're digging around for your favorite chopping knife or you threw away that pop can because you didn't want to walk out to the recycle bin you might want to think about getting organized.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Oil Rubbed Bronze

2009-05-07T12:48:00.000-07:00

Oil Rubbed Bronze and I have a love/hate relationship. Let me explain…..
I love the look of Oil Rubbed Bronze. When put in the right setting it can give a room an old world feel. Oil Rubbed Bronze brings warmth and elegance to almost any décor; it's supposed to be reminiscent of early era hardware that has aged naturally over time.

Here's where my hate comes into play…….
Oil Rubbed Bronze is made differently from manufacturer to manufacturer, it varies depending on what base material it's put on, and it can even be different from piece to piece within a collection. So, when a homeowner wants to do their entire house in Oil Rubbed Bronze I'm prepared with my "Oil Rubbed Bronze speech."

Here is one manufacturer's description of what Oil Rubbed Bronze is supposed to be: "The Oil Rubbed Bronze finish is a chemically darkened surface designed to simulate aged bronze. This finish is very dark and varies from a deep chocolate brown to a dark gray and usually has copper undertones. There is quite a variety of interpretations of this finish in the hardware industry and all oil rubbed bronze finishes do not match."
Basically; there are two types of Oil Rubbed Bronze, the first being a "living" finish. This pretty much means that over time your hardware will change. An Oil Rubbed Bronze that is "living" is a base material of some sort (typically brass) that's been plated in copper (think of a new penny) and then a dark oil solution has been rubbed over that to darken it. Now, over time that dark oil is supposed to rub off with everyday use leaving behind the copper and even some brass showing through. (Think of an older penny.)

The second type of Oil Rubbed Bronze is a "non-living" finish; this of course is the exact opposite of the living version. In most cases, the Copper is plated over a Steel or Brass base material and another brown finish is plated over that. A lot of manufacturers will pre-rub the brown in spots so that you see the copper, some manufacturers will only plate the item in the brown and not rub at all so that you see only a solid brown color. On a "non-living" Oil Rubbed Bronze a lacquer coating is applied so that the color will not change over time.
Because so many manufacturers make this color in many different ways, it's virtually impossible to get the finishes to be uniform for an entire house. Think about trying to get towel bars, switchplates, door locks, cabinet knobs and pulls, and door hinges all throughout the house to be identical…..crazy, I know!

My whole point to this is that the beauty of Oil Rubbed Bronze is that it's not identical, and variations are good. So, when choosing your Oil Rubbed Bronze hardware; embrace the variations. It's what gives this color Life!

This picture shows 5 different examples of Oil Rubbed Bronze.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Not All Cabinet Hinges Were Created Equal-Part 2

2009-05-06T15:40:00.000-07:00

We've covered the anatomy of a hinge, and the way cabinet hinges mount so now it's time to cover the different hinge applications. I've saved this for the end because it does tend to be a bit hard to understand. But rest assured, you're on your way to being a cabinet hinge aficionado!

OVERLAYS:
One type of hinge application is an Overlay; basically an overlay means your door overlays (or overlaps) your cabinet frame. An overlay hinge can be either face mount or partial wrap. The most common sizes for partial wrap overlay hinges are either 1/2in. or 1/4in.. As an example a 1/2in. overlay hinge would mean that your door is overlapping your frame by 1/2in..

The first picture below is a 1/2in. overlay and the second picture is a 1/4in. overlay both are partial wrap hinges.

Another type of overlay is a Variable Overlay, these only come in a face mount. These are called Variable Overlay because your door does not have to overlap your frame by a set dimension (such as 1/2in. or 1/4in..) Variable overlays come in a variety of sizes, colors and finishes. Below is a Variable overlay, face mount hinge.

INSETS:
The first type of an inset hinge I'll cover is a Full Inset, as I mentioned in the last post, this means that your door sits fully inside your frame so that the door is flush with the frame. Full inset hinges come in either a hidden mount, where the hinge is mounted on the inside edge of the door and the inside edge of the cabinet frame (similar to a butt hinge on a full size door) or surface mounted on the outside of the door and frame (these are sometimes called ‘H' hinges.) The first picture below is a surface mount full inset hinge and the second is of a full inset hinge (butt type.)

Another type of Inset hinge is what we call a 3/8in. inset, this type comes in either a face mount or a partial wrap. A 3/8in. inset means that your door overlaps your frame by 3/8in. and sits down into the frame by 3/8in. on a 3/4in. door. If you were to remove one of your cabinet doors you would see a notch on the back edge that runs the length of the door. This notch measures 3/8in.x 3/8in., and the hinge has a corresponding "stair step" on the door wing to rest in the notch. Below is an example of a 3/8in. inset face mount and a partial wrap.

REVERSE BEVEL:
A Reverse Bevel hinge functions the same way a variable overlay hinge does. Your door will be overlaying your frame by a varying dimension, but a reverse bevel hinge mounts to a door that does not have a flat back edge. The back edge of your door will be beveled; the most common size is a 30 degree bevel. The picture below shows a 30 degree reverse bevel, take note of the diagram that shows the edge of the door at an angle.

DEMOUNTABLES:
There are two types of demountable hinges, the first being a Single Demountable. Demountable means that a hinge is mounted to the door without screws, so that the door can be easily "demounted" without having to take out all of the screws. A demountable hinge has a metal piece that is attached to the plate where the screw holes are on a typical hinge. On a Single Demountable hinge, the metal plate would be on the door wing only, this metal plate lines up with a hole that has routed into the back edge of the door. On the frame wing, there are typically one or two screw holes. On a Double Demountable hinge, the metal plate would be on the door wing and the frame wing of the hinge.

Demountable hinges come in almost every application, you can have a double or single demountable hinge that could also be an overlay, or an inset, or even a reverse bevel depending on how your door is mounted. Demountable hinges are typically not used in brand new construction, in most cases a demountable hinge would be as replacements. Initially, demountable hinges were used by cabinet makers because they are easy to install. It's much more efficient to use a machine to route out the holes and press the hinges in, rather than screwing in 5 screws per hinge.

Below are examples of a Single Demountable (left) and Double Demountable (right.)

OFFSETS:
On an offset hinge, your door is "offsetting" your frame. The most common size of offset is 3/8in., this application is very similar to the 3/8in. inset hinge in the fact that your door partially overlaps your frame and it partially sits inside of the frame. An offset hinge is going to be surface mounted (meaning your door wing and your frame wing are both attached to the front surface.) The 3/8in. offset hinge has a bend on the door wing that measures (yep, you guessed it-3/8in.) the bend actually lips around the back edge of your door. Below is an example of a 3/8in. offset hinge, again take note of the diagram which will show the hinge following the bend of the door.

Those are the major types of hinge, and believe it or not there are still more types of hinges out there in the world. I can't give too much away though, or I might teach my way out of a job.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Not All Cabinet Hinges Were Created Equal- Part 1

2009-05-01T08:35:00.000-07:00

I can't count how many times over the years I've heard a customer tell me, "I thought all cabinet hinges were the same.” And through their quest for the correct hinge, they've come to realize how wrong they were. There are a zillion different options. OK not a zillion but I'm sure it seems that way to some.

There are Overlays, Insets, Offsets, Demountables, Face Mounts, and European Hinges. I'll go through each one and hopefully make some sense out of them for you. I'll start with the anatomy of a hinge:

∙The Frame Wing is the part of the hinge that attaches to the cabinet frame.

∙The Door Wing is the part of the hinge that attaches to the door. Depending on the hinge, this can attach to the back of the door, the side of the door, or the front of the door.

∙The Knuckle is what connects the two wings together and allows the hinge to rotate.

∙The Pin is the long barrel that runs through the knuckle and holds the hinge together. Some people will use the terms Barrel, Pin, and Knuckle interchangeably.

Now that you know what the parts of a hinge are called, we can go on to the mounting of hinges. There are a few main types of mounting; the first would be a Partial Wrap hinge. This is pretty much exactly how it sounds; the hinge partially wraps the frame. On the frame wing of the hinge, there is an extra bend that allows the hinge to be mounted on the side of the cabinet opening rather than on the face of the cabinet. The door wing is mounted on the back of the cabinet door. When the hinge is installed and the door is closed all that you see is the knuckle. The picture above is an example of a partial wrap hinge.

The next type of mounting would be a Face Frame hinge. On a face frame hinge, the frame wing is attached to the outside of the cabinet frame with two screws, and the door wing is mounted behind the cabinet door. When the door is closed, the frame wing side of the hinge is exposed. See the picture below:

Another mounting type is a Surface Mount hinge, again it sounds like what it does. Both the frame wing and the door wing are mounted on the surface (or front) of the cabinet. When this hinge is installed, and the door is closed you would see the frame wing on the outside mounted with two or three screws and the door wing mounted on the outside with two or three screws. An example:

Last would be a Flush/Full Inset mount, some people call this type of mounting a full inset because the door is fully inside the cabinet frame. Some people call it a flush mount because the door and the frame are flush with each other. On a full inset hinge, the frame wing is mounted to the side of the cabinet opening and the door wing is mounted on the inside edge of the cabinet door. When a full inset hinge is mounted, your door will be flush with your frame and all that you would see when the door is closed would be the knuckle. The last example:

I don’t want to scare you into never buying hinges on your own so I’ll save the best for last….cabinet hinge applications. Stay tuned for next weeks installment of an in depth explanation on the different types of cabinet hinge applications.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Who Says You Need Keys To Lock Your Door?

2009-04-27T14:59:00.000-07:00

How many times have you locked yourself out of the house or lost a key? I’ve had my fair share of climbing through windows or having to hide a spare key. Not anymore…..

With Schlage’s keypad locks you don’t have to carry a key ever again. They come in a variety of styles and finishes, and they’re very easy to install & program. Schlage provides a 9 volt battery that lasts for about 3 years, so if your power goes out you don’t need to worry about the lock not working, and if all this isn’t enough-the keypad is even backlit for night time use.

When you receive your keypad lock, it will come with very detailed installation instructions, but here’s an overview on how to install. Basically, you will put the latch bolt in its hole, hold the outside trim plate up to the door, (it should stay in place when lined up properly) snap the base plate (inside) onto the post that runs through the door, connect the battery wires, line up the interior trim plate, and screw it in place.

To program the lock you’ll punch in the 6 digit programming code that Schlage has provided, then press the “Schlage” button on the top, press #1 and your personalized 4 digit code, repeat the 4 digit code and voila! You’re done.

You can program up to 19 different 4 digit codes. This is a great feature because you can set up a code for each family member or if it’s a rental property you don’t have to rekey the locks when they leave (just change the code). If you’re expecting a repair person you can assign a code to them and when they’re done you can delete the code. If you have company from out of town, they can have their own codes and again-all you have to do is delete the code when they leave. No more getting copies of keys, buying hide-a-keys, changing your locks, or getting a phone call from one of your kids saying they’re locked out of the house.Check out the overview video from Schlage:

It's All About Personal Preference

2009-04-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

One of the most frequently asked questions that we get at The Hardware Hut is “Do I put knobs or pulls on my cabinets?” The answer in short, is whatever you want.

There really is no correct answer for choosing knobs versus pulls, or even where to place them on the cabinet. We’ve seen customers put knobs on doors and pulls on drawers, or pulls on both the doors and drawers. It really just comes down to personal preference. For example, in my kitchen I have the same pull on all of my drawers and my doors.

There are some things to consider before making your choices. If you have existing holes in your cabinetry and you are replacing your hardware then your options will be limited by the holes that are already there. If the previous homeowner had pulls on their doors, you will need to measure the distance between the two screw holes and choose a pull with the same hole spacing. You could fill in the old holes and drill new ones, but for a quick update to your kitchen it’s easier to stick with the same hole spacing.

Cabinet knobs only take one screw so if you are replacing existing hardware, you don’t have to consider the hole spacing and you’ve got a much bigger range of choices to select from. Also, cabinet knob installation is easier than pulls.

Cabinet pulls are of course larger than knobs, so they tend to feel more comfortable to grip and they can help facilitate opening a heavier drawer since they are anchored with two screws.

My favorite thing to say in hardware is “There is no standard.” Cabinet knob and pull placement just happens to be a perfect example of that. On the other hand, when flipping through kitchen and bath magazines I do frequently see, knobs on doors and pulls on drawers.

The bottom line- comfort and ease of use should be a priority other than that, have fun with your design. Choose something that will reflect your personality.

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”

Home Improvement......Here I Come!

2009-04-23T11:18:00.000-07:00

Welcome to The Hardware Chronicles. Within this blog you'll find helpful tricks, product details and explanations, new products to the market, and tips from professionals in the wonderful (and sometimes crazy) world of hardware.

I'll start with a little background information; I have worked for thehardwarehut.com for eight years. In those eight years I have gained quite a bit of experience in dealing with all types of hardware needs. Hopefully, with these posts I'll be able to give you a little bit of insight and information into the hardware industry. It seems to me, more and more there are people that are willing to give home improvement projects a shot without hiring a contractor. Because of this, there are a number of questions and situations that I never thought would come up in my daily duties. But.....I wouldn't be here if they hadn't.

When you call The Hardware Hut you're likely to get any one of the five customer service/sales staff that works here. When I tell you that you will get tips from professionals, I mean it.....the combined experience between the five of us is 54 years! With that many years under our belts we can definitely hand out some advice. There will be times when one of my coworkers will share with you some of their knowledge and expertise and post a blog or two, so be on the lookout. Thanks for reading and stay tuned!

Erica
“Leave the Details to Us”