DHF CODE OF PRACTICE REMOVES CONFUSION OVER METAL FINISH DESCRIPTIONS

Article first published 12/01/2009

Metal finishes provide protection for door and window hardware and adds to aesthetic appeal. But the description of metal finishes can sometimes cause misunderstandings between hardware provider and specifier, according to the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF).  
 
Now hardware providers can issue trade descriptions of metal finishes for door and window hardware in accordance with a new DHF Code of Practice which the federation has produced in association with the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers and the Master Locksmiths Association.  
 
The publication of the DHF Code of Practice for Metal Finishes reflects the increasing importance specifiers place in the metal finish applied to hardware products. Finishes help protect steel against rust and brass against oxidisation. In the interests of aesthetics, increasing efforts are made to provide door hardware of matching appearance for building projects.  
 
“But as Shakespeare said, ‘all that glisters is not gold’,” said DHF Chief Executive Officer Ian Wood. “It is vital that the purchaser or specifier understands exactly what is being supplied so there is no element of unrealistic expectation - or indeed deception - in the transaction.  
 
“The DHF Code of Practice provides manufacturers, suppliers, specifiers and end users with agreed methods of describing finishes thereby avoiding any misunderstanding. In marketing terms, the word ‘finish’ describes what the surface of the material looks like and is not necessarily a description of the actual surface material.”  
 
The Code of Practice details finishing terms in common use including silver-coloured finishes such as chrome plate, satin nickel plate, polished stainless steel finish and satin anodised aluminium; gold-coloured finishes such as polished brass, satin brass and industrial gold plate; bronze-coloured finishes such as bronze metal antique and bronze anodised; and black-coloured finishes such as black iron and black japanned.  
 
The DHF Code of Practice for Metal Finishes is available for free download from the DHF website: www.dhfonline.org.uk  
 

Article ID No.: 175