What is the difference between satin brass and brass?

15, Jul. 2024

 

What is the difference between brass finishes in cabinet ...

Below we explain the subtle difference between the various finishes found in brass cabinet hardware such as brass cabinet knobs, brass drawer pulls, brass appliance handles, and brass kitchen fixtures.

For more satin brass colorinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

Selecting hardware for your project can be overwhelming enough, right? I mean it's the jewelry of the home, it is so important, but there are so many options and who has the time? You just finished selecting countertops, cabinet styles, you sorted through hundreds of tones of grey (or white or navy!) paint. It seems like the final stretch, you are almost done. Your cabinets are arriving next week (exciting!), and then you realize...no hardware. No hardware! You haven't selected your hardware, and you think well, where do I start? 

Nowadays, it is quite possible that your options will be chrome, polished nickel, satin nickel, matte black, oil rubbed bronze, or last but not least, brass. And so you decide to go with brass because who can resist all the beautiful brass hardware on Pinterest against the gorgeous gray or navy background of a perfectly finished cabinet surface? Then you realize, brass is not just brass there is an overwhelming number of brass finishes, which is where we come in.

We're here to provide you with an easy and quick primer on the main brass finishes. Hopefully, we can at least we can save you time with that step!

By way of summary, we will describe three brass finishes below: (1) Polished Brass, (2) Brushed Brass, and (3) Satin Brass. We will also discuss a bit of champagne bronze which is technically not called brass but it has soared in popularity among brass lovers.

Polished Brass

 

Pictured: Lew's Hardware Bar Pulls in Polished Brass

Lew's Hardware's drawer pulls and knobs are a perfect example (pictured above). Polished brass most often means it is solid brass that has been polished and finished with a lacquer to prevent tarnishing and patina over time. Polished brass tends to be bright and shiny, and very reflective.

Now, I should note that unlike the Lew's Hardware knobs and handles pictured above, which are solid brass, a similar finish is often found in hardware made of other metal alloys. The metal is sometimes electroplated and similarly finished with a lacquer. Though not as heavy as brass, other metals can also have a beautiful finish, which will often be called polished brass. In such a case, it will be due to the similarity of the finish to polished brass, but it may not be solid brass. Such is the case with our gorgeous Luna Brass Cabinet Handles pictured below:

Pictured: Luna Brass Cabinet Handles

Brushed Brass

 Brushed brass is one of the most popular finishes of the past few years and its popularity can be easily explained: this finish is modern and can make a statement without being flashy, and it can be bright and warm at the same time. Now, as to what the finish looks like, brushed brass tends to have tiny brush marks throughout, as it someone slightly wiped the surface with steel wool. Again, Lew's Hardware is a great example of the perfect finish. These designer pulls offered in a squared t-bar and round version flaunts that brushed finish for a modern and elegant look.

 

 

' Pictured: McCobb Style Mid-Century Brass Cabinet Knob

Satin Brass

Last but not least, another popular finish that has many fans in the design world, satin brass. Though the term is used interchangeably with brushed brass due to their similarities, satin brass is, in fact, a bit different from brushed brass, mainly because it does not feature the distinctive brush marks that characterize the brushed brass finish. Ultimately, we see customers use the two finishes interchangeably because you usually have to look at brushed brass very closely to find that it's not satin brass.

Our Luxe collection is a perfect example of the beauty the satin brass finish has to offer. The Luxe collection features a wide range of sizes, many matching knobs and two sizes of satin brass appliance handles. 

Now, it's important to note that not all satin brasses are created equal. While the finish is matte and beautiful on all satin brass hardware, the tone of the brass itself can have slight variations among different collections so it's important to always either use items from the same collection or send us a quick (of chat!) so we can point you to all the matching items. For example, the Freestone collection has a  different satin brass tone than the Luxe collection above, even though they are both made with satin brass finish.

 

As you can see, satin brass is not shiny, it is sort of matte and offers the perfect balance of gleam. Satin brass is soft, which you will notice when you enter the room, and you will notice it for the right reasons: because it looks perfect against every background color, navy, white, gray, you name it! Satin brass is the cabinet hardware that makes a subtle statement: it's bold and also elegant.

Satin brass is often finished with a top coat/lacquer so that the beautiful finish is maintained through time. For that reason, satin brass finishes often do not patina. This is not to be confused with the living finish of plain brass, which may look similar but will patina over time since that is what brass naturally does. It may be difficult to tell whether your brass item will patina or not, therefore sometimes it is important to ask the manufacturer or supplier whether the item is lacquered (if this is important to your vision for the project). In our case, all items are lacquered unless the title or descriptions specifically states that the item is unlacquered.

Last but not least, we bring you our forever loved Texture collection of satin brass knurled drawer pulls, knobs and appliance handles, which has a satin brass finish that resembles the Luxe collection discussed above. 

Now, although this post is meant to cover brass finishes, we did want to quickly cover a very popular finish that is also a designer favorite. The Delta faucet trademark finish called "Champagne Bronze" is a favorite and it has been for some time now. It's a beautiful brass-resembling finish but a little warmer to go well with the champagne bronze finish found in Delta's beautiful faucets. The champagne bronze finish is also fairly matte and modern. 

 

 

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit aluminum hairline finish.

Below you will see some more examples of this beautiful finish, which by the way also goes well with Brizo's beautiful Luxe Gold. 

The above Luna pulls come in a beautiful finish that matches the Delta Champagne Bronze faucets and can be used in bathrooms and kitchen renovations alike. 

 

 

In addition to the beautiful Dash collection picture in the picture above, we have many other items in the champagne bronze finish to give you many options in the event you are trying to fins cabinetry hardware to match your new fantastic faucet. You can click here, to see more champagne bronze eye candy.

Thank you for reading our post and we hope it proves helpful in selecting the perfect brass cabinet hardware for your project!

 

Your Questions Answered About Satin Brass

Brass finishes have come back in recent years, and we think that trend is here to stay. When brass is used in homes in different finishes, it adds gold accents that feel like jewelry accessories.

Brass finishes can vary greatly, from antique to polished ' endless options. However, Satin Brass has been the stand-out finish in trends. The matte look is inviting and elegant ' ideal for home design

We made it simple with so many options to choose from with brass finishes. Below we've explained the differences in standard finishes and answered all your questions about satin brass.

What is Satin Brass

Satin brass is a hardware finish with a more muted color than unfinished brass. The color lends closer to a golden brown and has a soft texture from light brush marks.

Due to its warmer tone and subdued look, satin brass can be used in a modern or traditional home. When satin brass is used in hardware, it looks beautiful in interior sets, entry sets, and even cabinet hardware.

Our Satin Brass has very fine brush marks, almost invisible to the naked eye. The hardware is then coated in a satin lacquer, giving it that matte appearance.

 

Is Satin Brass the same as Brushed Brass?

Satin Brass and Brushed Brass are often mistaken for one another due to their similarities ' but they are indeed different. Satin Brass finishes do not have distinct brush marks, although they are similar in color.

Durable yet striking, polished brass is used in traditional designs. The bright brass adds elegance, just like gold jewelry.

In contrast to satin brass, the difference is clear. Satin brass had a subdued finish, while polished brass shines brightly.

Satin Brass Home Finishes

Brass hardware looks beautiful in any home ' no matter your design style. All of our hardware is made from solid brass but has multiple finishes. Currently, satin brass has been the first choice for customers in their homes.

Satin Brass door knobs look luxurious, and the soft appearance adds warmth. Plus, the satin lacquer preserves the solid brass hardware for years.

Our durable satin lacquer works exceptionally well for entry sets or high-use door knobs. Our entry sets are forged from solid brass and withstand some of the harshest outdoor elements. Tie your design together with our satin brass hinges. Our heavy-duty hinges come in a wide variety and are resilient enough for commercial or residential doors. Learn more about our solid brass hinges.

Mixing Home Finishes

Long gone are the days of "matchy-matchy" hardware. With many finishes to choose from, experimenting with different finishes is now the new normal.

Satin brass is ideal for mixed finishes. If your kitchen has stainless steel appliances, don't be afraid to have brass cabinet hardware or brass kitchen door hardware.

The matte finish and the soft, warm color look beautifully mixed in with satin nickel, chrome, and even black. If mixing different color hardware differs from your style, stick with mixing different brass finishes. Polished, antique, and unlacquered brass all blend well together.

Accessorize with Satin Brass

Home finishes in satin brass feel like adding gold accessories to your outfit. It adds warmth and a bit of glam and ties the whole look together.

With our versatile hardware selection, we recommend adding satin brass interior sets, entry sets, or hinges to your home today.

 

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