Design Buy Build Issue 33 2018 | Page 33

GETTING A HANDLE ON GREAT DESIGN How many times have you admired a “So, we have in-house design and but with the a wooden door, an old door or a us to work closely with customers, metallic finish great door? It might be a large door, beautifully designed door. And, unless it’s an automatic door, the manufacturing facilities, which enable so we achieve a practical and unique finished product. handle (or handles) will have been in is required on high traffic door hardware, whilst offering the ability then furnish it with ordinary handles. to match the aesthetics of other metal furnishings contained in a project,” It’s not just about shape either, adds Charlie. although that’s hugely important. Its also about the materials used to Anodised finishes provide many construct the handle, its finish and its benefits to our products. patina. There are no heavy materials used in Each is an important factor in the anodising process and they can deciding what’s best for an internal or be cleaned periodically with water external door, and one that’s perhaps and mild detergent to restore the getting extremes of high use. product's original lustre. More and more, designers and “We’re able to produce full working that might create any sort of stand- together with costing and delivery bespoke manufacturers and craftsmen leather, brass and copper alloys, solution. on occasions, use driftwood,” adds architects are looking for something drawings from an initial sketch, out feature and once more turning to periods. We work in hardwood, rather than a mass production stainless steel and bronze. We even, Charlie. of Nottingham-based ASH Door Each handle is customisable with a points to his company’s ability to projection heights available. create exiting new ranges of finishes and provide a bespoke design service as being the business’s stand out feature. “Yes, we manufacture door handles, but much more important is that we recognise that in certain projects standard products cannot satisfy all the criteria demanded by the design and specification. through traditional anodised metal. a hard-wearing durable finish You don’t design a great door and Furniture and Entrance Specialists achieved “It’s suitable for applications where keeping with the overall design. Charlie Tipper, managing director attractive range of diameters, fixing centres and The designer-led handles are perfect for commercial and residential applications including offices, schools, shops, hospitals, restaurants and hotels. “The anodised finish becomes a part of the metal and so the anodic coating will not peel or flake and imparts a translucent metallic appearance; it’s unaffected by sunlight, preventing fading and it also does not emit VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). “Using an artificially aged process we can achieve a vintage finish to our products. The new finishes have been successfully used with original fittings and fixtures in historic and period buildings to match a similar finish. “Our clients also benefit from using the new Patina finishes, where a rustic theme is required, say for And as well as a broad range of materials there’s an exciting range of finishes, such as Bronze powder Coated, which provides the longevity of a polyester powder coat finish 33 restaurants, hotel lobbies or heritage building restorations.” For more information visit www.ashardware.co.uk