Understanding Gate Handles: What They Do and Why They Matter
When it comes to making the most of your gate, it’s important to keep the quality of your hardware in mind. Cheap quality hinges and gate handles, for example, can make a mockery of even the most expensive and stylish of gates. Hardware is an essential part of your gate: it dictates how easy it is to open and close, and how secure it is. That’s why understanding gate handles matters; if you want to get the most out of your gate, you cannot scrimp and scrape when it comes to accessories!
For more insight into the importance of gate handles, we asked Lock & Key Leeds for some information. They have been in the locksmithing trade for a long time, so they understand that gate handles make a big difference to your gate’s longevity and operation. Selecting the right gate handle is a topic worthy of your time, so let’s dig into the matter further so you can, hopefully, find the best gate handles.
Gate Handles Dictate How Accessible Your Gate Is
We have all seen and used stylish-looking gates that are needlessly difficult to operate. An expensive gate will be ruined if you use low-quality, cheap handles on it. The same goes for your locking mechanism, too; you can make even the thickest, strongest gates vulnerable by using cheap locks.
Well, the same goes for handles. Put the wrong gate handles on a gate, and it soon becomes harder to open and close, and easier to break into. Gate handles also make the gate itself easier to operate. Cheaper handles can seize up or become negatively impacted by the weather and temperature. With a higher-quality gate handle, though, that problem is far less likely.
You also need to factor in the lifestyle and capabilities of the people using the gate. If you are fitting gate handles for an elderly person or someone with physical limitations, can they open the handle you choose? Would a lever-operated handle be more suitable than, say, a gate knob?
There are several questions to take into account, which is why we want to touch on the matter below.
What Gate Handles Provide The Best Day-to-Day Usage?
Now, the challenge with buying gate handles is that there is no one-size-fits-all style; every gate has its own requirements, but there is also the personal preference of the owner of the gate. Generally, the main areas to focus on include the following:
Suitability For Your Gate Type
So, first things first: the gate handles you use for a metal gate are unlikely to be compatible with a wooden gate. These tend to have quite different sizing and specifications, meaning that it is rare to find a gate handle that works with both metal and wooden gates. Make sure that whatever type of gate handle you settle on, you choose something that matches your gate’s material.
Some gate handles are fitted externally so that they then interact with the mechanism that attaches the locks to the handles. Other handles are fitted internally into the gate itself, meaning they are likely to remain in place for longer, but also can be more difficult to replace if they break or wear out.
Ergonomics & Ease Of Use
Nobody wants to have gate handles installed that feel awkward and uncomfortable to use, right? Make sure that you take the time to find a style that is suitable for you.
Most able-bodied adults can open a gate knob quite easily, but they can be tough to grip for children or those with physical issues and disabilities. They tend to need a large, fully-gripped hand to be able to turn the knob and deliver the force required to engage the gate latch. So, if you are someone who has issues like this – or you want a gate handle that your kids and older family members can use – go for a lever-operated gate handle instead. The more ergonomic the handle is, the better for everyone.
Thickness & Durability
There is also a need to ensure that your new handle gate is durable enough. Durability is easy to ignore, and that comes down to the quality of the materials used. Lower-quality handles are made from thinner materials and cheaper metals, meaning they are more likely to be damaged over time.
There is also the worry about durability in terms of protecting your property. High-quality gate handles should be resistant to physical damage, especially if someone tries to remove the handle so they can access the gate unimpeded. Cheaper handles can be easily broken off, unscrewed, twisted off, etc.
It’s always better to pay a little more for something a little thicker and sturdier so your gate handles remain strong in the face of wear and tear and physical impact.
Weather Protection
Almost any gate in the UK is likely to be battered by consistently poor weather, especially over the winter. The sunshine can also wear out a gate handle, though, leaving it looking tarnished and sun-bleached. As such, you should always invest in a handle with a weather-resistant coating and, ideally, some form of UV protection – at the very least, focus on weather resistance.
The rain, snow, wind, and sun will eventually tarnish almost any gate handle. You can make sure they last a little longer just by investing in adequate weather protection, though. That can add years to the lifespan of your handles.
Focus On Durable, Ergonomic Gate Handles
A gate is an access point we use daily. As such, they are more likely to wear out quicker than a door handle that you use rarely. As such, you need to ensure that any handles you buy are of high quality and tick the boxes above – otherwise, you are unlikely to be satisfied.
