How to choose a door handle resistant to extreme conditions?

Which handles should you choose for a door exposed to the elements?

A handle for an entrance door, an exterior door exposed to sea wind, an interior door in a damp room, or a sliding door opening onto a terrace, is subject to significant stress. Choosing the right type of handle and the right decorative hardware is essential to ensure the longevity, functionality and aesthetics of your designer or rustic door. Discover the key criteria for choosing the door handle that will best withstand its environment!

Identify the extreme conditions to which your handle will be exposed

Before selecting your door handles, analyse the real constraints to which they will be exposed:

  * Weather conditions: rain, frost, temperature variations on entrance doors or French doors.

  * Humid environments: coastal areas, swimming pools (opt for stainless steel or aluminium).

  * Heavy use: swing doors in shops, hotels, offices or sliding bay doors.

  * Mechanical constraints: armoured door, landing door, swing door or double door with reinforced lock.

  * Specific environments: coastal and saline air requiring anti-corrosion treatment on all hardware fittings and roses of the handles.

What are the most resistant materials for door handles?

Choose the material that best addresses the type of constraint. For a durable and functional handle, opt for:

  * Stainless steel (satin stainless, matt stainless, brushed stainless): ideal against corrosion.

  * Polished brass, chrome brass or aged brass: a robust and decorative material.

  * Aluminium or aluminium alloy (zamak): lightweight, resistant and modern.

  * Wrought iron or bronze: perfect for a rustic handle and original door (treatment required for exterior use).

  * Technical plastic, nylon or epoxy: resistant to chemicals and humidity.

  * White porcelain or ceramic: elegant on an interior door handle, less suitable for exterior use.

Finishes and protective treatments for exterior handles

The finish and surface treatment directly affect the resistance of the lever, the door knob for a landing door or the pull handle of a shop.

Let us highlight 3 finishes particularly well suited to exposed door handles:

* PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition): Extremely high-hardness coating applied under vacuum.

Door handles resistant to extreme conditions often benefit from advanced surface treatments such as PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition), which deposits an extremely hard, wear-resistant metallic coating in vapour phase. 

Innovative coating for door handles, this process offers excellent resistance to corrosion, scratches and UV rays, while preserving the original gloss or matt texture, whether satin nickel or polished brass. It is recommended for coastal environments or entrance door handles subjected to significant temperature variations.

* Chrome (hard or decorative chrome plating): Electrolytic deposit on a brass, steel or zinc base.

This protective coating in a gloss or matt finish offers good resistance to oxidation, although it is less durable than PVD in coastal or humid environments.

* Anodised treatment (mainly for aluminium): Electrochemical treatment creating a protective oxide layer.

This process offers very good corrosion resistance but is less resistant to impacts and deep scratches than PVD. Anodised treatments for aluminium and high-performance lacquers for painted finishes are also available, ensuring optimum longevity even on an entrance door exposed to the elements.

Examples of handles suited to extreme conditions

  * Matt black PVD exterior door handle with barrel key rose for a modern entrance door

  * Landing door knob in black zamak 

https://www.millapoignees.com/pull-handle/7349-lyonnais-zamak-door-pull-knob.html#/11-couleurs-noir

  * Pull handle in brass for a contemporary swing door

  * Exterior handles in 304 stainless steel designed for heavy use with a reinforced locking system for public use.

Choosing a door handle suited to extreme conditions means guaranteeing the safety, durability and ease of maintenance of your interior doors as well as your entrance doors.

At Milla Handles, our extensive range of exterior door handles, door knobs, lever handles and decorative hardware meets the needs of the most demanding environments.