Lacquered or oiled and waxed? Choosing the right finish for your panels

Brass and copper are living surfaces. Left to their own devices they keep reacting with the air, water and everything else around them, so a patina carries on changing long after it leaves our North Devon workshop. Before any panel is delivered, we finish it in one of two ways, and the one you choose shapes how your surface will look in five years' time.

Lacquered: the patina you fell in love with, held in place

Lacquer is our standard finish on most patinas. It seals the surface and significantly delays any further development, so the colour and character you chose from your sample stays much as it is. It's the natural choice for busy kitchens, bars and anywhere the panel will be touched, splashed and wiped every day.

Oiled and waxed: a surface that keeps evolving

Oil and wax slow the patina down without stopping it. The surface keeps developing gently with use, gaining depth and variation over the years. If you love the idea of a splashback that tells the story of your kitchen, this is the one for you. It needs a little more care: an occasional light coat of Jade Oil or a microcrystalline wax keeps it protected.

What about verdigris finishes?

Our verdigris finishes, including Light, Heavy and Amazon Verdigris Copper and Moss Antiqued Copper, are always oiled and waxed. Lacquer isn't suitable for their soft, textured green patina.

Which should I choose?

• Choose lacquered if you want the look to stay close to your sample, or the panel will see heavy daily use.
• Choose oiled and waxed if you'd like the surface to keep changing, and you don't mind a little upkeep.

Still unsure? Order a sample and live with it for a few days, or give us a call and we'll talk it through.