Choosing Bronze In Your Home: Your Questions Answered

Does bronze turn green?

Bronze is an alloy, typically a mixture of copper with zinc or tin. Because it is an alloy, it can oxidise when exposed to air – which means over time, it will develop a ‘patina’. This patina protects the inner material from corrosion, which essentially means slight colouring on bronze is actually a healthy sign.

However, there is also a condition called ‘bronze disease’ which occurs when light powdery green spots appear on your bronze which flake away when touched. This can cause lasting damage and occurs through improper cleaning or from exposure to air rich in ammonia or salt. Bronze disease must be addressed immediately.

Will bronze rust?

Bronze does not contain iron and therefore cannot ‘rust’. It may tarnish or discolour over time but it cannot rust in the traditional sense of the metal – explaining why bronze statues from ancient periods are still intact in the modern day.

Will bronze corrode?

Bronze only corrodes on the top layer with the superficial patina mentioned in our earlier answer. It is, as such, a very hardwearing material that works well in homes where exposure to contaminated air is very unlikely.

Can bronze be recycled?

Bronze can be recycled by specialist scrap dealers. However, due to its extreme durability and longevity it is also an ‘eco-friendly’ material because it can be fitted once and kept for the lifetime of a home if maintained properly.

Can bronze be painted?

Bronze can technically be painted upon but would require a strong primer coat and a quality top coat. More often, customers polish their bronze to bring out its colour. If you want a more paintable material, our white etched prime plates are the perfect paint-ready socket and switch plates.

Can bronze be polished?

Yes – bronze is a material that benefits from polishing. However, there are two ‘types’ of bronze – mirror and milled styles which are either highly reflective or finely grained to reduce wear and tear and decrease the risk of smudging.

To polish effectively, use a soft damp cloth. Our bronze plates have a light lacquer coating which means they do not tarnish and can simply be polished directly.