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Something for all the family!

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BIC

Door Knocker History & Installation

Door Knocker History

Historical records show that door knockers were around in Ancient Greece. It is said that Greeks disliked when visitors would enter their premises without announcement or prior warning and even though Spartans would shout their arrival, the Athenians preferred to have something a little less intrusive.  During this time, upper class Greeks enslaved slaves whose sole purpose was to answer doors. But instead of a ‘modern’ day butler who was free to roam the house doing other chores, slaves were physically chained and were made to hold a heavy iron bar which was attached to the door by a plate.  If a slave had fallen asleep, the visiting guest would strike the door knocker raising the attention of the slave.  However, it soon became apparent that the metal bar could be used as a weapon and that was quickly changed to a ring which was mounted to the front door.  Throughout the years since the Ancient Greeks, the use of the door knocker has remained the same yet styles and production methods have changed.

BIC- Door Knockers

By the Georgian Period, door knockers adorned nearly every front door in the UK but were often simple in design, crafted from iron and painted black, which we now call ‘traditional door knockers’.  But, the demand called for blacksmiths to develop their skills to create more elaborate and decorative designs, including local patterns, traditional symbols whilst reflecting popular fashion lines of the time.  Proud homeowners and upper-class persons wanted something to match their grand homes and thus the brass lion heads design was created. From then, brass become the sole material for door furniture.  Around this time, the bell pull and the penny post came into existence, allowing for more door furniture to be created, which we now take for granted. As the door knocker became more elaborate in style and design, inspiration was taken from mythology and religion.

Installation

The first item a visitor will notice when calling to your house is the door knocker, so its imperative to make a great first impression! Good thing you found us, as our wide selection of door knockers means that each and every person will find one that truly represents them, their loves or house style.  We cover a range of themes from marine life, to animals, to comedy and even the traditional styles too. So whether you are looking to lend a sense of classic charm to a period property or for the perfect representation of your personality we have just the thing. Nearly all of our door knockers are rear fix (unless otherwise stated) and have each been crafted from high quality metals and finished in a variety of colours to match existing door furniture. Complete with all necessary fixings (two nylon bolts) it makes for easy installation to your front door. We recommend ensuring that your door is fully protected before installing your door knocker.  Check with your door manufacturer to confirm which materials and installation methods are compatible. For example, steel and iron may not be compatible with oak doors as they may react with the tannins.

 

Installation Guide

Door Knocker Installation

In order to install your new door knocker, you will need to mark and drill through your front door. If you’re replacing an existing knocker, ensure the old fixing holes align with the knocker or are covered and replaced.

With the installation hole drilled, open the door and place the knocker on the outside.

Thread the nylon bolt through and secure the door knocker in place. Then fix internally using the brass nut.

For certain designs of door knocker, an additional nylon thread may be included for additional strength.

Please seek advice from your door manufacturer with regards to any adjustments to your door maintenance schedule. Not every door knocker will be suitable for every door.

We recommend periodically checking your knocker for rusting or corrosion and re-applying a protective coating such as paint, varnish or lacquer.   Door knockers used in coastal areas or areas with higher levels of air pollution may require more attention. Non reactive alloys maybe more suitable in coastal areas.

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