Kitchen Materials: Metals and Metallic Laminates
Kitchens are full of metal both as a surface material and in cookware. Common metals and finishes include stainless steel, enameled steel and cast iron, cast copper and brass hardware and anodized aluminum. Anodizing is a durable, transparent colored stain finish for aluminum. You’ll find metal on appliances, as hardware, as cabinet material, on counters and in all kinds of other places. Things like stainless or brass switch plates, pot racks and fire screens all contribute to metal as a design element in your kitchen.
Consider developing a coordinated metals palette as part of the design process. A finish like brushed stainless can unify varying elements like door pulls, appliances, switch plates and pots and pans. Metal often shows up as a detail element in many areas and having a unified style for these disparate elements can bring an entire design together.
Stainless steel is steel with nickel and chromium added to produce a shiny, non-rusting or tarnishing metal that is extremely durable and easy to care for. This combination is why stainless is the material of choice in commercial appliances, cabinetry and counter surfaces. It is also expensive and if you are considering custom installations, fabrication will be expensive. Factory made stainless steel cabinetry, work tables and counters are available through commercial kitchen supply dealers if you want the restaurant look and function they offer.
Stainless can be a cold material and an abundance of stainless cabinetry may result in a clinical looking environment. Adding in textural elements and natural materials like butcher block and fabric can warm up its polish. It is also reflective, meaning that a kitchen featuring a lot of stainless steel will be bright with reflected light.
Copper, brass and cast iron also show up frequently in kitchens. They don’t lend themselves to as many applications as stainless steel because they can oxidize or rust. In the case of copper and brass, this may result in an attractive green patina over time if left unpolished. These materials add a reflective warmth to any kitchen with their warm color and interesting texture. Copper is also an excellent conductor of heat, making it a sought after material for cook ware.
Metallic Laminates
Recent innovations in laminate design and technology are making it possible to use metallic surfaces in your kitchen without the expense of formed metal. Marrying the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of laminates with a thin veneer of metal, these metal laminates are available in a wide variety of finishes, patinas, metals and textures. They are worked exactly the same as normal laminates, making their use accessible to most price ranges and design styles. Ask for samples from your laminate supplier.
