Why choose a stainless steel door handle?

Stainless steel, also known as inox, is omnipresent in our homes. On the outside, this steel alloy in brushed or polished steel finish is chosen to manufacture gates, access ramps, window frames and letterboxes. Inside, stainless steel is found mainly in our wet rooms: 

• in the kitchen: the sink, many kitchen utensils and household appliances are made of stainless steel; 
• in the bathroom: many accessories (shower rail, towel holders, baskets, etc.) are also designed in this corrosion-resistant material. 

If stainless steel is known for its primary quality — corrosion resistance — is it capable of offering hardware accessories and fittings that are both strong and design, such as door handles? 

Contents

Are stainless steel handles design?

The advantages of a stainless steel door handle

Which room is best suited to a stainless steel handle?

The world of the door handle has expanded in terms of shapes, finishes and materials to best suit all interior styles. Among the materials favoured by designers and manufacturers, iron, brass and bronze — destined for often classical pieces — compete with aluminium and stainless steel for chrome-finish products with a more modern design! 

Stainless steel is particularly well suited to the demands of door handles, as it is strong and corrosion-resistant. While it offers many advantages, is stainless steel capable of producing design door handles?  

Are stainless steel door handles design? 

Stainless steel (grade 304 stainless steel for our interiors) is often associated with useful everyday items (sink, shelves or kitchen accessories such as cutlery, salad bowls and cheese graters) and far less so with interior decoration. Yet this steel alloy with its chrome hue in a bright or matt finish offers wonderful possibilities in terms of decoration!

The diversity of products and finishes conceived by designers makes it possible to suit every interior decoration style: the stainless steel door handle can turn by turns classical, vintage, contemporary or futuristic! 

Let's look at some concrete examples that prove that stainless steel door handles are ultra-design accessories!

Chrome stainless steel handles on round plate

The shape of the fixing plate contributes to the style of the door handle. The round plate (or rose) immediately lends dynamism to the door handle by contrasting with the elongated shape of the lever (or shank).

Elegant door handle - Ref oval Kvadrat 1708

Stainless steel reveals its full design potential with this chrome stainless steel door handle. The lever is delicately twisted to create an elegant play of light that comes alive along the entire length of the handle.

The shine of stainless steel brightens the door of your kitchen or bathroom.

Classic stainless steel door handle - Ref Kvadrat 1707 

The chic understatement of this stainless steel door handle, with its delicate curves, enhances the doors of your modern kitchen or corporate offices. The comfortable grip and bright chrome finish are additional assets of this round plate product.

Chrome stainless steel door handles on square plate

The square escutcheon plate creates the originality of the door handle by contrasting with the rounded shape of the oblong lever.

Original door handle - Ref KVADRAT 1706

The square plate of this original door handle gives this seemingly simple yet chic model all its style. The understated shapes combined with the silver sheen of polished stainless steel create the full elegance of this unique product.

Industrial-style stainless steel door handle - Poigna Kvadrat 1702

This square plate handle is very on-trend. Create a design-forward pair by combining the handle with a keyed rose or privacy turn. These security accessories become true decorative assets!

Black stainless steel door handles

Black stainless steel door handle - Ref Oval 1701

Stainless steel is known for its silver chrome hue but can also be coloured! This magnificent black stainless steel door handle once again proves that stainless steel produces very beautiful products with a wide choice of finishes. 

The keyed rose paired with the handle forms an effective decorative duo. Simply position the rose at the correct centre distance to enjoy the decorative effect.

Other types of handles

Decorative hardware offers a vast range of products to dress all types of interior doors. 

Knob handles 

In addition to lever handles, you have the option of a knob handle: a door knob or a furniture knob. The stainless steel of furniture knobs echoes that of the sink or window handle. Chrome, black or coloured knobs add dynamism to all your furniture and doors throughout the home.

The recessed handle for sliding doors

The recessed cup handle is designed for the pocket sliding door. The recessed handle allows the door to fit flush into the wall. A satin stainless steel handle gives your sliding door a modern, industrial style.

The pull handle

Also known as a baton handle, the pull handle is chosen for the entrance doors of apartment buildings or shops. As its name suggests, this type of handle is used to open the door by pulling the handle towards you. 

The window handle

It is now possible to fit your windows with design handles that you can match to the door handles from the same range. The pair thus created accentuates the style of your décor.

Whatever the type of handle, stainless steel offers many advantages. 

The advantages of a stainless steel door handle

The main advantages of a stainless steel door handle are:

• its corrosion resistance
• its durability
• its easy maintenance
• its attractive price

Stainless steel is also highly aesthetic and plays a growing role in interior decoration: its chrome hue, in a satin or polished steel finish, brings a contemporary touch to our interiors.

The corrosion resistance of stainless steel

Stainless steel is obtained by adding chromium to iron. The most obvious property of stainless steel is its corrosion resistance. Not only does this alloy not rust, it also withstands extreme conditions in terms of heat and humidity. 

Stainless steel is particularly well suited to wet rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom. Your stainless steel door handles will suffer no deterioration despite humidity or intensive use. 

Industrial stainless steel door handle - Ref Kvadrat 1704

This grade 304 stainless steel handle, ultra-resistant, has been subjected to fire resistance tests in accordance with Standards PN-EN 1634-1 + A1: 2018. A 96-hour salt spray test showed that these stainless steel handles offer high corrosion resistance, achieving class 3 for this product characteristic. This ultra-resistant handle is an excellent choice for equipping business premises, hotels or public spaces.

The durability of a stainless steel door handle

Stainless steel is renowned for its durability. By definition, this material does not rust and is therefore chosen to manufacture numerous outdoor fittings (grade 316 stainless steel) such as shutters, windows, stair rails, gates and garden barriers. If stainless steel can withstand the elements outdoors, there is no doubt it will stand up to indoor use, even intensive use for door handles! 

The easy maintenance of a stainless steel door handle

Stainless steel offers another advantage: it requires no maintenance. Its smooth surface prevents any deterioration. 

Another important advantage of this material: stainless steel is hygienic. Indeed, as stainless steel is non-porous, bacteria cannot adhere to its smooth surface, making it ideal for door handles used hundreds of times a day.

To preserve the shine and lustre of stainless steel, simply wipe it with a soft cloth dampened with a mild cleaner such as washing-up liquid.

One downside to note: over time, the initial shine of stainless steel may begin to dull. To avoid this inconvenience, opt for the matt or brushed stainless steel finish, which is increasingly popular for industrial-style door handles.

Easy fitting of your door handles

Changing your door handles requires no particular DIY or locksmithing skills! Your handles come with a few spare parts (levers, roses, spindles or rods, fixing screws and, where applicable, adapters) and the documentation needed for fitting. In terms of tools, a simple screwdriver and a little wrist strength will be all you need to unscrew the old handles and screw on the new ones on either side of the door. You will not need to get the drill out unless you are completely changing the type of handle… 

Once fitted to your door, check the operation of the handle (in principle, the return spring helps the lever return to its horizontal position) as well as that of the latch (the lock component).

You can watch a video tutorial to find out how to change your interior door handles. You will learn everything about the rose, the centre distance, the spindle, the lock cylinder and any other door furniture.

The attractive price of a design stainless steel door handle

In addition to anti-corrosion quality and durability, another criterion comes into play when choosing a stainless steel door handle: its price. 

Yet stainless steel makes it possible to create design stainless steel door handles at particularly attractive prices

All the models selected in this article are under 30 euros. Design is within everyone's reach thanks to stainless steel! 

Which rooms in the home are best suited to a stainless steel handle?

The many advantages of the stainless steel door handle (moisture resistance, durability), as well as its aesthetics and beautiful finishes, make it suitable for every room in the home.

Stainless steel handle suited to the kitchen, bathroom and WC

Of course, its anti-corrosion quality directs our choice towards the wet rooms of the home: the kitchen, bathroom and toilet.

Whether in a satin chrome or brushed chrome finish, a stainless steel door handle will contrast with the white enamel of the bathtub or elegantly complement the bright chrome of the sink. Choosing a design stainless steel handle means opting for a long-term purchase combined with a love at first sight!

Design stainless steel handle ideal for the living room or hallway

The original shapes and distinctive finishes of the new stainless steel handles offer beautiful decorative solutions for the other rooms in the home! 

Ideal for an entrance door, for example, which can be exposed to rain or outdoor heat… and which is handled without care when coming in from shopping or sport! 

The living room can also be fitted with design stainless steel handles! Their charm and shine make them both useful and decorative accessories. The polished steel finish immediately adds a modern touch to your interior.

Chrome or black stainless steel handle for the bedroom 

Your bedroom door deserves beautiful design handles too! Stainless steel offers the chic and understated elegance of chrome with silver reflections, or the brilliance of black or white.

For the privacy of your bedroom or office, you can add to the handle a keyed rose or privacy turn button in the same finish. Design is put to the service of security thanks to the rose from the same collection.

Handle ref Kvadrat 1703 and the keyed rose in satin steel finish

Combining the rose with its locking system (key lock function) with the door handle reinforces the style created. The square shape of the escutcheon plate echoed by the keyed rose creates a modern, chic look, particularly in a satin stainless steel finish.

Stainless steel handles for public spaces    

The high strength of stainless steel is sought after for outdoor equipment and public spaces. Stainless steel handles are subjected to fire and corrosion resistance tests, essential criteria for businesses and public spaces. Its hygienic properties are another argument for choosing stainless steel in the public sphere.

Fire door handles

Fire door handles are designed to ensure the safety of a building's occupants and to guarantee an open evacuation route in the event of a fire. This is why it is so important to use products specifically designed for this purpose. Fire door handles are noticeably different from standard models. Be sure to check their quality carefully before making your choice.

The aesthetic of stainless steel is perfectly suited to door handles, accessories that are both functional and increasingly decorative. Its elegance and smooth, clean appearance add a touch of refinement to your interior.

Decorative hardware offers a wide, very on-trend range of selected handles for interior doors, exterior doors, sliding doors and window handles. All products — lever door handles or door knobs — suit every decoration style for a design interior: door handles in a contemporary or classic style on round or square roses, with or without privacy turn. 

Stainless steel is an excellent material for any type of door handle and can be used to produce designs just as stylish and modern as any other material known for producing beautiful models (aluminium, solid brass, bronze, wrought iron, porcelain, glass, or zamak, a 100% recyclable aluminium and zinc alloy).

Discover the complete Milla Handles collection. A wide range of handles in all materials and all finishes! Some stainless steel handles are also available in zamak or brass! A wide choice of exceptional handles with modern design, available to order online (delivery within 10 days maximum) or during your visit to the showroom, with advice and recommendations from our DIY and décor experts!