Architectural Metal Finishes: Types and How to Choose Them

It is a planned change to the metal's surface. The metal is chosen, but the finish decides whether it looks quiet or dramatic, and whether it throws light back like a mirror or spreads it softly.

Mechanical finishes, such as brushing, sanding and polishing, give the metal direction, texture and a level of shine. Chemical finishes, such as blackening, patina and controlled rust, change its color and depth. Many projects use both, for example brushing first and blackening after.

Brushing is the classic architectural finish. It leaves fine lines in one direction, cuts glare and suits large surfaces such as doors, cladding and fronts. Brushed Brass and Brushed Zinc are good examples. Polishing does the opposite. Polished Brass, Polished Bronze and Polished Copper reflect light like a mirror and sharpen every line.

Blackening deepens the tone to dark brown or black, from matte charcoal to a graphite sheen. Patina adds depth and color, from the smoky brown of Smoked Patina Brass, through the gradual fade of Ombre Patina Brass, to the green blue of Copper Tiffany Patina.

Then there is the steel family. Corten Steel is darker and quieter, and Rust is warmer and more orange. In both, the rust is stopped and sealed under a clear coat, so it does not rub off on hands, clothes or the floor, and it does not keep rusting indoors.

Because every metal reacts in its own way. Copper, brass and bronze respond readily to chemistry, so they take a wide range of tones. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, so the same patina gives it a different tone than it gives copper.

Stainless steel and aluminum are another story. They do not react like the copper family, and each needs a process of its own. That is why planning a finish always starts with what the piece is made of, and only then with the tone you want.

No. We have four ways to reach a finish, and each starts from a different material. When the piece is already solid metal, the way is Metal Finishes on Solid Metals. We polish, brush, blacken or age the metal itself, on brass, bronze, copper, stainless steel, steel, aluminum, zinc and Corten. Metal workshops send us the pieces they make, and we give them the finish the design calls for.

For pieces made of other materials, there are two ways to get a finish made with real metal. The first is Liquid Metal Coating – MetaliQ. Real metal powder in a binder is sprayed onto MDF, wood, metal, aluminum or stainless steel, then sanded, polished, brushed or aged like metal, in brass, bronze, copper, zinc, iron, Corten, aluminum or a blend mixed to order. The coating is lighter than solid brass and works on shapes that are hard to make from sheet metal.

The second is Arc Wire Spraying – TruMetal. Two metal wires are melted by an electric arc and sprayed onto a prepared surface, building a layer of metal. Sprayed copper, brass and bronze take a patina, and sprayed zinc protects steel from corrosion. With both methods the piece underneath keeps its own material. What changes is the surface, which looks and feels like metal.

When the design calls for color rather than metal. Architectural Painting – LuxKote is professional wet painting in solid colors and designer paint effects, on metal, aluminum, stainless steel, MDF and wood. We work with paints from Cerakote, Mipa, Sikkens and other makers, and we match a color from any catalogue or from a sample you already have.

Here too, preparation is what turns a painted surface into an architectural one. Edges, joints and long surfaces that catch the light show every shortcut.

Because most of the difference between a professional finish and a random one is made before the finish begins. Traces of oil, polishing compound or dust change the chemical reaction and leave marks. Uneven sanding or brushing gives an uneven patina, and the light shows it straight away.

Patina and blackening are a chemical reaction. You have to know how to start it, watch it and stop it at the right moment, because that moment sets the tone. At the end we protect the finish with a clear coat chosen for how the piece will be used.

Start with three questions. Where will the piece stand, indoors or outdoors? How often will people touch it, and how will it be cleaned? And what light falls on it, strong daylight, grazing side light or soft diffused light?

In strong side light, brushing or a cloudy finish calms the reflections. On a sculptural form, polishing brings out the lines. Outdoors all four ways can work, and we choose the base and protection with you for the conditions. Care is simple. Wipe with a soft cloth and a neutral cleaner, and skip anything abrasive.

Then pick the finish from our sample set, or order a custom sample for your project. Pieces are usually ready 2 to 4 weeks after the sample is approved. We have 10 years and more than 1,000 projects behind us in Israel and around the world, all made in our own production facility.