We meet people every day who say, “I thought I could just grab a new handle.”
That’s totally fair.
What these folks quickly realize is that there are different sizes, “handing,” finishes, and a few different lock types.
We don’t want you to feel confused or discouraged, so we put together this guide to help you gather the right info at home so your trip to Modern Hardware feels easy and you leave with just the right set.
Start Here: “Our SUPER simple Guide”
Not sure where to even start? Here’s our super simple guide to figure out how Modern Hardware can help you:
- If you’re working with your current door: Bring us a few pictures
- If you’re working with a new door: Bring us your order form, since it has the details we’ll need. If you already have your new door, feel free to bring pictures as well. We really, really love pictures!
Beyond the Simple Guide: “Our Know Before You Go” Checklist
Bring these details and you will make faster, better choices.
Door thickness
Most interior doors are about 1-3/8". Many exterior doors are about 1-3/4". Measure yours.
- Handing (hinge side) for levers and some locks
Stand on the outside of the door (keyed side or the side you enter the room from). If the hinges are on your left, it is Left-Hand (LH). If the hinges are on your right, it is Right-Hand (RH).
Note: Handing for levers is not the same as how you order a door. Brands like Emtek include clear handing diagrams in their catalogs.
- Keying
Do you want multiple doors keyed alike? Bring an existing working key if you want us to match that keyway. Tell us how many locks to key alike. - Material and finish
For finishes, decide the look you want and where the door lives. Matte black is popular but often has different warranty and care considerations than other finishes. Ask us what to expect and how to care for it. - Age and condition
Note if your home has original doors or odd hole sizes. There are good retrofit options, including cover plates and conversion kits. - Photos
Take photos of the door face, edge, strike plate, and the existing hardware removed if possible.
How Modern Hardware can help
- We actually measure with you. Bring your checklist and photos. We will confirm backset, spacing, and handing on the spot.
- Keying services. We can key new locks to your existing key whenever the keyway allows and set up a whole-home key-alike plan.
- Style matching. From clean modern to classic backplates, we carry options in stock and can special-order lines like Emtek.
- Solutions for older homes. Conversion plates, mortise replacements, and hardware that respects original doors.
- Care and warranty guidance. We will explain finish care, especially for popular black finishes, and help you choose materials that fit your home.
Ready to make it easy? Stop by Modern Hardware with your checklist and a couple photos, and our team will do the rest: measurements, keying options, and finish guidance included.
Prefer a set time and a slower walkthrough? Book a consultation and we’ll sit down together and get it right the first time.