Seaside living.
Best door hardware for that crisp, salty air ≋ ⚙ ♆
Jan' 22
There’s nothing more glorious than breathing in the fresh, salty air and having a light afternoon breeze come in and swirl around the rooms. Or heading to the beach after work to watch a flaming sunset, share some fish and chips from a box, and, if you’re lucky, spot a school of dolphins or penguins.
There’s nothing more glorious than breathing in the fresh, salty air and having a light afternoon breeze come in and swirl around the rooms. Or heading to the beach after work to watch a flaming sunset, share some fish and chips from a box, and, if you’re lucky, spot a school of dolphins or penguins.
How good is seaside living?!
Whilst our lungs love that salty air, our hardware… not so much.
Ocean air contains both organic matter and inorganic salts that form sea salt aerosol, which is highly corrosive to metals. Through a process of oxidation, oxides flake away and expose surface underneath.
Being in proximity to ocean, salt spray can cause metal to rust and deteriorate quickly. This applies to door hardware, cars, lighting, safety barriers, fences and other metal materials and is particularly detrimental to iron, steel and products with metal coatings such as powdercoated or electroplated.
Did you know? Salt water corrodes metal five times faster than fresh water. Humid salty ocean air causes metal to corrode 10 times faster than air with normal humidity.
In Australia we have over 25,000 kilometres of coastline, of which 85% of our population are living within 50km of it. Considering that some studies show salt spray going up to 48 kilometres inland, there’s a good chance that you are impacted by it, even if you can’t smell the ocean air.
If you think salt spray might be affecting your surroundings, consider taking some preventative measures that will protect your door hardware and help retain the value of your property.
1 - Get the right door hardware for coastal areas
Door hardware made from highest quality marine grade 316 stainless steel will be your best bet. Designed to be used in ships and yachts, it is a hard wearing, durable metal, which will give your hardware the highest chance of withstanding the conditions.
316 is similar to 304 grade - an austenitic steel, meaning it contains chromium and nickel, which are corrosion resistant. What sets it apart is the addition of molybdenum - a hard, metal used to toughen steel, to further increase that resistance.
At Gainsborough, we’ve got you covered. Explore our recommendation for stainless steel external and internal hardware.
Featured | Trilock Omni Accent Pull Handle
Entrance Hardware
Trilock Omni Pull Handle Range
Statement pull handles made from 316 grade steel featuring our 3-in-1 Trilock mechanical technology with passage, privacy and deadbolts function in one lock. Omni comes in 600m and 450mm (Omni Accent) lengths and is available in three finishes – stainless steel, polished stainless steel and matt black. For highest durability, go with the classic stainless-steel look.
Trilock Eclipse Entrance Set
Both sides of the Eclipse lock feature a stylish lever (Allure or Enchant) on an elegant, slim escutcheon plate. Made from quality 316 grade stainless steel construction.
Commercial Grade Oblong Pull Handles
A sleek modern design that offers great versatility. Made from quality 316 stainless steel for non-compromising durability and easy use. Entrance sets are available, with a Slim Square Single Cylinder Deadbolt and a roller latch.
Internal Hardware
Don’t underestimate the impact of salt spray on the inside of your home. For best results and highest protection against corrosion, we recommend our Enchant or Allure internal levers. Part of the Ferro Collection, these levers are made from 316 grade stainless steel and are a perfect solution if you live in the coastal areas of Australia, or simply seek highly durable and timeless designs for your home.
2 - Take regular maintenance seriously
We recommend cleaning your stainless steel door hardware once a month.
Depending on the environmental conditions, tea-coloured blemishes can appear on the surface (pitting). These can be removed with a solution of warm, soapy water and a soft cloth.
For difficult stains, rub with a suitable stainless cleaner/ polish. Ensure rubbing occurs in the same direction as to the surface grain itself.
Refrain from using steel wool or steel brushes - they leave particles that may cause a breakdown of the steel’s protective passive layer and corrode product.
Find out more about care and maintenance here.
3 - Check your warranties
At Gainsborough we offer 10-year mechanical and the highest, 5-year tarnish warranty* on Ferro levers, Trilock Omni and Oblong Pull Handles and Trilock Eclipse Entrance Set, so you rest assured that you are selecting the best door hardware for those harsh coastal conditions.
Be mindful that living on the coast may cause an inconvenience when it comes warranty claims, as many car, door hardware and fencing manufactures put exclusions in their terms and won’t honour warranties for products that were not properly maintained.
Make sure you read the warranty, instructions and our care and maintenance guides to ensure you are equipped with the best knowledge on how to keep your hardware happy for years to come!
*excluding First Impressions Set
