Modern Door Handles

What Are The Differences Between Vintage And Modern Door Handles?

If you are a homeowner who likes contemporary design, you may be wondering what the differences are between vintage and modern door handles.  Vintage or antique styles have taken off greatly in popularity over the past few years but they simply do not go well with modern interiors.  If your furniture is mid-century modern, Victorian cut glass door knobs will not look right.  Following is a discussion about the similarities and differences between modern and vintage style door handles.

First, designer versions of both types of hardware exist, and are often manufactured by the same companies.  If you get a catalog of door handles or look at a website you will figure this out very quickly.  Most vintage style hardware today is actually new because it is easier to find sufficient quantities and the hardware is sturdier.

Next, in many cases the same types of materials are used for both.  You can find glass door handles in antique styles and modern styles.  When it comes to metal, modern door knobs are often made out of brass, and so are vintage styles, but the finish will be different.  Modern ones are usually polished to a high shine while vintage styles may have an antiqued surface such as oil rubbed.  The one material you will see used all the time for modern handles that is almost never used for vintage styles is chrome. 

Next, the style of the door handles can make it relatively easy to discern which type you are looking at.  In old houses, knobs were used almost exclusively while in modern interiors it is quite common to use pulls.  Any time you see a lever being used as an interior door handle you can feel fairly certain that this is a modern design.  Of course, there are also modern style door knobs but they look quite different than vintage versions. 

The main difference between vintage door handles and modern door handles is that the latter are usually simple in design. Antique door knobs were often highly elaborate, with carving, painting, or faceting on them.  Reproductions made by modern manufacturers emulate this style and are equally ornate.  However, modern handles are usually very simple.  The modern aesthetic in general leans towards simplicity and door knobs or handles are seen as functional.  This doesn’t mean that they can’t also be beautiful, but it does mean that they should not compete for attention with the architecture of your house.