Rock Solid Doors
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Choosing the Perfect Door Handle: Tips and Tricks

The details matter when designing your doors. A door is something you interact with a lot, so if the design isn't right, you'll be reminded every time you use the door. In addition, your front door is the first thing guests see and interact with when visiting, so you want the image conveyed by your handles and their tactile function to be exactly right.

We live in a world full of choices. With so many different manufacturers making so many different styles, materials, colours and textures, it is now possible for us to fully customise our homes, stamping our style onto every glorious aspect. Whether you are looking to upgrade the handles for your existing doors or choosing the right hardware to compliment your beautiful new doors, these tips and tricks should help you select the perfect handles to finish your home improvement project with style.

Consider the materials

It's a good idea to consider not only the material the new handles are made from but also the material the door you're fitting them onto is made from. Consider whether you're fitting onto wooden, uPVC, composite, or aluminium doors before moving onto the colour of the doors, the style of design and other factors like glass used as well as other hardware like knockers, letter boxes, locks, draught excluders, peepholes, and trickle-vents. Consider whether you want harmony or contrast between the materials used.

Consider Functionality  

As well as the aesthetics of your handles, try to envision how they're going to be used and who is going to use them. Will they need to be simple and easy to grip for children or the elderly, or can you choose a more technical handle? Do you need a handle with a locking mechanism or just a simple sleek handle that's convenient to use?

Think About the Rest of Your Hardware

You can choose an eclectic mix of materials for a unique and striking combination or choose a more cohesive selection of hardware. When selecting all the hardware, try to identify a theme, such as 'modern', 'eclectic' or 'classic', that can be kept in mind when selecting the handles to best match all the elements.

Take Accurate Measurements 

It's always a good idea to measure not only the sizing of the fixing points but also the protrusion of the handles. Some doors will open to walls. When this is the case, door stoppers will be needed to prevent the handles from damaging the walls. Aesthetically, the size of the handles can also compliment or ruin the look of doors. Large bold doors can warrant distinct-looking handles, whereas more traditional, elegant or classic doors may be best suited to a more delicate size.

Get ‘Hands On’

Something that’s used as often as a door handle becomes part of your everyday life. It's always good to ‘test drive’ something that’s going to play a daily part in your life. You wouldn’t buy a car without taking it for a spin to see how it feels. This is a good approach when choosing the door handles to compliment your doors. Some things can look the part in terms of style, colour, size and material but just don't feel right in the hand. Something tactile, balanced and operates smoothly can be the important finishing touch.

Maintenance Commitments

Different types of handles require different types of maintenance. Polished brass finishes, for instance, require specific brass cleaning products and regular polishing to keep the finish consistent. However, brushed or uPVC finishes require very little maintenance other than the occasional wipe-down and are more resistant to smudges and fingerprints.

Accessibility

Friends and family members with mobility issues or disabilities may require special consideration when choosing your door handles. DDA-compliant door handles may be needed if this is the case. However, there is a wide selection of styles, colours, materials and sizes contained within this subcategory of door handles, so you should still be able to find something that fits your theme.

Don’t Forget the Backplate

More than just an interface between the door and the handle, the backplate is another customisable component to consider. This component can match the handle and blend the two seamlessly, or you can choose to highlight these two components by selecting different materials or colours to contrast them.

When choosing the right handles, applying these hints and tips should help you to make the right choices. However, once you whittle the possibilities down to just a few that tick all the boxes, you’ll need to trust your instincts. If you need any further advice, get in touch with the team here at Rock Solid Doors, and we’ll be more than happy to help.

Testimonial

Really does look the bee’s knees

The fitters were very polite, thorough and clean during the installation. Very pleased with the purchase. Just wanted to drop you a quick note to say thanks for the new door and to let you know how pleased we are with it. Kaye was delighted when she got home and saw the finished job, it really does look the bee’s knees and has transformed the appearance of the entrance. Its been a real pleasure dealing with you both and rest assured we’ll unreservedly recommend your company whenever we get the opportunity. The only problem I have now is that Kaye has started muttering about replacing patio doors and french windows at the back of the house. So unless I can rein her in pretty damn quick you may well be hearing from us again.Thanks again chaps for a great job at the right price and with the minimum of fuss and disruption.
Steve
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Rock Solid Doors Ltd
Creighton Ave, St Albans, AL1 2LG
0800 540 4366
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