Builders' ironmongery is a collective term used to distinguish hardware associated with the building and
construction trade as opposed to general ironmongery. Many High Street ironmongery outlets today are better known
for their pots & pans, cutlery, electrical goods, cleaning supplies plastic bowls, etc, etc, and very little in the
way of architectural ironmongery.
In terms of architectural ironmongery, builders' ironmongery will encompass basic items used within the
construction industry for doors and windows and general fixings. Generally, it is a term which applies to non
brass ironmongery.
In terms of doors this will include basic steel hinges, shed 'tee' hinges, gate and garage door hinges, garage
door holders, foot operated bolts, garage door drop bolts, black japanned door bolts, cabin hooks, gate latches,
suffolk latches, ring latches, trap door handles, hasps and staples, the items you often forget about. Basic
aluminium door handles, cupboard knobs, cabinet hinges, roller catches, cupboard catches, ball catches and
magnetic catches to name a few.
In terms of windows it will include basic aluminium or black iron window stays and fasteners, window catches,
sliding stays, window restrictors, easy clean hinges, stormproof hinges, security bars and other similar items.
The list of general fixings is almost unlimited but includes, nails, panel pins, veneer pins, wood screws, nuts
& bolts, roofing screws, gutter bolts, coach bolts, carriage bolts, coach screws, rawl plugs, joining plates,
corner braces, mending plates, stretcher plates, mirror plates, cup hooks and a host of other items.
Many items could well be classified under another heading, such as door handles, window stays, gate latches,
hinges, fixings and cupboard catches etc. However, in each case the basic or budget version of an item can
generally be classified as builders' hardware.
This is not to say that every builder uses the cheapest and most basic items, but it is not uncommon. The trend
towards using budget hardware is declining and more and more specification builders are turning to companies like
ourselves to enhance the level of fittings they use in the properties they build.