A library is a place of quiet, so finding a way to reduce disturbances is important. Nobody wants to read in a library where there is constant noise, but it's easy to focus on the wrong kind of noise. While we often focus on noise pollution in a library, like the noise people make, appliances also make noise. Think for a moment about your cabinet drawer handles: do they make much noise when they open or close? If so, the constant banging and clanging of these drawer knobs can become an irritation!
So, what can you do? For advice on the subject, we contacted the professionals at Locksandhardware.co.uk. As specialists in the selection of quality drawer pulls and cabinet handles, they offered us some really valuable insight into the topic. Noise-free cabinet drawer handles are a great investment for any library looking to reduce the decibel levels. However, with the constant usage that the library handles for drawers, you also need longevity, so you aren't replacing them constantly. Where do you start?
Why Noise-Free Drawer Handles for Libraries Matter
In a public space like a library, people expect serenity. People come to libraries to read, study or simply to find a bit of quiet time. Life is hectic, right? Finding an hour or two of near-silence is not easy. And while it can be almost impossible to make a library genuinely silent, there are many small changes you can make to make it quieter. That includes changing your cabinet drawer handles.
Something as simple as swapping out your current bureau drawer handles for something a bit less noisy can make a significant difference. Library staff often get used to the constant clatter created by the opening and closing of brass drawer handles or other drawer knobs. Visitors and users of this public space, though, might not! What are the attributes of the best drawer handles for libraries?
- They should be made from a material that reduces clatter when opened and closed
- Cabinet drawer handles should also be made from a material resistant to wear and tear
- Shock absorption should come into account, too, to reduce the noise they make on closing
- Longevity matters, too; you do not want to be replacing these handles anytime soon
For the most part, cabinet drawer handles are an easy investment to make for a library looking to reduce noise around the public space. They are cost-effective and can make a significant difference. Try, if you can, to go and visit your library simply to read. You might be surprised at just how much extra noise you pick up when you are not there to work!
Classic & Low Noise Options For Library Cabinet Drawer Handles
Now, the challenge is making sure you buy handles which meet all of the above criteria. Generally, you have three main options to think about when shopping around. While you are free to shop around, Locks & Handles staff advised us that the most suitable drawer knobs for libraries include:
Brass Knobs
For the most part, brass knobs make the best drawer pulls and cabinet handles for those looking for a metal finish. Brass tends to suit the more classical and ornate nature of a library. They can also be fitted so that they do not rattle around. So long as you regularly maintain these brass knobs, they should stay sturdy and in position so they do not cause the drawer to shake when opening.
Brass knobs are an aesthetic choice as much as a functional choice, though. Brass takes relatively little maintenance, making it easy to keep clean and ensure they do not look tattered. Set up a regular cleaning interval, and you can make sure that these knobs do not start to look worn out. Plan a regular check-up of each of your brass drawer knobs to ensure they have not loosened, too.
Wooden Pulls
If your library tends to eschew the use of metal designs, then wooden handles for drawers make a good alternative. Wooden cabinet drawer handles are good because they tend to be easy to maintain, but also remain in good condition. Just keep an eye out for any signs of chipping or wear and tear. Most wooden handles for drawers come with a protective coating to help ensure longevity, as well.
Wooden pulls are generally quite sturdy, but their solidity means they can make quite a bang when closed over too quickly. Make sure that any wooden pulls you use are tightly fitted to the cabinet or drawer that they are installed on. Quality wood helps to dampen the sound made when you close your drawers, while cheaper and more hollow woods can create an echo. Invest in a higher quality of solid wood, and you should be left with wooden pulls that make precious little noise.
Soft-Close Cabinet Drawer Handles
For filing cabinets and library drawers, soft-close cabinet handles make a lot of sense. These help to segment the closing process so that when the drawer is closed over, it never picks up enough pace to make a bang. Soft-close drawer handles are a great choice because even if someone closes the drawer with force, the soft-close nature should make sure that the drawer slows down before it shuts.
These are usually only compatible with certain types of drawers and cabinets, though. When they are compatible with what you have, however, the results tend to be excellent. If you are looking for a handle that can completely dampen the noise of a drawer or cabinet closing, soft-close handles make the most sense.
Cabinet Drawer Handles Impact Aesthetics & Comfort
With the above, we hope that you can see the benefit of changing to brass, wood or soft-close cabinet drawer handles. Such a change can feel small, but it helps to avoid those bangs and bumps that can impact concentration for those reading in the library. Such a change is relatively minor and thus should be on the more affordable side of your design budget. The results, though, are worth the cost!
Drawer Handles for Libraries: Quiet Function Meets Classic Style