• Dark Bronze

 Hinges  | Add hinges to your order if needed. 

• 4" x 4" Solid Bronze Button Tip Hinges
• 4-1/2" x 4-1/2" Stainless Steel Heavy Duty Ball-Bearing Hinges
• 4-1/2" x 4-1/2" Stainless Steel Self-Closing Hinge Set (Dark Bronze Finish)
• Solid Bronze T-Hinge
• Solid Bronze Arch Strap Hinge

Hardware Tips

A Note About Gate Stops: 

This set includes a gate stop!  Gate stops prevent hinge, latch, and gate damage and prolong gate life. 

What is a gate stop?  Gate stops are typically made of wood running the entire length of the gate. They are attached to the jamb or post in such a way that prevents the latch bar/hinges/gate from taking the force of the gate closing (instead the gate stop takes the force). 

If you don't have a gate stop on your gate, you need one! If no gate stop is installed on a gate, and the hinges or latch fail from the stress of that, no replacement will be given. We do offer metal gate stops now that can be installed after gate installation (if a wooden gate stop has not been installed). In bronze, we offer a coordinating gate stop.

About This Bronze Hardware:

This bronze hardware contains 90% copper and 10% tin. When it first leaves the mold, the hardware is copper-penny colored. Next, the pieces are patina’d dark bronze. Finally, the hardware has an exterior-grade dark bronze-colored wax applied to it that adds to its weather- and wear-resistance. Bronze ages gracefully and may change in appearance due to varying environmental conditions. The wax helps maintain the color of the hardware for the long term under most conditions. On items like gate latches and door handles where your hand comes in contact with the material regularly: we’ve seen over time that the oils on your skin will slowly wear down the wax where the skin contacts the metal. On all other items where skin doesn’t come in contact with the hardware, you should see dark bronze coloration for the long term.

How does this hardware hold up to the elements? 

When submitted to a salt-water chamber test, this hardware began to patina at the 16-hour-mark, versus 10-hours for other name-brand, high end bronze products. A client recently wrote that this hardware installed on an waterfront boathouse two years ago looks slightly darker and shinier than the original, but looks otherwise exceptional.

The bottom line is: this hardware is the perfect choice for oceanfront, waterfront, and coastal installations.

To read about the ways you can care for your bronze hardware, see our Bronze Care page.

Applying Wax

All bronze darkens with age, however waxing may slow the process of oxidation.

To apply the wax, you need two 1- to 2-inch paint brushes that will be used only for cleaning bronze. Do not use brushes that have been used for other purposes as chemicals may remain in the bristles and transferred to the patina finish, may cause permanent discoloration.

Start by applying a protective circle of tape around the metal ferrules that hold the bristles in the brushes you are using. This will help prevent scratching of the surface when applying the wax and when dusting.

Wipe bronze free of-any dust and fingerprints using a clean, dry, cotton cloth. Use one of the brushes to remove dust from small crevices or hard to reach places.

Use "Renaissance'' wax, or other "microcrystalline'' waxes, because they are inert and will not yellow over time. Apply to the second brush, with three or four, back and forth, sweeping strokes. Do not dab the brush in the wax. This could cause an abundance of wax to be applied to the bronze that could actually harm the patina surface. Dab the brush on the lid of the wax can to remove any excess wax. Lightly apply a super thin coat of wax to the surface of the bronze using gentle sweeping motions. Apply more wax to the brush as described, working it down into crevices.

Caution - Using too much wax may remove previous layers of wax. It is very important not to apply too much wax or work it into the surface too vigorously. Cover the entire surface with wax and let it dry according to the directions on the container.

Separate Your Brushes 

Keep your brushes separate in labeled bags, free from contaminants, for future use. Use a clean, dry, cotton cloth to gently rub, in a circular motion, the dried wax from the bronze surface until you achieve the desired sheen. To achieve a dull finish, do not rub the surface after waxing.

To achieve a better protective coating, you may want to re-apply a second coat using the same technique.

Outdoor Bronze Hardware

Outdoor bronze requires a regular maintenance program, which keeps the product surfaces clean and waxed.

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