Building Hardware - Turning Green

Building hardware, often referred as architectural hardware or construction hardware or home hardware and even finish hardware is essentially a collective term that comprise all the hardware that is required in building and construction projects. Catering to decoration, safety and finishing, building hardware supplies are mostly mounted on moving parts of buildings like the doors, drawers and windows. The constant growing demand for exquisite building supplies has led to cut throat competition from low cost manufacturers in low-end market segments therefore, the reputed companies are diversifying their business to higher value added products.

Categorising Building Hardware
Building hardware manufacturers & suppliers company list can be broadly catagorized into:

Bathroom Hardware	Door Hardware	Furniture Hardware	Safety & Security Hardware
Plumbing Hardware	Cabinet Hardware	Window Hardware	Curtain Hardware

Most of the building products are used to move, fasten and protect the buildings, the examples of this range of product includes locks, latches, hinges, door closers, door hardware, exit devices, sliding doors, power doors, folding doors, plumbing hardware and safety and security hardware. Available in various shapes, sizes and designs, building hardware have become more popular due to their coherent surface, durability and easiness to clean.

Overview of Green Building Industry / Construction Industry
With the world becoming sensitive about the environmental issues the green building hardware & materials supply industry have undergone significant changes. Many building hardware manufacturers & suppliers are making substantial efforts to review their production facilities and processes in order to become eco friendly. The initiation of management system complying with the international environment norms and practices, especially the ISO 14000, is likely to be the prime focus of the green building industry.

Meanwhile, on the back of strong competition from low cost manufacturers in low-end market segments, reputed companies are altering their business to higher value added building products. Conformity with ASTM of the US and BS of the UK are the cutting edge of companies offering high-end building supplies & materials, particularly to western markets. But markets in Asia outside Japan are still commanded by cost-sensitive buyers, who are sourcing primarily for mass construction projects in the region.

As per the norms and product trends of the building hardware, today there is a epochal rise in the demand for DIY (Do it yourself) hardware products. This has led to increase in demand of wall coverings, floorings, paints and fittings serving for DIY applications, as well as hardware and electrical products like electric screwdrivers, hand pumps, drill drivers and DIY home hardware security systems. The new designs that are convenient to handle and easy to install are also helping the construction industry to make its foothold in the market.


Green Building - The Greener Side
Going Green seems to be the mantra of the world and it can be found to be adopted in the building hardware sector as well. Various non toxic and environmentally safe building products are integrated to make the green range of building hardware. The manufacturers too are becoming extremely conscious about the hazards caused by the emission of harmful gases. Therefore they implant renewable energy for all kinds of processing. For example the local hardware stores in San Francisco is encouraging consumers to reduce the environmental impact in their homes and neighborhoods by adopting greener products on their shelves. Many green building councils like US Green Building council, Center for the New American Dream and similar green building councils have also done a great job in helping and guiding people to make greener buying decisions.