For architects, contractors and architectural ironmongery professionals, getting the specification right from the start is about far more than choosing a product that looks the part. The right ironmongery needs to be fit for purpose, appropriate for its environment and specified with the correct material grade. Get it wrong, and a relatively small purchasing decision can quickly become an expensive and frustrating maintenance problem. Coastal environments are particularly challenging for stainless steel ironmongery, if used at the incorrect grade. When the wrong stainless steel ironmongery becomes a costly problem Our Managing Director, Alex Mamas, recently spoke to a contractor who had been called to a well-known hotel chain in Poole, Dorset, three times in just four months to replace a push plate. The problem? Heavy flash rust staining. The hotel is located approximately 300 metres from the sea, meaning the external environment is particularly challenging for metal products. And while a rusty push plate might seem like a minor issue, consider where it is located: the entrance to a hotel reception. For guests arriving at the hotel, a visibly rust-stained piece of stainless steel ironmongery immediately creates the wrong impression. More importantly, repeated replacement visits create an unnecessary cost for the contractor and the client. Visibly rust-stained ironmongery does not create a good first impression to guests of this hotel The importance of specifying the correct grade So, what went wrong? Based on the circumstances, Alex believes the push plate was likely purchased online through a supplier without the relevant standards and was almost certainly manufactured from Grade 430 stainless steel. Grade 430 has its place. It can be a perfectly suitable material for certain internal applications, particularly where there is an appropriate regular cleaning regime. But it is not the material we would recommend for exposed external applications in challenging coastal environments. For external ironmongery close to the coast, Grade 316 stainless steel ironmongery is generally the preferred choice because of its superior corrosion resistance. That distinction might not be obvious when looking at a product online. Two push plates can look virtually identical yet perform very differently once installed in the real world. The wrong stainless steel grade can lead to corrosion in coastal areas The cheapest option isn't always the most cost-effective This is where professional ironmongery specification can make a significant difference. A product may appear cheaper at the point of purchase, but what happens when it fails prematurely? In this instance, the contractor has already made three visits to replace the same item. Add labour, travel, replacement products and disruption to the client, and the original saving can quickly disappear. We estimate that this particular mistake has probably cost the company £500+ in time and unsuitable replacement products, and the issue may still not have been resolved until the correct grade is specified. This is a classic example of why the whole-life cost of ironmongery should be considered, rather than simply the initial purchase price. Knowledge saves time and money This is precisely why having an experienced architectural ironmongery specialist involved early in a project can pay dividends in the long term. At Poole Waite, our team has extensive knowledge of architectural ironmongery and the materials, finishes and products available for different applications. Our role isn't simply to supply a product. It's to understand the project, consider the environment and help ensure that the ironmongery specified is fit for purpose from day one. Because sometimes, spending a little more on the right product at the specification stage can save hundreds, or potentially thousands, of pounds further down the line. Poole Waite & Co Ltd offer hundreds of ironmongery options and our technical staff can advise you as to which product is best suited to your project and environment. Get the specification right first time The Poole hotel example is a useful reminder that the right ironmongery isn't necessarily the cheapest ironmongery. For architects and contractors, involving a knowledgeable ironmongery specialist from the start can help avoid premature failures, costly replacements and unnecessary call-backs. When the environment is challenging, make sure the specification is up to the challenge too. Specify correctly. Install once. Save time and money.

Poole Waite & Co Ltd is pleased to share we now have a life-size working model of an FD30 and FD60 fire door on display at our London showroom, fitted with selected fire rated ironmongery products. Previewed to visitors during Clerkenwell Design Week, our working fire door model offers a fantastic opportunity to see and experience the typical fire-rated ironmongery you would expect to be fitted on a fire door. We now offer accompanying, free of charge Fire Door Ironmongery Knowledge Sessions for your teams so you can select and specify the correct ironmongery for fire rated doors with confidence. Life-size working model of an FD30 and FD60 fire door on display at Poole Waite & Co Ltd's Clerkenwell showroom. Don't miss our model fire doors Each door is fitted with typical fire-rated ironmongery, from lever handles and door closers, to hinges, digital door locks, and more, with the internal mechanisms visible so you can see exactly how each piece of hardware fits into the door. Poole Waite is here to advise and inform your teams on the best practice for selecting and specifying the correct ironmongery for installation on fire-rated doors through our Fire Door Ironmongery Knowledge Sessions held in our London showroom. Why book a Fire Door Ironmongery Knowledge Session? Don't miss your opportunity to arrange a knowledge session for your teams of critical fire door ironmongery components, with accompanying model fire door demonstration. Why book a fire door ironmongery knowledge session with Poole Waite? Understand the difference between FD30 and FD60 ratings and why they matter. Learn the different ratings of fire doors that represent the number of minutes of protection against fire that door can provide. Explanation of the standards required for critical door components. A simple mistake like fitting a lever handle that doesn’t meet the necessary BS EN standards or certification can invalidate the test certification of a fire door. Other common considerations for fire door ironmongery specification. From fitting the correct intumescent pads to hnges as required, to considering the opening resistance of door closers to comply with the Equality Act for less-abled users. Free of charge presentations Simply contact our team to arrange your session and bring your team to our showroom to benefit from this informative service. Led by our experienced team Members of our experienced, GAI-qualified team will be on hand to demonstrate the models and talk you through the required standards and certification required for different fire door ironmongery components. How to book your free Ironmongery Knowledge Session If you would like to arrange a ‘Lunch & Learn’ for your team, an evening CPD session in our showroom tailored to your needs, or a Fire Door Ironmongery Knowledge Session for your team, contact us for more information. Poole Waite & Co Ltd 8 Charterhouse Buildings, Goswell Road London EC1M 7AN

Poole Waite & Co Ltd are looking forward to welcoming SIMONSWERK UK to our showroom during Clerkenwell Design Week 19th–21st May. We will be joined by Area Sales Manager Daniel Gilson across all three days, so if you are working on a project, or just want to come and see the products in person, please come and visit our showroom. SIMONSWERK UK products on display at our showroom We will have a wide range of Simonswerk products on show including three of their most popular ranges: TECTUS — the completely concealed hinge system. When the door is closed, there's nothing to see, no visible hardware at all. Available in a wide range of load capacities and sizes, it works across everything from residential doors to heavy-duty and timber entrance doors — including fire door applications with TECTUS FR, and energy transfer systems with the TECTUS Energy. Every model shares the same clean, uniform appearance. SIMONSWERK UK TECTUS TRITECH — for heavy weight flush doors. Manufactured in the UK from extruded brass sections and accurately machined to close tolerances, these hinges are built to perform. The high copper content of brass gives them natural anti-bacterial qualities, while a special bearing technology means they can carry door weights up to 160kg. Also available in a fire rated option, independently tested and CE marked for use on both 30 and 60 minute fire resistant door sets. Available in a wide range of decorative finishes — plated, polished, or with finial tips — they're as considered in appearance as they are in performance. SIMONSWERK UK TRITECH Self-closing hinge systems for glass doors — smooth, controlled closing with no slamming and no compromise on aesthetics. Suitable for interior and exterior applications, across a wide range of finishes, and designed to work with the door rather than against it. If you're specifying glass doors and need reliable closing performance, it's well worth a conversation. SIMONSWERK UK COLCOM If you have a project coming up, a specification question, or would like to arrange a RIBA-approved CPD on hinge specification, Daniel would be happy to help. Join us at 8 Charterhouse Buildings, Goswell Road, EC1M 7AN. We hope to see you there. It all hinges on excellence. For more than 135 years, SIMONSWERK has been combining technical expertise, exceptional customer service and design standards at the highest level — bringing together our entire competence in hinge systems made in Europe under one brand.

Discover Poole Waite's range of services designed to make it easier to specify and select architectural ironmongery for your projects. As well as supplying architectural ironmongery in London and beyond, take a look at our additional services and see how we can help your project. Additional services Discover our range of services designed to make it easier to specify and select architectural ironmongery for your projects. Scheduling service Working from floor plans, we can provide a detailed schedule of your requirements, ensuring all ironmongery is fully compliant and meets current fire door regulations. Sample show boards and product presentations Show boards illustrating our different product ranges from brands including Heritage Brass and the finishes available can be provided for designers, and for client approval. We can undertake ironmongery presentations discussing particular products and their applications. Antimicrobial protective coating service We can coat your existing door handles, finger plates and much more to provide protection against COVID-19 and many more harmful microbes. The protective formula, unique to Poole Waite, can be incorporated into most paints, lacquers and powder coating systems. FIND OUT MORE Door set packaging To aid in the fitting of hardware we can pack your ironmongery into door sets, labelling them in accordance with your instructions. Nationwide site visits & Fire Door Ironmongery Inspection scheme Our experienced technical representatives will, when required, visit site addresses or work premises to discuss your ironmongery requirements. Where necessary we will inspect existing hardware installed that is not functioning correctly and offer solutions. Our Guild of Architectural Ironmongery qualified staff are able to inspect products installed on fire doors and advise on suitability or if they comply to the current regulations or specific standards. Bespoke fabrication & one off engineering We have our own in-house modern metalwork and fabrication workshop in Bexley, Kent, with the capability to undertake large batch orders or bespoke one off engineered products. Door protection, kick plate and finger push plates, cut to your specific dimensions, can normally be dispatched same day for nationwide next day delivery. Powder coating and wet 2K spraying We have our own state of the art modern powder coating and spray booth facilities, offering rapid turnaround with the ability to match existing painted products or to a specific RAL or BS paint code. FIND OUT MORE Lunch and learn Our team can make visits to your workspace for an informal "lunch and learn" to discuss our latest ironmongery and their applications with your project managers and specifiers. View our complete product range Our ranges of ironmongery include the Selective Ironmongery Range ; designed and engineered for fire rated, standard office and fire exit doors, and the Matt Black Collection ; manufactured from quality stainless steel. ALL PRODUCTS Exclusive content for Architects, Interior Designers, and other professionals GET IN TOUCH Contact us to discuss your project

Old Gramophone Works Location: Grand Union Canal, London, UK Type: Commercial Office Units Date: 2021 Graham Construction & Poole Waite lead the way with antimicrobial ironmongery at this former vinyl factory alongside the Grand Union Canal. Fire Door Experts Ltd working with Graham Construction and architects Studio RHE , supplied and fit Antimicrobial Ironmongery from Poole Waite. Standard ironmongery was included in the original specification, but Graham (the main contractor) saw this high profile refurb project as an ideal opportunity to add the extra protection of Antimicrobial Ironmongery for the building's future users. The ironmongery was part of a timber door package for 135 fire door-sets, comprising a mix of non-fire rated, FD30 and FD60 factory finished timber fire doors and frames from specialist door manufacturer, Humphrey & Stretton plc.

Ilona Rose House Location: London, UK Type: Commercial Office Block Date: 2023 We are proud to have supplied bespoke, Antimicrobial Matt Black ironmongery for the common areas and fit out of Ilona Rose House. A stunningly original vision by architects MATT Architecture for Soho Estates Limited , fitted out by Faithdean Plc & Choice Interior Solutions. This ironmongery has been coated using our unique blended formula, which has been tested to ISO 21702 and proven to kill COVID-19, MRSA, E. coli and many more harmful bacteria and viruses.