Buyer Guide: Hardware Finish Descriptions and Color Codes
In the United States there are two finish code systems: BHMA finish codes (Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association) and U.S. standard finish codes, created by ANSI (American National Standards Institute). In general, U.S. finishes describe only the color whereas BHMA finish codes describe both color and base material.
The most notable exceptions to this rule are US32, polished (bright) stainless steel, and US32D, satin stainless steel. These U.S. finishes describe both the finish and the base material. The corresponding BHMA finish codes would be 629 for polished stainless and 630 for satin. BHMA finish codes are different for different base metals. For example, BHMA 626 is satin chrome plated brass whereas BHMA 652 is satin chrome plated steel.
- Polished (or “bright”) finish - is a finish that has been buffed until it reflects like a mirror. You can see your reflection in a polished finish.
- Satin Finish - the opposite of a polished finish is a satin finish. You cannot see your reflection in a piece of hardware with a satin finish.
- Antique Finish - is a finish that is similiar to Satin with black accents to appear aged when first installed.
- Living finish - is a finish that has been designed to age naturally over time, such as US10B, oil rubbed bronze. Individual hardware items with living finishes will age differently over time depending on use and slight differences in how the finish was applied at the factory.
The following chart lists some of the common finishes found on locking hardware and components. The first column indicates the BHMA finish code, the second column represents the US standard finish code (when available) and the third column indicates the finish and base metal that the finish is applied to. Finish descriptions aligned with the above cylinder color code chart are listed in bold. For a complete itemized listing of all the ANSI / BHMA Numbers for Materials & Finish please visit here.
| BHMA | USxx | Finish/Base Metal |
|---|---|---|
| 600 | USP | Primed for painting - steel |
| 602 | US2C | Cadmium on steel |
| 603 | US2G | Zinc on steel |
| 604 | none | Zinc dichromate on steel |
| 605 | US3 | Bright brass on brass |
| 606 | US4 | Satin brass on brass |
| 609 | US5 | Satin brass blackened (antique) on brass |
| 610 | US7 | Satin brass blackened (bright) on brass |
| 611 | US9 | Bright bronze on bronze |
| 612 | US10 | Satin bronze on bronze |
| 613 | US10B | Oil rubbed bronze on bronze |
| 616 | US11 | Satin bronze, blackened on bronze |
| 618 | US14 | Bright nickel on brass or bronze |
| 619 | US15 | Satin nickel on brass or bronze |
| 620 | US15A | Satin nickel (Antique) on brass or bronze |
| 622 | US19 | Flat black coated on brass or bronze |
| 623 | US20 | Oxidized bright bronze on bronze |
| 624 | US20A | Bright stainless steel - stainless steel |
| 625 | US26 | Bright chromium on brass or bronze |
| 626 | US26D | Satin Chromium on brass or bronze |
| 627 | US27 | Satin aluminum - aluminum |
| 628 | US28 | Satin aluminum (anodized) - aluminum |
| 629 | US32 | Bright stainless steel - stainless steel |
| 630 | US32D | Satin stainless steel - stainless steel |
| 666 | US3 | Bright brass plated aluminum |
| 667 | US4 | Satin brass plated aluminum |
| 668 | US10 | Satin bronze plated aluminum |
| 669 | US14 | Bright nickel plated aluminum |
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