| Installing a door knocker may seem like a simple | | | | different bolt center dimension you will need to drill |
| project, but it seems that there are a few questions | | | | another hole through the door. The further problem is |
| to be answered before getting started. | | | | there will be an unused hole in the door that must be |
| I just had one of the best laughs I have ever had. | | | | covered or filled. |
| While watching one of my favorite TV shows, the | | | | It is usually preferable to find a replacement door |
| main characters walked up to a house to knock on | | | | knocker using the same bolt center dimension but |
| the door. I had to look twice but there it was, a | | | | this is not always possible. There is no standard and |
| beautiful little urn style door knocker not only | | | | the bolt center is usually determined by the design of |
| mounted way to high on the door, but it was | | | | the door knocker itself. |
| installed upside down. This situation required a very | | | | And now what seems like the hundred thousand |
| tall visitor to use a door knocker that probably could | | | | dollar question for door knocker installation. Where do |
| not generate enough knock to be effective. | | | | I mount it on the door? |
| Needless to say, knuckles were used instead. | | | | The pattern and design of the door itself may |
| This was a good laugh but it did expose a reality to a | | | | dictate where the knocker is mounted. There always |
| guy who sells door knockers for a living. | | | | seems to be the lingering question of how high? |
| Door knockers are usually purchased that uses either | | | | Once again there is no standard but logic should |
| surface mounting or through the door mounting. | | | | dictate that the average person should be able to |
| Surface mounting would be the simplest. Screws pass | | | | reach the door knocker for it to be used. Even if you |
| through the body of the door knocker and into the | | | | intend the knocker to be purely ornamental and not |
| door behind. | | | | be used, it just does not look right if it is located |
| Through the door mounting as the name implies, uses | | | | way to high or low. |
| bolts that pass through the door and screws into the | | | | A typical height from the bottom of the door would |
| door knocker to hold it in place. | | | | be around 5 feet, or about eye level of an average |
| The through the door method is a bit more | | | | person, give or take a bit to match the pattern of |
| complicated because holes must be drilled through | | | | the door. |
| the door to match the mounting points on the door | | | | As a final thought, a door knocker really should be |
| knocker. To complicate matters many times the | | | | mounted on the door itself, not next to it. Once |
| mounting bolts themselves must be cut to the | | | | again if the knocker is there for purely ornamental |
| proper length to match the width of the door. | | | | reasons it may make little difference but if you are |
| If you are replacing an existing door knocker that | | | | expecting results from it that is another case. The |
| uses through the door mounting you must find a new | | | | tap of the knocker will not resonate through the |
| door knocker that uses the exact same bolt pattern, | | | | door jam or wall effectively enough to be heard well |
| or, as it is properly called, bolt center as the previous | | | | on the other side. |
| one has. | | | | A door knocker is a wonderful inexpensive addition |
| The bolt center measurement is the exact distance | | | | to your home that can add charm and warmth to |
| from the center of one mounting bolt to the center | | | | your entrance. Once installed it should require little |
| of another mounting bolt. | | | | attention or maintenance for many years to come. |
| If you purchase a replacement door knocker with a | | | | |