Deadbolts, Levers and Knobs 101

It seems more often than not I have members standing in front of me, holding a lock set manufacturers catalogue with a lost and confused look on their face. Now, this blog may not help you to understand the catalogue 100% but it may help you to understand the different terms and basics of ordering lock sets, etc.

When ordering handsets for your front and/or back door, you must not only choose the exterior handle set but you must also choose the interior lever or knob when placing orders. They are priced separate in all catalogue price lists but must be ordered as one singular line item

Double cylinder deadbolts

will not pass fire inspection in Canada, so if you are building or renovating and will need to pass an inspection, you will not. Because of the key being needed for both sides, a double cylinder can be a hazard if there was a fire.
Single cylinder is the way to go!!



When choosing interior levers always remember, if it has a lock on it you will need to determine the handing ( this is also needed with entry sets). If it is a knob this is not necessary. Easy rule of thumb whatever side the hinges are on is the handing

Left Hinge =  Left handing  
Right Hinge = Right handing   


Keyed alike - Pretty much all our suppliers will key all the locks alike if requested when the order is placed and will even key to existing locks if you are willing to send a key in with the order!!


A mortise lock is one that requires a pocket—the mortise—to be cut into the door or piece of furniture into which the lock is to be fitted. They are widely used on all ages of domestic properties in Europe.
Although the installation of a mortise lock actually weakens the structure of the typical timber door, it is stronger and more versatile than a bored cylindrical lock, both in external trim, and functionality.





A bored cylindrical lock is one in which two holes are bored, perpendicular to one another, into the door. A large hole is bored into the door face and a smaller cross bore hole is bored into the door edge, as opposed to a mortise lock prep cut into the edge of the door. Typically, the face hole is sized from 1.5 inches to 2.125 inches (3.8 to 5.4 cm) and is centered at 2.375 inches or 2.75 inches (6.0 cm or 7.0 cm) from the leading edge of the door, this distance is referred to as the back set. Other, less popular, back sets are at 3.75 and 5 inches (9.5 and 12.7 cm). Residential doors are normally prepared for a 2.375 inch (6.0 cm) back set and commercial doors at a 2.75 inch (7 cm) back set..






BACK SET

Back set is the distance from center edge of door to center of the

2-1/8" (54mm) diameter hole, 2-3/8" or 2-3/4" in most cases

Range Hoods 101

If you can, having your rangehood vent outside, this is the best option for your kitchen. A vented range hood is more effective for removing harmful chemicals and sticky grease from the air. It does need a duct connecting the hood to an exterior vent, so it will be more expensive to install, however. If you consider how often you fry using oil or brown food that smokes, you may find this option worth while.

Also, make sure your ceiling height will allow for your range hood. Not all units will work with any height ceiling.


Always check the CFM, building codes will very depending on where you live. Ex. Winnipegers can use a 500 CFM range hood while if you live in Brandon 400 CFM is the limit.
Also, if you have a fire place in an open concept home this may also decrease the CFM rating you can use.

The wonderful world of sectionals

Sectionals can be made so many ways now it can be very confusing here are some tips

If the items is a LAF or RAF,
 this means when you are "facing" the sofa peice, that is the side the arm is on, ex. LAF = Left arm facing, RAF = Right arm facing

Some company's will do it the other way they will write LAS or RAS,
this means when you are "sitting" on the sofa peice, that is the side the arm is on. Ex. LAS = Left arm sitting, RAS = Right arm sitting

Wedge vs corner.
A wedge will usually be more like a triangle or visualize a cheese wedge and that is what you get



A corner pice will be more square



From the image you can see you still have the extra seat but with a wedge you have the leg room

101 on ordering beds

OK, for most beds ( and I mean the bed itself not the mattress) you will need a standard mattress and box spring.
Most beds are broken down into 3 components, headboard, foot board and rails ( they are always a pair not separate)

If it is a platform bed the rails will usually be part of the foot board frame and the headboard separate.

Remember to always check with us if you only want a headboard, not all companies will make their headboards compatible with standard bedframs

For platform beds a box spring is not required, only if it has rails and slats.

Always remember that mattress are much thicker than they used to be, 12" to 14".

Usually and a standard box springs will be 9" high ( a low profile box spring will be 5").
So when ordering a bed take into account how high the headboard is and how thick the mattress and box spring will be.
I have had members who now only can see 3"of the top of their headboard because they did not check height.

3 Tips for ordering online

These are 3 tips I tell members when they are in the centre for online ordering

1) always good to use the manufacturers website when purchasing sets ( such as beds, sectionals,etc) the website will not always group all components to make a full peice on our site. If you know what model #'s you need it makes things much easier and quicker as you can just search using the model #

2) Our website is not yet set up to accept transhipment orders,
ex. I order a bed in Winnipeg but want it shipped to Calgary. For these orders you will need to come into the centre to order, or ( for those out of town members) email Pat or myself to place the order for you

3) Orders will not process if the name on the credit card and billing address do not match exactly to the member name and address. I have had initials and full middle names screw everything up,lol. So make sure all is correct before hand to avoid the frustration.

This should help eleviate some issues and remember, our website is still in its infancy, not every product and manufacturer we carry is online so don't panick if you saw it is the showroom but can not find it online, just check with Pat or myself and we can help you out : )

Faucets 101

When it comes to plumbing things can get confusing, here are some rules of thumb

1) Kitchen and lavatory faucets will usually come with all the rough in material

2) Shower, Tub/Shower and Roman Bath faucets will usually have a separate rough in from the "trim"

Most plumbers will only require the rough in at first so they can close the wall. Once this is complete you will either have your tub/shower installed with walls or you will tile. The "trim" is the last to go on.


Pressure Balance valve's  job is to ensure that the volume of water that leaves the pressure balance valve is a constant mix of these two sources, even if the delivery pressure of the two sources changes. This is very important to keep the temperature of your shower constant even when the supply is not.

Most manufacturers will ship the rough in separate (if they are in stock) if requested when trims are on back order

A good faucet will have brass inlay and a ceramic cartridge. They are more expensive than just a metal inlay with plastic cartridge but they will last much longer.
Plastic cartridges over time will wear down from the minerals in the water and start to leak, ceramic will not .

ALWAYS REMEMBER, you can just ask me if you have any concerns or are confused and I will help you : )

Bedroom and Dining ,not necessarily in that one section

Unless you have had the time to peruse through the different sections of our showroom you may not know this helpful hint. There are many of our accent furniture suppliers that will also make bedroom and dining furniture. These manufacturers do tend to run more in the ornate and decorative style; always good to have something for everyone : )