Brass brings more than just visual impact, it brings intention. With its timeless versatility, it’s long been a go-to material for interior designers looking to add richness and refinement to hospitality spaces, especially bar areas. That’s why Kegworks provides a range of brass and brass-appearing finishes across our architectural metal components, bar rail, drink rail, and bar shelving, and more, so you can execute your vision with confidence and consistency.

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Many clients ask us about the differences between the various brass finishes, and it’s a common question for good reason. To help clarify any confusion, let’s examine the design options available when adding the look of brass and the differences between them.

Polished Brass

The gleaming classic. Polished brass embodies timeless luxury and dramatic shine. It’s perfect for designs that command attention, from the gleam of a curved bar foot rail to the elegance of bistro-style shelving. Kegworks carries polished brass tubing and components for 1.5” and 2” OD bar rail and bistro-style brass pipe shelving, as well as matching service rail and purse hooks. 

This finish is the most challenging when it comes to upkeep, as it is the most susceptible to showing fingerprints, scuffs, and tarnish. We recommend applying a non-abrasive car wax for a shine that lasts and metal polishing cloths to keep it clean. 

Polished brass will patina over time, a naturally occurring chemical process where oxidation occurs due to carbon dioxide and/or water exposure. For designers who want the brilliance without the patina, we offer a clear-coated version by special order, preserving that signature glow over time.

Brushed Brass

For a more understated expression of elegance, brushed (or satin) brass offers subtle warmth and texture that designers love for blending classic tones into contemporary environments. You can bring this softer style into your space with 1.5” and 2” OD brushed brass tubing, complete with matching service rails and purse hooks to finish the look.

The brushed finish can help hide imperfections that may be more visible on polished brass tubing, but it will still need to be wiped down with a wet cloth to keep it clean. Like polished brass, this finish will also patina over time. We can add a clear coat finish at your request to prevent oxidation from occurring. 

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

Antique Brass

A finish with story and soul. Antique brass is beloved by designers who seek to capture a sense of history and authenticity in their work. With its smoky, aged character, this darker finish evokes nostalgia and adds depth to vintage-inspired spaces or designs that aim for a sense of history and permanence.

Electroplated onto stainless steel for added durability, this finish is stocked in 2” OD bar rail tubing, components, service rail, and coat hooks. Special order options are available for drink rail and other applications.

Our electroplated antique brass finish will remain consistent throughout the lifespan of your fixtures and will not patina further. It can be easily cleaned with warm, soapy water and a cloth or sponge. 

Misty Brass

Misty Brass is a powder-coated finish applied to stainless steel designed to mimic the soft, satin feel of brushed brass with added durability and consistency. It’s an ideal choice for clean, contemporary spaces that want a warm metallic touch, without the upkeep or unpredictability of patina.

This is currently a special order option for all of our architectural metal products, including bar rail and drink rail. The only required maintenance is periodic cleaning with a cloth and warm, soapy water. 

Electroplated Brushed Brass With Cerakote®

For high-performance spaces where design can’t be compromised. Our Electroplated Brass with Cerakote® is crafted for hospitality environments where metalwork faces daily wear and tear but still needs to look flawless.

This is fabricated from stainless steel with either a polished or brushed brass electroplated finish. A protective ceramic-based, thin-film coating of Cerakote® is then applied to help protect the metal's surface from moisture and wear and tear. 

This is an excellent option for anyone who wants a brass finish for their drink rail because the Cerakote® prevents moisture from damaging it over time. Plus, since this is constructed from stainless steel and not brass, you can use this finish for custom radius drink rail, as it can be bent and welded to meet your design needs. Electroplated brass with Cerakote® finish is available by special order and can take 6-8 weeks for delivery. 

No matter which finish speaks to your vision, brass adds a layer of richness that elevates every space it touches. And with Kegworks, you’re not limited to just one element. We help you carry that finish across bar rail, drink rail, shelving, coat hooks, and service rail for a cohesive, curated look.

Designers, architects, and construction professionals are invited to reach out to our commercial sales team to request complimentary samples, get advice on finish matching, or schedule a free project takeoff. Let us help bring your next bar design to life, with every detail aligned.

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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..