Notes on metal and finish
Considered writing on architectural metal and surface finishes, from the metalwork side of the table. Written for architects, designers and project teams choosing a finish for a real space.
Finishes
How to specify a metal finish
The substrate, finish and application triangle, the finish families, batch matching, durability and a spec checklist.
Stainless steel finishes for architecture
Mill, 2B and BA, brushed and satin, mirror and super mirror, bead blasted, and coloured PVD stainless.
Architectural bronze
Alloys, bronze versus brass, sheet and cladding, brushed, mirror and patinated finishes, and where each belongs.
Gold PVD vs gold plating
Is PVD real gold, how each wears, cost, the gold tones possible, and which finish to specify for a building.
Coloured stainless steel in architecture
How stainless is coloured by PVD: the palette, surface pairing, durability, and where coloured steel works.
Corten steel in architecture
How the rust patina forms and stabilises, facade and cladding use, run-off, and detailing for buildings.
Brass finishes for architecture
Brushed, satin, polished, antique and patinated brass, lacquered versus living, and how each ages.
Blackened steel, a finish guide for architecture
What it is, how it is made, the tones and texture, where it works, and how it is sealed and maintained.
Copper and bronze patina, a finish guide
The colour range from brown to verdigris, natural versus applied patina, how it is sealed, and where it works.
Caring for metal finishes
How to clean and protect brass, bronze, stainless, blackened steel and PVD, and keep each finish looking right.
Matching metal finishes across a project
Why finishes drift, batch and grain matching, sample plates, and how to hold one finish across a scheme.
Mirror-polished metal
Super mirror stainless, polished brass and bronze, where a reflective finish belongs, and how it is protected.
Blackened brass and bronze
Chemical patina on brass and bronze, the tones from smoke to near-black, how it is sealed, and where it works.
Sectors
Metal in superyacht interiors
Marine grade 316 stainless, brass and bronze, finishes that resist salt and corrosion, and detailing for yards.
Metalwork in restaurant and bar interiors
Back bars, counters, screens and dividers, with notes on finishes that take grease, heat and nightly cleaning.
Metalwork in hotel lobbies
Feature stairs, reception desks, screens and coloured surfaces, with notes on finish, durability and detailing.
Metal in lift interiors
Car walls, doors and ceilings in brushed and coloured PVD stainless, for the most-touched space in a building.
Materials
Metal mesh and woven metal in architecture
Woven, welded and expanded, facade, screen and ceiling uses, materials and finishes, open area, fixing and tension.
Perforated metal in architecture
Hole patterns and open area, facade, screen and ceiling uses, materials and finishes, and how sheets are fixed.
Fluted and textured metal
Fluted, ribbed, embossed and hammered surfaces, how texture catches light, and where a worked metal belongs.
Metal ceilings
Linear, panel, mesh and perforated ceilings, finishes overhead, acoustics and access, and how they are hung.