Hardware Learning Center
Welcome to the Factory Direct Hardware Learning Center. This resource is designed to help homeowners, contractors, builders, designers, and property managers understand door hardware, cabinet hardware, hinges, locks, smart home products, commercial hardware, and related building hardware.
New guides are added regularly to help you choose, measure, install, and maintain door hardware, cabinet hardware, smart locks, hinges, and commercial hardware.
Use these guides to compare product types, understand common hardware terms, measure correctly, and find the right products for your project.
Get more Factory Direct Hardware guides in Google Search.
Door Hardware Guides
Learn about interior and exterior door hardware, including door knobs, door levers, handlesets, deadbolts, privacy hardware, passage hardware, dummy hardware, and keyed entry hardware.
- Door Knobs vs. Door Levers: What’s the Difference?
- Privacy vs. Passage vs. Dummy Door Hardware
- How to Choose Front Door Hardware
- Door Handing Guide: Left-Hand vs. Right-Hand Doors
- Door Hardware: Keyed vs. Privacy vs. Passage
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Cabinet Hardware Guides
Find helpful information on cabinet knobs, cabinet pulls, cabinet hardware sizing, finish selection, and cabinet hardware placement.
- Cabinet Knobs vs. Cabinet Pulls: How to Choose the Right Cabinet Hardware
- How to Measure Cabinet Pull Center-to-Center
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Measuring Guides
Measuring correctly is one of the most important steps when replacing or selecting hardware.
Commercial Door Hardware Guides
Commercial hardware guides cover products and concepts used on offices, retail spaces, schools, healthcare buildings, multifamily properties, service doors, and other commercial openings.
- Commercial Door Compliance: ADA & Fire Code Basics
- How to Choose a Door Closer: Types, Sizes & Mounting Options
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Hinge Guides
Learn about common hinge types, hinge finishes, hinge sizing, ball bearing hinges, plain bearing hinges, spring hinges, pivot hinges, continuous hinges, and related door hardware.
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Smart Home and Electronic Lock Guides
Smart lock guides help explain electronic deadbolts, keypad locks, connected locks, smart home compatibility, and common smart lock features.
Keying and Lock Information
Hardware Glossary
Use our Hardware Glossary to learn common door hardware, lock, cabinet hardware, hinge, drawer slide, lighting, measurement, finish, and commercial hardware terms.
Browse All Hardware Guides
View the full Hardware Guides blog to see all current Factory Direct Hardware articles.