Finish Guide
Metals
What your hardware is made of, and why it matters more than the finish.
01 · The Basics
Why does the metal matter?
Two knobs can look identical in a photo and be completely different objects. One is solid brass, the same all the way through. The other is a thin coating over a different metal.
That is why most of our collection starts with solid brass, bronze or stainless steel, chosen for how they wear, feel and finish.
02 · The Metals
Which metal is which?
Brass, bronze, copper, stainless steel and zinc, and the finishes each one can take.
Brass
Copper + zinc
The versatile foundation of fine hardware: warm, solid, and easy to cast, machine and finish.
- Feels
- Solid and warm
- Ages
- Bright, then honey and amber, then deep antique bronze
- Best for
- Knobs, levers and pulls, almost anywhere indoors
Finishes in brass
Plated over brass
Bronze
Copper + tin or silicon
Dense and substantial, and well suited to sand casting, so each piece carries a little texture. White bronze is copper with nickel and manganese.
- Feels
- Heavy and substantial
- Ages
- Deepens to brown, green outdoors
- Best for
- Front doors, rustic and heritage homes
Finishes in bronze
Copper
Pure copper
The metal inside brass and bronze, used on its own for its warm, rosy colour.
- Feels
- Warm and rosy
- Ages
- Darkens fast, green outdoors
- Best for
- Accents and statement pieces
- Keep in mind
- Softer than brass, so it marks more easily
Finishes in copper
Stainless steel
Iron + chromium
Hard, cool and precise, with excellent resistance to rust and cleaners. Much of ours is from Formani, often with a PVD colour.
PVD in the Lacquered Finishes Guide
- Feels
- Cool and crisp
- Ages
- Barely changes
- Best for
- Exterior, coastal and modern hardware
- Keep in mind
- Near salt water, ask us which grade to choose
Finishes in stainless steel
Zinc alloy
Zinc + aluminum and copper (Zamak)
Die-cast into detailed shapes at an accessible cost, then plated to look like brass, nickel or bronze.
- Feels
- Lighter and smooth
- Ages
- Isn’t left bare: it is always plated
- Best for
- Cabinet hardware and detailed shapes at lower cost
- Keep in mind
- If the plating wears through, grey metal shows
Plated finishes on zinc
03 · The Making
How is hardware made?
Every piece goes through three stages, and each one leaves its mark on the piece.
- 01
Melted
The metals are melted together into the alloy, then poured into ingots or drawn into bar.
- 02
Formed
Cast in a mould or cut from solid bar to make the handle, knob or pull.
- 03
Finished
Polished or brushed, given its colour, then left bare, waxed or lacquered.
Types of forming
Sand casting
Molten metal is poured into a mould of packed sand. Each piece keeps a little texture. Much bronze hardware is made this way.
Lost-wax casting
A wax model is coated, melted out and replaced with metal. It captures the finest detail.
Image: Nest Studio
Die casting
Metal is forced into a steel mould under pressure. Fast and uniform; how most zinc hardware is made.
Image: FSB
CNC machining
Solid bar is cut on a lathe or CNC machine. Precise and clean; how knurled and modern pieces are made.
How it’s finished
The metal is only the start. How a finish is built, from the surface to the colour to the top coat, is its own guide.
Common questions
How can I tell what my hardware is made of?
Look for “solid brass,” “solid bronze” or “stainless steel” on the maker’s spec sheet. The word “solid” tells you it is the metal all the way through. Weight is a clue, not a guarantee: how a piece is made matters as much as the metal. If you are not sure, ask us.
Is oil-rubbed bronze made of bronze?
Usually not. It is a dark finish, most often over brass. Bronze hardware is bronze all the way through.
Why does solid metal cost more?
It uses more metal, takes more work to cast and finish, and lasts far longer.
Which metal is best near the ocean?
Stainless steel and bronze. Bronze will change as it weathers; stainless steel will not.
Can I mix metals in one room?
Yes. Choose one anchor finish, then add one or two others.
