Unlacquered brass
At Copenhagen Home Design, you will find many products made from brass. Brass is a living material that changes over time: it develops patina. This process begins when you receive your product and open its packaging. Untreated brass naturally develops patina as the metal oxidises and comes into contact with its surroundings, such as air or water. In short, the product's appearance will continue to change.
During this process, a layer of darker tones forms on the existing metal. The way a product develops patina varies considerably. If you have bought brass kitchen handles, knobs or door handles, they may even develop different patinas, creating a dynamic, individual look in your home. As a general rule, patina is most noticeable where a product is touched most often. It may begin as small spots or darker areas before becoming more even over time.
If you want to slow the development of patina, you can polish a brass product with a suitable polish to reveal the original surface again. Always choose the right care product for the metal and finish.
For our brass lights from Thorup Copenhagen, we also sell a Brass Care Kit. Its polishing sponge helps preserve the shine and light finish of the lamps.
Lacquered brass
If you do not want your kitchen handles or door handles to develop patina immediately, you can choose a lacquered version. Our collections of handles, knobs and door handles include a wide range of lacquered products. The product description states whether a product is lacquered. The lacquer protects against patination and helps the surface retain its uniform appearance for a long time.
What is patina?
The word patina comes from Italian and means a coating. Here, it refers to the layer that often forms on metals, particularly brass, copper and bronze, when they are exposed to air, water, changes in temperature or similar conditions. Patina is often used positively to describe a changing appearance: it shows that an object has been used and has a history. Many people feel that it makes a product even more beautiful than it was originally. That is why some deliberately allow their handles, knobs or door handles to develop patina, creating a distinctive surface as the product ages.
Explore our full range of brass handles and brass knobs if you would like to replace the existing handles and knobs in your home.
You can also read our other guides: choosing the hole spacing for door handles and sorting waste at home.
If you prefer a darker finish from the start, explore our bronzed brass handles. Always check the treatment and care instructions for the specific finish.
