The Lockwood Brass Door Furniture range is the culmination of decades of experience in the design and manufacture of high quality door furniture. Over the years the Lockwood brass door range has evolved as the product of choice for leading Australian architects in commercial, institutional and industrial applications.

Doors are an integral component of any building, serving as both barriers and entryways to interior rooms and outdoor spaces. Door handles may be the most personal points of contact that people have with a building. How they look, feel and operate can have a significant effect on peoples' perceptions of the building, and their sense of comfort and security. While they may be a physically small item, door handles are integral to safety and security. Taking site requirements and environmental considerations into account, the hardware needs to be fit-for-purpose, long-lasting and suitable for carrying out an important function day-to-day.

Accessibility should also be front of mind for architects, designers and specifiers. AS 1428.1:2021 “Design for access and mobility” provides recommendations for the design of new buildings so that they are appropriate for all users with respect to facilitating access and mobility. Some of these recommendations will impact the specification of door handles, such as the preference for lever handles as they are easier to grip than knobs. There are door handles that have been specifically designed and manufactured to comply with AS 1428.1.

With respect to the operation of latches in a required exit door, the mandatory compliance aspect comes from the National Construction Code (NCC) with respect to the operation of latches in a required path of travel (i.e. how doors need to work if they are part of the emergency exit path). For more information, see Clause D2.21 of the NCC 2019 Volume One before 1 May 2023 and Clause D3D26 of the NCC 2022 Volume One after 1 May 2023.

Round rose and square rose door handles are the most common designs, but there are many door handle shapes to choose from. The shape and size of the round rose and the square rose will vary depending on design, style and purpose. The actual lever arm can be curved, square, flat or rounded. For toilets and bathrooms, some door handles include a privacy function that is integrated into the handle, while other models keep the privacy function separate.

Weight is another factor to consider. Lighter doors only need a small push or touch to open, but heavier doors require greater force to open. The door handle should be carefully picked for ease of opening and closing. A lever handle is typically required for a heavy door because it makes it easy for all users to open, regardless of their strength or mobility.

For commercial projects requiring high levels of access and fire safety, the common misconception is that compliance opposes style. There is an outdated notion that stainless steel is the only option for compliant door handle solutions, and is stronger, more resilient, and more environmentally friendly than other materials. In fact, a variety of door handle materials suitable for applications where compliance matters, but few stand up to the performance and design qualities of brass.

Brass is an excellent door handle material for aesthetic and mechanical reasons. It combines a timeless and unique appearance with strength, durability and fire resistance. It is ideal for adding warmth to neutral interiors while giving users years of trouble-free service. These properties are valued by many designers and users alike, yet many are not aware that brass door handles are a viable option for a range of building projects and requirements.

What makes brass so good?

Proudly designed, assembled and customized in Australia, the Lockwood range is made from high quality brass.

Brass is highly durable

Brass has a low friction surface which makes it ideal for connected moving parts. This is why it is the perfect choice for producing high use door furniture that will prove durable with minimal servicing. Lockwood brass door furniture has been successfully tested to exceed the highest durability rating (D8, 500,000 cycles) under the Australian Standard (AS4145.2: 2008).

Brass is corrosion resistant

Brass door furniture provides durable performance in high corrosion applications. Unlike other commonly used materials it contains no iron so it will not rust or tea stain in high corrosion environments. Lockwood Brass Door Furniture in satin chrome brushed finish (SC) has been successfully tested under NATA conditions to maintain both function and finish under prolonged neutral salt spray test for over 1000 hours satisfying the highest ranking (C10) of the appropriate Australian Standard (AS4145.2: 2008). This result confirms that Lockwood Brass Door Furniture the ideal choice for use in coastal applications and other corrosive environments.

Brass is green

Lockwood Brass Door furniture is assembled in Australia, at ASSA ABLOY Australia’s ISO 1401 accredited manufacturing facility. Local assembly and customisation implies less energy expenditure required.