The disadvantage is cost (it’s expensive) and some people don’t like the dark marks the patina brings. The main advantage to unlacquered brass is that it’s considered a living finish, and it’s embraced by luxury faucet makers including House of Rohl, Waterstone, and Rejuvenation. As it’s used, the faucet will take on a patina of age from fingerprints, oil, and water splashes. This is just what it sounds like: brass that doesn’t have any coating or special sealer to keep it shiny. I’ve had this discussion with a lot of my clients, so I want to break down some pros and cons of these different finishes to help you make a decision on which one will be right for your home. If you want brass, the two main options are going au naturel with aged brass or choosing a more stable aged brass finish. It’s easy to see why: brass faucets add so much warmth to a kitchen, and they look beautiful in kitchens of every color.īut brass is different from stainless steel or nickel, because of the care required to maintain some brass finishes. Due to the environment, climate, and use patterns, the hardware takes on a truly individual look.Brass faucets have emerged as kitchen must-haves, along with farmhouse sinks and open shelving. Periodic waxing will maintain the original look for longer and slow the wearing process.Įmbracing the weathering and aging process in your hardware lends a sophisticated touch to the home. It has an especially complex and layered look that pairs well with traditional and country-style décor. Over time and use, the oil coating and patina layer will wear away to reveal hints of the brass underneath. Next it is coated with oil to attain a dark luster. It is achieved by oxidizing the brass until it achieves a deep brown-black, bronze tone, and then neutralizing the oxidation process with water. Oil rubbed bronze is so named because of the coloration of the finish, not the metal content. It ages in a similar fashion as natural brass, darkening over time, and may be maintained in the same way. Unlike nickel-plated brass, the color runs through the entire alloy and will not be rubbed off due to exposure to the elements. It does not contain any silver metal, however.

German silver gets its name from its high nickel content, which lends the alloy a silver color. Both natural and polished brass are solid brass completely through, and will not lose its coloration like other, plated finishes may. However, to restore the polished look, simply use a tarnish remover (we recommend the brand Flitz) and a microfiber cloth. It will lose some of its mirror reflective polish and develop a patina that is equally appealing. Polished unlacquered brass will become richer and more golden in color with exposure to air and touch. Over time it will darken, making the texture even more apparent. Natural brass is typically sand-cast and unpolished to elicit an organic, textured feel. The Versa lever in natural brass, designed by Mig Perkins Yet they may also be restored to their near-original state if desired. Natural brass, polished unlacquered brass, German silver, and oil rubbed bronze are all living finishes, intended to transform with age and use. And while we have several recommendations for maintaining your hardware, some finishes explicitly embrace the weathering process. The look and feel of all brass hardware will change over time, whether it is exterior hardware that faces the elements of nature, or interior hardware that is constantly touched and handled.

Unlacquered brass patina