I chatted with a friend about antimicrobial door hardware, and he mentioned that a customer of his had an issue with big wood pull handles on their restaurant.
The high traffic doors kept getting all grimy and keeping them clean was a major challenge. He needed a solution. Half-jokingly I said “get them something antimicrobial”, and we both sort of chuckled and moved on.
Shortly after that conversation, I dropped my kids off at Grandmas. Grandpa happens to be somewhat of a metal expert and a super crafty guy. I like to bounce ideas off of from time to time to see if he can improve on them, and he usually does. When I mentioned the handles, and the antimicrobial hardware, without missing a beat, he says: “Go with copper, it’s cheaper than stainless and it comes in more sizes”. I told my friend, and within a few days, he sent me a photo with a copper sleeve right over the wood handle. It looked great so I told grandpa and we were all happy the idea worked out.
The whole thing made me think, so I knew there was Antimicrobial hardware available for high-end builders but was there a way to inexpensively retrofit people’s existing hardware? The next day I received an email from a local product rep about a product called Don-Jo Copper Zone. This product is a neat solution. It’s essentially a thin gauge copper patch with adhesive on the back. You can install it around any smooth cylindrical surface like pull handles. Or you can install it on smooth flat push pads.
In conclusion, if you are interested in an antimicrobial solution to your doors in these COVID times, know that there are products available. Check out the links. Contact me if you have any questions. 612-226-4635 or click here.
https://www.don-jo.com/wp-content/uploads/CopperZone.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimicrobial_properties_of_copper
https://www.assaabloy.ca/Local/CA/Products/MicroShield/MicroShield.CAD.brochure.pdf