How to Choose Door Handle Designs for Your Home's Entryways
The door handles you choose for your home's entryways may not get much thought from you, but these accessories are actually very important. They can add style to a space without breaking your budget and can also help someone with arthritis or other such conditions to stay more comfortable in their own home. When you're ready to make some changes to your home's doors, note a few tips for choosing the right handle designs.
For those with physical limitations
First take into consideration anyone in the home with physical limitation, including arthritis of the hands or wrists, or anyone with decreased muscle tone in the arms or hands. For them, a small knob can be very difficult to manage. A lever-style door handle that they can simply push without having to actually grasp can be a better choice.
The weaker their grasp or overall strength, the larger the lever should be; this will help to disperse some of the weight of the door and make it easier for them to open it. For persons with a very limited grasp, you may want to avoid doors with knobs or handles that twist altogether, and choose a push door with a large bar handle that they can simply push without having to hold in their hands.
For added style
If there are no physical limitations to consider, you'll want to think about the style of the door handle, and don't opt for a plain brass knob. A scrolling lever design on a panelled door can soften the look and make the space seem like a French cafe. You might opt for a very sleek, polished steel for a home with modern decor. For the interior doors, something colourful is good for a child's room, or you might choose matte black to add some contrast to plain white walls. Don't choose something small but opt for an oversized door handle in whatever style you select, so it looks like an actual accessory to your room and not just something drab and functional.
For added security
Your door's locks are very important for your home's security, and this means the door handles and not just the deadbolts and chains. Choose a handle with a biometric security measure, meaning one that reads a fingerprint or thumbprint before opening. Opt for a door handle made of stainless steel in a very thick material, so it cannot simply be hit with a hammer or other tool and removed, allowing an intruder easier access to your door's locks.