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Questions & Answers

What are Bronzework Studio tiles made of?

Our Traditional Bronze is a variety of silicon bronze typically used for casting fine sculpture. Our White Bronze is similar but has a lighter, cooler tone. Both are alloys of copper and tin, and are among the most durable types of bronze. (White Bronze tiles are identified with a “W” on the back.)

Where can I use Bronzework Studio tiles?

You can use Bronzework Studio tiles in any application – wet or dry, indoors or out, including floors, walls, countertops, shower and bath surrounds, fountains, pools, and garden walls. The high durability of bronze makes Bronzework Studio tiles suitable for even high-traffic applications. 

How will the appearance of the tiles change over time?

Bronze becomes more beautiful with age. Its patina deepens and matures – time, weather and wear each playing a part. Technically, the process is called oxidation because the bronze responds to the oxygen in the atmosphere. 
Indoors, bronze mellows and gradually darkens. Some deepening of the color occurs in as little as a few weeks, and the patina then slowly darkens over a period of years. When used in a floor, the tiles are gradually polished by footsteps. Like the shiny nose of a well-loved statue, this is a beautiful reward that comes only with age. 

In a wet location such as a shower, Bronzework Studio tiles will develop a deep patina with hints of soft green over time; however, regular cleaning with a soft abrasive pad, such as Scotch Brite, will keep the tiles bright indefinitely.

Outdoors, the natural patina process is accelerated and ultimately an opaque patina will develop. 

What can I do if someday I want to make the tiles bright again?

To restore the original brightness, the tiles may be polished quickly and easily with a soft abrasive pad such as Scotch Brite. If the tiles have darkened significantly, you can polish them with copper cleaner. A light coat of paste wax will help the newly polished tiles stay bright. 

Should the tiles be sealed?

No, sealing is not necessary, although after installation we recommend applying a light coat of paste wax to slow down the natural patina process. 

What kind of variation is there from tile to tile?

Color: The moment we finish each tile, the natural patina process begins. When your new tiles arrive, they may be a bit lighter in color than the older showroom samples. In addition, there is some variation in the initial brightness of the tiles since the final polishing is done by hand. During installation, the grout will polish the tiles slightly, lessening the variation from tile to tile. 

Texture: No two Bronzework Studio tiles are exactly alike. Our casting and finishing techniques purposely encourage differences from tile to tile. Other more mechanical techniques could eliminate these variations, but we believe they add to the tiles’ beauty. The rough areas and other irregularities serve as a reminder of the many hands that make our tiles.

We pledge to do all we can to make you happy to have selected Bronzework Studio Tiles. 

In matters of satisfaction, we believe the customer is the final judge.