What Are My Options for Replacing Exterior Door Hardware?

1: you can hire a craftsman to do the job after you select the hardware.2: you can do it yourself.3: you can get a relative, like a father or in law or uncle to do it.if you are semi handy with tools, doing it yourself is the cheapest option and often the most satisfying. Good luck which ever route you take!.

1. How to choose the right cabinets for your new kitchen

As the great modernist Adolf Loos once said, "form follows function," and when it comes to kitchen cabinetry this rule could not be more applicable. With good form and function, your cabinets do not require grandeur or decoration. Their style and point-of-difference should come from pared-down design, quality material and sheer functionality, that integrate seamlessly into your kitchen work triangle. Get this right and you will have a very slick and stylish kitchen. "Your kitchen is the heart of your home, and as such needs to be a functional space or you wo not want to spend time in it," says Commercial Interior Designer Bronx Whitehorn. "Always aim for clear bench tops which is a sign of a well-ordered kitchen. In order to keep them this way, your kitchen implements and appliances needs a home, and this is where well designed functional cabinetry comes into play." Keep your design clean and minimal - it cuts material and labour costs and results in clean and practical spaces in which to stash your stuff and display your objet d'art. Open shelving is an on-trend option that can be crafted in solid timber or ply, or in less pricey HDMR board with a veneer or laminate finish. "It is a great option for the budget-conscious made affordable due to lack of door front, but you do need to keep it ordered and neat," says Whitehorn. "Do not let it become a dumping ground. Open shelving is a real focal point and if not kept orderly, will make your kitchen look messy and small." Consider your lifestyle, storage requirements and budget. HDMR board is the least-expensive option and is commonly used by cabinetmakers and in mass produced pre-packed kitchens. Solid timber, depending on the variety, is a more pricey option. Under-bench cabinets can be laminated and left as shelving, or feature drawer fronts or doors. The drawer and door fronts and end panels typically are finished with a laminate, a veneer, a paint lacquer finish or a vacuum-wrapped finish. Each has its own character, upside and price point so speak with your cabinetmaker about your facing material. From there you can select finish - both colour and texture, whether matte, semi-gloss, or high gloss. "If you are restrained by budget, opt for a less expensive material, then create a mash up of textures to give it a high-end vibe," says Whitehorn. "For example high gloss cabinetry topped with a warm wood-look counter top looks stylish." Large appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers can be seamlessly concealed with an integrated panel that matches the fronts. "It is particularly useful if you live in a small-scale or open plan home," says Whitehorn. "If you dine in the same room as your kitchen, you do not want to be staring at your fridge and dishwasher. Integrating them into your cabinetry is a clever way of hiding them from view, and at the same time, making your kitchen appear seamless and larger." Consider your storage needs, and map out deep drawers for pots and pans, shelving or drawers for crockery, and narrow drawers for cutlery and utensils. Decide which bench-top appliances you want displayed on your counter, for example your coffee machine, and dedicate shelf space for the rest Make use of leftover narrow space with a tall open shelf for chopping boards, and shallow sliding drawer above a built-in rubbish bin for extra garbage bags, zip locks and cling wrap. Built-in strip or spot lighting can be installed under an open shelf, power points can be concealed in cabinets, and a sensor light can be installed in the pantry. Whilst practicality is paramount, so are good looks. "A reticent colour palette that features pops of colour or texture for interest gives good style cred," says Whitehorn. "For example, apply to an end wall panel some wallpaper, tiles, timber, or a blackboard." Look for hardware that enhances the design of your cabinetry and is user-friendly for your family. "The right handles are not necessarily expensive," she says. "Look for modern statement pieces that wo not date and if your kitchen is small, avoid large statement hardware that will overwhelm the space, and instead choose slim line handles." Consider soft drawer closers if you do not like a slam, and for door hardware, consider what will serve your family best; a simple inexpensive pull handle or a handy and seamless press release which springs your door open at a touch.

2. How to Remove Tarnish on Old Dresser Handles

Antique furniture can lend a lot of character to a home, but it often requires extra upkeep. For example, old drawer pulls and door hardware often were made from brass, aluminum and copper, which can get discolored, turn dull and become messy-looking. The materials in the handles react with the air, moisture, acids and oil, and they can wear down and change color, or tarnish (also referred to as "oxidize"), as time passes. Clean tarnish in several ways, ranging from simple homemade remedies to store-bought cleansers and polishes. The first step in cleaning those tarnished pulls and hardware is to use a screwdriver or drill to remove them. Next, the team at Simply Beautiful Kitchens recommends filling up a bucket with equal parts of white distilled vinegar and water and letting the pieces soak for a few hours to overnight. Then, pour out the vinegar mixture and fill the bucket with Dawn dishwashing soap and warm water. Allow the pieces to marinate in this solution for another hour, and gently scrub each piece with a kitchen scrubber sponge or a rag. Use an old toothbrush to get the little nooks and crannies clean. Rinse everything off with clean water, and let them air dry on some clean towels. You can then screw the pulls or hardware back on. The experts at Aluminum Warehouse have another chemical-free way to clean oxidized door handles. Mix 1 tablespoon each of salt, flour and vinegar until it forms a paste. You can use a toothbrush to brush it on to the handles, let it sit for a couple of minutes, and then wash it off with warm water. Buff the handle to a nice shine with a clean, lint-free cloth. The staff at Better Homes & Gardens also mention the vinegar and flour methods and claim that cleaning brass with plain white toothpaste is also effective. They also say that you can use a bit of ketchup instead (it has vinegar in it), but test it on an inconspicuous spot first. A mixture of the juice from 1/2 lemon and 1 teaspoon of baking soda can effectively polish your cabinet hardware, as long as you clean it afterward with warm water. Tarnished copper can be cleaned in many of the same ways. The experts at Artisan's Anvil like using ketchup and the lemon juice/baking soda mixture for lighter cleaning. For heavier tarnish, place the copper hardware in a sink, and sprinkle the pieces with salt. Pour some white wine vinegar on top, sprinkle with more salt and let sit for 20 seconds. Add some vinegar to a soft cloth, and gently scrub until the tarnish disappears. Be sure to rinse everything off right away; otherwise, the copper could end up with permanent stains. If you are dealing with old dresser handles that resist your home-remedy attempts at tarnish removal, fear not. Commercial products do a great job at removing tarnish. These often have chemicals that will leave a protective coating on the hardware surface, which can prevent subsequent tarnishing and discoloring. When cleaning brass or copper, though, do not use anything abrasive like steel wool or a rough brush. And if you plan to clean or polish with salt, stay away from coarse salts, as they can also scratch the surfaces. The experts from Remodelista like using dry, clean cloths with commercial cleaners and advise against using wet rags as they can dilute the chemical solutions. After cleaning, you can get rid of the residue with dish soap and warm water. Dry thoroughly, and apply some mineral oil from time to time to keep the hardware looking nice and shiny.

3. What is this door hardware called?

I think it's a push latch or a push to close latch for sliding doors- like the one pictured below: