AboutVan Wilson Expertise I can answer questions to installing and repairing kitchen and bathroom wall and vanity cabinets including installing cabinet hardware. and Including building and installing laminated countertops and installing plumbing fixtures into cabinet tops.
Experience 30 years on the job experience.
Education/Credentials Have taught installation classes for local homecare centers 2 years
Expert: Van Wilson Date: 5/21/2008 Subject: Cabinet Hardware
Question QUESTION: Mr. Wilson, I recently bought a new house. The builder is willing to pay for
the cabinet hardware as long as I pick it from HardwareResources.com (by
Jeffrey Alexander. Are familiar with brand by any chance (I realize that there
must be hundreds of brands)? My concern is that, if I am not happy with the
handles, how easily will it be for me to change (in a year or two) to other
handles that I purchase myself. I know this only depends on matching the
hole widths of the original handles. Well then, what are considered the most
universal handle sizes. Should I stick with 3" c-to-c width (the widest
available at the aforementioned website)? Or should I just look to purchase
3.5" c-to-c out of my own pocket? For the kitchen? For the master bath? For
the secondary bathrooms? Lastly, what is your opinion on handles vs. knobs
on doors & drawers? I apologize for the length of my question. Thank you in
advance for your advice. Cheers, Ajay
ANSWER: Hi Ajay,
I have seen the collection of handles that you have spoken about from the resources that you provided with in your question and they do have some very attractive hardware, I have never heard of this brand of hardware before and looking at the pictures offered by the site I have seen similar shapes and designs by other manufactures. How ever it is a very generous offer for the builder to offer to furnish all of your cabinets hardware if you select it from this site. I personally want to be able to touch what I buy before I buy it, and take it home buying from an internet site does limit that.
You do have the right to refuse any product you do not like before installation. I prefer knobs on the doors and pulls on the drawers and most of my customers saw it that way too. I picked hardware for homeowners due to the size of their fingers or the fingers that would open the drawers and doors. I know that may sound odd but that was my method and it worked well.
If your builder will present some samples of the hardware from the web site for your inspection that may make you more at ease.
3" up are all standard sizes. It is personal taste that matters most.
If I can help you further please let me know,
Van
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Mr. Wilson, The builder is not willing to let me see the fit and finish of the
hardware beforehand...thus I have to just choose what 'looks' best. But
therein lies my concern...as long as I choose 'universal' handle sizes, I can
always replace them later if I choose. Given the selection you saw, there is
essentially nothing larger than 3" c-to-c to choose. I now feel that that
should be adequate for most drawers in the house. My sole concern remains
the kitchen. Would 3" c-to-c be adequate? The drawer sizes are a mix of
16" and 19" with 3 30" drawers. If you recommend, I'll (reluctantly) pay out of
pocket and purchase larger hardware. If so, where should I look and what
brands do you suggest? FYI, both my wife and I are of shorter stature...and,
coincidentally, my four fingers measure exactly 3" across the knuckles.
Thank you, again, for your time and advice. Cheers, Ajay
Answer Hi Ajay,
I see your concern about the different drawer widths and the handle sizes. I have addressed this issue many times and the end result is appearance.
If you use different width handles to to match different width drawers in the same room that will definitely look out of place. I know it may seem odd to use the same size handles on all drawers but when they are centered on each drawer you will see that it all blends together nicely.
Handles that I saw on the web site that you suggested looked very nice and I expect they will work nicely in your home.
If you want to look at some locally You can find stores in your phone book that sell cabinet hardware and kitchen cabinets together. I have never heard of a building contractor offering to furnish cabinet hardware for free and install it as well. It could be a very good thing but I do understand your concern.
I have seen handles with a 3" Center TO Center installed on drawers and the the homeowner wanted new hardware installed and the holes in the drawers would not fit the new handles so a new hole would had to be drilled foe the new handles so it is always best to get what you want in the beginning so you will not have to change them out so soon.
I do not know the current name brands of kitchen hardware as I have been retired a few years and things change quite often.
Another option would to ask the builder if he has put the hardware that you saw on the Internet in another home in your area that you could see if that would be possible.
