Why choose a stainless steel door handle?

Stainless steel, also known as inox, is omnipresent in our homes. 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 made from 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 designer, such as door handles?

Summary

Are stainless steel handles designer?

The advantages of a stainless steel door handle

Which room suits a stainless steel handle?

The world of door handles 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 classic settings — compete with aluminium and stainless steel for chrome-plated products with a more modern design!

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

Are stainless steel door handles designer? 

Stainless steel (grade 304 for our interiors) is often associated with everyday useful equipment (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 tint 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 all interior decoration styles: the stainless steel door handle can be classic, vintage, contemporary or futuristic by turns! 

Let us look at some concrete examples that prove that stainless steel door handles are ultra-designer accessories!

Chrome stainless steel handles on round rose plate

The shape of the fixing plate contributes to the style of the door handle. The round plate (or rose) immediately gives a dynamic quality to the door handle by contrasting with the elongated shape of the lever (or grip).

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 interplay of light that animates along the full 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 simplicity 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 product on a round rose plate.

Chrome stainless steel door handles on square rose plate

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

Original door handle - Ref KVADRAT 1706

The square plate of this original door handle gives the model all its style, with a deceptively simple yet chic appearance. The simplicity of the forms combined with the silver shine of the polished stainless steel creates the full elegance of this unique product.

Industrial-style stainless steel door handle - Poigna Kvadrat 1702

This handle on a square plate is very on-trend. Create a pair with an accentuated design by combining the handle with the key lock rose or privacy turn rose. 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 tint 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 key rose paired with the handle makes an effective decorative pair. Simply position the rose at the correct centre distance to enjoy the decorative effects.

Other types of handles

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

Knob handles 

In addition to lever handles, you also have the knob handle: door knob or furniture knob. The stainless steel of furniture knobs echoes that of the sink or window handle. The chrome, black or coloured knob livens up all your furniture and doors throughout the home.

The recessed handle for sliding doors

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

The pull handle

Also known as a bâton de maréchal, the pull handle is chosen for the entrance doors of apartment buildings or shops. As the 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 designer handles that you can match with your 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
• easy maintenance
• its attractive price

Stainless steel is equally aesthetic and plays an ever-growing role in interior decoration: its chrome tint, in 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 resists 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 with ultra resistance 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 many outdoor fittings (grade 316 stainless steel) such as shutters, windows, stair rails, gates and garden fences. If stainless steel can withstand the outdoor elements, there is no doubt it can withstand indoor use, even intensive use for door handles! 

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 that are used hundreds of times a day.

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

One drawback to note: over time, the initial shine of stainless steel may eventually become dull. To avoid this inconvenience, choose the matt stainless steel or brushed stainless steel finish, which is increasingly found on industrial-style door handles.

Easy fitting of your door handles

Changing your door handles requires no particular DIY or locksmithing skills! Your handles are delivered with a few spare parts (levers, roses, spindles or rods, fixing screws and possibly adapters) and the documentation needed for fitting. In terms of tools, a simple screwdriver and a little wrist strength will be sufficient to unscrew the old handles and screw on the new ones on both sides of the door. You won't 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 (part of the lock).

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 designer stainless steel door handle

Beyond 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 design designer stainless steel door handles at particularly attractive prices

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

Which rooms in the home should you choose a stainless steel handle for?

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

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

Designer stainless steel handle ideal for the living room or entrance hall

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

Ideal for the front door, for example, which may be exposed to rain or outdoor heat… and which is handled without care when coming home from shopping or sport! 

The living room can also be fitted with designer 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 

The door to your bedroom also deserves beautiful designer handles! Stainless steel offers the chic and understated elegance of chrome with silver reflections or the brilliance of black or white colour.

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

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

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

Stainless steel handles for public spaces    

The high strength of stainless steel is sought for outdoor equipment and public spaces. Stainless steel handles are subjected to fire and corrosion resistance tests, essential criteria for businesses or public spaces. Its hygienic property is 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 traditional models. Always check their quality carefully before making your choice.

The aesthetics of stainless steel are 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 and 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 all decoration styles for a designer interior: contemporary or classic style door handles on round or square roses, with or without privacy turn. 

Stainless steel is an excellent material for all types of door handles and allows for the manufacture of various models that are just as designer and modern as any other material known for producing very beautiful designs (aluminium, solid brass, bronze, wrought iron, porcelain, glass or even zamak, an aluminium and zinc alloy that is 100% recyclable).

Discover the complete Milla Poignées 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 to order online (delivery within 10 days maximum) or during your visit to the showroom with advice and guidance from our DIY and décor experts!