You might be interested to know how we achieve our range of different finishes? Sometimes the colour of the base metal isn't even reflected in the end product.

Powder coating is a protective, decorative coating applied to metal surfaces using dry powder. Compared with other coating methods, such as liquid coating, it releases no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and so fewer pollutive emissions.

The process is also less wasteful of material, since excess powder (the stuff that doesn’t apply to the product in question) can be collected and reused for another cycle. The end result is a highly durable, easily maintained quality coating.

Our Matte Black ARMSTRONG Kitchen Tap is an example of a powder coated product.

Anodising is an electrochemical process that converts the surface of a metal (usually aluminium or titanium) into a rich, decorative metallic finish. The natural oxide layer of the metal is thickened, making it highly durable and less subject to corrosion, so easy to maintain and clean. As the finish is integral to the metal, it will not peel or flake.

Many of our new aluminium products are anodised, often to create a black finish. Check out our PLANE T-Bar Handle, for example.

Electroplating is a process that uses an electric current to produce a metal coating on solid objects. As well as offering hardiness and a corrosion-resistant layer of protection, it also creates a slick, aesthetically pleasing finish. 

Electroplating isn’t the most efficient of processes, involving multiple steps that are both time and cost intensive — as well as producing waste material. Whilst this was once our approach to applying black and silver-toned finishes to our solid brass products, we now try to avoid electroplating when opting for products with a base metal of aluminium or stainless steel.

PVD stands for Physical Vapour Deposition, and is sometimes referred to as Thin-film Coating.  It’s a process of depositing thin films (roughly 2-5 microns) of a vaporised material onto a solid object, creating a high performing protective coating. It’s a popular choice for hardware and furniture products, because of its incredibly resistant properties. 

Compared with other coating techniques, PVD is considered environmentally friendly and ecologically safe.

Our Brass PORTMAN Tap and ARMSTRONG Tap are finished with a PVD Coating. You need your kitchen tap to withstand years of action, afterall.

Wax coating is as straightforward as it sounds. Metal products are coated in a natural wax to protect them from developing natural patinas in the short term. However, given that the wax is unsealed, oxidation will eventually happen over time with wear.

In its raw form, brass is an example of a metal that naturally oxidises with age. With exposure to the elements (moisture), the metal will naturally age and develop a discolouration, or patina — some love brass for this, but others like to protect it and keep it in its glossy finish. Wax coating is a particularly good solution for brass products used externally. The wax can be removed, the brass repolished and a new coat applied.