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There are four main types of decorative hardware to consider when shopping
around: knobs, pulls, cup pulls and drop pulls.
The defining difference between knobs and pulls comes down to screws, not
appearance. Knobs can be any shape, but attach to the cabinet with one screw.
Pulls use two.
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Knobs
Knobs tend to be circular in shape, often with faceted edges. Offering a
more concentrated surface area, knobs tend to feature slightly more decorative
accents than pulls, such as handpainting. Because the center is anchored with a
screw, more fragile materials, such as glass, may be used.
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Pulls
Installed with two screws, your “standard” pull can actually be any length.
Just be sure to measure the distance between the centers of the screws when
drilling holes for installation. Typical screw patterns include 3”, 2 ¾”, 2 ½”,
4”, 64mm and 96”. Available in a variety of materials such as metals and
leather, pulls require a fairly durable material, making the use of natural
products like glass and some stones more rare.
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Cup or Bin Pulls
Through they use the same screw pattern as pulls, cup pulls feature a
semi-enclosed curving shape. With a more traditional look, cup pulls are good
choices for country and farmhouse kitchens.
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Drop Pulls
Ideal for cabinets where projection is a problem, a drop pull’s handle pivots
up and down. The often curved, elegant shape makes them ideal for furniture or
dining room pieces. |
Note: Both knobs and pulls can be used in tandem with backplates, which lie
between the door and the hardware. Their use can draw the eye to the hardware,
protect the cabinet surface, give a delicate pull or knob more presence, and
can cover existing holes in the cabinet.
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