About Our Sinks and the Living Finish

About the Living Finish

Our sink basins are not sealed. You can expect that the finish will change over time and with use. Large scale sink manufacturers that work in copper alloys often use coatings that protect the metal surface from environmental factors preventing the patina or oxidation of the finish.

However, any coatings (metal lacquers, PVD, powder coating and others) applied to a high-use surface like a sink basin or counter top will eventually wear out in a few years. Coatings tend to wear out unevenly, especially near wear the water runs. PVD & powder coating will start to separate from the sink in a large sheet. In addition, they are more difficult to apply to a larger surface area such as that of a sink and require a mass production manufacturing process. We don’t do this with our sinks.

Our copper alloy sinks are sold with basins unsealed, resulting in what is called a “living finish,” and with a “burnished” finish, this is without any applied patina. Patina, oxidation, tarnish or water marks can be removed with brass cleaner; we use Barkeepers Friend Cleanser and a scouring pad to remove tarnish and patina, and take the burnished brass metal to a bare surface. However with a darker finish there would be an applied patina that would mimic the darkening that you get on copper alloys over time. That patina will wear off and change over time, and the end user can only scrub the remaining finish down to the bare metal and let the basin age and react to its environment.

Oil-Rubbed Bronze Hammered Apron Single Basin Sink

Material: Bronze
Finish: Oil-Rubbed Bronze
Basin: Living Finish; Smooth; single basin
Apron Style: Hammered; curved apron