If you are responsible for commissioning a new office building, you have a lot to consider. In addition to the overall design and efficient use of the space available, you have to think about how the building is going to be kitted out, down to the very smallest detail. This means that you're even going to have to decide how people move from one part of the building to another through a variety of different doors and also need to consider how those doors are going to function. In short, you need to figure out how people can open and close those doors and whether or not you should fit levers or knobs for this purpose. As diminutive as these details may seem, there are pros and cons to each approach. Door handle designs are important. What do you need to bear in mind?

Doorknobs – Pros and Cons

Doorknobs are probably the most familiar option, as they have been around for hundreds of years. They tend to be round or symmetrical in nature and were originally designed for domestic buildings, where you could easily keep pets or children out of certain rooms. They are nevertheless ideal for doors that can open either way.

However, you need to figure out whether these doorknobs will comply with laws related to disabled access. As you need to grip the handle in order to turn and gain access, this solution may not be suitable as an option, especially for heavily trafficked routes.

Door Levers, Pluses and Minuses

Alternatively, door levers are relatively simple to operate, and you don't need a particular level of dexterity, or full movement of your hand and arm in order to gain access. These options would probably be suitable universally and might conform with regulations designed for people with disabilities.

However, specific levers have to be chosen based on the orientation of the door, which means that your overall design criteria just got a lot more complex! They can also be hazardous, as they protrude a lot more than doorknobs. The levers themselves can be quite large and also relatively sharp, so you need to select options that are designed with blunt edges. Specifically, you need a lever that curves inward towards the door as opposed to outward.

Making Your Choice

The main question is, therefore, whether or not you need to conform to any disabled access regulations and how complex you want your design and construction plan to be. Get in touch with door design specialists, to help you narrow down your choices.

Share