Many manufacturers in the industry will plate their lights, and you can see why. It is the most cost-effective method of finishing. Note to get a high quality finish, hand polishing achieves a close replica, such as antique finishes. Plating is not suited to all applications. This is especially the case in environments where the light is going to be vulnerable to scratching i.e. inground applications or marine applications.
This type of finish is more suitable for applications such as fixed downlights, where once the light is installed it sits untouched in the ceiling and therefore has minimal risk of scratching.
PROS & CONS
Anodising can only be applied to aluminium. This finish is ideal in external environments due to its durability because its UV stability will protect the light frame against weathering, subject to being installed away from acidic materials such as mortar or saline environments. Despite being durable, any small scratch can cause this to corrode quickly. Our Team will be able to advise further. Anodising is the most premium finish, compared to plating and powder coating and can achieve a variety of finishes which are authentic to the material they are mimicking.
PROS & CONS
Powder coating is an ideal method if you want to achieve a specific colour match. It can be applied to a range of substrates including steel, copper and aluminium and offers a durable architectural finish. Suitable for both internal and external applications. The latter requires a specific metal and in some instances a further treatment process to cope with saline environments. Our Team of experts can advise which finishing method is most suited to your application.
In general it works well with uplights and wall lights as it is durable and will not get scratched easily.
PROS & CONS
Whilst less durable than powder coating, wet spray offers versatile and specialist surface finishes that powder coating cannot. Examples offered in our range are aged copper, wet bronze and rust.
This method paved the way for the most interesting new finishes in our collection including specialty rusts and Verdigris patinas. They have all the rustic beauty of the natural oxidisation process but with none of the pitfalls.
PROS & CONS
Our special finishes use a variety of processes and can replicate almost any finish required, including natural aesthetics such as Rust, Concrete, Limestone and Sandstone.
In addition, we offer a colour-matching service, all we require is a sample swatch of your desired colour / finish.
PROS & CONS
Metal is used in all kinds of environments, including applications with high exposure to water. In wet or underwater environments, we rely on marine grade metals to prevent everything from corrosion to failure. Marine grade metals are uniquely able to defend against the corrosive effects of water. They all benefit from the addition of alloying elements that in combination make the metal more corrosion-resistant.
Marine grade Stainless Steel as standard on all up lights – Marine grade Copper, Brass and Bronze also available upon request.
PROS & CONS