Hardware Guide
Choose unlacquered brass if you want hardware that darkens into a natural, one-of-a-kind patina and you don't mind polishing it whenever you want the shine back. Choose lacquered brass, such as Nostalgic Warehouse Polished Brass, if you want a bright gold look that stays consistent for years without polishing. Both start as the same solid forged brass; the only difference is whether a protective lacquer coat is applied.
New York Entry Set with New York Knob in Unlacquered Brass, Nostalgic Warehouse
The Real Difference Comes Down to One Coat of Lacquer
Every Nostalgic Warehouse finish starts from the same solid forged brass, assembled by hand in the USA. What separates unlacquered and lacquered brass is a single step at the very end.
Unlacquered Brass is left bare, so air, moisture, and the oils from your hands gradually darken it. That's why it's called a living finish. Polished Brass gets a lacquer coat that protects it from further color change. Antique Brass, Antique Pewter, Bright Chrome, Satin Nickel, and Timeless Bronze are lacquered too, so hardware in those finishes looks consistent for years.
Compare every finish side by side on our Finishes page.
Unlacquered Brass vs. Polished Brass vs. Antique Brass at a Glance
| Unlacquered Brass | Polished Brass | Antique Brass | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protective layer | None (a raw, living finish) | Lacquer | Lacquer |
| Color over time | Darkens into a natural patina | Stays bright and consistent | Keeps its aged tone consistent |
| Upkeep | Let it age, or polish to restore shine | Wipe clean; no polishing needed | Wipe clean; no polishing needed |
| Best for | Restorations, period homes, anyone who loves character | Classic shine that holds, inside or at the front door | An aged look without waiting for patina |
Featuring our Meadows Long Plate with New York Knob in Polished Brass on the left and Meadows Entry Set with Egg & Dart Knob in Unlacquered Brass on the right
You'll find the same designs offered in each finish, such as the Meadows Switch Plate with Single Rocker in Unlacquered Brass and its Polished Brass version, so you can choose based on how you want your hardware to look in five years.
Does Unlacquered Brass Tarnish? What Day to Day Looks Like
Yes, and that's the point. Unlacquered brass starts out bright, then oxidizes into a deeper, softer tone. The change isn't uniform: a front door knob grabbed many times a day ages differently than a knob on a cupboard you rarely open, and humidity and cooking play a part too.
Many owners love that unevenness, because it's what gives original hardware in old houses its character. If you'd rather your hardware look exactly the same next year, that's your signal to go with lacquered.
How to Clean Unlacquered Brass Without Losing the Patina
Cleaning removes grime; polishing removes patina. To keep the aged look:
- Wipe with a soft, dry or slightly damp cloth.
- For fingerprints or kitchen grease, use a drop of mild dish soap in warm water, then rinse and dry right away.
- Skip brass polish, abrasive pads, and harsh cleaners, since they strip the patina along with the dirt.
Want the shine back? A soft cloth and brass-safe polish will restore it, and once you stop, the patina starts building again. Watch that process in our original guide, The Enduring Allure of Unlacquered Brass Hardware.
Can You Stop Unlacquered Brass From Changing Color?
Not permanently, because changing is what a living finish is designed to do. You can polish it on a regular schedule to hold the bright look, or start with a finish built not to change: Polished Brass for lacquered shine, or Antique Brass for the aged look without the wait.
Front Door or Bathroom: Is Lacquered Brass Better?
It depends on how much change you're comfortable with. Unlacquered brass works on a front door, and plenty of homeowners choose it there, but sun, rain, and constant handling speed up the patina. Polished Brass holds its color, though lacquer is a coating, so heavy use and harsh weather can wear on it over the years.
If you want hardware on a front door or a humid bathroom to look the same year after year, choose a lacquered finish. If you love the idea of hardware that records every season, unlacquered brass is the more personal choice. Before ordering from our Entry Sets collection, confirm your backset (2 3/8" or 2 3/4") and door thickness on the Technical Specs page, review the Installation Instructions, and read our guide to choosing a front door handle for sizing and style.
Victorian Long Plate with Crystal Knob in Antique Brass
Looking for a Different Style or Material?
Nostalgic Warehouse is part of a wider family of hardware brands built the same way, with real materials made to last. If your project calls for a different look:
- Grandeur Hardware: Luxury solid brass hardware with refined architectural styling for traditional, transitional, and contemporary homes
- Viaggio Hardware: contemporary solid brass door hardware with a distinct, Italian-inspired design sensibility.
- Ageless Iron Hardware: Solid cast iron door and cabinet hardware, and coordinating accessories featuring a distinctive matte black finish and timeless designs that complement rustic, traditional, farmhouse, and contemporary homes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will unlacquered brass tarnish if I don't polish it?
Yes, unlacquered brass will gradually darken into a patina if left unpolished. Air, moisture, and the oils from your hands react with the bare metal, so the pieces you touch most usually change fastest. You can polish it back to a bright shine at any time.
How do I clean unlacquered brass without losing the patina?
Wipe it with a soft cloth and, if needed, a little mild soap and warm water, then dry it right away. Avoid brass polish and abrasive cleaners, which remove the patina along with the dirt.
Can I stop unlacquered brass from changing color?
Not permanently, because unlacquered brass is a living finish designed to change. Regular polishing keeps it bright, or you can choose a finish that stays consistent, such as lacquered Polished Brass or Antique Brass.
Is lacquered brass better for a front door or a bathroom?
Lacquered brass is the better choice if you want the finish to remain unchanged. Unlacquered brass works in both spaces too, but expect its patina to develop faster there because of weather, moisture, and frequent handling.
Does unlacquered brass look different from Polished Brass when it's new?
When new, unlacquered brass and Polished Brass look remarkably similar, both displaying a bright, lustrous shine. The difference lies in how that appearance changes over time. Unlacquered brass naturally develops a rich patina as it ages, but its original brilliance can be restored with brass polish. Nostalgic Warehouse's Polished Brass finish, on the other hand, features a protective lacquer coating that helps preserve its shine without regular polishing.
Shop Unlacquered and Lacquered Brass Hardware
Ready to decide? Browse the full Unlacquered Brass collection for interior sets, entry sets, deadbolts, cabinet hardware, and switch plates in a living finish, or explore Polished Brass for classic shine that stays put.
