This is polished copper on day one.

Left to patinate, copper darkens under hands. On the right building that is the specification working, not the finish failing.

Five cupboard knobs in a polished copper finish, under raking light — Cupboard knobs, polished copper.

Will it stay looking like that?

No, and it is not meant to. Brass and bronze left to patinate are exempt from the corrosion requirement, because the patina is the point. Tell the client before handover, not after the first complaint.

The ones we schedule most

Satin stainless steelSSS

Polished stainless steelPSS

Polished brassPB

Satin brassSB

Antique brassAB

Polished chromePC

Satin chromeSC

Polished nickelPN

Satin nickelSN

Real bronze, natural patina

Dark bronze

Matt blackMB

Satin anodised aluminiumSAA

Drawn, not photographed: these show hue only. Metal is directional and specular. Codes are not standardised, so where a schedule crosses two makers we write the full name as well.

Every code, and what it means

A finish can be wrong for a building.

That is a specification fault, not a manufacturing one. It is settled before the order, not after the corrosion.

Where do finishes actually fail?

Lacquered brass at the coast. Standard stainless in a pool. Grade 316 adds molybdenum and resists chlorides, which is why it is the coastal and pool specification.

Corrosion grades to BS EN 1670

A timber doorset in a circulation corridor, with a satin metal lever, protection plate and vision panel surround — One finish, repeated: the lever, the protection plate, the vision panel surround.

A fluted lever handle on a reeded round rose, polished nickel

A screen lies about metal

Metal is specular. It shifts with the light in the room, the lacquer and the maker's polish. Hold the shortlist against the actual door face before you commit.

Matching and refinishing an existing finish

We will post the finishes that will survive your building.

Order a sample set 020 8500 2500