HARDWARE & SECURITY
Taking
the hard
to install
out of
glass
hardware
» WITH TRENDS IN DOOR AND
window hardware having a big effect
on the overall look and feel
of a building, what are the
key looks that locksmiths
might find themselves
working with and just how
easy are they to fit? Simon
Boocock, Managing Director of
CRL Europe, takes a look.
Hardware is an all-important part
of any window and door design. With
glass being an increasingly popular
material for use on external and internal
projects, the hardware that holds it all
together doesn’t just have a practical job
to do. The finish and style of hardware
chosen can make a huge difference to the
look and feel of the entire project. Little
wonder then that we are seeing some key
trends emerging in this market.
A major trend in hardware design
currently is towards finishes other than
chrome. Matte black, for example, makes
a sophisticated and elegant statement
that is bold but also timeless. While light
colours have always been a popular way
of reflecting light and creating a sense of
spaciousness, there is now a shift towards
dark, ambient shades, and black in
particular.
Like chrome before it, matte black offers
a huge level of versatility, enabling it to be
specified for virtually any situation. This
is a finish that sits well in any setting and
works in harmony with a wide range of
materials and finishes. Giving locksmiths
and installers the opportunity to offer
customers a greater choice when selecting
46
CRL offers hardware in a range of finishes, including
sophisticated Matte Black, from partition systems
to hinges and hydraulic patch fittings.
The Door Hardware and Office
Partition Systems brochure from
CRL is features hundreds of
products and is available now.
door hardware, matte black creates a
minimal look, which is another key trend
in terms of architectural hardware.
The lean towards alternative finishes
is particularly prevalent in bathroom
design, with shower hardware now
available in this latest striking matte
black finish. Increasingly being seen on
brassware, this finish is now filtering
through to shower and door hardware
including hinges, support bars and
door knobs, creating a harmonious look
throughout the bathroom. On a practical
note, a matte finish offers a fingerprint
and smudge-resistant alternative to
polished surfaces such as chrome and
stainless steel, another reason for its
aesthetic appeal.
The ‘barely there’ approach to design
that is being seen in commercial and
residential projects currently, with the
frameless look refusing to be ignored,
lends itself particularly well to the addition
of matte black as a hardware finish.
Glass partitions and balustrades too, are
increasingly being specified for open-plan
office environments and public buildings,
creating a high-end aesthetic look while
also being a highly practical way of creating
a bright, spacious environment.
For those charged with the installation
and maintenance, it is important that such
hardware is straightforward to fit, with
minimal downtime and minimal mess
and the good news is that, with the right
systems this should be the case. A dry-
glazed system, for example, will be mess
and hassle-free to fit, keeping disruption
to a minimum for the client.
Choosing a system with thin profiles
means that the architectural hardware will
barely be noticed and when it is, opting
for an on-trend finish such as matte black
creates a stylish, cohesive look in the
modern setting.
For more details call 01706 863600,
email crl@crlaurence.co.uk, or visit
www.crlaurence.co.uk
JAN/FEB 2020
locksmithjournal.co.uk
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