The first impression of your home is your front door. Set the stage easily with beautiful front door hardware.

Buying new entry hardware may seem complicated, but it’s really quite simple. Below, we lay out some simple tips that will help you pick out new door hardware.

Two decisions matter most: the type of hardware system you need, and getting the measurements right before you order. Get both right, and the rest — style, finish, budget — is the easy part.

Types of Front Door Hardware

Entry Sets

Our entry sets are two-piece sets, meaning the deadbolt is separate from the knob. This allows for a mix-and-match of styles. 

Because the deadbolt and knob are separate pieces, entry sets give you more flexibility — for example, pairing the Keep Knob with a different plate style, or upgrading just the deadbolt later without replacing the whole set.

Entry Handlesets

Our entry handlesets are one-piece sets. That means the deadbolt and the door handle are one continuous piece. You can still mix and match the interior door knob set for a custom look.

Handlesets are the better fit when you want a single, uninterrupted design line on the exterior — common on craftsman and farmhouse front doors where the long plate is part of the visual statement.

How to Measure for a Secure Fit

Measure Backset

To determine the correct backset measurement for your door, you must measure the distance from the edge of the door to the center of your borehole. Two common backset measurements are 2 ¾ inches and 2 3/8 inches.

Door Thickness

The distance from the inside edge to the outside edge of a door is the measurement for door thickness. The industry standard for modern (post-1950) front doors is 1-3/4”. Many interior doors measure 1-3/8” thick.

Understand Door Handing

Door Handing refers to how a door opens and is determined by the hinge locations. To determine door handing, it’s important first to decide the inside versus the outside of the door. 

If you are on the outside of the door, the handing is indicated by the edge on which the hinge is installed.

• The door hinges on the right side of the door are right-handing.
• Hinges that appear on the left side of the door are left-handing.

When is handing required?

It is usually a good idea to determine door handing before ordering locks and door hardware.

This is especially true for locks with levers, privacy locks, and split finish or split design locks.

If you have any further questions about door hardware, please contact our customer service team.

Why is upgrading front door hardware important?

Security

Your front door is typically the first step for safety in your home. Upgrading your door to ensure a more secure lock is the perfect way to deter thieves or break-ins.

Our deadbolts feature a 1 inch hardened steel bolt that is nearly impossible to get through. Pair this with any of our cast-iron hardware pieces, and you can rest assured that your front door is secure.

Convenience 

While safety is the number one concern, having door hardware that works well every time provides a simple everyday convenience. Not having to fumble around with sticking door locks allows for ease when entering and exiting your home.

This simple convenience is often overlooked but well worth the investment. 

Style

Upgrading your hardware to match your style is an added perk to upgrading your entry hardware. With many different styles to choose from, we are sure to have something that will make your door stand out.

OurKeep Long Plate Entry Set with Keep Knob is a best-selling customer favorite. The classic farmhouse style adds style and security to your front door.

Upgrade Your Front Door Hardware Today

Adding security to your home is as simple as changing your entry hardware. With so many styles to choose from, you can style and security to your home in one weekend.

Explore our many Entry Sets and Entry Handlesets to find a look that’s right for your home.

Browse the full Ageless Iron collection — including hinges, cabinet hardware, and switch plates to match here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between an entry set and a handleset?

An entry set is a two-piece system — the deadbolt and the doorknob or lever are separate components, which lets you mix and match styles. A handleset is a one-piece system where the deadbolt and the door handle are built as a single continuous piece, giving the exterior of the door a more unified design line.

How do I know what backset measurement I need?

Measure from the edge of the door to the center of the existing borehole. The two most common backset measurements are 2 3/8 inches and 2 3/4 inches. Most modern hardware is designed to fit either size, and it's required to confirm before ordering to avoid a mismatch.

What is door handing and why does it matter?

Door handing refers to which side a door is hinged on, viewed from outside the door. It matters most for hardware with levers, privacy locks, or split-finish designs, where the mechanism is built for a specific handing. Standard deadbolts and knobs are typically handing-agnostic, but it's worth checking before you order leveled hardware.

Why choose cast iron hardware for a front door?

Cast iron is denser and more resistant to wear than the zinc alloy used in most standard front door hardware. On an exterior door — where temperature swings and weather exposure are constant — that density matters: cast iron doesn't expand and contract the way zinc does, so the powder coat stays intact instead of cracking or flaking at the surface. The finish holds without cracking or flaking where zinc-based coatings tend to fail over time.