New developments in door and window furniture design, particularly bespoke designs, can offer local authorities performance advantages and improved aesthetics.
When selecting door furniture, a number of issues including the location of the installation, the location of the door, what the building is used for and any design requirements come into play.
Considering the choice of materials and range of products available in the early design stages is worthwhile to ensure a professional and maintained image throughout the building.
The latest developments in door and window furniture are designed in stainless steel to offer high performance characteristics compared to brass or aluminium. Stainless steel is undoubtedly an excellent base material being highly durable, scratch resistant, corrosion and wear resistant.
The low maintenance benefits of stainless steel ensure door and window furniture retain smart and attractive looks for longer. From an environmental point of view, it is reassuring to know that over 90 percent of new stainless steel is produced from recycled materials.
Among the latest developments are cable free, keyless door locking systems with integrated access control. Specifying a door locking system that has been designed without the need for a cylinder provides greater security as an ill-fitting cylinder that protrudes from the door can create greater opportunity for possible intruders, such as providing a grip on which to break the mechanism.
The latest systems for fixing door lever handles with a rose or escutcheon now work on a two-part principle.
The rose or plate is fitted to the door first and the lever handle then pushed through the centre and clicked into place to ensure quick and easy installation. These new fixing systems avoid the traditionally awkward process of trying to fix door handles, where the access to screw holes are obstructed by the lever.
The rose or plate is fitted to the door first and the lever handle then pushed through the centre and clicked into place to ensure quick and easy installation. These new fixing systems avoid the traditionally awkward process of trying to fix door handles, where the access to screw holes are obstructed by the lever.
Leading manufacturers will offer a bespoke design service to ensure a smart and stylish finish for any public building. Signature pieces and unique designs can be created to reflect an overall design theme. Attention to detail is vital to avoid detracting from an aesthetic that has already been achieved throughout a building’s architecture and design.
One such project was the newly converted Fort Dunlop warehouse, in Birmingham. Bespoke door lever handles and locking technology as part of the buildings radical transformation.
The 50,000 sq ft contemporary offices were fitted throughout with Berne design handles and high performance 4000 series locks to ensure a coherent design scheme throughout. The washroom utilised the Fjord range of handles as a practical yet stylish finish chosen from a co-ordinated palette.
Projects architects, Quentin Keohane, commented: 'A vital part of this project was to re-develop the site with an injection of modern design while, respecting the existing building. Each and every detail of the buildings dramatic transformation was taken into consideration.'
The specification of door and window furniture should not be an afterthought vital to the design process.
Leading manufacturers will be able to offer full range of support services including technical advice, product samples and a bespoke design service to ensure that the practical and aesthetic needs of a project are met.
