Unlacquered brass and unlacquered satin brass are two of our most popular finishes, and we often get customers who are caught between the two.
Both are very elegant finishes, but they do have some clear differentiators that set them apart.
In this guide, we’ll get into the differences between the two so you can figure out which finish is the best choice for your home.
If you’re not sure about which finish to choose, we highly recommend visiting our finish page for each as a starting point:
Unlacquered Brass
Unlacquered brass is a classic option that really showcases brass and how it changes over time.
It has a classic gold tone, and will appear polished and shiny when you first receive your fitting. Over time, a unique patina will start to develop, giving it a unique and timeless appearance.
If you want a fitting that will change over time, you can’t go wrong with unlacquered brass. However, some customers prefer the initial shiny appearance and want their fittings to stay this way for as long as possible.
Unlacquered Satin Brass
Unlacquered satin brass is a different take on the traditional brass finish.
For this finish, it undergoes a specialised process to achieve a soft, brushed texture that imparts a subtle matte sheen.
This finish is more minimalist and less shiny than unlacquered brass, and works great both for modern and minimalist designs. It is also an excellent option for high traffic areas, as unlacquered satin brass has high durability and is very difficult to scratch or mark.
It also requires less upkeep due to the uniform nature of the finish.
How To Choose Between These Two Options
Both finishes are incredible in the right setting; it all comes down to personal preference in the overall look and what you are looking for in terms of durability and upkeep.
Aesthetics
Unlacquered brass and unlacquered satin brass both develop patinas, but the effect is more noticeable on unlacquered brass rather than the satin version.
Aside from that, the main difference in aesthetic is clearly that unlacquered satin is brushed, and has more of a subtle finish, whereas unlacquered brass is shinier and stands out more strongly.
As mentioned previously, both are great picks depending on the aesthetic you are looking for.
Maintenance
Unlacquered brass requires slightly more upkeep if you want to keep it looking shinier. Unlacquered satin brass, on the other hand, requires less maintenance.
Durability
Unlacquered satin brass is slightly better for durability, however both finishes are built to last for a long time, so this really comes down to situations where the fixture will be getting a lot of use.
Style Preference
Interior styling plays a big role in choosing between any of our finishes here at Francone Bespoke Taps.
If you’re lost on how to choose a tap for your specific interior style, we have a mini-series on the topic, and you can find the latest articles below:
These are a great starting point if you don’t know where to even begin, and you may find that a different finish is more suited for your space.
The unlacquered satin brass is more subtle, whereas unlacquered brass stands out more and works well as a centerpiece.
Final Thoughts
Unlacquered brass and unlacquered satin brass are both amazing choices for taps, shower fittings, and more.
Both of these develop a patina over time, with unlacquered brass giving a shinier appearance versus the more subtle nature of unlacquered satin brass.
If you need any help at all with the decision, feel free to reach out to our team today - we can even help with custom projects if you can’t find a design that works for your space.
