Frequently Asked Questions

Knobs – are ball shape, mushroom shape, flattish egg shape, or rectangle shape, or any variation of any of these. They generally range from 7/8” to 1 1/2” inches in diameter. Often they have concentric rings in the face of the knob or some other decoration built into the design.

Pulls – come in many sizes with varying distances between the screw hole centers.  The most common is the three-inch center (3”) measured from center of one screw hole to center of the other screw hole.  Other examples include – in inches: 3.5”, 3.75”, 4”, 8”, 12”, and 18” centers; and in metric: 96mm, 128mm, and 160mm centers. Additional sizes can be found but are not common.

Most cabinet knobs and pulls are made of zinc, also known as “pot metal” or die cast material. I prefer those made of High Pressure Die Cast material (more-dense and resistant to abuse). These knobs and pulls are deburred (flaws removed) and tumbled to polish them to a degree. Next they are cleaned and then run through a series of baths to plate the surface with brass, chrome, or nickel or other finish. An antique appearance is achieved by darkening the pull or knob (usually using an acid wash), going through a rinse, and then brushing the product to make highlights with the dark color in the recesses.

Yes, solid brass is one of the most common. It can be finished as polished brass, brushed brass, chrome plated, nickel plated, etc.

Plastic and ceramic are also used for knobs and pulls. Plastic usually will be solid and available in a number of colors. Ceramic is usually done in a color and then fired in a kiln resulting in a shiny finish over the color. Sometimes a decal will be added such as a bunch of flowers, etc.

The overlay is the amount that the door hides the cabinet face frame when the door is closed (measured from the hinge side of the door). The end view of the below drawing shows a ½” overlay.

You can measure the overlay using the technique below. With the door in the closed position, put a piece of masking tape on the cabinet face, just touching the edge of the closed door. Then open the door and measure between the edge of the tape that is closest to the cabinet opening and the cabinet opening where the hinges attach. That distance between the tape and the cabinet opening is the “OVERLAY”. (NOTE: It may be necessary to remove the cabinet door to better determine the overlay measurement.)

An inset hinge has a “stair step” that wraps around the door. The most common is a 3/8” X 3/8” rabbet or cut-out. These hinges were almost always used for cabinet doors that were rounded over on the top and stair stepped on the bottom of the door. The example hinge below has a fixed overlay and inset of 3/8” by 3/8”. The example also has a elongated screw holes (for adjustment) in the part that partially wraps the edge of the face frame.

Full inset hinges are for doors that do not protrude beyond the face of the face frame of the cabinet; instead they are flush with the face frame of the cabinet. Some inset hinges will have a 90 degree turn to go behind the cabinet door and will only mount to the end of the door.

Payment is required when the order is placed. A paper copy of the invoice will be included with the shipped package. You can pay online at westwoodscabinethardware.com. To pay by mail, please contact us first. 

All items must be returned in the original condition within 30 days of purchase. Returns are subject to a 20% restocking fee. Applicable refunds will be remitted in the form of the original payment, less shipping costs.