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5 Door Hardware Tips provided by ServiceMagic.com.

The main question to consider when buying, installing, or maintaining any door hardware is to ask: How will it be used? In other words, what type of door is it being attached to (exterior, interior, front door, bedroom door) and what is its overall purpose (safety, style, utility)? Many times when something goes wrong with an entryway, homeowners blame the door itself. But a door is only as dependable as its components and most problems occur when the inner workings don't match up to the exterior function. So when on the search for new door hardware, be aware of these 5 simple tips to help in your selection.

Safety First: Locksets are probably the most crucial part of any entryway. You always want your locks to be state of the art (keyless lock systems have grown in popularity) but more importantly they have to be durable. In other words, don't go for high-tech models (keypads, card-swipes) if they require a lot of maintenance. If a lock isn't reliable, then it's worthless. For traditional exterior doors, go for a single cylinder dead bolt, which requires a key outside and uses a thumb-switch inside. If you have glass porch doors, then you may want to go for a double cylinder, which requires a key for both the inside and out. This way, even if a burglar breaks the glass, it's still difficult to gain entry.

The Latch: Along with security, it's always important to consider your handle. Many times interior doors will use simple handle-locks. These door knob locks are easy to bypass because they use simple mechanics—a simple hairpin can be used to unlock it. But since these locks are only there for privacy's sake, they're vulnerability is actually an asset: if somehow you get locked inside a room, it's easy to be rescued. But when it comes to door knobs, the crucial thing to keep in mind is alignment. In other words, does the door open and close easily. Occasionally check to make sure your latches are catching properly. Remember, a door is only as effective as its upkeep.