Gripset Lowdown

 The front door of your home is a special place. A place where people enter, meet and greet. The hardware on that front door is not just a point of security but can be decorative and have a certain style. For some people the traditional key in knob, passage and deadbolt is good enough but for others a gripset is the most ergonomic and attractive choice.
    

There are some factors to consider when choosing the right gripset for the door. You may really like the looks of a specific set but should you buy it? I am going to give you the best advice right here.
 How thick is the door? 1 3/4" is the standard. If the door is thicker, then you must know that what you are purchasing will fit the thickness. Know what backset the door is prepped for and are there 2 1/8 bores? More than likely the gripset you are purchasing will require two 2 1/8 bores and somewhere 8 to 10 inches below the bottom bore there will be a smaller hole to accomodate the bottom of the grip handle. Schlage gripsets have an adjustable mounting post to meet an existing hole.
​ Even with a 2 3/8" backset you must check if the deadbolt and any of it's trim will fit between the door edge and any window frame if the door has a window? Can the deadbolt be keyed to your existing key or keying requirements? Is the lock cylinder a brass pin tumbler? It should be! The good old brass pin tumbler is the most reliable and servicable. Sometimes things that seem smart are not really smart.
 Many finishes to choose from. Oil rub bronze. Pewter. Satin chrome. Brushed nickel. Polished brass. Matte black and so on. I don't think your decision here should be swayed by a "lifetime warranty". Good luck collecting on that one.
 Factors to consider also include the paint on the door. If you are replacing an existing worn out gripset there will be an outline or impression or paint flakes peeled off. Can the new grip cover the old imperfections? Maybe painting the door first and then installing the new hardware is the best choice.
​ When it comes to the install be prepared to deal with the door frame and how the strike plates align. Weather stripping and hinges also are involved with the whole door swing and latch alignment. Make sure you know before your next move. A locksmith or carpenter might be more helpful and worth considering for the installation.