FINSHES GUIDANCE

HI-LOAD hinges are available in a wide range of materials and finishes to meet any building application. Mild steel hinges are made from Grade CS4 rolled steel. Stainless steel hinges from Grade 304 to Grade 316 (the higher the grade, the greater the resistance to corrosion).

Finishes include:

Brush finished or polished stainless steel; Zinc to architectural electro-plating; Standard colours (see table) or special colours;

Special metallic finishes. Obviously, there are many considerations in deciding which finish to specify for the right purpose:

Appearance (to match the interior and its components)

Location within the building (internal or external doors and the direction of opening)

Location of the building itself (coastal situations and high humidity can breakdown some finishes)

Building function (for example, hospitals and airport toilets could use powerful cleaning agents, or swimming pools which create a very hostile atmosphere)

Remember: While bright zinc offers a pleasant and robust finish, it can tarnish when exposed to corrosive conditions such as moisture, pollution and certain cleaning materials. Most door and frame timbers are acidic to some degree. Oak, Chestnut and Douglas fir are the worst due to the presence of volatile acetic acid, which will attack metals and electro-plating in contact with the wood or in certain atmospheres.