Vintage Glass Doorknobs: Keep or Replace?

Rather Square
by Rather Square
Our 92-year-old house came with these (probably original) glass doorknobs and brass backplates, and we're unsure if we want to keep them or replace them with something more modern. Can't decide if they are too old-fashioned for our design decor! Thoughts? (More info on our blog post below!)
  47 answers
  • Regina Regina on Feb 13, 2014
    I would keep them. They are beautiful and a lot of people ( including myself) would love to have doorknobs like this. They are unique. If you don't want them or decide to go with the more modern ones, I will gladly take them and pay for shipping. R Brady
  • Kyleigh Gray Kyleigh Gray on Feb 13, 2014
    I like the plaque behind it. I would change the knob to match the plaque with key home.
  • Ricky Johnston Ricky Johnston on Feb 13, 2014
    Keep them. I would love to have them.
  • Cindy Meisenheimer Cindy Meisenheimer on Feb 13, 2014
    They are period to your home. I would keep them.
  • Valerie Valerie on Feb 13, 2014
    I would definitely keep them, but not on that particular door. There I would go with the black door knob.
  • Bonnie Kirschner Bonnie Kirschner on Feb 13, 2014
    Oh wow ... I love those knobs. When I bought my house, all but one was replaced by previous owners. That one happened to be on the bathroom door. After getting locked in there a couple of times & having to jump out the window, I replaced it. It became a towel hanger in the bathroom.
  • HomeSpot HQ HomeSpot HQ on Feb 13, 2014
    I vote for the glass door knob. They look so great in traditional homes.
  • Lorraine V Lorraine V on Feb 13, 2014
    I have them all through my house and I love them!
  • Donna Narciso Donna Narciso on Feb 13, 2014
    DEF KEEP THEM!!!
  • Cindy Butler Dorthy Cindy Butler Dorthy on Feb 13, 2014
    Keep but if you decide to get rid of them would love to have for my 150 year old house
  • Beneath My Heart Beneath My Heart on Feb 13, 2014
    Keep! Keep! Keep! If you decide not to, I'll buy them from you!
  • Melissa Melissa on Feb 13, 2014
    we all are like " if you dont want them, ill take em" lolol
  • Love Digging in the Dirt Love Digging in the Dirt on Feb 13, 2014
    They are amazing! I would definately keep them!
  • Lisa Schembri Lisa Schembri on Feb 13, 2014
    Keep them! I want some for curtain tie backs!!
  • Lex263207 Lex263207 on Feb 13, 2014
    Keep them! But if you truly want a change, then do so. Just keep the originals 1) in case you want to sell your home one day 2) in case you realize that you had a real treasure when you had the doorknobs Then there's no regret! (There are also people who can replace/fix the ones that are not working properly.)
  • B.J. B B.J. B on Feb 14, 2014
    I would love to have the glass knobs everywhere in my house! I have a newer home but the glass knobs are classic and still look great. I have been collecting the glass knobs for years. My goal is to eventually replace all the modern knobs in my home with the glass. If you really don't want to use them you can sell them starting around $10.00 a set, many sell for a lot more. You can also use them for all kinds of "vintage type crafts". Look them up on Pinterest for ideas.
  • Sherrie Sherrie on Feb 14, 2014
    I look for these kind of knobs! Stunning. I like the black behind it. Replace other things but these knobs are beautiful! I also collect these knobs.
  • Jamala W Jamala W on Feb 14, 2014
    It's a keeper..it matches the house
  • Amanda DesJardins Amanda DesJardins on Feb 14, 2014
    I'd keep them as well - I wish we had them here as I don't like the traditional, boring brushed nickel that is so common now. Weird question - but did you post on YHL today with the same question? :)
    • Rather Square Rather Square on Feb 21, 2014
      @Amanda DesJardins Yes, I did! Wanted to get as much input as possible. The response has been amazing!
  • Nikki Nikki on Feb 15, 2014
    KEEP!!! Or... you could mail them to me if you like... =) Glass door knobs are my favorite!!!
  • They are much too beautiful to replace! I would keep them for sure!
  • Malissa-Ray Ward Malissa-Ray Ward on Feb 15, 2014
    Glad to see all the KEEPS! Myself looking for one and they are expensive
  • Gretchen Gretchen on Feb 15, 2014
    oh, they're lovely! Not to mention that replacing a house full of doorknobs gets expensive fast. I'd definitely at least live with them for awhile first before you make a decision, and, like someone else said, if you do replace them hold on to the originals in case you or a future owner wants to switch back.
  • Helen Heidel Helen Heidel on Feb 15, 2014
    its vintage and so beautiful
  • Debbie Wyman Debbie Wyman on Feb 15, 2014
    Absolutely keep them! They add so much more character!
  • Vetsy Vetsy on Feb 15, 2014
    The Providence Crystal Door knob with the Art Deco backplate is Fabulous! It is modern... but is designed to have an old fashioned appeal.... I at first I was going to Vote that you keep the Vintage knobs until I tool a look at your inspiration list on your blog..
  • KEEP! But maybe I should say sell so I can buy from you
  • Susan-Amber Springer Susan-Amber Springer on Feb 17, 2014
    We too have a 90+ year old house with glass knobs everywhere...that's part of the charm. Of course, it's entirely your choice but I will mention that glass knobs will loosen in their metal "neck" and may eventually begin to spin. Very little can be done except epoxy and prayer! Still, IMHO the glass knobs are "native" to the house. Your mileage may vary.
  • Rather Square Rather Square on Feb 21, 2014
    What great comments! Thank you everyone!!!
  • KRA KRA on Feb 17, 2015
    KEEP! KEEP! KEEP! 92 years of vintage, charm, character, rare to have originals in the first place. I would say newer more modern door knobs would be mass produced of cheaper quality and generic style.
  • Colleen Brown Colleen Brown on Apr 05, 2015
    Keep keep keep
  • Pam Pam on Apr 07, 2015
    You can also use them as ends on your curtain rods.
  • Lori Hepp Lori Hepp on Apr 07, 2015
    KEEP!!
  • Lpreece Lpreece on Apr 07, 2015
    keep
  • Heliane Ripley Heliane Ripley on Apr 11, 2015
    Keep them ! They are beautiful.
  • Phoebe Phoebe on Jun 07, 2015
    Keep the history living on!
  • Alice  Gatto Alice Gatto on Jun 07, 2015
    Keep - if you really don't like them though, sell them. Don't throw them away. My sister had to look for 2 years to replace her hardware and glass knobs.
  • Deb Laber Deb Laber on Jun 07, 2015
    Keep, I beg you, keep! They're a little bit of what makes your house a special home! We have similar hardware in our 100+ home and everyone notices and comments favorably on them.
  • Cor1382303 Cor1382303 on Oct 09, 2015
    By the looks of it, it seems like the glass doorknob loos quite lovely than that of the other one. I myself have been looking at different type of doorknobs and locks to install for my new basement. The thing would be, what would happen if that glass doorknob was to get jammed? My guess is that maybe a locksmith would have the appropriate equipment to prevent it from being jammed. <a href='http://www.locallocksmiths.com.au' ></a>
  • Marlene Haigh Marlene Haigh on Mar 17, 2016
    Keep them I only have one original glass knob in my 100 yr old home. I'm still looking for a good deal to get more that match the one.
  • Darla Darla on Mar 17, 2016
    Replace them, please, and send the old ones to me!
  • Linny Linny on May 19, 2016
    Keep, repurpose if you can't stand them in the doors....if you really don't want them, I will take them!
  • Deb Laber Deb Laber on May 20, 2016
    Definitely keep! I would touch up the screw heads with a dab of bronze paint to match the base. They make your 100 year old house unique! Beautiful!
  • Drd4223999 Drd4223999 on May 31, 2016
    Keep, keep, keep!
  • Stephanie Elaine Stephanie Elaine on May 06, 2020

    KEEP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are so lucky to have them.