Vintage Door Hardware

How To Save Money On Vintage Door Hardware

If you are undergoing a restoration project on a period home you may well be wondering how to save money on vintage door hardware.  Following are some suggestions that will help you accomplish this goal.

First, decide whether you really need antique hardware or if a unified appearance is your primary goal.  While antique hardware is beautiful and sturdy (just by virtue of the fact that it’s still around it’s proven that it can stand up to time), it can be expensive to find real vintage hardware, and it can be hard to locate, especially if you need large quantities.  There is nothing like finding the perfect antique glass knobs and then being disappointed to learn the dealer has 12 of them in stock and you need 18.

It also depends on what type of hardware you are looking for.  Vintage door knobs and pulls similar to the type on a cabinet are the easiest to find.  A vintage lock will be a bit harder, and as most of these aren’t functioning any longer it is hardly worth the time and expense.  Specialty vintage hardware that is highly functional, like a pocket door mechanism may be actually impossible to find at this point, so you’re better off going with a replica. 

On the other hand, you may serendipitously come across whimsical pieces like vintage bells on occasion.  If they are reasonably priced this is a great way to add authenticity to your renovation. 

It’s not very hard to find a manufacturer with a collection that emulates the style of antique hardware without the costs.  For example, Omnia has some beautiful hardware with architectural merit to it at reasonable prices.  However, if your heart is set on real vintage hardware, there may be a few places you can look to find discounts.

One is to check with demolition crews.  In areas where it is popular to knock down homes in order to build new construction, it is often possible to find people who have no idea that antique hardware is valuable and they may just be planning to toss it on the scrap heap.  You can get these for little to no cost this way. 

Similarly, if you’ve seen a period home in the area undergoing renovations, consider checking with the homeowner.  Some people prefer modern hardware and will go around replacing beautiful vintage door hardware with modern styles.  Sometimes you can even find antique hardware at garage sales, so it pays to be on the lookout.