Bronze hardware is one of the classic materials used in fixtures and hardware. It ranks up there with wrought iron in older buildings in the sheer number of instances you can find it. Bronze remains popular because of its many benefits, and that’s why it rivals chrome hardware and plumbing fixtures in modern homes. Let’s look at some of the benefits of using bronze hardware in your home.

The Aesthetics

Bronze Hardware has the same allure as gold but for a fraction of the cost. Bronze door knobs, drawer knobs and handles pop out from the surrounding surfaces. Not only is it attractive, but it has the practical benefit of standing out. Where do you turn on the water? Where is the door knob? Where is the pull handle for the cabinet? A side benefit of bronze is that it blends into almost any décor. It works just as well in classic bathrooms filled with antiques or modern bathrooms with minimalist décor. Heritage brass pull handles look equally good in historic buildings and modern new construction. 

Better yet, the bright finish, if you choose the shiny versions, will last nearly as long as the door knocker or door handle. If you choose a matte finish, it will resist wear and tear.

 

The Functional Benefits

Bronze was popular for years because the bronze hardware can last for years. There is a common misconception that bronze items will rust in a few months or years. However, that’s generally due to the number of items that only have a bronze coating over a cheaper metal item. It is these oiled bronze fixtures that also show dark scratches when the bronze surface treatment is marred.

In reality, bronze door hardware will stand years of hard use and abuse along with exposure to the elements. The slightly higher cost of these items is offset by the much longer life expectancy of these items. Bronze has superior mechanical performance to brass, too, a material that resembles it. You can tell the difference between the two because real bronze has rings on the surface, though they’re often faint.

The Low Maintenance Requirement

Oiled bronze is intended to be oiled to protect it, while the living finish can show the passage of time. You can also buy bronze hardware engineered to have the same appearance without the same maintenance requirements. If you do want to protect the finish, you can use basic car wax instead of expensive materials.

There are other benefits to using bronze in general. For example, bronze won’t rust, and it resists metal fatigue better than many other metals. Bronze conducts heat and electricity but not as well as copper, and that’s a benefit when you’re choosing door hardware. You’re less likely to get shocked when you touch it after walking across the static-ridden carpet, and you won’t feel the outside cold when you grab the door handle.

Bronze hardware can often be welded, and that is a plus if you want to be able to repair it instead of having to replace it. Bronze allows can also be brazed and soldered.