In The News
Where there's brass...
Metallic colours and finishes are among the hottest trends in interiors this year with ‘warm and comforting’ as well as ‘glamour and opulence’ coming through strongly as the minimalist look begins to fade. Certainly, we are finding that brass finished covers are still very much in demand for interiors, especially overseas. We also know that designers and building professionals often find themselves with the challenge of sourcing a reliable and cost effective solution in brass and that this is not always an easy task. Here, we discuss some of the potentially serious problems and pitfalls with many of the brass edged access covers readily available in the market.
The thicker the better
We have generally found a very thin brass edging of up to 2mm is used in most cases. This is just not enough. The problem is that if the installation is not absolutely perfect and the frame is sitting even slightly proud of the surrounding floor, the floor will have to be ground down. Also, with something like Terrazzo, it is likely to be ground and polished after installation as a matter of course. If the cover has only a 2mm brass edging, the edge itself will be ground away in the process and the cover will most probably need to be replaced. That’s extra time and additional cost that nobody can afford. We come across it a lot in the industry and are told by our customers that it is one of the main reasons our products are chosen over our competitors. The edging on a Howe Green brass edged cover is 5mm thick – even the most overzealous contractor should have a hard time destroying that when grinding!
A volatile relationship
All brass edged products have the potential for bimetallic action or galvanic corrosion. If brass and aluminium come together in the presence of moisture, the result can often be a volatile relationship ending in complete breakdown. Quite quickly, the brass will corrode the aluminium and the process forces the two metals apart. This can destroy the surrounding floor or paving and cause a trip hazard. Eventually, the brass strip will snap off completely, leaving a dysfunctional and ugly mess.
The photograph shown Right was taken at the Grand Mosque in Muskat, Oman. This is typically a very hot and arid place but obviously there is enough moisture to create corrosion.
At Howe Green, we include a waterproof membrane between the brass and aluminium as standard to prevent this happening and give our customers added peace of mind and ensure our brass edging will stand up to the elements.
Where there’s brass there’s muck…
Unless it’s a Howe Green brass edged cover.
For further information about our brass edging, please call 01920 463230
