Living Finishes vs. PVD Coatings: What Architects Need to Know
The hardware finish debate has fundamentally shifted. It's no longer just about colour – it's about how that finish will perform over the next decade.
We're seeing an unprecedented split in the market. Half our clients want unlacquered brass that will develop unique patina patterns. The other half want PVD coatings that will look factory-fresh after 25 years. Both are right, but for different reasons.
PVD Finished
Living finishes are having their moment, driven by a desire for authenticity in an increasingly digital world. When Rolex commissioned unlacquered brass handles for their boutiques, they specifically wanted each store to develop its own patina signature based on customer interaction patterns. The handles become a physical record of the store's history.
The appeal goes beyond aesthetics. Living finishes require no chemical lacquers, making them genuinely sustainable. They're fully recyclable at end-of-life, and the patina development means no refinishing cycles. Over 20 years, this can mean 73% less environmental impact compared to regularly refinished hardware.
But living finishes require client education. We learnt this the hard way in 1997 when we installed unlacquered brass in a London hotel. Three months later, they called in panic – "The handles are going brown!" Now, we provide aged samples showing exactly how the finish will develop over time. Clients sign off on the journey, not just the starting point.
Meanwhile, PVD coatings offer the opposite promise – permanence. These molecular-level coatings resist wear, fingerprints, and corrosion for decades. For high-traffic commercial spaces, this consistency is crucial. McDonald's doesn't want their door handles telling different stories at different locations. They want brand consistency across thousands of sites.
The technology behind PVD has evolved significantly. Early coatings were limited to gold and silver tones. Now, we can achieve virtually any finish, from matt black to rose gold, all with the same durability. The process uses no water and produces no hazardous waste, addressing previous environmental concerns.
Cost considerations often surprise specifiers. Living finishes typically cost 20-30% less initially but may generate more client queries in the first year as the patina develops. PVD coatings carry a premium but virtually eliminate maintenance calls.
The choice ultimately depends on your project's narrative. A heritage hotel restoration calls for living finishes that will age gracefully with the building. A chain of medical centres needs PVD coatings that maintain hygiene standards and consistent appearance.
How Ash Door Furniture Can Help
At Ash Door Furniture, we've been perfecting both approaches for over 35 years. We offer the complete spectrum – from traditional unlacquered finishes that we've supplied to heritage sites like Caernarfon Castle, to aerospace-grade PVD coatings for brands like TAG Heuer and Starbucks.
What sets us apart is our consultation process. We don't just send a catalogue. We maintain physical samples aged in our testing lab, showing exactly how different finishes develop over 6 months, 1 year, and 5 years. We can even create custom ageing samples for coastal or urban environments.
Need to match an existing patina? Our workshop can recreate virtually any aged finish. Require consistency across 500 stores? Our PVD partners guarantee colour matching to aerospace standards.
Contact us to discuss your finish requirements and we can show you the full range of options available for your specification.