Category: Blog

Recently I got an email from a designer, (not a small name in the industry). She asked about having a batch of handles done for a project here in London. The final finish chosen by her and the client are plated. Plating is an industry that will continue as long as we need to protect metal from the elements. Door handles chosen by consumers and Interior designers. People talk about the environment but then fail by picking things in their designs based on this ever growing concern. Plating a handle is a chemical / Electrical process, it uses a lot of water and serious chemicals. Plating companies margins have shrunk as have the amount of plating companies located near or around London. This trend continues. Chemical controls, the cost of metal and labour, has seen a sharp trend for decline in this industry.

Designers should be picking natural finishes for products! Using non ferrous metals. The protection offered by wax and other natural products like conditioning oil, will lower the environmental impact.  This way they can be maintained without the need for chemical processes. Also ordering from overseas (adds to the environmental issues) CNC machines and craft based businesses in the United Kingdom have the capacity to do short run and low batch production at reasonable prices. People need to stop buying low quality items from abroad. Workforce abuses in developing countries continue and most people carry on buying that stuff pretending to them selves that it’s ok to own something that was made via exploited labour.

We as a nation need to agree and make sure that fixtures and fittings for our homes need to be made from responsibly sourced materials, that have little or much lower impact to future proof our world. Natural finishes can be protected without lacquers or other plastic coatings. When a lacquered piece reaches the end of it’s aesthetic life, it’s simply re-coated right?  The labour and chemicals involved are an issue!  Stripping lacquered surfaces is time consuming, natural polished surfaces need to be maintained but they have a lot less impact to the world.   Lets be respectful to the future, those that come after us pick up the short cuts we made.

Door handles for the future ?  What needs to happen…?

Our design and manufacturing process delivers custom made bespoke door handles to meet the high standard of corporate companies and domestic customers. The process can vary from hand sculpted creations to CNC CAD designed and machined parts.  Our in house forge can produce blacksmith style forged knobs, handles and accessories. Regardless of the door handle style we can make it happen.

If you need a custom door handle or door furniture we can deliver stunning artistic and high end design pieces.

For more information call or email us

Covid-Update: We are available and working still. Please call Matt on his mobile to discuss projects or sales.
M. 07508 065 965

E. sales (at) customdoorhandles.com

Available services:

• Custom design and manufacture
• CNC design and machining
• Custom Forge and blacksmith parts
• Hand sculpted art and handle designs
• Metal casting and forming

Handles and accessories available:

Custom door handle types:
Custom pull style handles, pocketed handles, levers and door pulls for furniture, taps and equipment (We have even produced handles for aircraft, classic cars and vintage audio equipment).

Hinges and Latches:
We can also supply custom blacksmith door hinges and accessories all hand forged by our in house forge. Custom accessories also available.

Corporate door handles and door pulls:
We have produced many “one off” items for our clients. Corporate style emblems and logos are a great way to greet your customers and guests. Our design process includes full 3d visuals before manufacturing happens. That way you can be sure and don’t have to guess what the final items looks like.