Antimicrobial hardware shows up as an option across almost every category Metlam makes — locks, hinges, bumpers, hooks, shelves, dispensers, door handles. That breadth means the real question isn't "is antimicrobial better" (it is, on paper, everywhere), it's "where does it actually matter enough to pay for."
What the finish does
Metlam's antimicrobial coating is applied to the touch surfaces of the hardware and is formulated to inhibit the growth of bacteria, mould and fungi on that surface between cleans. It doesn't replace cleaning protocols or disinfection — it reduces how much microbial growth accumulates on high-touch hardware surfaces in the gaps between cleans.
What's available in antimicrobial finish
- Partition hardware: 300 series lock & indicator set (300_LOCK_ANMB, $34.00), Moda lock & indicator set (MODA_LOCK_ANMB, $35.64), Moda emergency-release set (MODA_ERLOCK_ANMB, $37.07), 106C gravity hinge (106C_ANMB, $24.08), Moda gravity hinge (MODA_GRAVITY_ANMB, $27.74), 101C door bumper (101C_BUMP_ANMB, $11.90), Moda bumper (MODA_BUMP_ANMB, $13.20), Xcel bumper (XCEL_BUMPER_ANMB, $11.35), and the full Moda Advantage kit (ADVMODA_KIT_ANMB, $163.18).
- Hooks: concealed-fix coat hook (202C_HOOK_ANMB, $12.31), Moda hat & coat hook (MODA_HOOK_ANMB, $13.96).
- Grab rails: the full 30° and 90° flush-mount and ambulant grab rail range, e.g. ANMB_MLR112 ($117.70).
- Door hardware: door handle with rubber stopper (ML315R_ANMB, $16.90).
- Washroom fittings: utility shelf (ML951_400SHELF_ANMB, $142.77), paper towel dispenser (ANMB_725AR, $278.30), double toilet roll holder (700_2TRH_ANMB, $118.70), angle bracket (ML121_6MMCSK_ANMB, $7.60).
In total, 38 active Metlam products across these categories carry the antimicrobial finish option.
Where it's worth paying for
The upgrade earns its modest price premium (typically $1–$3 over standard satin chrome plate finish) in healthcare, aged care, education, food service and any high-throughput public washroom where cleaning frequency can't keep pace with touch volume. For a standard low-traffic commercial washroom, standard finish hardware with a normal cleaning schedule is adequate, and the budget is better spent elsewhere — the antimicrobial surcharge across a full washroom's hardware adds up, even though it's small per item.
Frequently asked questions
Does antimicrobial hardware need different cleaning products?
No — it's cleaned the same way as standard finish hardware. The coating works continuously between cleans; it isn't a cleaning product itself.
Does antimicrobial finish look different from standard satin chrome?
Visually near-identical in most cases — the coating is applied over the base finish and doesn't noticeably change appearance.
Is antimicrobial hardware required by any Australian standard?
Not generally — it's a specification choice rather than a compliance requirement, though some healthcare facility design guidelines recommend it for high-touch surfaces.
Does the antimicrobial coating wear off over time?
It's bonded into the finish rather than a surface spray, so it holds up under normal cleaning and handling for the hardware's working life, similar to how the base chrome or black finish holds up.