All types of buildings can have high traffic spots, whether it’s your home, hospital, office or school. Hallways, entryways, kitchens or bathrooms are all high traffic areas. And many people use these spaces every day.
The busier the space, the more important the finer details are to keep everything else running smoothly. This includes your door handles. The materials for your fixtures should be durable, low maintenance, and cost-effective. And UPVC is a great material to choose for those high traffic areas where you need dependability.
Durability
Door handles are constantly being used. Whether you’re twisting, slamming or sliding, good durability is key for door handles that are going to last. They need to withstand constant use and be resistant to wear, maintaining their shape and function for years.
UPVC stands for unplasticised polyvinyl chloride, which is a rigid, impact-resistant polymer. This means it doesn’t warp easily. Therefore, upvc door handles are great at retaining their shape and smooth operation even after consistent use.
Weather and moisture resistance
Weather and moisture can take a toll on door handles. Particularly, if you’re in coastal areas the salt air can be damaging to outside fixtures. But even away from the salt air, entrances, bathrooms, kitchens, and exterior doors see steam, rain, or condensation. So, it’s important your door handles are up to withstand weathering and humidity.
Wood, lacquered brass and plated metals all run the risk of succumbing to moisture damage or tarnishing. Cheap plated metals, like zamak, can oxidize. Wood is prone to swelling in humid conditions and requires constant maintenance to prevent fading, splitting and rot. In comparison, UPVC is a water-proof material and does not rust or swell in humid conditions. UPVC also has a low coefficient of thermal expansion. Meaning, exposure to high or low temperatures won’t change its dimensional values. Therefore, the handles stay aligned with the door latch mechanism, preventing mis‑fits.
Chemical resistance
In a busy home, office, or hospital, door handles should be cleaned often. This helps keep bacteria and dirt at bay. But cleaning agents can be damaging to materials like wood and metal. Cleaning products can remove protective layers, fade your fixtures, and speed up metal corrosion.
UPVC resists acids, alkalis, and salts. This means regular cleaning with mild detergents won’t harm handles made from it. You can keep your handle looking clean and germ-free without risking discoloration or corrosion. This is important for medical practices to maintain a good level of hygiene and prevent contamination.
Low maintenance
Whether you’re choosing handles for your doors at home or commercial use, you want to prioritise efficiency. Choosing handles that aren’t going to require too much upkeep is important in high traffic areas because the use is constant. You want hardware that doesn’t require polishing or oiling for upkeep.
Because UPVC does not tarnish or rust they don’t require excessive care to keep maintained. They can be cleaned easily, and are made of a durable material. You won’t need to re-paint or polish, making them the perfect low-maintenance fixture.
Cost Effective
In commercial settings the volume of doors can make installing handles an expensive venture. Even in domestic settings, it can be costly to replace your door fixtures. This means budget matters. If you can save on the smaller details, the larger expenses are more achievable.
Whilst metal or wooden door handles can be in the hundreds, UPVC handles start from as low as £30. The production of UPVC costs less than brass, stainless steel, or specialty alloys. This leads to a lower price. The lower upfront cost and the product’s long life make this material a better value for fixtures. And so is especially appealing for schools, hospitals, offices, and retail spaces where bigger orders will need to be placed.
Design flexibility
Commercial settings like offices or schools often have style rules for door handles in high traffic areas. Similarly for your own home you want to make practical choices that also fit with your own desired design.
Door handles made of UPVC are highly customisable as it can be molded in a wide range of finishes (such as matte black or brushed nickel). The shape of UPVC handles can also be altered to your vision. You can choose from lever / lever, lever / pad or lever / fixed pull for your handle type. This allows the customer or designer to match the handle to the overall décor without sacrificing performance.
Final thoughts
For high traffic areas, UPVC is the most practical and cost-effective choice. It delivers on mechanical resilience, chemical immunity and minimal upkeep. Resulting in fewer replacements, lower maintenance and ultimate customer satisfaction.