Frequently Asked Questions — Brass Shelving
Answers to the most common questions about our solid brass shelving systems — materials, ordering, mounting, shipping, and glass. If your question isn't covered here, use the quote form and we'll reply within 24 hours.
Is your shelving really solid brass?
Yes — 100% solid brass throughout. Every rod, fitting, and flange is machined from solid brass billet or drawn brass tube. There is no steel or aluminum core, no coating, and no plating. When scratched, the surface reveals more brass — not a different-colored base material. Many products sold as "brass shelving" are steel or aluminum with a brass-colored coating. Ours are not. See our solid brass vs brass-plated guide for a detailed comparison.
What does "unlacquered" mean?
Unlacquered means there is no clear protective coating applied over the brass surface. The brass is exposed directly to air and environment, which allows it to develop a natural patina over time — a warm, deepening oxidation that varies by location and use. Lacquered brass delays this process but introduces a coating that will eventually crack, yellow, or peel. All of our shelving is unlacquered. The patina is a feature of the material, not a defect.
What finishes are available?
Two finishes: unlacquered brushed (satin) brass — a warm, matte surface with a fine linear texture, less sensitive to fingerprints, the most commonly specified finish for bars and kitchens — and unlacquered polished brass — a high-gloss, mirror-like surface, visually striking, develops a warmer tone as it ages. Both are 100% solid brass with no coating. See our finishes page for photos and detail.
Will the shelving change color over time?
Yes. Unlacquered solid brass oxidizes naturally and develops a patina — a gradual darkening and warming of tone. The rate depends on the environment (humidity, air quality, handling frequency). In a bar or kitchen used daily, visible patina typically appears within a few months. High-contact areas (fittings, rod ends) develop patina faster than low-contact areas. This is the expected and characteristic behavior of unlacquered brass, not a flaw. The patina can be maintained at any stage or reversed with a non-abrasive brass polish.
Can the brass be polished back to its original appearance?
Yes. A non-abrasive brass polish (such as Brasso or similar) removes surface oxidation and restores a bright finish. Because there is no coating — only solid brass — this process can be repeated indefinitely without damaging the material. For brushed finish, polish in the direction of the grain to preserve the texture.
What is the difference between brushed and polished brass?
Brushed (satin) brass has a fine linear texture applied mechanically — the surface reflects light diffusely, creating a warm matte sheen. It shows fingerprints less readily and is more forgiving in high-use environments. Polished brass is a mirror finish — highly reflective, visually bold, and more sensitive to fingerprints and water spots. Both are the same material; the difference is only in the surface treatment. Brushed is the standard choice for commercial bars and kitchens; polished is more common in statement or decorative installations.
Are all systems made to custom dimensions?
Yes — every system is made to order. There are no standard sizes and no catalog items. You specify the width, height, depth, number of shelves, number of bays, mounting type, pipe diameter, and finish. We manufacture to your exact measurements. Each bay can be up to 45" (114 cm) wide; multiple bays are combined for wider installations with no upper limit on total width.
What information do I need to provide to get a quote?
Width, height, shelf depth, number of shelves, number of bays, mounting type (wall, ceiling, counter, or a combination), pipe diameter preference (12mm, 16mm, or 25mm), and finish. If you're unsure about mounting type or pipe diameter, describe your space and we'll recommend the right configuration. Use the quote form or the online configurator for standard configurations.
What happens after I submit a quote request?
We review your dimensions and prepare a free technical drawing — a scaled PDF showing the system with all measurements, flange positions, and component details. This is sent to you for review and approval, typically within 24 hours. You approve the drawing before we begin production. No components are cut until you confirm.
Is there a minimum order size?
No. We produce single-bay residential systems and multi-bay commercial installations with the same process and priority. The minimum is one complete shelving system.
Can I order additional components later to extend an existing system?
Yes. Because every system is produced to a specification, additional rods, fittings, or a new bay can be ordered separately and matched to the original. Provide your original order reference or specifications when you inquire.
Do you work with interior designers, architects, and contractors?
Yes — a significant part of our orders are from designers and contractors specifying for clients. We provide technical drawings in PDF format for project documentation, can confirm lead times for project scheduling, and can produce multiple matching units. Contact us to discuss trade terms and project requirements.
How much does custom brass shelving cost?
Price depends on system dimensions, number of shelves and bays, and pipe diameter. As a general reference: a standard single-bay 3-shelf wall-mounted system at 36" wide with 16mm rods typically starts around $400–600 for the brass frame. Larger systems, multi-bay configurations, and ceiling-mounted systems are priced accordingly. Use the online configurator for an instant price based on your dimensions.
What mounting types are available?
Eight configurations: ceiling mount, wall mount, ceiling and wall, ceiling and counter, counter and wall, wall and floor, ceiling and floor, and freestanding. The most common for bar back shelving are ceiling mount and ceiling-and-counter. The most common for kitchen shelving is wall mount. See our full mounting guide for structural requirements and how to choose.
Do I need a professional to install brass shelving?
For ceiling-mounted systems, professional installation is recommended — anchoring to ceiling joists or concrete requires proper tools and load assessment. For wall-mounted systems, an experienced handyperson or carpenter can typically complete the installation using the technical drawing we provide. All components arrive cut to length and labeled — no on-site modification is required.
What if my wall studs don't align with the flange positions?
A common situation. The standard solution is to install a horizontal wooden ledger (2×4 or similar) between studs at the flange height, secured to studs at both ends — flanges then anchor to the ledger. Alternatively, we can adjust flange positions in the design to align with your stud layout when you provide the stud spacing. Include your stud spacing in the quote request and we'll design around it.
How much weight can a brass shelving system hold?
Load capacity depends on the number of anchor points, the capacity of the mounting surface, and the rod diameter. A standard 2-vertical-rod ceiling-mounted system with 16mm rods, properly anchored to joists or concrete, will comfortably carry 50–80 lbs per shelf level. For heavy-load applications — dense bottle storage, commercial glassware — specify additional vertical rod columns and confirm anchor capacity with your installer.
Can brass shelves be mounted on drywall without hitting studs?
Not recommended for load-bearing installations. Drywall alone cannot carry the concentrated loads at flange points. Flanges should anchor to studs, or blocking should be installed between studs before mounting. For very light decorative applications with minimal load, toggle bolts may be acceptable — but this is not our standard recommendation.
Are glass shelves included?
No. We don't ship glass due to the risk of breakage in transit — reliably delivering glass across international shipping is not practical. After your order is confirmed and the technical drawing is approved, we send you the exact glass dimensions (width, depth, and recommended thickness) for each shelf level. You order glass from your local glass supplier — cut-to-size glass is widely available from glaziers, glass shops, and home improvement stores across the US.
What type of glass should I use?
Tempered (toughened) glass, minimum 6mm (1/4") thickness for spans up to 36". For spans between 36" and 45", 8mm (5/16") or 10mm (3/8") is recommended. Tempered glass is significantly stronger than standard glass and, if broken, shatters into small blunt pieces rather than sharp shards — the standard specification for shelving used around people. We provide the exact dimensions; your glass supplier will advise on thickness based on load and span.
Can I use wood, marble, or other shelf surfaces instead of glass?
Yes. The horizontal shelf rods support whatever surface you choose — glass, solid wood, marble, slate, or any other material that can be cut to the required dimensions and supported by the rod positions. We provide the shelf dimensions in the technical drawing. Some customers use wooden boards for pantry or utility shelving; marble slabs for kitchen and bar shelving. The brass frame is material-agnostic.
How long does production take?
7 days from order confirmation and drawing approval. Components are CNC-machined, cut to length, deburred, finished, and quality-checked in our Istanbul workshop. Production begins only after you have approved the technical drawing.
How long does shipping take?
3–4 business days via UPS Air to the US and Canada. Total time from order to delivery is approximately 10–14 days — 1–2 days for drawing review and approval, 7 days production, 3–4 days shipping. If you have an installation date, let us know when you inquire and we'll confirm whether the schedule is achievable.
Do you ship to Canada?
Yes — we ship to the contiguous US and Canada via UPS Air. Alaska and Hawaii are not currently served by our standard shipping. For those locations, contact us and we'll advise on options.
Do you ship internationally outside the US and Canada?
Our standard offering covers the US and Canada. For other destinations, contact us directly — we've shipped to the UK, Germany, Japan, and Australia on a project basis and can advise on cost and transit time.
How are the components packaged?
Each component is individually wrapped and labeled. Rods are bundled by type and length; fittings and flanges are bagged and labeled by position. An assembly reference is included. The packaging is designed to arrive without damage under standard shipping conditions.
Still have a question? Send us your dimensions and we'll reply with a free technical drawing and quote within 24 hours.
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