Aluminium vs Zamak Furniture Handles: How to Choose
Aluminium and zamak are the two dominant materials in furniture hardware. Understanding their differences helps buyers specify the right handle for every product line.
Extruded aluminium: light, linear and precise
Aluminium handles are produced by extrusion, forcing heated aluminium through a shaped die to create long, uniform profiles. This process is ideal for straight bar pulls, bow handles and L-profiles, and it allows very long lengths — our extended range reaches 1000mm for tall wardrobe and kitchen doors.
Aluminium is lightweight yet rigid, resists corrosion, and takes anodised and PVD finishes exceptionally well. For modern, minimal and handleless kitchen designs, extruded aluminium is usually the first choice.
Die-cast zamak: detail, weight and decorative depth
Zamak is a zinc alloy that is die-cast rather than extruded. Casting captures intricate three-dimensional detail — ribs, patterns, ring pulls and chamfered knobs — that extrusion simply cannot reproduce.
Zamak parts have a reassuring weight and are perfectly suited to classic, traditional and transitional furniture. They also accept a broad palette of antique finishes such as antique brass and antique copper.
Which should you specify?
Choose aluminium for long, linear, contemporary pulls and handleless designs. Choose zamak for compact knobs, cup pulls, ring pulls, hooks and any design that relies on decorative detail.
Many furniture ranges use both — aluminium pulls on large doors paired with matching zamak knobs on smaller units. Eagles Furniture Equipments manufactures both materials in-house, so buyers can specify a coordinated finish across an entire collection.