Brass, Bronze, Chrome and Stainless. Everything You Need To Know About Cabinet Hardware.

Cabinet hardware is available in countless finishes, but looks can be deceiving. Why is one cabinet knob thirty dollars and another three dollars? Here are the basics: Most hardware is made from inexpensive zinc or more expensive copper and brass. Often these base metals have a finish, or plating of a different color adhered to them. Stainless steel and bronze can be plated over these metals, but they can also be solid. Chrome and nickel are always plated over another metal, never solid. Confused yet?  Well, most hardware is actually pretty durable and a cheap price does not always mean it's poorly crafted. Lets look at some of our favorite cabinet hardware finishes to compare the pros and cons of each material. 

Polished Brass looks shiny and golden. It pairs great with painted cabinets.

Pros: Polished Brass is sealed with a lacquer coating, so it will not age or tarnish. This common finish is easy to match between brands.

Cons: Polished brass, like most shiny finishes, will show fingerprints and the lacquer can dull over time. 

Unlacquered Brass is a living finish, meaning it will change with time and use.

Pros: You don't have to worry about fingerprints here, unlacquered brass shows wear over time and the spots you touch will stay shiny. This raw brass has a warm, rosy color and you can always polish it back to a shine with brass cleaner.

Cons: If you want a uniform look, unlacquered brass will take more maintenance. We prefer the worn patina on rounded, amorphous shapes. It can look dirty in an edgy, contemporary style kitchen.

Antique Brass offers a patina without the maintenance.

Pros: Antique brass is aged with chemicals and sealed with a low luster finish. This gives you a worn, antique look that will never change or need polishing.

Cons: Chemically aging something never looks the same as a natural patina and the color here is not as warm as unlacquered brass.

Bronze is highly durable and offers many finishes.

Pros: Bronze is corrosion resistant and recommended for use in coastal homes with salty air. Many finishes and colors are available in bronze including the popular 'antique bronze', which looks black with copper highlights.

Cons: Bronze is more porous than brass and can develop shrinkage cavities over time. 

Stainless Steel is the best choice for outdoor kitchens, but make sure it's solid.

Pros: A stainless steel finish is easy to match and will look at home next to your stainless appliances. Solid stainless is corrosion resistant and our recommendation for all outdoor kitchens. Stainless hardware is typically not sealed, so the finish can be polished or even lightly sanded to remove surface scratches

Cons: Solid stainless is more expensive than other options. Plated stainless pieces are a good option indoors, but will not hold up outdoors. Make sure you know what you're buying when dealing with stainless.

Chrome hardware adds drama and reflects light in this bathroom.

Pros: Chrome gives a highly polished and reflective finish that you won't find in other metals. Chrome is corrosion resistant and looks great in polished bathrooms.

Cons: While it won't rust, chrome will dull and develop pits over time. This shiny finish will also show fingerprints and water spots.

Nickel looks soft, but also feels modern with a brushed finish. See more of our kitchens here.

Pros: Nickel is available in brushed and polished finishes. It's color looks close to sterling silver and is warmer and richer than chrome. Polished nickel is easy to match between brands.

Cons: Nickel is pricier than chrome. Unless it is lacquer sealed, this finish will tarnish and need maintaining. 

Matte Black hardware is contemporary, but we think it's a classic. There’s more black hardware in this colorful kitchen.

Pros: Matte black is usually created by powder coating another metal. This process results in a very durable finish that won't show fingerprints. Similar to hand forged iron, we think this  finish works great in older homes.

Cons: Matte black hardware can look dramatic, especially against white cabinets. Use it sparingly and try to mix it with other metal finishes..

When selecting hardware and fixtures, one of the most important decisions to make is which finish to choose. Just like the color of paint or textiles, metal finishes play a large role in the atmosphere of a room. The below guide will help you pick the perfect finish for your space.

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Picking Finishes

With so many finishes to choose from it's easy to feel overwhelmed. How do you go about picking a finish? To help you decide, we suggest you start by asking yourself the following questions:

1. Do you want your hardware to make a statement? 

If you would like your hardware to make a bold impact, choose a finish that has a lot of contrast with your door color. For example, black hardware on white doors, or satin brass on navy blue doors. On the other hand, if you'd like your hardware to be more subtle, choose a finish that is similar in color and lightness to your doors - for example, oil rubbed bronze on cherry cabinets. In the image below you will see the same black pulls. In the left image, they are installed on white doors and are much more eye-catching. Installed on dark oak, as shown in the right image, they are much more understated.

Pictured Pull: V322/B-MB

2. Is your cabinetry warm-toned or cool-toned?

Typically, warm finishes look nice near other warm colors and cool tones look nice with other cool tones. Not sure if the finish you're looking at has a warm or cool undertone? Keep reading! We outline the most common finishes below.

Mixing Finishes

One of the most common questions we get is "Do I have to match all the finishes in my space?" The answer is, absolutely not! If you have a stainless steel refrigerator, that does not mean you need to use stainless steel hardware. Mixing finishes is a great way to add interest to spaces and can give your home a more authentic feel. However, not all finishes look pleasing together. The best way to ensure that your finishes blend nicely is to make sure all of the finishes you use have either a warm undertone or a cool undertone. Using cool and warm finishes near each other, often clashes. Some of our favorite finish combinations are listed here:

• Satin Brass and Black
• Satin Brass and Bronze
• Satin Nickel and Polished Nickel
• Antique Brass and Bronze
• Antique Nickel and Black

When mixing finishes it is best to have a dominant finish and one to two secondary finishes. For large spaces, make sure the dominant finish is spread through different areas of the room to make the space more cohesive.

Finish Types

Polished Finishes

Shiny and bright, polished finishes have a highly reflective surface. These finishes add a touch of radiance to the room. Polished finishes are particularly popular in bathrooms. To avoid obvious fingerprints, we recommend choosing designs without large flat areas.

Brushed and Satin Finishes

Traditionally, brushed finishes undergo a brushing process to soften the metal's appearance and satin finishes use an electric plating to achieve a similar effect. However, these days, most manufacturers use the terms interchangeably. These finishes do an excellent job of hiding fingerprints and watermarks making them a terrific choice for kitchen cabinet hardware, door hardware, and other high-use hardware.

Pictured Pull: V322/B-SS

Living Finishes

Finishes that will oxidize and change color over time are described as living finishes. Typically, hardware without a lacquer will be a living finish. Most commonly, living finishes will darken, but they can also lighten in areas that are frequently touched. In exterior conditions, living finishes can turn to a beautiful turquoise green.

PVD or Lifetime Finishes

PVD finishes, also known as lifetime finishes, undergo a high-tech plating process that results in an incredibly durable finish. These finishes are great for exterior use, especially for projects near the coast. PVD finishes are more expensive than standard finishes, but they will greatly extend the lifespan of your hardware. The most notable PVD finishes are Baldwin Hardware's lifetime finishes. These top of the line finishes are guaranteed not to tarnish or discolor for as long as you own the hardware.

Want more information on brass finish stainless steel? Feel free to contact us.

Finishes

Polished Brass (Warm Undertone)

Perhaps the most traditional of finishes, polished brass is a longstanding classic. This warm golden finish has a highly reflective surface. When purchasing polished brass, be sure to find out if it is lacquered or not. Unlacquered brass will change in color significantly over time.

Antique Brass (Warm Undertone)
Antique Brass has the warm golden tones of polished brass but has a darker aged appearance. Antique Brass also frequently has highlights and lowlights that will emphasize details. Use it to add vintage style to your home.

Satin Brass (Warm Undertone)
Satin Brass has been growing in popularity for good reason. It gives warmth and brightness to rooms while adding charm and character. It also looks great paired with nearby bronze or black fixtures. Satin Brass can vary in color between manufacturers. We recommend seeing it in person before purchasing.

Satin/Brushed Nickel (Warm Undertone)
If you're unsure about what finish to choose, satin nickel is typically a safe bet. This soft silver finish complements a wide variety of homes. Satin Nickel is very close in appearance to stainless steel, but is available in a much wider variety of design styles. One of the most popular finishes, it is an available finish option for nearly every hardware design.

Antique Nickel and Pewter finishes are an excellent choice for traditional spaces with cool-toned cabinetry. Details in the hardware are emphasized by this finish, making it a great selection for more ornate pieces.

This shiny finish is a timeless favorite. It is a popular choice for bath and powder rooms. Polished Chrome is also very hardy adding to its aptitude for damp areas like bathrooms.

Polished Nickel is nearly identical to Polished Chrome, however, it has a slightly more yellow tone. It looks best in spaces with other warm colors and finishes.

This finish is typically used for commercial applications but can be used for homes as well. It is similar in color to aluminum and has a slightly industrial appearance.

Sleek gray finishes are relatively new to the world of fixtures and hardware. This modern take on pewter strikes a happy medium between the softness of satin nickel and the bold drama of black. It is a chic choice for contemporary spaces.

Copper, also referred to as Rose Gold, is an eye-catching finish that will always make a statement. Similar to Polished Brass, be sure to ask if your copper is lacquered as unlacquered Copper will quickly develop a patina. Copper is also available in satin and antique variations.

Bronze (Warm Undertone)
Bronze is most commonly used for traditional and European designs, however, it can also add contrast and sophistication to modern homes. Bronze has the widest variation of appearances and names. One company's Oil Rubbed Bronze may look identical to another's Chocolate Bronze and one company's Venetian Bronze may look entirely different from another's Venetian Bronze. Because of the huge amount of variation in this finish, we highly recommend seeing the hardware in person before ordering.

Black is another finish that has been recently growing in popularity. Black adds drama to cabinetry. Due to its neutral undertone, it also pairs well with nearly every finish and cabinet color.

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Final Note