Finishes on Hardware

Different varieties of metals are used to make different types of hardware. All metallic door hardware is given different finishes depending on home and door deécor, market trends and customer's choice. Some of the common finishes available in door hardware are as follows:

• Unlacquered Polished Brass
• Lacquered Polished Brass
• Burnished Antique Brass
• Oil-Rubbed Bronze
• Polished Nickel
• Brushed Nickel
• Bronze Plated
• Galvanized
• Chrome Plated
• Antique Finish

Unlacquered Polished Brass
This is a type of brass which is polished to mirror finish. There is no protective coating for this finish except that you can wax the product to slow and even-out tarnish. Unlacquered polished brass will age naturally. With time, this finish starts showing finger prints and scratches and will oxidize severely in humid or salty air. For maintenance, it is necessary to wax before installation and allow it to mellow. If polishing is necessary, use a quality brass polish and soft cloth. This kind of finish is ideal for older homes where "shiny brass" seems very odd and given this finish a year or two, it will look like it's always been there.

Lacquered Polished Brass
This is a type of polished Brass with a protective lacquer coating. The basic advantage of this finish is that it stays shiny for many years. Ofcourse, continuous use or a harsh environment will eventually cause lacquer to fail. The protective coating for this is baked lacquer with a glossy finish. While no protective coating is perfect or eternal, this type of finish is pretty durable. For maintenance, you just use a soft , damp cloth and simply wipe. It is advisable not to use brass polish or harsh cleaners and detergents on lacquered surfaces.

Burnished Antique Brass
Burnished Antique Brass is a brown, slightly highlighted and hand-produced finish, with discreet brushing in a vertical direction. The Protective Coating for this Baked lacquer with a glossy finish. Waxing will further protect the finish. This type of finish will hide the slow accumulation of nicks, spots and scratches fairly well and it is best for light- to medium-use applications. For maintenance, simply wipe with a soft, damp cloth. It is advisable not to use brass polish or harsh cleaners and detergents on lacquered surfaces.

Oil-Rubbed Bronze
This kind of finish is brass finish with a flat, dark-brown patina which is almost black in color. On all door hardwares, Oil Rubbed Bronze has no protective lacquer and will wear to a dull brass finish with time and handling. For maintenance, wipe gently with a clean, soft cloth only. Do not use polish or cleaners of any kind. This finish is supposed to be one of the earliest of the patinas applied to brass, and one of the most difficult to find reproduced today.

Polished Nickel
Polished nickel is a brass, mirror-polished, and nickel-plated polish having a shiny silver with warm, amber undertones. There is no protective coating for this finish and at the most it can be waxed to protect finish surface. With time, nickel, a hard and durable coating, will naturally develop a dull, milky-white tarnish, especially in humid environments. For maintenance and removing tarnishing, use a soft cloth and a mild solution of household ammonia

Brushed Nickel
Brushed nickel is an attractive satin-relieved finish that can be compared to stainless steel. The protective coating for this finish, especially on hardware only is baked satin lacquer. This type of finish, though durable will show some slight tarnishing under normal use. For maintenance, just wipe with damp cloth to clean. Fingerprints, and other smudges can be removed by wiping with a soft cloth and mild household ammonia. An application of neutral-color wax on this finish from time to time can also help discourage smudges and fingerprints.

Bronze Plated
Like brass plated, this is type of finish is applied on steel hardware and coated steel with bronze. Unlike pure bronze, however, this finish will not stand up to weather.

Galvanized
This is a special kind of finish applied to metal items. The galvanizing may be of two types: hot-dipped or coated-technically, electroplated. The hot dipped galvanizing is the superior of the two. Both the finishes are weatherproof and hence most hardware items are galvanized.

Chrome Plated
This is another type of popular finish applied on door hardware. This is a highly polished finish. This finish is highly resistant to corrosion and quite good-looking. This has the advantage of creating a sophisticated, modern, retro look and feel. Chrome plating is a finishing treatment given by using the electrolytic deposition of chromium.

Antique Finish
Weathered and antiqued finishes are chemically treated to age them. There are various antique finishes like weathered copper, antique copper, antique brass, antique bronze, old bronze and antique pewter. The result of such a finish is a piece that looks as though it has been installed and used for many, many years.

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