Like many features in the home, door hardware goes through design, colour and shape changes. Stephanie McDonald talks to Malcolm McKenzie from Dorma, Neil Mitchelhill from Assa Abloy and Garry Stone from Centor Architectural about emerging trends in door hardware.
Concealment
With the minimalist trend of the 90s all about sleek lines and simple detail, that has flowed on to door hardware. Consumers and architects are demanding concealed products and a cleaner, neater flush look, particularly for levers. “There is no question that in the last few years the swing has been away from door knobs to levers as they are easier to use, particularly for baby boomers who are the ones with the disposable income,” Mitchelhill says.
“The other reason that levers are becoming more popular is that there are more opportunities to have different and varied designs. Some builders and particularly architects look for a suite of door furniture through the home, trying to match the handles on the front door, the internal doors through to the back/laundry and patio doors. This not only gives consistency of finish but also style, design and operation.” Architects and designers are also requesting concealed closers so as to keep the intent of design appearance they set out to achieve without other materials adding to a loss of the aesthetic design they require, according to McKenzie.
Sustainability
As ratings programs like Green Star have gained momentum and popularity, door hardware has also adapted. For example, McKenzie says stainless steel products are not plated and therefore are better for the environment as no waste material or carcinogens is created through the plating process. Weather seals and draught seals are also being more widely specified “Frameless glass doors and other pivoting entrance doors must now incorporate seals on the main entrances or alternatively a secondary airlock must be built as a result of the new requirements in the BCA,” McKenzie says.
Finishes
Brass has lost its shine and stainless steel has become the finish of choice. McKenzie says, “Push pull plates and back to back handles were readily available in satin stainless steel, but not lever handles — these were made from brass. This trend is changing rapidly and becoming the first material of choice now for interior designers, architects and end users. SS door furniture in particular was not available across a wide range of designs and back plates, whether they be round rose, square rose or plates, until recent times,” he says. But Mitchelhill says the brass and gold look is still popular in homes with timber and unpainted doors as they are “warm” and help set off a naturally stained door.
Shape
Another influence of the minimalist trend has been the move away from ornate, elaborate and detailed door handles. This trend has shifted to straight lines and more of a commercial look in the home. “This very much fits into the multi dwelling square and angular style of construction,” Stone says. Mitchelhill says there has also been a move to wider single pivot doors with a big back to back pull handles on the front doors. “These of course are available in numerous shapes although usually limited to stainless steel and polished chrome. There has been a bit of a push for the square look and many brands now offer square rose door furniture and square rose deadbolts,” he says.
Electronic security
As more and more areas of peoples lives become influenced by technology, so too have door locks. Electronic security can range from biometric locks, which use a fingerprint, to keypads. Assa Abloy is soon to release digital locks under the Yale brand. It will use a keypad to enter numbers and either offer proximity — a card similar to a credit card — or an i-button — a small pendant that when touched, retracts the bolt. “Currently the Lockwood branded Nexion keyless lock is the easiest electronic lock to fit because it was designed to suit Australian doors. The Nexion has a Q key which operates the door as you would in a car,” Mitchelhill says.
Time saving
A unique feature which was introduced several years back was the bayonet type fix, which allowed the door lever and rose to be removed for painting without the need for a screwdriver, according to Mitchelhill. “Not only does this feature save time, but it also reduces the risk of damage, such as scratching or painting to the door furniture. With more and more people doing their own painting and restoration to save money, I am sure that this type of innovation will be valued as a time saver,” he says. The cost of labour is also not only expensive, but can be time consuming, which Stone says has lead to customers wanting products as quickly as possible and which can be assembled without the need for skilled labour.
