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About
EMTEK
Emtek is a subsidiary of ASSA ABLOY, the largest lock manufacturing
company in the world. ASSA ABLOY is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden,
and has extensive operations in Europe and North America. Joining with
ASSA ABLOY provides Emtek with new resources for supplying quality door
locks. Emtek has as affiliated companies in the U.S.; Sargent, Medeco,
Arrow, Curries, McKinney, Securitron, H.E.S., Graham, Yale, Russwin-Corbin,
Rixson, Norton and Folger-Adams. These are all respected manufacturers
of door and hardware products. Association with these companies allows
Emtek to continuously expand its product line in new and interesting
directions.
FEATURES AND BENEFITS OF EMTEK HARDWARE
Mechanical Design -
Emtek door locks have
heavy duty mechanisms designed to provide trouble free service.
Door Knobs and lever handles are supported by springs mounted
behind the rosettes and sideplates. These springs return the handles
back to the "rest" position and prevent lever sag.
Door latches are heavy duty diecast construction, with strong
internal springs, solid brass nose bolts and sintered metal cams.
A plastic bushing located in the joint between handle and
rosette ensures a friction free wear surface. This prevents metal from
bearing on metal and provides smooth long-lasting operation.
Handles are positively connected to rosettes with a permanent
clip.
Spindles are spring loaded "half spindles" pre-installed into the base
of each handle. Half spindles are more forgiving of imperfect door
preps. If the holes in a door are drilled out of alignment the spindles
still have a good chance to operate the latch without binding.
Each Emtek handle has a set screw which, when tightened,
eliminates "handle wobble." Set screws do not hold the handles on but
serve to remove any looseness after other installation steps are
completed.
Emtek levers have a fixed stop at the top of their stroke. An
Emtek lever will only rotate down, not up and down like most products
found in homecenters. Emtek's European style construction yields a
solid, positive feel for every lock.
The threaded tubes inside an Emtek lock are machined brass,
not steel. The use of brass ensures good threads and prevents corrosion
for easy installation and long life.
Esthetics
- Many Emtek handles and sideplates are authentic reproductions of
antique designs.
Olde Town and Astoria style lead crystal door knobs were made
by many North American factories as early as 1830 and continued in vogue
through the 1930’s. Small versions of these two styles were highly
popular for use as cabinet knobs during the same period.
Porcelain knobs were used even earlier, going back to the
1700’s. During the early 1900’s they became less common in America, but
continued as a popular style in Canada and the U.K.
The Rope Style, used in Emtek door knobs and levers and rosettes
was developed in England during the early 1800’s and is associated with
Georgian architecture. Rope designs were introduced into North America
around 1910.
Belmont Style sideplates were manufactured by the Sargent
Lock Company, in New Haven, Connecticut during the 1910’s and 20’s. This
style is associated with the Arts and Crafts Movement.
The Quincy Style sideplate was a staple in North American
product lines during the period 1880-1940. It was introduced as a clean,
straight forward response to more ornamental European designs. Emtek’s
Quincy sideplate is a heavy forged part, an improvement over more common
stamped versions.
Emtek’s highly decorative Victoria Style sideplate is a
replica of one manufactured by the Yale & Towne Company in New Britain,
Connecticut beginning in 1910. As it’s name implies, it is
representative of the Victorian school of design.
Lafayette, Normandy, Savannah, Jamestown and San Carlos
wrought steel levers and knobs can be used to enhance American Colonial
or Rustic Ranch decor. All of these handles reflect a primitive
hand-craftsmanship.
Materials
- Emtek uses genuine materials and traditional craft techniques to
achieve authentic reproductions.
Emtek handles and rosettes are forged, not cast or stamped.
The forging process provides a flawless surface which can be highly
polished when desired. The generous thickness and weight of forged parts
gives them a solid look and feel.
Emtek Diamond, Olde Town and Astoria knobs are lead crystal.
The optical quality of lead crystal makes Emtek knobs clear and
brilliant.
Flat facets on Emtek crystal knobs are hand ground and
polished with the same methods used to polish gem stones.
Olde Town and Astoria knobs are silver mirrored on the back
side creating a highly reflective interior surface. This is a design
detail that is true to the historical heritage of these knobs. As far as
we are aware, Emtek is the only source for genuine silvered knobs.
Shanks for crystal knobs are solid brass, machined to close
tolerance.
Brass handles, rosettes, sideplates and shanks are
hand-buffed to achieve the highest possible polish.
Wrought steel handles and rosettes are hot forged, distressed
and relieved to achieve an appearance of graceful wear.
Antique Brass, Pewter, and Oil Rubbed Bronze finishes are
hand relieved to give each part an individual character.
Emtek’s oil rubbed bronze finish is underlain with copper. Normal use
will produce natural relief of the oxidized finish and reveal rich
highlights on raised portions of the design.
Latch nose-bolts, faceplates and strike plates are solid
brass, not brass plated steel or zinc. |
