Author: b2

If you’re looking to replace old, dated hardware with new hardware in your kitchen, look no further. Endless choices await you. Knobs or Pulls? Nickel or Brass? You’ll also want to be mindful of previous holes created by the old hardware. These questions are crucial when determining which style of hardware is best for your kitchen. We’ve created a general guide to updating hardware, including some of our favorite hardware shared with you below.

Trends for Kitchen Hardware

You might want to think of the hardware as jewelry for your cabinetry. Getting dressed up and adding jewelry is a way to be noticed and to be the center of attention. New hardware just might be what your cabinetry needs to turn heads. Here are a few modern hardware designs that are becoming incredibly popular in new homes.

• Matte black finishes
• Satin black finishes
• Latches instead of knobs
• Mixing and matching knobs and pulls
• Square bar pulls instead of tubular

Handles

Whether your home is fashioned with wood, marble, or ceramic features, there’s an enormous array of options for homeowners. Handles also come in various styles and finishes, allowing you to choose from many possible combinations for your home. Finishes can also come in numerous shades. There’s matte or satin, antique, champagne, traditional, lacquered and more. Some of the most popular are:

• Glass
• Brass
• Chrome
• Nickel
• Stainless Steel

Pulls

Choosing pulls over knobs can have many benefits. Firstly, pulls typically are a little easier to use than knobs, which makes them an exceptional choice for homes with fragile or arthritic hands. Pulls can decrease the amount of contact your hands have with your cabinets, which helps to keep your cabinetry spotless, thereby creating less hassle overall. Lastly, pulls are available in a wider selection of designs than knobs. With so many unique designs and finishes, it is easier to give your cabinets a designer touch.

Knobs

Knobs are typically small in size, which gives them a more refined appearance than pulls. If you have stunning cabinetry or a stunning backsplash that you’d prefer to have to stand out, choose a knob that fits the style of your home. No matter which finish you decide on for your kitchen hardware, one thing is sure: each choice offers a unique look and feel. The many options make it easy to find the perfect interior door hardware to suit your taste and décor.

Featured Brands

Smith & DeShields offers you competitive pricing and the best-in-the-industry experience. Because quality matters to our clients and to us, we proudly note our top-quality vendors:

• Emtek
• Baldwin Hardware
• OMNIA Industries Inc
• Ashely Norton
• Rocky Mountain Hardware
• AHI Hardware
• SIMONSWERK
• Karcher Design
• Schlage
• Unison Hardware

Smith & DeShields

Finding the right aesthetic for your home can be a bit overwhelming, so leave it to the professionals to help you choose the proper hardware.

For more than 65 years, Smith & DeShields has built a reputation around the constant evolution of its product lines to match the latest technology, designs, and hardware that stand the test of time. Contractors, architects and homeowners alike are invited to experience the wide variety of quality products showcased in each of our four Florida showrooms. If you are interested in installing our custom hardware for your home, visit one of the four showrooms throughout Florida, including Naples, Fort Myers, Boca Raton, and Jupiter. Visit SmithandDeShields.com to learn more.

Why buy from a national chain when you can purchase quality products from a local supplier that is trusted and reliable? As a family owned builders’ supply firm with over 60 years of expertise, Smith & DeShields is the leader in Southwest Florida for many products, including moulding, cabinets and door hardware.

Located on the west side of Metro Parkway, just north of Daniels Parkway, our Smith & DeShields Fort Myers showroom is well-appointed, with a multitude of displays that allow clients to touch and feel many of our products.

Smith & DeShields also offers a large inventory of in-stock mouldings available for your convenience. We welcome you to take home moulding samples of our products to see how they would look in your home firsthand. Our mouldings, as well as our other products, stand the test of time and offer style, selection, and service for all clients, big or small.

Style

Our Fort Myers showroom offers a vast selection of hardware samples on display. Smith & DeShields specializes in all popular brands and also many smaller, unique lines that can give your home a personalized touch. If you don’t find what you’re looking for on the showroom floor, Smith & DeShields can acquire it from almost any manufacturer worldwide. Our extensive inventory makes Smith & DeShields one of the largest and finest hardware-stocking dealers in Florida.

Selection

At the Fort Myers showroom, you can choose from an unparalleled selection of doors, hardware, moulding, and other architectural accents and building supplies. Many products are available immediately, and local exclusives to Smith & DeShields can be found in stock. Smith & DeShields also offers pricing that cannot be beat, unlike expensive chain hardware stores.

Service

Smith & DeShields’ sales associates are among the best in the industry and are quick to offer valuable advice and insights. They are highly knowledgeable about the many products available at Smith & DeShields’ Fort Myers showroom and they’re ready and eager to help you you’re your architectural products selections that fit your specifications. If you’re unsure what you’re looking for, they are happy to help you explore the various options available so that your decision is an informed one.

Smith & DeShields delivers in Southwest Florida to Fort Myers, Estero, Cape Coral, Sanibel/Captiva, and Bonita Springs, making getting your doors, millwork, or hardware even easier.

Smith & DeShields

If you are interested in installing custom hardware in your home, visit Smith & DeShields, the #1 family owned and operated door manufacturer in South Florida.

For over 65 years, Smith & DeShields has been well-respected for evolving its product lines to match the latest technology, designs, and hardware that stand the test of time. As such, contractors, architects, and homeowners alike revel in the wide variety of quality products showcased in each of our four Florida showrooms.

If you are interested in visiting our Fort Myers showroom, visit us at 1790 Metro Parkway, Unit B, Fort Myers, FL 33966. You can also visit one of our showrooms in Naples, Boca Raton or Jupiter. Visit smithanddeshields.com to learn more.

Exterior doors are truly the focal point of the outside of the home as it is the first and last thing your guests see when coming or going. But your exterior door is more than good design and a great first impression. In fact, replacing your exterior door can have an impact on the value of your home. Here’s how.

Resale Value

When potential buyers visit a home, the first thing they notice is the curb appeal. When they ask, “do I see myself living here?” it is often answered within the first couple seconds of seeing the home from the outside. This is why having a stunning exterior door is so important when selling your home.

Studies show that replacing your exterior front door has an average ROI of 63.8%, according to Remodeling Magazine. Whether you are replacing your exterior doors with steel, wood, or glass – buyers and homeowners alike love this addition.

Energy Efficient

Another example of how replacing your exterior door can increase the value of your home is that the home will be more energy efficient with certain types of doors. No matter where your home is located, it is important that your exterior doors are not losing heat or leaking your air conditioning outdoors.

One of the best types of thermal insulated doors is a fiberglass door. Although more expensive, fiberglass doors offer the best insulation for your home which will, in turn, save money on your electric bill. Other types of energy-efficient doors include steel, iron, or solid wood doors.

Increased Protection

Whether you live in sunny Southwest Florida or the snowy northeast, your exterior doors need to be able to withstand even the toughest of storms. From hurricanes to high winds, your door is the only thing standing between you and mother nature.

This is why it is important to purchase a good exterior door. If your doors are lacking in protection and strength, your home, and your wallet, could suffer after the toughest of tests.

Smith and DeShields

If you are interested in replacing the exterior doors of your home, visit Smith and DeShields, a family-owned and operated door manufacturer in Southwest Florida.

Smith & DeShields is home to a wide array of doors to suit all your needs, whether it be exterior or interior doors, simple or fancy, impact-resistant, and more. All of our exterior doors are built to exceed Florida Building Code and are sourced from the most respected vendors.

For over 65 years, Smith and DeShields is well-respected for evolving their product lines to match the latest technology, designs, and hardware that stand the test of time. This is why contractors, architects, and homeowners alike are invited to experience the wide variety of quality products showcased in each of our four Florida showrooms.

If you are interested in replacing your exterior doors, visit one of the four showrooms throughout Florida in Boca Raton, Naples, Jupiter, or Fort Myers. Visit smithanddeshields.com to learn more.

We have seen over the course of many, many years all of the different ways that door frames can be designed and utilized to either improve flow, match the aesthetic of the room, or provide additional functionality such as security, insulation, and sound cancellation. On the other hand, just recently, we have noticed something new! There is absolutely no casing on the doors!

Initially door casings were intended to serve the purpose of shielding and encasing the door hinges within a strong frame. This would allow the door to open and close without causing any harm to the walls or the door itself as a result of the door swinging back and forth. Over time, these door casings would transition from ornate and decorative frames into those that are more flush and unobtrusive. This was done to conform to the more current or modern perspective of today’s design aesthetics. Because people are increasingly working from home, it is important to maintain some semblance of order and eliminate any potential sources of distraction. Door casings are now so flush to the wall that you can’t even tell that they are there.

This new design is much more involved than you may think. Because the door’s frame isn’t visible to the naked eye, companies that manufacture and sell doors came up with a solution that would protect the door and insulate it in the same way that a typical door would be, but would do so in a way that wouldn’t reveal any of the door’s structural components. The result? A casing that is both aesthetically pleasing and technically complex is built into the wall itself. The casing is placed into the drywall at the doorway, taking the place of the framing that would normally go there. Hinges attached inside the casing move and rotate out of the socket from the wall. This allows the door to hinge in and out without the requirement for a frame that is positioned outside of the wall. It is necessary to construct the door frame (jamb) in such a manner that it allows the drywall to attach to it without leaving a visible seam. This can be accomplished by building the jamb in accordance with certain guidelines. Additionally, hinges are utilized that do not protrude. These kinds of hinges are frequently referred to as “hidden hinges” or “concealed hinges”.

While the aesthetic of a door frame with no casing is quite trendy, it is significantly more expensive than a standard door frame. Door frames with no casing must be planned in advance of the construction of the home; otherwise, the drywall will have to be reconfigured to fit the inner portion of the casing.

After the flush door casing installation, the individual who finishes the task should be one with a good skill set and who has great attention to detail in their craft. Otherwise, the end result could fall short of your expectations. If you’re interested in the no casing, casing look, contact Smith & DeShields today. From doors to hardware and molding, visit our 4,000 SF showroom in Naples to view our selection, or call (239) 591-2224 for more information.

Hardware is an important part of the overall aesthetic of a home or business. It can, however, do more than just look fantastic. It may serve to convey a brand image to people who enter your home or office leaving them with a lasting impression.

Hardware is equally important for performance and durability. It’s vital that your hardware gives your appliances, doors, and cabinets the functionality they deserve. For durability, it must be ergonomic, secure, and long-lasting. Performance could be anywhere from auto-closing drawers and cabinets to door hinges that are extremely silent for the sake of good work or home environment.

Finishes

A different metallic finish may be required depending on the colors and concept of your home or business design. For example, if you have a more classic kitchen with a luxury aesthetic, you may choose to use gold metallic knobs, handles, and hinges with a more intricate design.

For businesses, perhaps a more sophisticated, practical doorknob design could be a black metallic finish with an ergonomic grip and clean lines.

Materials

Hardware is also available in a variety of materials; if you want to spend less while still getting more from your hardware, you can always pick a robust plastic that looks beautiful on your doors and cabinetry. Plastic can now be easily created in a variety of designs and finishes that look fabulous but keep costs to a minimum. This is especially useful for companies that require a large quantity of hardware for an office space or building.

For those who love tradition, brass hardware may be just the ticket. Its popularity is due to the fact that it is long-lasting, durable, looks great with a variety of home styles and it develops a rather beautiful patina over years of use.

Nature lovers may go for a bit of rustic look with wooden hardware. Although more costly due to the craftsmanship of the wood, it can stand out in the home and its natural finish can bring warm and earthy tones to your interior.

Styles

Hardware, like finishes and materials, can come in a number of styles. For example, if you have a modern kitchen with clean lines and a simple color palette, you may choose to pick a geometric or square handle in black or silver to match the aesthetic of the area. If you have a traditional-styled home, you may wish to utilize elaborate hardware with flourishes and complicated designs in brass or metallic finishes.

Utility

One thing unites our kitchens, doors, and cabinets throughout the house: hardware. Anything that opens, closes, turns, twists, and shuts requires hardware. This might include anything from sophisticated hinges and sliding drawers to handles and knobs on a range of home utilitarian pieces.

The materials used to build these devices determine their quality. For example, most basic model houses include low-cost fittings like cabinet knobs made of PVC plastic, which can discolor and break after extensive use. Replace these knobs with a more ergonomic and metallic finish, making your cabinets pop, a simple trick to brighten up your kitchen.

An all-too-common occurrence in any home happens when a cabinet breaks off its hinges. Normally you would want hinges that can close a door with ease while also remaining durable. Modern hinges come with a dual twisting locking mechanism that prevents cabinets and doors from opening up further than necessary, thereby protecting the integrity of the hinge. These mechanically advanced hinges also slow your cabinet doors from slamming against their frame when they’re closed to prevent those pesky dents and marks from happening over years of use. If you are interested in a large selection of hardware perfect for your home or business, visit Smith and DeShields’ 4,000 square foot showroom in Naples, or call (239) 591-2224 to learn more about our product offerings.