Staying ahead of the game
With door styles continuing to evolve at a rapid pace, offering a complete range of hardware is an effective way for fabricators to keep pace with the latest market trends. Here Sarah Knight, Product Manager at ERA, explores the latest designs, finishes and technologies that are supporting manufacturers in maximising the value of sales by complementing the latest door styles.
From sleek aluminium finishes with chrome pull bars, to woodgrain effect finishes with metallic hardware, the entrance door market is progressing at phenomenal speed. Whilst a white PVCu door with matching brass hardware was the staple choice for years, today’s homeowners are looking for a wider choice, combined with the opportunity for customisation.
The sheer breadth of door colours and finishes available in today’s market demonstrates just how brave homeowners are becoming with the design choices. By providing a complete suite of hardware in a range of varying finishes and designs to match, fabricators can stay ahead of the competition by meeting the most demanding customer requirements.
The classical revival
Period properties are continuing to have their moment. Owners are increasingly investing time and money into recreating character features that not only achieve an authentic aesthetic, but increase the value of their property.
To meet this demand, heritage hardware for period-inspired doors are continuing to be developed. This is supporting manufacturers in creating a more traditional appearance that reflects the property’s origins, whilst meeting the performance, quality and durability capabilities and expectations of modern materials.
Fab&Fix’s heritage-inspired Hardex finishes, including the new Forged Black and Aged Hardex Pewter options, replicate the look of traditional forged iron hardware with matte black or aged pewter finishes. Featuring tactile surfaces created through the application of intricate patterns, the hardware delivers a superior style that sympathetically emulates the authentic handcrafted style common with period properties.
As the finishes are available across an entire suite, including spire door knockers and monkey tail door handles, fabricators, can provide homeowners with complementary hardware without compromising on security, performance or resilience.
Contemporary choices
Whilst traditional inspired entrance doors continue to increase in popularity, the modern European style are becoming increasingly favourable. Owners of new build properties and city centre apartments are more often choosing designs that feature extensive panels of glazing, combined with sleek hardware.
Here, this streamlined aesthetic is being achieved by replacing standard chrome surfaces with ultra-modern finishes such as Stainless Steel. Hardware manufacturers are developing specific ranges of furniture options to suit, including Fab&Fix’s range of contemporary bar handles, which includes inline, offset, ‘V’, ‘D’, and bow-shaped designs. This also includes oval escutcheons and rounded door knobs, which provide homeowners with security and functionality to suit the contemporary style of their property.
Industrial inspired matte finishes are also here having their moment, as homeowners look to add on-trend updates to their property. Here Fab&Fix’s Anthracite Grey and Hardex Graphite finishes provide a contemporary uplift to standard chrome, particularly when applied to door handles, letterplates and knockers that feature streamlined designs and sleek profiles.
Simplifying security
Regardless of property style, the durability and level of security the hardware provides is just as important as its aesthetic appeal. Choosing products that have been independently tested and are supplied with a comprehensive mechanical guarantee gives door manufacturers the confidence they are providing customers with the highest levels of protection.
As door styles continue to evolve, fabricators can keep pace with the latest market trends and maximise sales opportunities by offering a broader range of complementary hardware. This enables homeowners to personalise their entrance door to reflect the latest design trends, without compromising on quality, functionality and security.
For further information on ERA’s diverse portfolio of security products, visit our catalogue page.
