The main difference between copper and brass is what they're made of. Copper is a pure metal with a reddish, rosy color; brass is an alloy of copper and zinc with a yellow-gold color. Copper is softer and easy to shape, so it's used for hand-hammered sinks, bathtubs and copper pipes; brass is harder and machines well, so it's used for faucet bodies and valves. Both resist corrosion, neither rusts, and both darken to a patina when they're left unlacquered.
Copper vs brass: the differences at a glance
| Copper | Brass | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A pure metal | An alloy of copper and zinc, usually 55 to 95% copper |
| New color | Reddish, rosy orange | Yellow gold |
| How it ages | Darkens to brown and bronze; can turn green outdoors over the years | Darkens to amber and brown; green is uncommon indoors |
| Strength | Softer and easy to shape | Harder and stronger |
| Best uses at home | Sinks, bathtubs, outdoor showers, shower heads | Faucets, valves, shower systems, hardware |
| Raw metal price | Higher | Lower |
| Rust | Doesn't rust | Doesn't rust |
| Magnetic | No | No |
What is copper?
Copper is a pure, naturally occurring metal. It conducts heat and electricity very well, resists corrosion, and is soft enough to hammer and shape by hand, which is why it's used for hand-hammered sinks and tubs. Left unlacquered, it darkens to brown and bronze, and outdoors it can slowly develop the green patina known as verdigris.
What is brass?
Brass is an alloy, a blend of copper and zinc. Most brass contains between 55 and 95 percent copper, and the share of zinc changes its color, from reddish to bright yellow. Brass is harder and stronger than copper and casts and machines cleanly, which makes it the usual material for faucet bodies, valves and plumbing fittings. Unlacquered brass darkens to amber and brown.
How copper and brass age
Both metals react with air, water and touch, so both build a patina, but the colors differ. Copper darkens to brown and bronze; outdoors, our copper showers turn a deep bronze, and after years in the weather copper can turn green. Brass moves from gold through honey and amber to brown, and green spots are uncommon indoors. Our patina timeline shows what to expect from brass month by month.
Which is more durable?
Both last a long time, and neither rusts, since rust only forms on iron and steel. The difference is hardness. Copper is softer and dents more easily, which is why thickness matters in a copper sink: our sinks are hammered from 16-gauge copper, heavier than the 18- to 22-gauge sheet used in many budget sinks. Brass is harder, so it holds threads and the precise fit a valve needs.
Copper or brass: what to choose for each fixture
Faucets and shower valves: brass
Faucet bodies and valves need strength and precise machining, so brass is the usual choice. Our kitchen and bathroom faucets are made in solid unlacquered brass, most with ceramic cartridges, and so are our shower systems.
Kitchen sinks and bathtubs: copper
Copper's softness is an advantage here: it can be hammered into a deep apron-front sink or a soaking tub. Our copper sinks are hand-hammered, and our copper bathtub is hand-forged with a green patina that keeps deepening over time.
Outdoor showers: copper with brass valves
Outdoors, a copper body and brass valves give you the best of both: copper for the pipes and the head, and brass for the parts that need precision. That's how our copper outdoor showers are made. For planning one, see how to install a copper outdoor shower.
Shower heads: either
Shower heads come in both metals. Our copper shower heads darken to a natural patina, while our brass shower systems come with brass heads.
Can you mix copper and brass?
Yes. Both are warm metals, and they look natural together: a brass bridge faucet over a hammered copper sink is a classic pairing. To keep it intentional, let one metal lead in each room and repeat the other at least once, for example a copper sink with a brass faucet, pot filler and cabinet pulls.
How to care for copper and brass
- Daily: mild soap, water and a soft cloth for both. Dry them if you want to slow the patina.
- Avoid: abrasive pads and harsh chemical cleaners, which scratch the surface and strip the patina unevenly.
- Acidic food: lemon or tomato left on a copper sink leaves bright spots that fade as the patina returns.
- To brighten: a copper cleaner, or lemon and salt, for copper; a brass polish for brass. See how to clean unlacquered brass.
How to tell copper from brass
- Color. Copper is reddish or pinkish orange; brass is yellow gold. Look at a clean or scratched spot, since patina hides the color.
- A magnet. Neither copper nor brass is magnetic. If a magnet sticks, the piece is plated steel, not solid metal.
What about bronze?
Bronze is the third copper alloy you'll see in kitchens and baths. It's copper mixed mainly with tin, and it's darker and browner than brass. On faucets, “oil-rubbed bronze” usually names a dark finish rather than solid bronze, so check what the fixture is made of underneath.
FAQ
Is brass better than copper?
Neither is better overall; they suit different jobs. Brass is stronger and better for faucets and valves, while copper is easier to shape and better for sinks, tubs and outdoor shower pipes.
Is copper more expensive than brass?
As a raw metal, yes: brass mixes copper with less expensive zinc. The price of a finished fixture depends more on its size and how it's made than on the metal alone.
Will copper turn green?
Outdoors, over the years, it can, like a copper roof. Indoors, with regular cleaning, it usually darkens to brown instead.
Do copper and brass rust?
No. Rust is iron oxide, so it only forms on iron and steel. Copper and brass tarnish and develop a patina instead.
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