Yes, and it is some of our favorite work in Tacoma. We can match a new bronze or brass railing to the aged metalwork and hardware already in a craftsman or Victorian home, tuning the patina so the new piece does not look out of place beside the original detail. We can also reproduce an existing ornamental design. Because we fabricate and finish by hand, this kind of period matching is well within what we do.

Yes, and bronze is ideal, especially near the water. Outdoors it weathers to a protective patina rather than corroding, and for exterior railings near Commencement Bay and the Sound we use silicon bronze, the marine-grade alloy, so the salt air is no concern. Polished brass can go outside but patinas faster in the coastal damp, so we usually specify bronze for exterior work in Tacoma.

Brass develops a patina as it reacts with air, which on a historic home is often desirable. To keep a railing bright, we lacquer it, and upkeep is just occasional dusting. To let it age, or to match existing aged metalwork, we leave it unlacquered. A living-finish bronze is meant to age and needs essentially no maintenance. We match the approach to the home and the look you are after.

Both are warm copper alloys with different character. Brass, copper and zinc, is brighter and golden and takes a high polish, which suits modern interior accents. Bronze, copper and tin, is warmer and browner and weathers to a stable patina, which makes it the traditional choice for historic and exterior work. In Tacoma we use bronze heavily for period homes and exterior railings, with polished brass for modern interiors, and we will recommend the right one.