Metal burnishing and oxidation
Some finishes merely cover the metal. Metal burnishing does something different: it transforms it
Metal burnishing is a chemical and thermal oxidation process that acts in depth on the surface structure of the metal, generating dark, warm tones and a materiality that no painting can replicate.
At Metalbril, metal burnishing is an artisanal process, carried out to measure for every project and developed on sample before production. The result is a burnished finish capable of bringing character and uniqueness to any environment: showrooms, luxury hotels, private residences, high-end shops, representative offices and contract spaces of every scale.
Bespoke artisanal processes
What distinguishes Metalbril is the ability to combine the artisanal care of burnishing with an organised and certified production structure. Every burnishing treatment we carry out is documented, repeatable and compliant with European quality standards. Our EN 1090 certification for steel and aluminium structures guarantees that every element produced meets the safety and performance requirements demanded by the luxury market. Complete in-house management of every commission, from 3D modelling to delivery and on-site installation, ensures a single point of contact for the entire process and quality control at every phase.
At Metalbril, metal burnishing is not a serial process
It is a special treatment developed to measure for every commission, designed to respond to the specific requirements of the project in terms of tone, texture, material and installation context. We work with interior designers, architects, furnishing designers and general contractors operating in contexts where the quality of the metallic detail makes the difference: luxury showrooms, boutique hotels, high-end shops, representative offices, private residences and contract architecture in Italy and abroad.
The process we follow always begins from sampling: before starting production, we develop physical samples of the burnished finish on the chosen material, to validate together with the designer the colour, texture and final result under real light conditions. Only after sample validation does production, processing and on-site installation proceed.
The metals we work with through burnishing
Metal burnishing delivers visually distinct results depending on the material treated. Every metal reacts to the process in its own way, generating a palette of colours and textures that only in-depth technical knowledge allows to be managed with precision.
Two processes, one unique aesthetic
Metal burnishing is carried out according to two main processes. Hot burnishing acts through high-temperature chemical baths, delivering a dense, deep and uniform finish. Cold burnishing takes place at room temperature and is suitable for complex geometries and large-scale pieces. In both cases the process is developed in-house, with sampling validated before production.
Other processes
Design
Painting
Cleaning and polishing
Metal finishing processes for interior design and architecture.
Brass burnishing is among the most requested finishes in luxury interior design. The process transforms the golden surface of brass into a finish of warm and deep tones, ranging from amber brown to near-black, through bronzed shades of great elegance. Burnished brass lends itself to tables, lamps, handles, frames, cladding and bespoke accessories where the metallic detail must have presence and character. The burnished and brushed brass variant adds a directional texture that further dampens reflections, bringing the surface towards an even more materic and contemporary aesthetic. Burnished brass finishing is among our most established specialities, requested by architects and interior designers seeking a precise, repeatable result developed on sample before production.
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