The choice of kitchen door handles and knobs is absolutely vast and the choice of finishes amazing. Handles come
in all shapes and sizes and can be tube shaped, square, flat, curved, D-shaped, wavy, pointed and textured – the
list is endless. Knobs may be round, square, tubular, oval, semi-circular, teardrop, flower shaped or abstract.
Modern, retro and traditional styles can all be found in finishes ranging from acrylic, steel, aluminium, wood,
granite, marble and porcelain, to the more popular favourites such as brass and chrome. Handles made of die-cast
zinc allow huge scope for individual shapes. Curves, radii, indentations, holes, perforations and anchorage
points for other materials can all be included in the handle design. Galvanic surfaces can be nickel or
chrome-plated, with either a gloss or matt finish, while gold or brass-plated finishes give an optical impression
of a solid gold or brass handle. The surface is coated with a clear lacquer for protection. Knobs and handles can
also be powder-coated in any colour or given a sleek and modern aluminium finish – the scope for special effects
and attractive combinations is huge. Metal handles are always a practical choice – at home, in the office, in the
workshop, or even in a hospital. The very wide range of designs means there is a handle for every piece of
furniture and every taste.
Made of die-cast zinc, retro handles can be produced in a large range of differenct designs. The combination of
different galvanic surfaces and expert processing creates the desired retro finish that mimics the long-term
ageing process. This work is still done partly by hand, so that each handle is in a way unique. Handles and knobs
in retro style are very popular as decorative highlights in country-style kitchens. They can also be used to
accent the distinctive style of traditional furniture.
Aluminium handles are machined from press-moulded profiles. Multi-part handles are screwed or pressed together,
with adhesives seldom used. The soft surface of the raw metal handle is anodized to provide a surface hardness
that can withstand daily use. Anodizing gives the handle its brilliant surface finish, available in a choice of
colours and shades. The surface is resistant to permanent marking by most cleaning agents.
Glass is manufactured by a smelting process and then processed. A huge range of colours can be obtained by
adding pigments during smelting. The handles are then either moulded or cut from stock. Glass handles and knobs
lend themselves for use with both ultra-modern and romantic furniture in kitchens and bathrooms.
Granite and marble is sawn, milled and drilled using diamond-edged tools and water. After the shaping process,
blanks are ground using quartz sand and water. The finely polished surface of granite is treated with oil for
high resistance against traces of daily use and environmental effects. Oiling also makes the surface smoother
and more pleasant to touch. Granite is available in black, grey, beige, blue and red. Marble comes in two main
surface finishes, silk and polished. A silky finish is obtained by grinding with quartz sand and water. Polished
marble is obtained by five manual grinding stages followed by sealing with hard wax. The most frequently used
marbles are white, grey, beige, red, green and black. With an evocative lifestyle image, marble handles and knobs
are increasingly in demand for luxury kitchens and bathrooms. Marble handles are also extremely popular in public
spaces and for reception desks in offices and hotels.