Colonial Bronze

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Colonial Bronze Company: Fine Brass Hardware since 1927

So the question is, which is it, Bronze or Brass. And while we're at it, what is the difference between the two anyway?

Some of the confusion comes from the fact that Brass and Bronze are closely related alloys. Brass is a combination of copper and zinc, whereas Bronze has a higher copper content, most commonly combined with tin, but it can be made with a variety of other metals as well.

Bronze is by far the older alloy, dating back 5500 years, to the period known as the "Bronze Age." Brass on the other hand only came about 2500 years ago, a relative newcomer as cabinet hardware materials go.

Enough History, What's the Practical Difference When it Comes to Cabinet Knobs?

The main difference as far as cabinet hardware is concerned is that Brass is a metal of choice for high-caliber "functional" hardware, whereas Bronze is the more beautiful metal and is used exclusively for high-end "artistic hardware."

So Brass is an upgrade over zinc, the metal used to make most mass-produced cabinet hardware on the market. Like zinc, Brass allows for producing large numbers of identical pieces of hardware. Crucially, it also allows for the hardware finishes to be permanent. Indeed, Colonial Bronze, which does in fact make its hardware from Brass, guarantees its hardware finishes for life.

Bronze on the other hand is rarely used in cabinet hardware production, and is only used by premium brands. When buying Bronze hardware, expect each piece to be a little bit different, truly one of a kind production. We currently sell two brands that make their pieces out of true Bronze, Rocky Mountain Hardware and Jaye Design. Both brands make it clear that their pieces come with "living finishes," meaning that the finishes will change over time as they're exposed to the elements. Some of these finishes are clear, allowing the natural beauty of the metal to shine through. Jaye Design also points out that customers should be sure to drill the holes in their cabinets after the pieces arrive, as the made-by-hand production requirements mean that the advertised measurements may not be exact for each cabinet pull.

Colonial Bronze Brass Hardware

So Colonial Bronze, as we have said, is truly Brass Cabinet Hardware. The advantage of the Brass over the Bronze is that it's less expensive, produces a more consistent product, and will have a finish that Colonial guarantees for a lifetime. The Brass is an upgrade in quality over the industry standard zinc construction, allowing for a high quality, highly consistent product.