Reactive Surfaces
Finishes
Brass is a reactive metal and many fabricators offer a few finishes. The most common, and best choice, is the Non-Directional Matte finish. This allows the metal to adapt and react to its environment with a matte finish that will quickly react once in use. Please understand that brass will always want to react to its environment and spots may form regardless of your coating or finish.
Patinas add a base color or pattern. This is an additional step that mimics what will happen naturally. Likewise, after the patination process, the metal will still react to its environment so keep in mind that the patina is not permanent.
Common Finishes
Non-directional matte
Light Brown Patina
Dark Brown Patina
Mottled Patina
How does it look with use?
We hear this question daily and we have a wide variety of answers because it is all based on how you use it and where it is installed. An outdoor kitchen near an ocean will look a lot different than a climate-controlled, heavily used restaurant bar. Either way, be prepared for a dynamic finish that changes frequently.
Typical Residential Kitchen
Be ready for spots to appear on the brass within the first few weeks of use. Usually the first marks will occur near work areas such as the sink or cooktop. As spots form, they will eventually overlap and form a mottled dark brown look. Frequency of cleanings, minerals in the water and type of use will all play a role in how it looks in your kitchen. All of the countertops on this page began with our Non-directional Matte finish.
RESTAURANT OR BAR
With heavy use and frequent cleanings, a week or two of use will make the bar top look like it has been there for decades. People can't resist touching it since it is smooth like stone yet looks classy. The best part is that brass is non-porous.
EXTERIOR USE
If used near an ocean where it will be in salty air, expect a greenish coating to oxidize on the surface of the brass. This is brass's way of protecting itself. With heavy use and frequent cleaning, as in most hospitality settings, this coating is not likely to form. In dryer air, the brass surface will age with class and natural beauty.
