When one thinks of decorative rim locks, the first thing that usually comes to mind is the antique locks crafted in England and Europe during the Renaissance. However, a decorative rim lock does not necessarily have to be an antique rim lock. To the contrary, there are many modern designed decorative rim locks that are used to help decorate your home and doors.
Having said that, however, many of the decorative rim locks currently on sale online are often replications from the 18th and 19th centuries. Many are made in the classic metals used at that time, such as brass, wrought iron or bronze. I recently saw a beautiful decorative rim lock designed from oak, with black bands across it and a black carved door knob. It was classic, clean and really would look perfect on an inside door. I also really like the brass rim lock.
If you are wondering where to purchase these antique or antique reproduction decorative rim locks, a simple search online should turn up quite a few, as they are becoming very popular to use for decorating homes these days. There are many offered for sale on eBay, where you can find a lot of actual real collector’s items, or genuine antique rim locks for sale. Of course, prices vary according to the condition of the rim lock, the metal it is made from and the actual age of the piece. It is nigh impossible to find an antique wooden lock, however, as these usually deteriorate with age unlike the metal locks that actually can last for centuries, such as the Victorian rim lock.
If you are looking for decorative reproduction rim locks, there is a great selection available on Amazon. Prices for these reproductions are usually quite a bit cheaper than for the original antique rim locks, although they are usually a bit pricier than your standard rim lock that you would buy from the hardware store.
One thing to keep in mind when using rim locks is that they are not the most secure types of lock. Even though the lock you buy may be a very large reproduction from the days of Queen Victoria, it still will not be near as secure as a modern day lock. If you want to use these older style rim locks, especially on any of your external doors, you should also attach some other kind of modern day front door locks to fully securitize your home. You can find fairly unobtrusive locks that you can add to your door, which will complement the overall rustic or antique look you are trying for without being standing out and detracting from your décor.
Decorative locks also look great inside the house. You can find some delightful reproductions that suit perfectly on bedroom doors, and you can even buy some with a little peephole, if you want that naughty, ‘looking through the peephole’ style! A decorative lock also always looks great on a kitchen door, especially if you have an old-style, or cottage type décor in your kitchen.