A Guide to Door Handles and Locks for Your Home
Choosing the correct door handles and locks is a terrific method to update the appearance of your house because the door hardware is an extension of its character. A smart front entry raises your home’s value by as much as 10%! Upgrading door knobs and other accessories will be much more successful if you follow a well-thought-out plan, as is the case with most home renovation tasks.
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What Is the Australian Standard for Door Handles?
Whether you’re starting to install door handles and locks throughout your new home or are replacing your old ones, asking yourself whether there are some standards is logical; it’ll help you adhere to regulations and enhance safety, accessibility and ergonomics. Following the standard can also help you maintain consistency and aesthetics throughout your property, creating a uniform and visually pleasing look.
In Australia, the recommended height for door handles is outlined in the Australian Standard (AS 1428.1—2009), suggesting they should be installed between 900mm and 1050mm from the floor. This height range is both practical and ergonomic for most users, ensuring comfort and accessibility.
How to Select a Door Handle?
When browsing the range of secure door handles in Australia, you’ll notice different types, finishes and lock styles with various functions for both outdoor and indoor use. Considering these along with your budget and installation requirements can help you make the right decision.
Choose Its Function
The first step in selecting door handles is to decide on their location and purpose. Door handles come in two varieties: internal and external. Entry, privacy, passage, and dummy are the four function kinds from which to select.
Entrance handles are designed for external doors requiring locks, such as front, back, and garage doors. Privacy handles suit internal doors needing locks, like bedrooms and bathrooms. Passage handles are ideal for internal doors without locks, such as living rooms. Dummy handles serve non-operational doors, like cupboards and wardrobes.
Understand the Different Door Handle Components
You can make a better decision when you understand the various parts that make up a door handle.
- Latch. When you turn or pull the handle, the latch—the device that keeps the door closed—can be unfastened.
- Spindle. The rod that joins the two handles on either side of the door is called the spindle. The latch is operated by the spindle rotating when the handle is turned.
- Lever or knob. The physical component that you hold is the lever or knob. Knobs can add a historic touch, while levers are typically easier to use and can give a modern appearance.
Pick a Handle Type
Now that you understand the different parts of a door handle, the next step is selecting the type of handle that best suits your needs. It should depend on your door’s purpose, location, and style preferences. Here’s an overview of common door handles in Australia to guide your choice.
- Flush pull handles. Ideal for sliding doors, these handles sit flush against the door, allowing it to slide into a cavity without obstruction.
- Levers. A popular option for both interior and exterior doors, lever handles are horizontal and ergonomic. They come with locking mechanisms for privacy or as non-locking passage handles.
- Deadbolts. Renowned for their high security, deadbolts require a key or snib to lock and are commonly used on external doors.
- Pull handles. Typically used for front doors, pull handles range from simple designs to advanced digital options for modern homes.
- Knobs. Round and versatile, door knobs work for both internal and external doors, offering a classic aesthetic.
- Digital handles. Equipped with electronics, digital handles operate via a code, key, or swipe card, providing advanced security and convenience.
- Double-cylinder locks. These locks require a key for locking and unlocking from both sides, enhancing security but potentially complicating emergency exits.
- Single-cylinder locks. With a key-operated exterior and a thumbturn interior, single-cylinder locks provide security while allowing easy egress during emergencies.
Select a Material
Consideration of the material used for door handles is essential as it impacts both their look and longevity in addition, to maintenance requirements. Popular options like steel zinc brass and ceramic offer various choices to suit different environments. When selecting a material for your door handles take into account your surroundings – are you near the coast, with levels of moisture and wind? The best options in this case are brass and other metal products. Take usage into account as well. The stronger the material, the better, if it will be used frequently and see a lot of traffic.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a popular choice, for door handle finishes because of its durability and affordability compared to materials like brass or nickel which may be more decorative but also pricier and less sturdy in the long run. However, stainless steel door knobs and handles are not typically preferred for doors because they may not always complement the aesthetics of the interior design scheme. Nonetheless, stainless steel remains a cost-effective option for exterior door handles where durability and affordability are key considerations alongside the need, for an attractive appearance that can withstand outdoor elements over time.
Brass
Brass door knobs are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they also offer antimicrobial qualities. Metals such as copper, silver, zinc, and brass are oligodynamic. This indicates that their ions can destroy living things like bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Brass requires less maintenance to remain beautiful because it is strong and corrosion-resistant, unlike other materials. Naturally, the brass’s hue will deteriorate over time. However, this is a unique style and does not necessarily imply that a new handle is required. Brass can rust in severe weather conditions, despite its general corrosion resistance. It is therefore a superior option for interior doors.
Zinc
Zinc is another common material for door handles. Zinc handles are used on both exterior and interior doors because they are robust, corrosion and rust-resistant, and often reasonably priced.
Generally speaking, these handles are regarded as less attractive than other handle types. Additionally, they might not be as robust as other materials. However, this can be a fantastic alternative if you’re searching for a more affordable option for a door that doesn’t get a lot of use.
