Brass vs. Bronze: A Comparison of Finishes

When choosing new faucets, fixtures, and accessories for the bathroom and kitchen, one of the biggest decisions a homeowner has to make is what type of finish to pick. While countless finishes are available, two of the most popular choices are brass and bronze. 

In addition, brass and bronze come in various styles, with each finish offering a unique set of features. This guide will walk homeowners through the main differences between brass and bronze and provide helpful tips for choosing the right finish depending on the homeowner’s needs.

Comparing Bronze to Brass

Both brass and bronze are popular choices for kitchens and bathrooms. Both finishes offer warmth and pair well with a myriad of home designs.

Polished brass tends to be a brighter choice, with a beautiful shine and high reflectivity. It is usually finished using a space-age technology known as PVD to prevent it from tarnishing over time. Polished brass does, however, show fingerprints and smudges easily due to the high shine of the finish.

Brass is also available in brushed brass and antique brass. These are lower in sheen than polished brass, with brushed brass featuring a textured, almost matte finish and antique brass featuring more orange and brown hues than its polished counterpart.

Bronze is available in numerous styles, and while it is still a warm finish, it has a more subdued look due to the patina of the finish. It also hides smudges and watermarks well, making it a great fit for high-use areas.

An Array of Bronze Choices

Bronze is a popular choice due to the array of options available. The following are three popular bronze options on the market:

• Naples bronze: One of the darkest bronze finishes, Naples bronze is a great choice for homeowners who want to implement a warm, deep finish into their bathroom or kitchen. This bronze has been distressed and offers a unique, non-uniform finish.
• Oil-rubbed bronze: Oil-rubbed bronze is a richly colored finish, usually dark brown in appearance with copper hues. The finish has been carefully aged to give it an older appearance while bringing out the depths of the bronze coloring.
• Antique copper: Similar to antique bronze, antique copper has been purposefully aged to give it an old-world appearance. This also tones down the natural pinks and oranges found in copper, providing a darker finish.

Which Is Right for My Home, Bronze or Brass?

Realistically, both bronze and brass make for excellent choices throughout the home. Which finish is right will have a lot to do with where the finish is being used and personal preferences.

Choose bronze when:

• It is being paired with white cabinets and drawers.
• It is in a high-use area where fingerprints or smudges are a concern.
• The design of the room is modern or minimalistic.

Choose brass when:

• It is being paired with colorful painted cabinet doors or drawers.
• It is in a low-use area where fingerprints aren’t a constant concern.
• The design of the room is traditional.

Shop Kingston Brass

Kingston Brass is the perfect place to begin for homeowners interested in implementing either brass or bronze fixtures into the bathroom or kitchen. Our online catalog features high-quality faucets, fixtures, and accessories in the latest and best finishes. Shop the online store today for inspiration.