What To Look For When Buying Brass Hardware

Lacquered brass has a clear protective coating that prevents tarnishing and patina development. The finish stays consistent over time. This requires less maintenance but eliminates the living finish characteristic some people love.

Unlacquered brass will develop patina. The rate depends on how much you handle it and environmental factors. Kitchen cabinet hardware touched daily will patina faster than door hardware you rarely use. Some manufacturers offer wax treatments to slow patina development while maintaining the unlacquered look.

Antique brass finishes are usually lacquered to lock in the aged appearance. The manufacturer creates the patina chemically, then seals it. You get the vintage look without ongoing changes. This offers the best of both worlds for many homeowners.

Hardware size matters more than most people realize. A small knob on a large cabinet door looks wimpy. An oversized pull on a tiny drawer looks cartoonish. Manufacturers offer multiple size options for this reason.

Standard cabinet knobs measure between one and one and a half inches in diameter. Drawer pulls typically range from three to six inches in length for kitchen applications. Measure your existing hardware before ordering replacements to maintain proper proportion.