Metal Finishes

About Metal Finishes

Stains and treatments can either enhance or completely change the appearance of the original material. One wood species can mimic another. Similarly, it’s possible to achieve the beauty of a particular type of metal on the surface of another one. 

A metal finish is the specific surface appearance. The finish depends on the texture, colour, and lustre of the treated piece. For instance, a polished hammered bronze finish doesn’t necessarily mean that the item is made of bronze. Often it’s a piece of other metal treated with metal paints and given bronze finish properties - shine, lustre, and texture, with a characteristic brown/gold hue.

In the same way, modern copper, silver, or bronze faucets are rarely made of precious metals. They’re just treated with corresponding metal finishes. 

Types of Metal Surfaces

• Bronze: Bronze is distinguished by highly sought-after appeal with satin or glossy surface in shades of reddish-brown. It’s a compound made of aluminium, tin, copper, and supportive ingredients. Bronze is easily recognisable by its brown/gold colour with hints of red. 

Products made from bronze are highly decorative, but many are actually made from other metals and treated to mimic bronze finish. Such an approach made it possible to produce accessible items at a more affordable price than 100% bronze. 

• Brass: Recognised by its golden shine, this alloy of zinc and copper is a popular material for lighting and hardware designs. Polished brass is shiny and reflective, boasting a classy appearance with a distinctive traditional flair. It’s often found on faucets, fireplace doors, and different kinds of fixtures. 
• Copper: Copper features a colour tone similar to bronze but difficult to replicate with other metals. It’s one of the few metals that is not made as an alloy but rather naturally occurring. Copper is soft but able to camouflage scratches and damage marks. Imperfections darken over time and blend with the environment. 
• Aluminium: Due to the bright silver colour similar to steel, this alloy is often used as its lightweight and less expensive alternative. Aluminium’s softness is ideal for applications in lighting designs, easy to manipulate and bend into complex curves. This material is fully recyclable, making it an eco-friendly option to use. 
• Wrought iron: “Wrought” is a term describing iron-based metal that is heated and formed into shape, usually by hammering. It’s an appealing material with an inherently traditional appearance and texture.
• Steel: This is a convenient and popular material characterised by grey colour. It’s suitable for numerous applications, durable, strong, and difficult to bend or break. However, it’s still naturally prone to rust. 
• Stainless Steel: Adding chromium steel results in a corrosion-resistant compound, ideal for any application. Stainless steel is durable, resistant to moisture, germs, and rust. It’s one of the metals with the lowest maintenance requirements. 
• Chrome: One of the most popular metal finishes is sleek, stylish, and versatile. It also bears the benefits of being affordable, scratch-resistant, and low-maintenance, inexpensive, sleek, and stylish. Chrome finishes are typically plated over steel, copper, or brass. 
• Nickel: These finishes resemble chrome, with a silver hue and shiny lustre. Watermarks and fingerprints are rarely noticeable on matte or brushed nickel. However, nickel is also typically less affordable than chrome.

Types of Metal Finishes

Metal Powder Coating

The powder coating process comprises two phases. The first is applying a dry powder through an electrostatic process, and the second is curing the surface with heat. The method produces high-quality, functional and appealing finishes.

Brushed Metal Finishing

Brushed finishes are commonly applied with a paintbrush that may leave hints of the brushstrokes on the metal. The subtle texture is more on the matte side, suitable for camouflaging fingerprints and other marks. 

Hammered Metal Finishing

Hammered finishes feature visible texture in the form of an abundance of small dents and imperfections. The look is ideal for rustic and vintage designs.

Oil-Rubbed

Naturally shiny metals such as bronze, brass, and copper can look astonishing with an oil-rubbed finish. However, giving metals an aged, patinated appearance can be costly and time-consuming. It typically requires manual rubbing of quality oils onto the surface until achieving the desired look. 

Matte

Matte finishes are non-reflective and refined in appearance, good in concealing fingerprints and other marks. The colour palette can range from light silver to jet black to bronze. 

Polished Metal Finishes

Polished finishes are high-maintenance, requiring routine buffing to keep the glossy appearance. Their style shows fingerprints and watermarks easily, hence not making a suitable choice for faucets and shower fixtures.  

Satin Metal Finishes

A satin finish is similar to the brushed one, minus the brushstrokes. The smooth surface is very discreetly textured, falling to the middle ground between shiny and matte. Satin finishes tend to be costly but are convenient and not prone to show scratches and marks.

Antique Style

Antique finishes are perfect for traditional and rustic designs, with surfaces made to look like they developed a patina over time. This look works beautifully in rustic designs.

Things to Consider When Choosing Metal Finishes

Any metal can be treated with a specific finish to achieve a certain look.

Metal finishes can increase the base material’s functional properties, such as chemical and tarnish resistance, and extra protection against corrosion. Aluminium faucets can be anodised for improved corrosion and wear resistance, extending their life span indefinitely. 

Different abrasive powders are used to smooth out the metal. Grinding machines can create a uniform surface while blasting machines deliver a matte look. 

Unlike wood stains and timber coatings, metal finish materials never penetrate beyond the surface. 

If you need assistance to find the right metal finishes for your home or office, ArchiPro provides a connection to the various professionals, ready to assist with all requirements and questions. Simply click "Contact supplier" on the product's page, or visit the supplier's website directly from the product's page.