Tradco Hardware Australia — The Complete Whole-of-Home Range
If you are renovating a Victorian terrace, restoring a Federation cottage, updating an Edwardian bungalow, or building a Hamptons-inspired new home, there is one brand that has defined Australian architectural hardware for over 40 years: Tradco. Founded in Adelaide in 1982 as the Traditional Brass Co by Graham and Denise Duff, Tradco has grown into Australia's most comprehensive supplier of period and heritage hardware — with a catalogue of more than 4,000 products spanning door handles, door knobs, window fittings, locks, hinges, cabinetware, light switches, door knockers, letterplates and everything in between.
Tradco's philosophy is simple: quality is found in the details. Every product is manufactured from high-quality solid brass using sand casting and forging methods, available across a range of finishes from polished brass and hand-aged antique brass to matte black, rumbled nickel, antique copper and porcelain. The result is hardware that ages gracefully, develops character with use, and does not need replacing — hardware built to last the life of the home.
As a licensed locksmith and hardware specialist, we supply the full Tradco range online Australia-wide with free shipping on orders over $100, and in-store across four locations on Melbourne's south-east and Mornington Peninsula. Our team can help you specify the right Tradco product for every door, window and wall in your home — contact us before you order if you need advice.
The Tradco Product Range — Everything for the Whole Home
What separates Tradco from every other hardware brand in Australia is the breadth of the range. You can specify Tradco from the front gate to the linen press and match every single piece in the same finish. Here is what the range covers:
Door Handles — Levers, Knobs, Pull Handles & More
The heart of the Tradco range. Door levers are available in every period style — Victorian, Federation, Edwardian, Californian Bungalow, Art Deco, Hamptons and contemporary — on round, oval, rectangular and square rose backplates. Door knobs are available in cast brass, forged brass and sheet brass, covering the same era range. Pull handles suit front doors, wardrobes, pantries and sliding doors. Centre door knobs — the fixed decorative knob on the face of a front door — are a Tradco signature product for Victorian and Federation homes. Flush pulls and sliding door hardware complete the internal door range. All handles are available across the full function range: passage, privacy, entrance (Euro cylinder), traditional keyhole (skeleton key) and dummy.
Locks & Latches
Tradco supplies a complete locking range to complement every door handle in the catalogue. Tubular latches for passage doors, privacy locks for bathrooms and bedrooms, Euro cylinder mortice locks for external doors, traditional rim locks with matching rim lock knobs for heritage restorations, and dead bolts for additional security. Buying your lock or latch from the same Tradco catalogue as your handle guarantees finish matching and mechanical compatibility — no guesswork, no mismatched backsets.
Hinges
Tradco butt hinges, ball-bearing hinges and parliament hinges are available in every finish across the catalogue. Matching your hinges to your door handles and window fittings is the detail that makes a renovation look genuinely considered rather than assembled from multiple suppliers. Available in standard residential sizes through to heavy-duty commercial specifications.
Window Fittings
A complete window hardware range covering every window type found in Australian period homes. Sash window fittings (sash lifts, sash fasteners, sash pulleys) for double-hung windows — the standard for Victorian, Edwardian and Californian Bungalow homes. Casement stays and fasteners for side-hung casement windows common in Federation, Edwardian and Bungalow homes. Awning window hardware (hopper catches, quadrant stays, wedge fasteners). Fanlight and transom hardware. Window locks with and without keys. All available in matching finishes to your door hardware — polished brass window stays alongside polished brass door handles is the authentic period detail most renovators miss when they buy from different suppliers.
Light Switches & Powerpoints
One of Tradco's most distinctive product categories and one that most hardware suppliers cannot match. Tradco manufactures traditional-style light switches and powerpoints in matching finishes to the full door and window hardware range. Polished brass rocker switches. Antique brass toggle switches. Chrome plate switches. Matte black switches. For a period home renovation, matching your light switches to your door handles and window fittings is the difference between a renovation that feels fully resolved and one that feels almost there. Tradco makes this possible without custom ordering — it is all off the shelf.
Cabinet Hardware & Furniture Fittings
Tradco's cabinetware range covers kitchen and bathroom cabinet hardware, furniture handles, drawer pulls, bin pulls, cup pulls, escutcheons, furniture hinges, cabinet locks and latches. Available in the same finish families as all door hardware, allowing the kitchen, bathroom and laundry to coordinate seamlessly with the doors and windows throughout the rest of the home. For period furniture restoration, Tradco's reproduction furniture fittings — escutcheons, cabinet locks, furniture hinges — are designed to replicate the originals precisely.
Door Furniture & Accessories
The details that complete a period home: door knockers, letterplates, house numbers, doorbells, door stops, door bolts, flush bolts, barrel bolts, tower bolts, coat hooks, wall brackets, hat and coat rails, push plates and kick plates. For front doors, Tradco's range of door knockers, letterplates and doorbells in matching brass finishes creates an authentic period entrance that nothing else can replicate. Every item is available in the same finish families as the rest of the range.
Gate & External Hardware
Tradco supplies external gate hardware including gate latches, gate bolts and gate hinges suitable for timber and steel gates in residential applications. External hardware is available in finishes appropriate for outdoor exposure — powder-coated black and stainless are the recommended choices for maximum longevity in Australian outdoor conditions.
Tradco Finishes — The Complete Guide
Polished Brass — Bright, warm, reflective gold. The most historically accurate finish for Victorian, Federation and Edwardian homes. Lacquered to protect the surface. Will develop a natural patina over time as the lacquer wears, which many homeowners consider the ideal outcome for a period restoration. Clean with a damp soft cloth; avoid abrasives.
Satin Brass — A muted, brushed gold — softer and less reflective than polished brass. Suits homes where a warm brass family is desired with a more understated contemporary feel. The base material for Tradco's hand-aged Antique Brass finish.
Antique Brass — Tradco's most prized and distinctive finish. Each item is individually hand-aged from satin brass by Tradco craftspeople — rubbed back with a soft cloth to reveal lighter tones beneath, then baked to set and lacquered. Because every piece is aged by hand, no two items are identical in depth or variation of tone. It is the finish that most closely replicates the original hardware found in Victorian, Federation and Edwardian homes, and it is the one that buyers who have seen it in person almost always choose. Clean gently; the evolving patina is a feature, not a flaw.
Antique Copper — A rich, reddish-brown patinated tone. Historically associated with Californian Bungalow and Arts and Crafts style homes, and suits any renovation seeking warmth, depth and a handcrafted quality that polished finishes cannot replicate.
Porcelain — White ceramic door knobs and fittings. Period-correct for Federation and Edwardian homes where porcelain hardware was the standard. A beautiful, delicate choice that immediately signals a genuinely considered restoration.
Chrome — Bright, reflective, cool silver. Correct for Art Deco homes and 1950s–1960s post-war applications. The standard chrome choice for renovators working with the geometric, linear aesthetic of the Deco and post-war eras.
Satin Chrome — A softer, matte version of chrome. Works in contemporary applications where a silver-family finish is preferred but without the high gloss of standard chrome. Suits transitional and modern renovations.
Polished Nickel — A bright silver with warm undertones — less cold than chrome, more luminous. Works in classic and transitional interiors. Develops a gentle patina over time.
Satin Nickel — A soft, brushed warm silver. The most versatile silver-family finish in the Tradco range — suits Hamptons, transitional and contemporary applications where neither the warmth of brass nor the coolness of chrome is desired. The neutral hardware choice that works with almost any palette.
Rumbled Nickel — Tradco's aged, textured silver finish. Each item has a softly irregular, handworked surface that gives it warmth and individuality that polished nickel cannot match. Suits Hamptons, Colonial Revival and any application seeking a silver family with character.
Matte Black — Bold and graphic. Works as a primary finish in contemporary, industrial and Japandi interiors, and as a powerful accent in Hamptons and Scandi-white renovations. Increasingly popular as a contrast against white-painted period homes.
The Tradco Whole-of-Home Advantage
The single most important reason to specify Tradco for a full renovation is the whole-of-home finish system. Most hardware brands offer door handles and perhaps hinges in a consistent finish. Tradco offers door handles, knobs, pull handles, flush pulls, hinges, locks, latches, window stays, window fasteners, sash fittings, light switches, powerpoints, cabinet handles, drawer pulls, door knockers, letterplates, doorbells, house numbers, door stops, coat hooks, gate hardware and furniture fittings — all in the same finish families, all from the one catalogue, all available through us.
For a renovator, this means you can walk into a project with a single finish decision — say, Antique Brass — and specify every single touch point in the home from that one choice. The front door knocker, the door handles, the window stays, the light switches, the cabinet pulls, the door stops — all Antique Brass, all Tradco, all cohesive. This is the standard that restoration architects and heritage builders work to, and it is what makes Tradco the reference brand in the category.
Tradco Hardware & Australian Period Homes — Style Matching Guide
Victorian (1840–1901) — Polished brass or antique brass door knobs on oval or round rose backplates. Centre door knobs on the front door. Matching brass rim lock hardware for external doors with skeleton key. Polished brass sash fittings for double-hung windows. Brass hinges throughout.
Federation & Edwardian (1901–1920) — Polished brass, satin brass or antique brass lever handles and knobs on oval or rectangular backplates. Brass window casement stays and fasteners. Traditional light switches and powerpoints in matching brass. Rim locks for external doors or Euro entry sets. Porcelain knobs for an authentic Federation alternative.
Californian Bungalow (1915–1940) — Antique brass or antique copper door knobs and lever handles. Round rose backplates. Warm, aged finishes that complement the natural timber and earthy palette of the Bungalow interior. Matching antique copper or antique brass window fittings and cabinet hardware.
Art Deco (1920–1939) — Chrome or satin chrome lever handles and knobs on stepped, geometric backplates. Chrome window fittings. Chrome light switches. The entire Tradco Art Deco range is designed around the linear, geometric forms of the style — avoid brass in an Art Deco application unless you are deliberately mixing eras.
Hamptons — Satin nickel, rumbled nickel or matte black lever handles. Matching satin nickel window fittings and cabinet hardware. Traditional light switches in satin nickel or matte black. For a warmer Hamptons interpretation, polished brass or antique brass works powerfully against white-painted walls and timber floors.
French Provincial & Colonial Revival — Polished brass or antique brass levers on ornate backplates, with matching pull handles, cabinet bin pulls and window fittings. Tradco's ornate pull handle range — including the traditional Fleur-de-Lis and classic rope-twist profiles — suits French Provincial and Colonial applications precisely.
About Tradco — Australian Made, B Corp Certified
Tradco is part of Southern Design Group, founded in Adelaide in 1982 by Graham and Denise Duff as the Traditional Brass Co. Under the current leadership of co-CEOs Emily and Steve Bradley — Emily is the Duffs' youngest daughter — Southern Design Group has grown into a globally recognised architectural hardware company with a retail partner network of over 600 and approximately 100 staff across Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
In 2024 Southern Design Group achieved Certified B Corporation status — one of the most rigorous independent business certifications available, requiring companies to meet verified standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. For Tradco buyers, B Corp status means the brand you are specifying operates to a verified higher standard: from sustainable packaging (fully compostable mailers, eliminating an estimated 13,000 plastic bags from landfill annually) to solar energy (new solar panels generating more than a third of the Adelaide site's electricity needs) to a commitment to zero or low emissions vehicles by 2027.
Tradco remains headquartered and warehoused in Adelaide, with all product development, assembly and quality control conducted in-house. The brand's brass products are manufactured using sand casting and forging methods that have defined quality architectural hardware for over a century — methods chosen for the strength, character and longevity they produce in finished pieces that factory-stamped alternatives simply cannot replicate.
Frequently Asked Questions — Tradco Hardware
What is Tradco Hardware?
Tradco, also known as the Traditional Hardware Company or Trad Co, is an Australian architectural hardware brand founded in Adelaide in 1982. Tradco specialises in period and heritage hardware for Victorian, Federation, Edwardian, Californian Bungalow, Art Deco, Hamptons and contemporary homes. With a catalogue of more than 4,000 products — door handles, window fittings, locks, hinges, light switches, cabinet hardware and accessories — Tradco is Australia's most comprehensive whole-of-home hardware brand. It is part of Southern Design Group, alongside sister brands Iver and Bankston Architectural.
What styles does Tradco Hardware come in?
Tradco produces hardware in Victorian, Federation, Edwardian, Californian Bungalow, Art Deco, Hamptons, French Provincial, Colonial and contemporary styles. Each style range is designed to replicate the door and window hardware actually used in Australian homes of that era — the backplate profiles, lever curves, knob shapes and decorative details are based on authentic period originals, not generic reproductions.
What finishes does Tradco Hardware come in?
Tradco's finish range includes: Polished Brass, Satin Brass, Antique Brass (hand-aged), Antique Copper, Porcelain, Chrome, Satin Chrome, Polished Nickel, Satin Nickel, Rumbled Nickel and Matte Black. The full finish range is available across most product categories — door handles, window fittings, hinges, light switches and cabinetware — allowing genuine whole-of-home finish coordination from a single brand.
What makes Tradco Antique Brass different from other brass finishes?
Tradco's Antique Brass is hand-aged — each item is individually treated by a craftsperson starting from satin brass, rubbed back with a soft cloth to reveal lighter tones beneath, then baked to set and lacquered to protect the surface. Because every piece is aged by hand, no two items have exactly the same depth or variation of tone. This produces a richness and authenticity that factory-applied antique finishes cannot replicate. It is Tradco's most popular finish for heritage restorations precisely because it looks like it belongs in the home — not like it was bought last week.
Is Tradco the same as Iver?
No — Tradco and Iver are separate brands, but they are sister brands under the same parent company, Southern Design Group. Tradco specialises in period and heritage reproduction hardware with an emphasis on historical accuracy. Iver is Southern Design Group's contemporary brand, focused on design-led hardware for modern homes, Hamptons renovations and commercial applications, with PVD-coated finishes including the lifetime-warranty Brushed Gold PVD. Because both brands share the same parent, their finish families are aligned and the two ranges can be mixed throughout a home seamlessly.
Can I match Tradco hardware throughout my whole home?
Yes — and this is Tradco's defining advantage. The range covers door handles, knobs, pull handles, flush pulls, hinges, locks, latches, window stays, window fasteners, sash window fittings, light switches, powerpoints, cabinet handles, drawer pulls, door knockers, letterplates, doorbells, house numbers, door stops, coat hooks, gate hardware and period furniture fittings — all in the same finish families. You can specify a single finish and apply it to every touch point in the home without mixing brands.
What is the difference between forged brass and sheet brass in Tradco door knobs?
Forged brass knobs are produced by shaping solid brass under pressure — the result is a thicker, heavier, more substantial knob that is extremely durable and has a satisfying weight when handled. Sheet brass knobs are made from thinner brass sheet, reproducing the lighter, more delicate construction of many original period door knobs — they are historically accurate for Victorian and Federation restorations and capture the original feel of the era. Both are genuine brass; the choice is between weight and feel preferences and period accuracy.
What does 'passage', 'privacy' and 'entrance' mean on Tradco handles?
Passage is for internal doors where no lock is needed — the handle operates freely from both sides. Privacy is for bathrooms and bedrooms — a thumb-turn or button locks the door from inside with an emergency release on the outside. Entrance (Euro cylinder) is for external doors — a key is used outside and a thumb-turn inside. Traditional Keyhole is for external doors using a traditional skeleton key and rim lock. Dummy is a non-functioning single handle for wardrobes and linen presses. Selecting the wrong function is the most common ordering mistake — contact our team if you are unsure.
Does Tradco make rim locks?
Yes. Tradco's rim lock range is one of the most complete available in Australia for heritage restorations. Rim locks are the surface-mounted box locks used on Victorian and Federation external doors with a traditional skeleton key. Tradco manufactures rim locks in cast iron and brass in period-accurate profiles, with matching rim lock knobs available in the full finish range. For an authentic Victorian or Federation external door restoration, rim lock hardware is the correct and period-appropriate specification.
Does Tradco make light switches and powerpoints?
Yes — and this is one of Tradco's most distinctive capabilities. Tradco manufactures traditional-style light switches, rocker switches, toggle switches and powerpoints in matching finishes to the full door and window hardware range. This means you can match your light switches to your door handles — polished brass, antique brass, chrome, matte black — something most hardware suppliers cannot offer. For a period home renovation, this level of finish coordination is the detail that elevates a good renovation into a great one.
Can Tradco hardware be used on external doors in coastal locations?
Yes, with the right finish specification. Tradco's solid brass construction is inherently corrosion-resistant — brass does not rust. For external doors in coastal or marine environments where salt air is a factor, the key is maintaining the lacquer on lacquered finishes (polished brass, antique brass) to protect the surface. For external coastal applications where low-maintenance is a priority, Matte Black (powder-coated) or chrome/satin chrome are the most durable options. Contact our team for specific advice on coastal external applications — as qualified locksmiths we can recommend the right specification for your door and environment.
How do I care for Tradco polished brass hardware?
Wipe regularly with a damp soft cloth and dry thoroughly. Avoid abrasive cleaners, scouring products and harsh chemicals — these will damage the lacquer. Once the lacquer wears (particularly on high-touch grip areas), the brass will begin to oxidise and develop a natural patina. Many homeowners prefer this living finish for its authenticity. If you want to maintain the polished appearance, the lacquer can be stripped and re-applied by a metalwork professional, or the items can be re-polished and re-lacquered.
How do I identify what architectural style my home is?
The key indicators for common Australian home styles: Victorian (1840–1901) — cast iron lacework, ornate plasterwork, sash windows, high ceilings, decorative timber fretwork; Federation/Edwardian (1901–1920) — red brick or weatherboard, leadlight windows, wide verandahs, ornate timber brackets; Californian Bungalow (1915–1940) — low gabled roof, wide verandah, exposed timber rafters, natural earthy materials; Art Deco (1920–1939) — stepped facade, geometric decorative motifs, curved bays, streamlined profiles; Hamptons — crisp white palette, coastal textures, natural timber, refined but relaxed. If you're unsure of your home's era, send us photos — our team regularly helps customers identify their architectural style and specify the correct hardware range.
Where can I buy Tradco hardware in Melbourne?
We are Melbourne's south-east and Mornington Peninsula specialist for Tradco Hardware. See our four store locations below for in-store collection, or order online for Australia-wide free delivery on orders over $100.
Tradco Hardware — In-Store Collection, Melbourne South East & Mornington Peninsula
We stock the full Tradco range across four locations covering Melbourne's south-east corridor and the Mornington Peninsula. Click & collect available at all stores. Our qualified locksmith team can advise on finish selection, style matching, function specification and whole-of-home hardware schedules.
Braeside — 7/356 Lower Dandenong Road
Convenient for renovators and builders across Mordialloc, Parkdale, Mentone, Cheltenham, Heatherton, Clarinda, Dingley Village, Moorabbin, Brighton, Beaumaris, Sandringham, Bentleigh Aspendale, Chelsea, Chelsea Heights, Patterson Lakes, Keysborough, Springvale and Clayton South. Easy access via Lower Dandenong Road and the Nepean Highway corridor.
Frankston — 18 Young Street
Serving the City of Frankston and surrounds: Seaford, Carrum Downs, Langwarrin, Karingal, Frankston North, Frankston South, Sandhurst, Skye, Mount Eliza, Baxter, Bonbeach, Carrum and Patterson Lakes. Central Frankston location with easy parking.
Mornington — 6/244 Main Street
Our mid-peninsula store, serving one of Victoria's most active renovation markets: Mount Eliza, Mount Martha, Safety Beach, Baxter, Somerville, Tyabb, Moorooduc, Tuerong, Hastings, Bittern and Crib Point. Whether you're restoring a heritage beach cottage, building a Hamptons new home or renovating a sea-change property, Mornington's strong architectural heritage makes Tradco the natural specification choice throughout the peninsula.
Rosebud — 3/851–855 Point Nepean Road
Our southernmost peninsula store, serving the lower peninsula's booming renovation and new build market: Dromana, McCrae, Capel Sound, Tootgarook, Rye, Blairgowrie, Sorrento, Safety Beach, Arthurs Seat, Boneo, St Andrews Beach, Main Ridge, Red Hill and Portsea. The lower peninsula has one of the highest concentrations of heritage beach houses, Hamptons renovations and luxury new builds in Victoria — exactly the market Tradco Hardware is built for.
Buy Tradco Hardware Online — Australia-Wide Delivery
We supply the full Tradco Hardware range online with free shipping Australia-wide on orders over $100. Orders ship from Melbourne to Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra and all regional areas. As qualified locksmiths and hardware specialists with over 55 years of combined experience, we offer expert pre-purchase advice on finish matching, function selection, backset, rim lock compatibility, master key systems and whole-of-home hardware schedules for builders, architects and homeowners. Contact our team — we are here to help you get it right.
