Choosing Your Commercial Door Hardware Finishes

Commercial and residential door hardware varieties both face unique challenges in daily usage, necessitating different criteria and functions. Quality, longevity, and reliability are among the most critical parameters that buyers consider when choosing commercial and residential door hardware, respectively. This leads to many brands and models competing for consumers. The only way to ensure a high quality, long lasting, and reliable commercial door hardware options are by conduct an independent or third-party review of each option. These reviews evaluate a product's durability and reliability in order to uphold performance consistency over time. The objective of this review is to help buyers make informed decisions about their commercial door hardware needs.

In the commercial world, the most popular and common door hardware is the revolving knife lever handle or "wiper." Wiper mechanism includes two rotors rotating simultaneously that permit the opening and closing of doors. Residential door hardware includes a push button or push and pull lever handle combination. The advantage to push/pull door levers over a single lever handle is the additional ability to lock/unlock. It also provides a tactile means to determine the amount of movement required to fully open the door.

Industrial door hardware finishes include oil rubbed bronze, polished brass, and brushed nickel. Polished brass is a popular choice for commercial applications because of its noncorrosive properties and its smooth, antique appearance. Oil rubbed bronze is a durable alloy that produces a non-reflective mirror finish with a brushed finish.