Hardware – a critical element for windows and doors.

When it comes to windows and doors, hardware – the locks, rollers, hinges, handles, latches, catches, stays, winders and other components that go into holding that product together and making it operate correctly – are often ill considered or undervalued at best. Despite this, these elements are arguably the most important aspects of an operable window or door product because these are the parts we touch, feel and interact with on a daily basis.

In his iconic book, The Design of Everyday Things, Don Norman argues that if anything in life should be easy, it should be doors. “A door poses only two essential questions,” he writes. “In which direction does it move? On which side should one work it? The answers should be given by design, without any need for words or symbols, certainly without any need for trial and error.”

But how is this done? Norman goes on to describe, “Two of the most important characteristics of good design are discoverability and understanding. Discoverability: Is it possible to even figure out what actions are possible and where and how to perform them? Understanding: What does it all mean? How is the product supposed to be used? What do all the different controls and settings mean?”

When considering aluminium windows and doors, many of these cues must come from the hardware. Hardware is fundamentally important in helping us correctly engage with and operate window and door products. Yet as home owners – or at times even as architects – we don’t actively specify or select; instead accepting the ‘standard’ option offered, without considering the impact this will have on the occupant’s daily interactions with the product that connects them to the outside world.

Recently, Capral have worked alongside key suppliers to curate two unique offers of hardware for Capral windows and doors.

Designed to complement the Capral Urban, Urban Plus and Artisan range of windows and doors, Caprice by Capral is a contemporary range of window and door hardware. Available in durable powder coat finishes, the Caprice range is ideal for residential applications and delivers a consistent, stylish, cost-effective solution for all windows and doors throughout a home. Caprice hardware incorporates helpful design cues like lock indicators, visible latches, pull handle designs for sliding doors and levers for hinged applications. The range can be colour matched to the aluminium window or door system, whilst moving or operable elements of the design are contrasted to enable occupants to quickly and easily interpret the purpose of the design.

Designed to enhance the Capral Artisan and Urban Plus ranges, Caprio by Capral is a stylish, sleek and simple range of contemporary hardware for windows and doors. This unique range is available in stainless steel, delivering a timeless and premium finish suitable for a variety of applications and environments. The Caprio range ensures exceptional durability without compromising on style. Incorporating a stainless steel hardware offer that provides a durable solution for coastal applications was a priority for Capral, ensuring the long-term aesthetics and appeal of the system.

The Caprio and Caprice hardware ranges are purposely designed with both the occupant and longevity of the application in mind.