Kitchen Cabinet Pulls and Knobs
Cabinet hardware consists of four main items which include knobs, pulls, cup pulls and drop pulls. You can search for decorative hardware or hardware that blends in with the rest of your kitchen. However, keep in mind that appearance is not what sets one piece of hardware aside from the next. The main difference between pulls and knobs has more to do with how many screws are used as opposed to shapes, sizes and finishes.
- Knobs: The round part of the cabinet door or drawer that you grab with your hand to open. Knobs offer a more concentrated surface area which is why they tend to be more decorative than pulls. They are anchored with a single screw making more fragile materials possible to use. Knobs can be made of brass, zinc die cast, glass, porcelain, or other more durable products.
- Pulls: Similar to a knob, a pull functions as a handle or grip designed for attachment to a door to facilitate opening and closing. However, it is installed with two screws instead of one. Pulls are available in an assortment of materials such as metals, plastics and leather. Also, pulls require a rather durable material which makes using glass and porcelain out of the question.
- Cup or Bin Pulls: Similar to regular pulls, cup pulls use the same screw configuration but also feature a semi-enclosed curving shape. This offers a more traditional look and that is why they are often used for country and farmhouse kitchens.
- Drop Pulls: A handle that pivots up and down. They are often curved and elegant in shape which makes them great for adding a classy decorative touch to your cabinets.
Options For Your Kitchen Cabinet Pulls and Knobs
Cabinets may be a striking fashion statement to your kitchen, but let’s face it, they won’t do much good if they can’t be opened. Aside from a fancy style and finish, hardware must be added to your cabinets to make them functional. Unfortunately, the most needed element of cabinetry often comes with a jeweler’s price. This is mainly because the pulls and knobs for your cabinets are considered their jewelry and can make a strong statement to the overall appearance.
Kitchen cabinet hardware is available in all different kinds of materials and finishes to match perfectly to the material and finish you have selected for the actually cabinet. They can be found in an array of shapes, sizes and finishes. Below are a few ideas of what is available in cabinetry hardware.
Materials For Cabinet Pulls and Knobs Include:
- Brushed Chrome
- Brass
- Porcelain
- Plastic
- Zinc
- Ceramic
- Clear Glass
- Decorative Glass
- Forged Iron
- Solid Pewter
- Solid Bronze
- Stainless Steel
- Designs Include:
- Nature inspired
- Hand-crafted glass art
- Rustic designs
- Contemporary designs
- Classical designs
- Custom designs
A few things should be considered before searching for the perfect hardware. You should first decide if you want your pulls and knobs to blend in with the cabinets or become a decorative statement. There are actually ways to make the hardware appear completely invisible. Bottom line, you want to select hardware that doesn’t pinch your fingers, is easy to grab hold of, are in proportion to the size of your cabinets and will attach firmly.
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