Decorative Doorbells

by Giorgina Devereaux

Perhaps you may be thinking how a doorbell can add appeal to the exterior of a home since it generally brings to mind images of the old standard doorbell. 
 

However, surprisingly enough, there are many different styles, sizes, and colors to choose from.  The choices are endless.  You can select from illuminated whimsical frog doorbells to contemporary styles to vintage themes, and even wireless doorbells.

If you prefer a more traditional style that is highly elegant, these are available too.  The exquisite details on these doorbells offer the elegance and hand-crafted quality of a bygone era.  It is a lovely way to grace your home exterior.

History of the Doorbell

To fully appreciate the doorbell, it is nice to go back in time to understand how it evolved.  The original doorbell was a bell that was located near the main entrance of a building to announce the arrival of a visitor.  Manual door knockers were also used and created noise as the visitor hammered the knocker. 
 

The door knocker is still found in medieval castles and homes and features vintage designs consisting of a part that is attached to the door and connected to another part by a hinge. 

It can be lifted up and used to strike the door making a metal clanging sound. 

It wasn’t until 1831 that the first electric doorbell was invented by American scientist Joseph Henry.  In the early 1900s, doorbells progressed from buzzers to musical chimes.  The musical chime doorbells made their appearance during the late 1920s and became popular during the 1930s. 

However, by the late 1960s, the novelty of musical chime doorbells had worn off.
 

Today, you can select from a variety of decorative doorbells to suit your tastes.  However, for mechanical purposes, there are two types of doorbells that are available, which are wired doorbells and wireless doorbells.  

The wired doorbells operate off the household current and the bell is wired to the chime through the walls. It is the most common type of doorbell and is found in older and newer homes. 
 

On the other hand, wireless doorbells do not require wiring.  The bell serves as the transmitter and is mounted at the front door while the chime is a receiver and can be placed anywhere within range.  Wireless doorbells offer flexibility and ease since you don’t have to hassle with wiring.

When choosing a doorbell, there are different options available to you. Some doorbells offer a larger range than others, with some having multiple chime units to increase the area where you can hear the bell.  Also, some doorbell chime units allow you to select the type of chime you would like to hear and give you the option of adjusting the volume of the unit. 
 

Prior to purchasing a doorbell, consider the areas where your doorbell may be inaudible, such as the basement, garage, and attic.  You want to make sure you purchase a doorbell that you will be able to hear from all areas of your home. 
 

Decorative Doorbell Designs
 

Decorative Doorbells are available in the following designs:

• Acorns

• Bass

• Bat

• Bear

• Bull Frog

• Butterfly

• Cactus

• Cardinal

• Cat

• Celtic Cross

• Cherub

• Clavos

• Compass

• Cowboy Boots

• Coyote

• Crab

• Crown

• Dog Breeds

• Dolphin

• Dragon

• Dragonfly

• Eagle

• Elephant

• Elk

• Embossed

• Fairy

• Flamingo

• Fleur de Lis

• Gargoyle

• Gecko

• Giraffe

• Golf Bag

• Golf Ball

• Gothic

• Grape Cluster

• Heart

• Horse

• Hummingbird

• Kokopelli

• Lighthouse

• Lion Head

• Lone Star

• Maple Leaf

• Mermaid

• Military Insignia

• Moon

• Moose

• North Wind

• Oak Leaves

• Owl

• Palm Tree

• Pineapple

• Pine Cones

• Rabbit

• Rooster

• Sailboat

• Salmon

• Scallop

• Seahorse

• Skull

• Star

• Statue of Liberty

• Starfish

• Sun Face

• Sunflower

• Trout

• Turtle

• Victorian

• Vintage European

• Wolf

Finishes, Materials, and Additional Design Features for Decorative Doorbells

Decorative Doorbells are offered in the following finishes and materials:

• Antique Brass

• Brass

• Bronze

• Brushed Nickel

• Copper

• Oil Rubbed Bronze

• Pewter

• Polyresin

• Steel

Decorative Doorbells are available with stone back plates in the following stone: 

• Light Travertine Smooth

• Light Travertine Rough

• Dark Travertine Smooth

• Dark Travertine Rough

• Green Slate

• Grey Slate

• Rust Slate

• Black Marble

• Orange Marble

• Rose Marble

Installing a Doorbell

How to Install a Wireless Doorbell
 

Installing a wireless doorbell is not that difficult or time consuming.  You can mount the bell at the front door using double sided tape or you can use a screw to keep it in place.  The chime unit is placed on the inside of the house.  Some chimes are independent units that operate off batteries and require no electrical current.  The only issue is that these batteries have to be changed periodically.  As an alternative, you can plug in the chime unit to the household current, which will eliminate the need for changing batteries. 
 

How to Replace a Doorbell

Safety is always first.  Begin by shutting off the power. 

Even though most doorbells are wired at 12 volts, which is considered a minimal electrical flow, you don’t want to take any chances in case the bell is wired with a higher electrical current than anticipated. 
 

Remove the old buzzer by unscrewing the two screws that go through the face plate.  Pull the buzzer away from the door jamb and then turn it over.  If the wires are attached with small screws then loosen them and remove the wires.  If you notice that the wires are clipped into a slot, then simply cut them free.  This can be done using wire strippers to expose a portion of the wire to install your new buzzer.

After the old buzzer has been removed, attach the wires to the new buzzer.  If the ends of the wires appear to be in good condition, then connect them to the new one.  

However, if they are frayed or if you had to cut them free, then use the wire strippers to expose about ½” of clean wire, and then proceed with connecting them to the new buzzer.  It doesn’t matter which wire goes to which connector on the buzzer.  Use the screws that come with your new doorbell and attach the face plate to the door jamb and then turn the power back on. 

The process is almost the same if you decide to replace the chimes inside the house with one exception.  When wiring to the chime, care must be taken to ensure that the correct wire is connected to the corresponding post.  Keep track of where each wire color goes when replacing the chime unit.

There’s more to a decorative doorbell than meets the eye.  However, once installed, the results will be lovely and something that will enjoyed for many years to come.  It is like entering a world of gracious living because of the artistry and craftsmanship that the decorative doorbell evokes.