Fittings, i.e. interior door handles, door systems and furniture handles

It is said that the devil is in the details… And although we don’t usually pay much attention to them – fittings – because about them a few words, are extremely important elements of any interior design! Interior door handles and escutcheons, door accessories, furniture handles accompany us in our daily life making it easier than we think….

Seemingly unnoticed, they play an important role in the daily functionality of our interiors. Small or large, modern or stylized, neutral or deliberately accenting the space complement it by providing us with comfort and safe use of doors and furniture. So what should I follow when choosing interior door handles? What kind of handle to use on the front door? Well, and what are all these signs, rosettes?

The art of choice.

One of the basic criteria for the selection of hardware is the style of the interior, according to which we choose the next elements of its equipment. And while it happens that the interior doors themselves have already been matched, the handle raises further dilemmas. And rightly so! The first thing we evaluate when visiting a space right from the entrance is the very door we walk through. After a while, however, we begin to notice more elements, considering their aesthetics or functionality. What is our surprise when a reflexively grasped interior door handle turns out to be strangely uncomfortable? The evaluation of a misguided solution is then instant! What is its very “strangeness”?

An overly angular, unergonomic door that fits poorly in the hand does not make a good impression, especially when we have to use the door equipped with it often – usually the one to the bathroom or toilet.
In moments like these, we begin to notice a shortcoming that seemingly has not been of much importance so far. We are looking for an alternative that will improve the status quo. By the way, it turns out that we can focus no longer only on the mere convenience of the interior door handle – the shape – but also on its other qualities. So we browse through more offers taking into account the different colors, the material of construction, which perhaps this time will definitely satisfy us… Black or white, matte or glossy, gold, silver or bronze… There is really a lot! Making a choice when buying or ordering is therefore really worth focusing on. This will not only avoid disappointment, but also save time spent on possible further searches.

A handle that is too small and fragile can prevent the (especially heavier) doors from opening freely. Worse, it can also look ridiculous being decidedly oversized. Size does matter here! Proportions too… After all, we are not creating a doll’s house versus ourselves. Similarly, positioned on the sash too low or too high will effectively prevent the comfort of opening. So in this situation, too, we need to demonstrate not only aesthetic sensitivity, but simply common sense… Having doubts, we can seek help from someone better versed in the subject – a technical advisor, a service employee of an industry store, read up in guide materials… And that’s it!

Handle or knob.

A handle is unequal to a handle. Not just because of size, stylistic or aesthetic details, but precisely because of a certain functionality. An interior door handle is not a front door handle. It’s also not an exterior door handle! They are all different from each other.
As a rule, the handle looks similar on both sides of the sash. Embedded on the escutcheon or rosette, the hilt makes it possible to mechanically release the locking mechanism of the lock with just a little pressure. Sometimes, however – usually in older or stylized interiors – doorknobs are used, that is, hardware that varies in design. In such a solution, on one side of the door there is a traditional handle, while on the other a fixed or rotary knob is installed. Thus, the opening of the door here occurs with a gentle rotation of it. Less common, but also available, are knob-and-neck. However, these – for various reasons – are used far less often… One or another, however, perform exactly the same role, leaving us with the final choice.

Only special – usually immovable – recessed or leaf-mounted handles are used to operate doors on sliding, folding or swinging systems. These, too, should be selected not only for decorative reasons, but also taking into account the dimensions of the door, the direction of its opening, the available space around it, and security itself!

A lock one way or another?

A lock is also an integral part of the door equipment. This is because with the handle it forms a set that ensures the proper use of the whole in the space. And while the lock itself is not always visible on the sash, it does have its place in the mechanism. This is due to standardization, where we have to deal with the appropriate spacing of mounting holes – it is usually the sash that can be modified when we care mainly about the handle, and the lock (so-called “saving”) is then hidden inside without having to lock the door with a key or bathroom lock….

These are the types we have at our disposal when choosing a solution dedicated to our interiors. Thus, for a bathroom or toilet we will opt for a door with a WC lock (a mechanism with a rotary locking escutcheon), while for a room we will choose a door with a traditional key – with a feather – opening all locks of this type – usually described with the symbol WK. In places where we store more valuable things, documents, those to which we want to effectively limit the access of unauthorized guests, on the other hand, we will install an interior door equipped with a lock with a patent cylinder, or WB.

The matter is really simple! Importantly – all manufacturers use similar solutions as standard.

On the signboard.

What connects the handle to the lock – including literally – is usually a sign. This one, also often referred to as a rosette, is nothing more than a mounting element and a cover for the mechanisms. Each, regardless of its shape, color, and material, performs the same functions. It allows you to locate and stabilize the handle for interior doors, handles for entrance and exterior doors, in addition, to mark the place and protect the lock – especially in the case of escutcheons with burglar protection. The aforementioned makes it difficult to ream the cylinder and thus also the lock. This issue, however, is governed by relevant standards that are relevant not only when choosing the degree of protection, but also during the process of insuring the property. It’s worth bringing up this topic when talking to your agent….

The signboard itself can be short – separate for the handle and the lock. It can also be integrated, that is, long, common to both mechanisms. This type is usually used for stylized doors, found in older solutions and wherever it is necessary to hide minor damage within the hardware….

Enormous possibilities.

When deciding on the choice of hardware, it is worth keeping in mind the most important points I mentioned in this post. From the design, the overall aesthetics of the solution that will accompany us for months and years to come, to technical issues – the standards of the solutions available on the market to the details. Among them. lock spacing (there are several of these, too!) and other components useful in the arrangement. This is because here you will find the right type of hinges, dedicated covers, door stops to limit their opening, decorative pictogram plates, decorative knockers, numbers and letters for the entrance and exterior doors, bell buttons and much more… About these a few more words in our next entries.

I invite you now!

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