42
AUGUST 2014 PRO INSTALLER
PRO PRODUCTS
www.proinstaller.co.uk
Handles: the user interface
of your windows
The manufacturer’s last consideration – but the first point of contact for end users.
From the manufacturer’s point of
view, fitting the handle is usually
the last step in the window manufacturing process. In fact, it might
not even be done at the factory: the
handle might be fitted on site, after
the window has been installed in the
building.
That means within the industry, we are
seeing the handle from a completely different viewpoint. Most window manufacturers
are proud of their windows: they will tell
you about the materials used for the frames
and glazing, the security, thermal characteristics etc. The chances are, the handle will
be mentioned last – if it gets mentioned at
all.
But what about the customer’s viewpoint?
When the end user operates the window,
where is their attention focused first? On
the handle, of course.
You could say that the handle is the user
interface of your window. It is like the dashboard and controls of a car, or the operating
system of a smartphone or tablet.
Manufacturers who take the time to get
their user interface right in terms of appeal,
e 6R