What is the best material for exterior door knobs?

Author: Prof. Kareem Nolan  |  Last update: Sunday, January 4, 2026

Stainless Steel This material is durable and long-lasting and can also be a cost-efficient choice. However, the look of stainless steel door knobs and handles means that it isn't a popular choice for interior doors. But the look, durability, and cost-savings make it perhaps the best material for external door handles.

What is the best material for external door handles?

It's vital you pick the right material for external door handles. As opposed to internal door handles, your front door is exposed to rain, wind, and air, and so needs to be able to withstand the worst kind of weather. Generally, your best options are stainless steel, aluminium, nickel, or chrome door handles.

What is the most durable finish for exterior door hardware?

1) Application/Durability:

For these applications stainless steel and satin chrome is the best finish choice.

What is the most durable material for door handles?

1. Stainless Steel. Stainless steel is an extremely strong door handle material, being a functional and practical choice, because of its durability and for being a natural corrosion-resistant, hard-wearing, and low-maintenance material.

What is the best grade for door knobs?

Schlage is a pretty solid brand, so you're not going to go wrong with them. The easiest way to compare stuff in the big box stores is to look at the grade rating. Grade 1 is the highest, which includes most schlage products. Grade 2 is mid grade stuff like kwikset, and grade 3 is builder grade junk.

How To Choose The Right Door Hardware

What is the difference between cheap and expensive door knobs?

While cheap door knobs may be easier to install, they often require more maintenance and are more likely to need replacement down the track. Expensive door knobs, although potentially requiring professional installation, tend to be more reliable and require less maintenance over time.

What is a grade 3 door knob?

Grade 3 – Basic Residential Security The lowest grade provided by ANSI, and the minimal acceptable quality for residential door locks.

What are the disadvantages of brass door handles?

While brass door handles may offer traditional appeal, their drawbacks—tarnishing, corrosion, and high maintenance—make them less suitable for today's needs.

What material is better for an exterior door?

The most popular materials for an exterior door are wood, steel and fiberglass. Most homeowners don't mind the upfront investment for wood because of its traditional look and natural appeal. A metal or steel exterior door is the most budget friendly of the three.

Which is the most suitable material for the preparation of handles?

The most suitable material for the preparation of handles of cooking utensils is bakelite.

Which door knob finish is best?

The Top 10 finishes for Door Hardware
  • Graphite Nickel. One for the ages, this finish was introduced in 2019 and has been very quick out of the starting blocks. ...
  • Brushed Nickel. ...
  • Two tone – Brushed Nickel/Chrome Plate. ...
  • Matt Black. ...
  • Satin Chrome. ...
  • Chrome Plate. ...
  • Satin Brass. ...
  • Vintage Pewter.

What color door knobs are in style in 2024?

Top 5 Door Trends For 2024 & Beyond
  • Matt Black: The Timeless Modern Choice. ...
  • Brushed Brass: A Nod to Vintage Glamour and Embracing Maximalism. ...
  • Satin Nickel: The Epitome of Subtle Elegance. ...
  • White and Off-White: Crisp and Clean Minimalism. ...
  • Wood: Bringing the Outdoors Inside.

Why is Emtek so expensive?

One big difference is that Schlage is a hollow Zinc die cast construction and Emtek is made of solid brass. This is why Emtek is more expensive, and typically feels a bit nicer. Ultimately, if you purchase a hardware product from either of these brands, you really can't go wrong.

What is the most secure exterior door handle?

What Is the Most Secure Type of Door Handle?
  • Schlage is never a bad choice. ...
  • Kwikset 991 Juno entry knob and single cylinder deadbolt combo. ...
  • Prime-Line E 2495 mortise keyed lock set. ...
  • Honeywell 8101406 classic entry door knobs and deadbolt lock set. ...
  • Find the right look for you.

What are exterior door knobs called?

Keyed entry door knobs have a lock and key mechanism on both sides for safety and security. They're used on front doors, patio doors and garage doors that go into your home or other exterior doors. Some have a button on the inside that you press to lock the door. The button unlocks when you turn the interior knob.

What door handles won't rust?

Weather Resistance: Grade 304 and 316 Stainless steel door handles are suitable for exterior doors as they can withstand exposure to the elements without deteriorating or corroding. This makes them a popular choice for residential and commercial properties alike.

What is the least expensive exterior door material?

Advantages of Steel Doors

Low cost — Of all of the exterior door options, a steel door requires the lowest upfront investment. You can find a variety of steel door options all at a considerably lower cost than a wood or fiberglass door, simply because steel doors are much less expensive to manufacture.

What is the trend in front doors in 2024?

An entry door in a warm earthy tone or a dark forest green to complement an outdoor landscape is also on trend this year, as is an organic texture like a woodgrain aesthetic on a fiberglass door.

Which is stronger, fiberglass or steel?

The answer is that, pound–for–pound, fiberglass is stronger than steel or aluminum. While strength isn't the only consideration in selecting a vehicle body, it is a major one. It is, after all, a matter of both safety and durability.

What is the best material for exterior door handles?

It is usually better to choose a waxed brass handle as it will retain its new look for longer. Stainless steel – this is an incredibly durable, low-maintenance material for door handles that will stay shining for a long time.

Are brass door knobs outdated?

When brass returned to the forefront of the design world, it was clear that it was not a finish that would go out of style. So, whether you want to update your current hardware or work brass accents into your home, beautiful brass is here to stay.

Which material door handle is best?

Stainless Steel

This material is well-known for its corrosion resistance, making it ideal for both interior and exterior use. Whether you're fitting handles on a kitchen cabinet or an exterior door, stainless steel offers a reliable solution that stands the test of time.

Is Schlage or Kwikset better?

Since Schlage locks are made of stronger materials, and provide far greater security than Kwikset locks, they also come with a higher price tag.

How do I know what door knob to buy?

What You Need to Know When Shopping for Door Knobs
  1. Make sure the door hardware will work with your door thickness.
  2. Take note of the door knob's required borehole size.
  3. Make sure replacement door knobs will fit your door.
  4. Check the required backset for your replacement door knobs.

What is a Grade 2 door knob?

ANSI Grade 2 locks are rated by ANSI for commercial usage but in areas where there is standard traffic flow. In order to qualify for an ANSI Grade 2 rating, each locks has to go through 400,000 opening and closing cycles, 4 strikes to the door with a hammer and a 250 lb. weight test.

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