Specifying Brass and Bronze for High-End Spaces
Brass and bronze—collectively known as red metals—are go-to materials for luxury spaces like VIP lounges, high-end hotels, and executive offices. With their rich tones, enduring beauty, and customizable finishes, they offer unmatched design potential. But when it comes to specifying brass or bronze, the details matter.
Here are five things architects and interior designers should consider when incorporating custom red metal fabrication into their next high-end project.
1. Finish and Polish: Form, Function, and Fingerprints
Brass and bronze are naturally corrosion-resistant and won’t rust like other metals, making them a smart choice for long-term durability. But polished finishes require thoughtful placement. That gorgeous high-polish brass bar top? It’ll show fingerprints. And while red metals don’t degrade, they do need occasional maintenance to stay pristine.
Design Tip: Brushed or antiqued finishes can help minimize visible wear in high-touch spaces while maintaining a warm, upscale aesthetic.
Can you coat high-polish brass to reduce fingerprints?
Yes—clear lacquer or epoxy coatings can reduce smudging and slow oxidation. They’re great for high-traffic areas where frequent cleaning isn’t practical. However, coatings may slightly dull the reflectivity or wear unevenly over time.
At Magma Build Studios, we often recommend embracing the natural aging of brass—fingerprints, patina, and all—as part of its luxurious character.
2. Patina and Custom Finishes: Letting the Metal Speak for Itself
Brass and bronze don’t need artificial coatings or paint to achieve depth and color—these red metals develop a patina over time that enhances their richness. Designers can lean into this natural evolution or request custom antiquing to accelerate the process.
Where aluminum or steel may require applied finishes to achieve the look, red metals offer a broader range of tones through natural patinas, chemistry, and skilled craftsmanship.
Learn more about brass and bronze finishes →
Color Without Coatings: Bronze and brass can shift from golden hues to warm browns, blacks, or even verdigris over time—no paint required.
3. Avoiding Seams: It’s All About the Alloy
Achieving a seamless appearance in brass or bronze designs requires strategic planning. Welding may be necessary, especially for panels or sculptural elements—but not all red metal alloys weld cleanly.
For example, yellow brass may offer the perfect color match, but poor weldability means you’d be left with visible screws or color-shifting seams. By selecting a more weld-friendly bronze alloy from the start, you can achieve a clean, continuous look with stronger structural integrity.
Designer Insight: Seamless finishes are possible—but alloy selection is critical. Early collaboration with your fabricator ensures your design vision and performance needs align.
4. Machineability vs. Weldability: Choosing the Right Alloy for the Job
Some alloys machine beautifully but resist welding. Others are ideal for welded construction but offer slightly different tones. This tradeoff often comes into play when selecting red metals for custom fabrication.
If a brass alloy can’t be welded, mechanical fasteners like screws or bolts are your next best option—but they may detract from the clean, uninterrupted look you’re aiming for.
Balancing Priorities: If maintaining a flawless finish is more important than the exact color tone, be open to slight adjustments in alloy to support your fabrication method.
5. Cost vs. Longevity: Red Metals as a Long-Term Investment
Brass and bronze come with a higher upfront cost than standard metals—but the long-term value is unmatched. These materials resist corrosion, wear beautifully, and can be refinished rather than replaced. For designers focused on creating enduring luxury, red metals are a wise investment.
Real Talk: Designers don’t specify brass and bronze for trends—they specify them for legacy. These are the materials that outlast fads and elevate experiences for years to come.
Need a Partner for Custom Red Metal Fabrication?
At Magma Build Studios, we collaborate with architects, designers, and millworkers to bring bold ideas to life using real brass, bronze, and copper—crafted with precision, engineered for performance, and made to stand the test of time.
Magma Build Studios AI Design Gallery
Browse a sample of our design work using artificial intelligence to generate ideas, explore options, and refine concepts. Every image on this page was created by Magma Build Studios using MidJourney. Our team has reviewed these images and knows how each idea could be fabricated in the real world.
