While significant resources are allocated towards building safety/security, spending a little extra time on hardware selection can result in a much more aesthetic product. Often these changes come at little to no changes in price point.
High-quality finishes instil confidence in the fabric of the building, and ultimately provide a better user experience. Value is often gained through better decisions, not just from spending more money.
Index
- External & Security Doors
- Examples of Metal Door Finishes
- Ironmongery Variations
- Registered Architectural Ironmongers
External & Security Doors
Most external and Security Doors are specified to be of metal construction.
This material supports a vast array of finishes including RAL, Laminates, Vinyl Wraps and all variants of custom prints.
These custom prints can mimic many types of material that are already in the building and can be used to personalise the door according to its environment. For instance, text or branding can be implemented to personalise the door for its company/site/level or department.
Examples of Metal Door Finishes
Dark Blue
A timeless classic that’s synergised with the security sector.
Muted Green
Many brands are bringing back variations of green. Often these are of the darker tones, and slightly desaturated in colour pallet. This works well with a flatter satin finish.
Gloss Red
Often drawing parallels with Italian cars, and Italian electrical goods, polished chrome / stainless steel with gloss red always provides an incredible impact, often giving the impression of being robust and of high quality.
Speckled Blue
If walls or floors are of a generic nature, the speckled finish can add a nice level of detail. Often, they are perceived as a solid colour from afar, and then detail is revealed the closer you get to the doorset.
Light Pink
Making its way back into the mainstream, light pinks provide vibrance to the environment. Tonally they also compliment neutral greys / whites which are currently widespread in usage.
White Marble
As is with many of these variants, custom prints can be utilised as the final finish, providing they are of a high enough quality.
Graphics / Logos / Lettering / Mapping
The doorsets themselves can be styled to help add context to the building.
Examples include:
- Company branding – This works well in a building where it’s hard to distinguish different levels / rooms.
- Floor levels – Different colours can be utilised for each level, matching with maps or additional icons.
- Door labelling / unique identifiers can help users pinpoint exactly where they are for routine maintenance.
Ironmongery Variations
Most external-facing doors are required to deal with the elements.
Whilst most people will think that this will require a stainless-steel finish, more often than not, the ironmongery supplied (in stainless steel) is comprised of multiple materials, which are then sprayed with a stainless-steel coating. This leads people to believe that stainless steel is the only option for external doors.
The reality is, ironmongery can be applied with a variety of metal finishes or colours, while maintaining the capability to deal with the elements. A gold finish, for instance, can have the same hardwearing capabilities as gloss black or copper.
The colour of the ironmongery can therefore match the door, or go in a separate direction, to provide a visual contrast.
Registered Architectural Ironmongers
Our certified Architectural Ironmongers can work with your design teams to ensure everything is to a compliant standard, whilst adding significant aesthetical appeal to the building.
In many cases, the cost of the different colour variants makes little difference in price, however it can make a huge impact in terms of aesthetics.
Variations in style, and function can also significantly help users identify where they are within a particular building.