Antique Door Knobs - Unique Antique Collections

There are people who collect all sorts of thing. From dolls to bottle caps, there is a collection for nearly every personality. Some people even get all worked up over the old knobs on doors, and have started collections out of antique door knobs. We're not sure how this collection happened. Maybe is started when an old door was going to be thrown out and there was a nostalgic moment, and the knob was kept as a memory. Then that knob called out for more knobs, and a collecting frenzy was underway.

No matter the reason for them, antique door knob collections are very popular, and can be very expensive. Some antique door knob collectors are very serious about their trade. They know all there is to know about antique door knobs. If you think a door knob is a door knob, you're dead wrong.

In the last century antique door knobs have gone through a number of personality and design changes.
Instead of just being something used to open and close a door, door knobs back then were just as much a part of the house as the rest of the décor, and were expected to make a statement. For a while the job was relegated mostly to glass artists who created beautiful bubble glass knobs, lead crystal cut into jewel-like shapes, as well as amazing pieces of brass that were carved into extremely ornate patterns.

As time went on, styles of knobs came and went, and it was only in more modern times that the door knobs we used seemed to become a bit more boring, and just looked at as things that are meant to open a door.

It's possible the boring state of today's door knobs is what caused many hardware manufacturers to go back in time and start lines of pieces that are reproductions of those fascinating antique door knobs. Those reproductions have become a major income for those companies as people continually look for new ways to dress up their home.

But the real money seems to be in the door knobs that were really from that time. Just as much as the other collectibles and antiques in old estates can get a pretty penny at auction, the antique door knobs in those homes are also commanding top dollar at estate sales and auctions.

Here's a little interesting antique door knob history:
During World War II, many people pulled the brass doorknobs from their homes to help the government in their collections of brass to make war goods. Having one of these brass goodies today can fetch a pretty penny at an auction.

How much would you pay for antique door knobs? How about $8,300 for just one knob? That's the price that the 'Doggie knob' fetched at an auction. The beautifully carved bronze knob with a pooch looking through the center was created in the late 1800s. There are believed to be only two of them in existence.

Retractable Screen Doors - Roll Them Up When You Don't Need Them

Old fashioned screen doors are handy when it gets too warm but you'd rather not turn on the air conditioning. They let fresh air in and keep bugs and wildlife out. However they're also in the way when coming and going especially if they're not currently in use. They can bang loudly if you don't close them carefully and mechanisms can stick. Ever tried to move a big piece of furniture in through a propped open screen door? It's a pain, especially when the door won't open all the way.

A retractable screen door is the answer to all your screen door problems. They operate using the same kind of technology that roll up window blinds function on. When you're not using them, they roll neatly away until you need them. This takes up less space than a regular screen door and keeps them out of the way. Oddly enough, although these doors have been around for decades, most people still haven't heard of them. There are four major manufacturers of these doors, and lots of different brands. In general, however, they're easy to install and take only a few tools. You can put them in yourself, or have them installed by the dealer for a small price.

One place that retractable screen doors are really useful is in areas where you wouldn't be able to install a screen door normally. For instance, doors that open both inward and outward can't use a conventional screen door. You also can't install a regular screen on sliding glass patio doors (unless it's a specialty patio screen), double French doors, or doors where there's not enough clearance. A retractable screen can offer you the ability to screen all these types of door, making it a lot easier to let fresh air in without inviting the whole world.

Retractable screen doors aren't just for the outside of the house, though. They can also be used on interior doors when you'd like to make a light barrier without closing off a space. Use them between the garage and the main part of the house, to block off a screen porch, or to keep kids and pets in a room while you keep an eye on them. They have plenty of uses, and can be installed in spaces where you could fit an ordinary screen.

If you're tired of dealing with a regular screen door, or would like to have screens in a location that's not suited for conventional doors, look into your retractable options. A retractable screen door is easy to have installed or to install yourself, reliable, and convenient to use. Check one out today.