7 Great Places for a Hammered Metal Finish

Unlike the cool, smooth finishes of brushed stainless steel and nickel that have dominated for the past decade or so, hammered metal has been in steady demand since ancient times. In addition to artistic beauty, hammered finishes also tend to be more inviting, homier and more interesting. The textural patterning also means dings and scratches are less apparent.

Hammered finishes are as aesthetically versatile as the metal they’re made from. Vastly different looks can be achieved — rustic, industrial, contemporary — depending on the metal and hammering pattern. Because this artful, hand-applied finish is such a textural spotlight, a little goes a long way, so it is often dedicated to a single focal piece in a room.

Backsplashes

Hammered sheet metal makes a great kitchen backsplash. A unified surface, void of the material changes and joints found in tile, it makes for an elegant, textural backdrop.

Hammered finishes are usually made from soft metals, such as copper, brass, zinc and pewter. However, harder metals like steel can be used, but the marks lean toward distressing rather than a true hammered pattern.

The metal comes in sheets; typical sizes vary based on the type of metal. David Bentz of Handcrafted Metal in Austin, Texas, says copper and brass come in 4- by 10-foot sheets, while zinc is a bit narrower, at about 3 by 10 feet. Pewter sheets vary more in size but are generally in the range of 2 feet, 4 inches by 5 feet, 6 inches. Thicknesses can range from that of a heavy foil to a hefty 1/16 inch.


Hammering takes patience and skill that can take years to perfect. It can take about a week just to complete the hammering on an average-size piece. As with penmanship, each artisan has a distinct mark. So a single craftsperson works on a project from start to finish.

Patterns can either be very small and tight, which creates a random textural effect that Bentz refers to as “fractal,” or very large, which he amusingly describes as “hail damage.” A 1-foot area with a tight, fine pattern can have as many as 10,000 individual hammer marks.

The challenge is that hammering deforms the sheet with each stroke of the hammer. The metal stretches out and curls, and requires leveling before it’s installed.

The elegant backsplash here, made by metalworker Richard Duca for Annie Hall Interiors, is made from custom-hammered silver nickel.The nickel, which he describes as looking like a curvy potato chip at one point, had to be repeatedly flattened and annealed (heated and cooled) to make it more workable.



Countertops

Hammered metal countertops make efficient use of sheet material and are often used on island tops for contrast. Some metals, like copper, even have special benefits; copper is inherently antimicrobial.

If size allows, the sheet can be bent over to create the entire countertop with one piece of metal inclusive of its edge. Otherwise, the edge is welded on separately. Depending on the metal’s thickness, a soft metal countertop may be susceptible to denting. However, the advantage of hammering is that the patterning lends itself to camouflage.

The copper countertop here blends into its rustic environment.


This hammered zinc island countertop is this kitchen’s focal point. Natural light accentuates its dappled texture.


Copper Hood Kitchen Hoods

A radiant crowning touch in a kitchen is a hammered metal hood above a cooktop. Hammered kitchen hoods come in several styles, but the medieval or Tudor look, as shown here, is very popular.

On this example, Handcrafted Metal used an extra-deep random hammering pattern for the copper hood base and an extra-heavy pattern on the hot-forged black steel straps. (Click on the Handcrafted Metal link for more examples of hammered finish patterns.)


Delicately mottled, this hammered steel hood is a bright spot in a traditional kitchen.


Don’t think that hammered metal is just for rustic or historical spaces. A minimalist, shiny hood made of hammered zinc sets the tone in this very contemporary kitchen.


Sinks

Most hammered sinks are made of copper in a farmhouse style, like this example. Bar sinks are common in hammered finishes too.

Maintenance is a common concern for homeowners, but hammered metal sinks really don’t require much extra attention. They are typically treated by the manufacturer, and basic maintenance entails cleaning with mild soap. However, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

For all metal surfaces, generally avoid abrasive cleaners and sponges. Wipe up acidic foods as soon as possible; they won’t damage the finish but will temporarily brighten it. If your water has a high mineral content, wipe the surface with a soft cloth to avoid spotting.

Topically applied protective coatings vary, depending on the metal and what your patina expectations are. Copper is usually lacquered with a clear coat. Stainless steel isn’t. Zinc usually isn’t, as most people like it to darken, but it can be treated if desired.


If a classic copper sink isn’t your thing, this hammered brushed-nickel number may get your heart racing!


Doors

If you want your hammered metal to really move, then a door may be in store for you. Evocative of a door in a streamliner, this one is hammered tin laid over a wood substrate.


A front door made of hand-hammered ⅓-inch-thick naval bronze celebrates the art of hammering with organic textural narratives. Seattle fabricator Douglas French of The Tinman adhered a metal “skin” to both sides of a solid exterior wood door for this project, designed by architects Helen Hald and Amy Janof.



Furniture

If hammered metal as part of the built-in structure of your home is too daunting, consider a piece of hammered furniture. This desk is hammered for an all-over texture with an additional geometric pattern on the leg fronts and sides.


Made of hammered stainless steel by Bernhardt, this tabletop paired with a driftwood finished wood base blends well with most styles.


Lighting

With all of its dimensional changes and divots, perhaps no other metal finish plays with light as dramatically as a hammered one. This two-toned pendant fixture features a lighter brass or bronze interior to emphasize and reflect the light.


Stylistically, the hammering on this pendant light fixture fits this Cuban-themed breakfast nook. Bentz of Handcrafted Metal notes that while American hammering patterns tend to be smaller, tighter and random, hammering styles in other countries tend to use larger tools, and the marks tend to be in geometric formations or rows.

The cost for hammered metal products is difficult to calculate because the metal types, sizes and thicknesses vary, as well as the hammering desired. Handcrafted Metal calculates it as an option added to the base price of the metal. “We think of hammering as an added step,” Bentz says. “We start with smooth copper and add the hammering. In general the price to add hammering to any of the soft metals — copper, zinc, pewter, brass — is about $50 per square foot.”

More: 5 Places to Love Corrugated Metal in Your House

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