Bronze and brass, what’s the difference, you might ask? Well, they are just as different as they are alike, both being unique in their own way. Brass is a metal alloy that is composed of copper and zinc. Additionally, other metals are used in the production of brass to help with its increased strength, corrosion resistance, and manipulating the color of the metal. In addition, brass is very malleable and therefore it can have dimples or hammering while maintaining its strength and providing a beautiful appearance.

In contrast, the composition of bronze consists of copper and tin. This causes bronze to be more brittle, similar to iron, thus making it harder and not as malleable compared to brass. Compared to brass, bronze is more resistant to corrosion, which allows it to withstand exposure from the outside elements. Thus, bronze door hardware will last longer in coastal environments than brass hardware. This also applies to statues and ornamental bronze plaques that are outside.

Even though bronze and brass share a common metal of copper, the two metals have completely different textures and physical appearances. Bronze has a lot more texture to it than brass does. When looking at bronze hardware, you’ll notice that it has a natural roughness but still can have a smooth finish. The tin used in the composition of bronze contributes to its solidity and universal texture. In brass, the copper gives the metal its shiny appearance and malleability. When there is more copper in brass, it becomes softer. If there was more zinc in the brass, it would be much harder.

Brass and bronze are two vastly different materials despite sharing a common composition element. Bronze leans more towards a rustic feel while polished yellow brass is more traditional amongst hardware in residential homes in the American Southeast. Even though they are different, they both are still beautiful and unique in their own ways.