Door Hardware: Baldwin VS Emtek

Here we are again with another match up of door hardware giants. Today we’ll tackle Baldwin VS Emtek. It’s a close match, with both brands coming in as heavyweight contenders for upper scale residential hardware.

Emtek

Founded in 1981 Emtek has been manufacturing exquisite pieces of door hardware for several decades now. It’s also no wonder they’ve reached the popularity they have, the elegance and beauty found in their product lineup is far beyond that of Schlage or Weiser. However, Emtek does have one fatal flaw we have to acknowledge, and that is the “C” clip that holds together most of their hardware. With such a high expectation due to the price point, this design flaw leaves their hardware susceptible to damage. More so than usual, as it is a significant weak point that can easily be manhandled. That being said, if you’re not going to absolutely manhandle your door hardware, it will hold up just fine. The overall build quality is beyond exceptional. Their finishes are exquisite, and with exception to the “C” clip the materials are of a higher quality than your big box brands.

Baldwin

The Baldwin legacy began in 1946 by the innovation of Severin Fayerman. Just like Emtek, Baldwin provides a high quality product with elegant design and a range of finishes. Baldwin however manufactures a sturdier product. The way their locks are held together makes for a longer lasting product less susceptible to damage than its Emtek counterpart. While on of the main weak points can be the bar the lever handles attach to, it’s a far cry from the easily manhandled “C” clip that can be broken in one fell swoop. We will often still see Baldwin hardware in the field that was installed 20+ years ago and working just fine. Might need a little lube, but who doesn’t after 20 years of wear and tear.

Conclusion

While both Emtek and Baldwin produce exceptional products, we have to give this one to Baldwin. When entering into a price bracket such as this, one expects a certain level of reliability. Baldwin takes the cake there, and for that we give it the dubya. 

If you’re in the Langley area and looking to purchase new hardware, Crono Lock offers a wide range of products and services. We work with most local distributors and can likely find the product you’re looking for. Give us a call today or visit our Langley locksmith page for more information.