Maintaining different types of ironmongery finishes can be overwhelming, hopefully, this will assist with any queries that you may have. If you purchase a lacquered brass item, it is best to only use a damp cloth using plain water with no cleaning chemicals to clean the surface and a dry cloth to buff and remove water lines. This will preserve the lacquered surface for the period of time the ironmongery is fitted before the lacquer breaks down to the point where the item needs to be re-lacquered or re-finished.
Lacquer on ironmongery will only last and preserve the item for a period of time but the length of this period can be completely different depending on location, volume of use, how exposed to the elements the items are. Applied finishes such as polished chrome, satin chrome, satin and polished nickel, and bronze finishes normally last longer outside as a plated surface is far more durable than a lacquered item.
The definition of a standard is ‘a required or agreed level of quality or attainment’. Buyers need to know that what they are purchasing is ‘up to standard’. No surprise, you need to know that the ironmongery products you are fitting to your door are up to the relevant standard and suitable for the application – especially if the product is to go on a fire door.
Standards list out tests and classifications which a product must achieve to indicate performance, such as the product’s Durability (digit 2). For example, the maximum number of test cycles a hinge can be tested to is 200,00 under BS EN 1935. This would give the hinge Grade 7 performance for durability. This hinge would be suitable for medium, heavy and severe duty doors. Grade 3 hinges are tested to 10,00 test cycles, and Grade 4 hinges are tested to 25,000 test cycles, making them suitable for light duty windows, and light duty windows and doors respectively.
As you read this blog almost certainly you have a small toothed and grooved slab of metal on your person, and you use it every day when entering and leaving your house, lets see how these have changed and developed over the years.
Did you know one of the oldest locks on record was created in Egypt? “The ancient Assyrian lock” like our modern method of lock and key which consists of a large wooden pronged key which moved a series of tumblers the design spread globally influenced the future of locks.
The years that followed didn’t see many changes to the operational mechanism of locks however many decorative changes to keys which would have been seen across medieval Europe if your lucky enough you still see keys like this used today.
Jumping forward a few years Robert Barron brought us the lever tumbler lock which offered limited security but a much smoother operation this design was later revised increasing the security.
I joined the SDS Showroom team a couple of years ago with an interior design background but very limited knowledge of ironmongery. I had a week of product training and passed the Guild Of Architectural Ironmongers Foundation in Hardware course, but with such a vast range of products the real learning happened dealing with customers daily. Every enquiry is different, and it pushes you to come up with new solutions and options for the customer to choose from. Working in the Showroom means there are not two days alike.
Face to face service helps giving a more personal approach to the problem and a better understanding of the issue the customer is trying to solve. Such a niche terminology can make the customer’s journey an unpleasant experience, and being able to express yourself through drawings, gestures and examples that go beyond words is a relief. Besides, customers appreciate feeling and seeing the products in the flesh before making a purchase, and quality products
Battling Marine Corrosion: A Guide to Protecting Your Door Hardware from Salt Air
Living by the sea comes with its perks: the soothing sound of waves, picturesque views, and salty sea breeze. However, for approximately 3 million people in the UK who reside on the coast, there's also a daily battle against marine corrosion, particularly when it comes to door hardware. Marine corrosion, accelerated deterioration caused by exposure to the salt-heavy atmosphere of coastal environments, can wreak havoc on exterior fittings like door handles, knobs, and push plates. But fear not, there are ways to protect your door hardware from the relentless assault of salt air.
Understanding Marine Corrosion: The Invisible Foe
Before delving into solutions, let's understand the enemy. Marine corrosion, sometimes referred to as sea corrosion or salt spray corrosion, occurs when metals react with the salt-laden air prevalent in coastal regions. The destructive effects of salt spray extend beyond the immediate
