Traditional Door Knockers And The Charm They Evoke

By Author: Jo Alelsto
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Door knockers have been important symbols throughout history, and have been mentioned in a lot of metaphors. These home pieces were especially the rave during medieval periods until the 18th and early 19th centuries. Sadly, these iconic home pieces have now been replaced by the electric doorbell; however they are still valued pieces especially when it comes to designing homes the traditional and old-school way. Traditional door knockers come in varied shapes and sizes, and are sold in different price ranges as well.

It's a historical fact that a home's doorways and entrances aid in defining the architectural flavor and style of the whole structure, and any special treatment or addition to these areas of the home will surely help in setting a house apart from the rest of the neighbors. It is often mentioned that while a home's porch serves as focal gathering point for residents, a traditional door knocker serves as the focal piece of the home's entryway. There has been a lot written about door knockers, as these were devices that alerted the presence of an incoming visitor, as well as for the eerie sound it makes ...
... during the middle of the night, perfect for classic horror movie stuff. The earliest traditional door knockers were crafted from wrought iron, and these consisted of a thick ring and a plate. This design was popular during the 17th and 18th centuries. The most common designs during these times were of human and animal faces, and the workmanship of the early iron door knockers were so elaborate that they could be compared with the most-polished sculptures.

The main objective of a door knocker is to let the residents of a house know that someone's in the door, as well as save the knuckles of visitors from being bruised or blemished. Some were crafted for decorative purposes, and the most common designs were made of iron, pewter, brass or stainless steel. These were made to withstand all outdoor elements as well as to remain durable for years. These were also heavy enough to make a sound when they were tapped against the door. Door knockers made from cast iron have remained fashionable and must-have items, because they were sturdy yet simple pieces. Door knockers fashioned out from pewter, which is actually an alloy, is often viewed as a popular ingredient for making decorative objects, since these are generally easy to produce, and also retain a significantly elegant feel and texture. Copper is also a good material for making door knockers. This material is famous for withstanding the natural elements, because it does not rust. Copper in turn, oxidizes, which protects it from rust, and ages gracefully unlike other metals. These qualities make copper a good material for door knockers, making them stronger and more durable for decades to come. Another material which bodes well for making door knockers is stainless steel. This material is famous for being strong and resistant to corrosion. Decorative door knockers made from stainless steel were very popular especially during the early 1900's.

For those who wish to have traditional door knockers installed in their homes, first they need to find out the type of installation procedure to implement. Some classic door knocker designs are installed in such a manner that holes are drilled through the door, and a hardware piece from the inside holds the knocker in its place. Some classic knocker designs do not need to have the holes drilled through the door, as these are instead screwed into the surface of the door's exterior. Traditional door knockers serve both practical and decorative purposes, however it best helps to distinguish your house from the neighbors. You need to know that it's always the door that the visitor first sees, therefore why not make your doors look classy and extra special through the installation of these lovely pieces?

Jo is a content writer for ‘Period Features' (http://www.periodfeatures.net), a small UK company that aims to develop into an excellent seller of old-fashioned period and custom fixtures, fittings and decor as well as provide outstanding and friendly assistance to its patrons. If you wish to enhance the design of your door and intend to put up traditional doorknockers or want a few old-fashioned enhanciing accessories then check out Period Features.