Brass Fitting/Hardware
Architectural brass hardware encompasses door handles, lever sets, hinges, escutcheons, kick plates, cabinet hardware, window fittings, and decorative metalwork made from copper-zinc alloys. The most common architectural brass alloys are C26000 (Cartridge Brass, 70% Cu / 30% Zn) for stamped and drawn components, and C36000 (Free-Cutting Brass, 61.5% Cu / 35.5% Zn / 3% Pb) for precision machined parts. Brass is valued in architecture for its warm golden colour, excellent machinability, inherent antimicrobial properties (copper alloys kill >99.9% of bacteria within 2 hours), and traditional association with quality craftsmanship. Modern architectural brass hardware is available in numerous PVD and electroplated finishes including polished brass, satin brass, antique brass, brushed gold, aged bronze, and matt black. All brass hardware for fire doors must comply with AS 4145.2 in Australia. Brass is non-combustible, 100% recyclable, and develops a warm brown patina if left uncoated.
- Door lever handles and hardware sets
- Cabinet and joinery hardware
- Antimicrobial touch surfaces
- Heritage and restoration hardware
- Fire door hardware
Brass (copper-zinc alloy) has been produced since at least the Roman period, initially by cementation of copper with zinc ore (calamine). True brass casting from metallic zinc became widespread in Europe from the 16th century. Brass door furniture became standard in Georgian and Victorian architecture (18th-19th centuries), with Birmingham becoming the world centre of brass hardware manufacturing (the 'City of a Thousand Trades'). The standardisation of door lever sets, hinges, and lock furniture in the early 20th century established brass as the default material for quality architectural hardware. Post-war decades saw competition from aluminium, stainless steel, and zinc die-casting, but brass retained its premium positioning. The 2000s-2010s saw a strong revival of brass finishes in interior design ('warm metallics' trend), expanding beyond traditional polished brass to include satin, brushed, aged, and living finishes. Post-COVID (2020+), brass's antimicrobial properties drove renewed specification in healthcare and public buildings. In Australia, Designer Doorware, Windsor Hardware, and Zanda are leading suppliers of solid brass architectural hardware. Current trends include PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) finishes that provide extremely durable colour coatings on brass substrates, and 'living brass' finishes that develop natural patina over time.
DISCLAIMER: This specification document is generated from the CLAD Materials Atlas Database. Information is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Values are typical and may vary by batch, manufacturer, and production run. Verify suitability for specific project applications independently.