f you are like many in our area that have a beautiful home, but have
struggled with the condition of your exterior locksets – there is a
solution. Although your existing lockset may be plated with a variety
of finishes like oil rubbed bronze, satin nickel, polished brass, etc., the
base metal is brass.
Manufacturers of brass-based door hardware apply a clear lacquer to
the finished product to protect it from the elements. The trouble is
the elements in our area are tougher than the lacquer. Small, almost
invisible scratches caused by rings and keys create openings to the
brass underneath and eventually the surface becomes pitted and ugly.
You may be thinking “yes but I have lifetime brass”. It doesn’t matter.
The combination of a high concentration of salt, dirt and humidity are
just too corrosive for exterior use of brass products. A lifetime finish
guarantee assures homeowners that if the product doesn’t hold up, it
will be replaced. Most good manufacturers are good about honoring this
warranty, but who wants to replace their door hardware every 2 years?
The answer to this problem is bronze. In years past, when I visited multimillion
dollar homes, I noticed that most of them had ugly, pitted door
hardware which detracted from the home’s beauty. I did some research
and discovered that there are two materials that hold up in our climate –
stainless steel and bronze. Of the two, bronze considerably outperforms
stainless steel. Because of the chemical composition of bronze, an alloy
composed of copper, tin and silicone, it is much harder and resistant to
corrosive elements than any other metal. Bronze can be left alone for
years and will look almost the same as it did when new. The patina, or
color of the bronze, may darken a bit, but can be returned to its original
color with light cleaning.
I found buying bronze hardware in Sarasota difficult, so I opened Smitty’s
Architectural Hardware – a showroom offering a wide array of door
and cabinet hardware well suited to our climate. Sales of bronze door
hardware is about 70% and growing since more and more people are
discovering this gem.
For those who thought bronze was only available in dark brown hues,
the newer patinas range from very dark to very light finishes that look
similar to satin nickel. Styles range from very rugged traditional looks
to contemporary minimalistic styles. Several manufacturers of bronze
hardware are available at Smitty’s, some less expensive and some suited
for the most discriminating buyers.
So stop into Smitty’s. It is a “showroom within a showroom” inside The
Plumbing Place.
Your front door can finally be as good looking as the rest of your home
with the addition of a maintenance free, beautiful bronze lockset. What
a great first impression for those entering your home!
Smitty’s Architectural Hardware
at ThThThe Plumbing Place
5678 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota
941.378.5678 | theplumbingplace.com
/theplumbingplace.com