Plate Furniture

Plate Furniture

Plate furniture is a critical component in door hardware systems, offering both functionality and aesthetics in a wide range of applications across residential, commercial, and institutional settings. At John Barnes Group, we supply an extensive selection of plate furniture that meets the needs of builders, architects, designers, and homeowners alike, with a strong focus on quality, compliance, and style. Whether you’re fitting out a modern office, a healthcare facility, or a new home build, our plate furniture solutions provide reliable performance and long-lasting durability. Buy Plate Furniture online today from the John Barnes online shop!

What Is Plate Furniture?

Plate furniture refers to the assembly of door handles, levers, or knobs mounted on a backing plate (or escutcheon), which is then fixed to the door. These plates can be rectangular, square, or custom-shaped and typically house additional hardware such as locks, keyholes, privacy turns, or indicators. Plate furniture is widely used on hinged and pivot doors and can be installed on timber, aluminium, or glass doors depending on the type.

At its core, plate furniture simplifies door hardware installation by providing a unified mounting surface. This also enhances the structural integrity of the handle system and improves user experience through better grip and accessibility.

Types of Plate Furniture

John Barnes Group offers a diverse range of plate furniture tailored for various applications and design preferences. Our selection includes:

Buy Lever Plate Furniture online

The most common type, lever plate furniture incorporates a lever handle fixed to a plate. Ideal for high-traffic environments such as commercial buildings, schools, and hospitals, lever plate furniture provides ease of use and compliance with Australian accessibility standards.

Buy Knob Plate Furniture online

Less common in commercial settings but popular in residential applications, knob plate furniture features a rounded knob instead of a lever. These are often paired with privacy or passage sets and provide a classic or traditional appearance.

Buy Privacy and Indicator Plate Sets online

These sets integrate privacy turns and occupancy indicators, making them ideal for bathrooms and change rooms. The indicator clearly shows whether the room is occupied, improving user confidence and convenience.

Buy Key Locking Plate Sets online

Designed with integrated keyholes or cylinder locks, these plate sets are used for entry doors where security is paramount. Common in commercial, industrial, and multi-residential buildings, they offer a clean and secure solution.

Buy Pull Plate Sets online

Pull plate furniture includes a pull handle mounted on a backplate, suitable for non-latching doors such as those in corridors, emergency exits, or public amenities. These may be paired with push plates or kick plates for full door protection.

Buy Specialty and Custom Plate Furniture online

We also supply specialty plate furniture, including extended plates for retrofit applications, narrow stile plates for aluminium doors, and anti-ligature designs for mental health facilities. Custom fabrication is available on request to suit bespoke architectural requirements.

Materials and Finishes

Durability, style, and functionality converge in the material selection of our plate furniture range. Available materials include:

• Stainless Steel – Offers excellent corrosion resistance and strength, ideal for high-traffic or outdoor environments.

• Brass – Often used in heritage or luxury settings, available in polished or satin finishes.

• Zinc Alloy – Lightweight and cost-effective, suitable for residential and low-use commercial doors.

• Aluminium – Lightweight and corrosion-resistant, often used in commercial and institutional settings.

Popular finishes across our brands include satin chrome, polished chrome, matte black, brushed nickel, and powder-coated colours to suit modern and traditional design palettes.

Compliance and Accessibility

Plate furniture installed in commercial or public buildings must adhere to Australian Standard AS1428.1 for Design for Access and Mobility. This includes:

• Lever handles that are easily operable with one hand

• Sufficient clearance between the plate and the handle

• Smooth, rounded edges and no sharp protrusions

• Privacy sets with tactile and visual indicators for usability

At John Barnes Group, we supply plate furniture that meets or exceeds these compliance requirements, ensuring your project satisfies both building codes and user expectations.

Fire Safety and Egress

In fire-rated door assemblies, it is essential that plate furniture components are compatible with fire door sets and tested to AS1905.1 standards. Many of our product lines, including those from Dormakaba and Lockwood, are fire-rated and can be supplied with the necessary certification for compliance with NCC and BCA requirements.

Plate furniture on egress routes must also allow quick and intuitive operation, often requiring lever handles with a minimum return to door and non-locking mechanisms for exit doors.

Applications by Sector

Residential

Homeowners will find a variety of plate furniture styles suitable for both new builds and renovations. Privacy and passage sets in contemporary finishes complement modern interiors, while brass or ornate designs cater to traditional or heritage aesthetics.

• Interior doors (bedrooms, bathrooms)

• Entry doors with key locking functions

• Matching pull plates and push plates for utility areas

Commercial

In commercial buildings, durability and compliance are paramount. Our commercial-grade plate furniture is built to withstand high-frequency use while delivering accessibility and fire safety compliance.

• Offices and boardrooms

• Amenities and change rooms

• Corridors and access-controlled zones

Institutional

For hospitals, schools, aged care, and correctional facilities, functionality, hygiene, and safety take precedence. Anti-ligature options, extended backplates, and antibacterial coatings are available across our range.

• Healthcare facilities

• Educational institutions

• Mental health wards and secure units

Choosing the Right Plate Furniture

Whether you're specifying for a home, commercial fit-out, or institutional facility, the right plate furniture should meet a range of functional and regulatory requirements. Consider the following:

• Use Case: Entry, privacy, passage, or pull door?

• Traffic Frequency: High-use areas require commercial-grade durability

• Compliance: DDA, AS1428.1, fire safety, and hygiene requirements

• Material and Finish: Matches surrounding architecture and design

• Integration: Compatible with locks, latches, or access control systems

Our team at John Barnes Group can provide product recommendations and technical advice to ensure you select the most suitable plate furniture for your project.

Why Choose John Barnes Group?

As a trusted supplier of architectural hardware for over 50 years, John Barnes Group is committed to quality, compliance, and customer service. Our plate furniture range is carefully curated to meet Australian standards while offering a wide selection of styles and functionalities to suit any project.

• Comprehensive range from leading brands

• Commercial, residential, and institutional solutions

• DDA and fire compliance expertise

• Technical support and project consultation

• Fast nationwide delivery and competitive pricing

Get Expert Advice and Order Online

Explore our full range of plate furniture online, or contact us for tailored advice. Our knowledgeable team can assist with product selection, compliance queries, and specification support for your next project.

For expert guidance or to request a quote, get in touch with us today.