Brass is a unique metal that is widely used worldwide. While similar to metals like copper and bronze (due to all three containing copper), brass was only saw broad use much later in history due to the difficulty of making it using historical techniques. In contemporary times, however, brass sees wide use in plumbing, musical instruments, and particularly in architectural projects.
The use of brass in the architectural community is very significant, as this metal’s unique color and properties can add a striking splash of ornate color while contributing key functional properties as well. Our team at Polished Metals produces a wide range of brass products for architecture and design purposes. Today, we’re taking a closer look at brass and its role in architecture, interior design, and more.
What Is Architectural Brass?
Architectural brass is a colloquial term for brass that is put to use in architectural projects. Unlike architectural bronze, which refers to a specific type of metal—namely, C385 bronze—architectural brass is more of a catch-all name for a variety of different metals.
While architectural brass is distinct from architectural bronze, it should be noted that all of these metals are technically forms of brass. The primary difference, however, is that architectural bronze has a more reddish color, making it more similar in appearance to traditional bronze, while other brasses used in architecture tend to align with the more typical yellow brass appearance.
Architectural Use Cases for Brass
Yellow Brass – #8 Mirror Finish
Brass is widely used in architecture, both for exterior and interior sections of buildings. Let’s take a look at a few common examples of how this metal is put to use.
Exteriors
Brass sees significant use on building exteriors. While not typically the metal of choice for full exteriors, brass sheet metal may sometimes be used on facades, particularly naval brass in harsher (often coastal) environments.
More commonly, brass is used for elements such as railings, doorknobs, handles, and balustrades. Brass may also be used for signage, as it resists weathering; similarly, brass door hinges and fasteners, such as screws and nails, are also a common sight as brass stands up well against corrosion.
Interiors
Interior design is where brass really shines within the architectural community—often literally. The yellowish appearance of brass is fairly unique among metals. It evokes the appearance of gold, though of course it is significantly less expensive. This enables brass products to give a sense of ornateness and luxury without incurring exorbitant costs.
For this reason, brass is seen in countless interior elements in modern buildings. Within building interiors, brass may be used for railings, frames, trim, and handles; for visible plumbing fixtures such as faucets and hidden components such as pipes; and for detailing on elevators and escalators, including doors, ceiling and wall panels, and much more.
Why Brass?
Brass and its many varieties see frequent use in the architectural community. There are several key reasons for this.
One is the overall corrosion resistance that brass provides. As a “red” metal—that is, an alloy of copper—brass does not rust. It resists many forms of corrosion, particularly varieties like Muntz metal, which was made for marine applications.
Another key property is its appearance. Where the stereotypical view of “metal” is often silver—and indeed, metals like aluminum and stainless steel dominate many industries—the assorted varieties of brass provide a unique balance to the available color palette for designers. Those creating ornate spaces can lean wholly or in part on brass elements, using brass as either a complement or the centerpiece of their overall design vision.
Overall, the various types of brass in the metal industry make excellent choices for various architectural applications.
Polished Metals: Your Experts in Architectural Brass and Bronze
Here at Polished Metals, our team is renowned for our work within the architectural space. This includes working with world-famous designers including I.M. Pei, Jessica Jamroz, and Frederic Schwartz over the decades we’ve been operating.
As a detail-oriented and highly skilled metal finishing company, our team has the experience, expertise, and capacity to handle high-volume architectural projects involving a wide range of red metals—from brass to bronze to everything in between, including a long list of architectural bronze products.
If you have questions about our inventory or would like a quote for your project, please reach out to us.