As a professional, image matters, and the way in which you present yourself in person and online is vital to maintaining a loyal customer base and extending your reach. One way of improving your in-person presentation is by maintaining the aesthetics of your business premises.
When customers approach your building, they should feel welcomed by the clean and well-presented facade and reassured of your professionalism by the small details - the logo above the door, the layout of the window display and even the locks and handles fitted to the outside of the property.
These security features are more important than you might imagine. Not only do they help keep your property secure and prevent unauthorized entry by intruders, but they also allow your genuine customers access, so they need to be in keeping with the building's character, easy to operate and compliant with accessibility and anti-discrimination laws.
Choosing the right door locks and handles
It is important that your customers can access your premises with ease. If you do not have automatic doors, you may be interested to know that lever-style handles are often preferred to round knobs, as they can be operated with minimal force, even by those individuals who struggle to take a firm grip of a door handle.
You may choose to offer push pads, which activate an automatic door opener, allowing customers to open the door without needing to use door knobs and handles at all.
Other considerations when choosing door locks and handles include their strength and their ability to integrate with your security system. In a commercial environment, your door hardware needs to be up to the job, so speak to your locksmith about suitable options. They may recommend fire-rated and tamper-proof stainless steel fittings to withstand high use. These also fulfil the needs of health and safety legislation, which requires handles fitted to external doors on evacuation routes to be able to withstand high heat to enable building occupants to safely escape in an emergency.
If you have electronic access control, you may wish to opt for door locks and handles that can work in combination with key card readers, PIN locks or even mobile phone apps. This allows greater flexibility, easier access and egress monitoring and the ability to keep access control records for security purposes.
Colours and styles
Although function is usually the overriding priority when it comes to commercial locks, style is often a key consideration, and the appearance of a door handle or lock can sway a customer's opinion of your brand. For this reason, it is important to select hard-wearing handles that look professional and suit the business premises.
You could consider engraving your logo or business name onto or around the handle to present a memorable first impression. You could opt for a brass or bronze finish to create a warm and welcoming ambiance or use a black handle to present a touch of industrial chic.
Conclusion
When choosing commercial locks and handles, you will need to balance your style preferences with your safety needs. Although keeping your property and staff safe is the main priority when choosing locks, the right handles can ensure you remain compliant with accessibility and fire safety legislation while also making a lasting impression on your customer base.
To discuss your needs or book a site visit, please contact the team at Pro Locksmiths today.