Brass or copper sheets/panels

coillsaille

Hi,
We're in the process of getting a new kitchen with a curved island. We want to clad the back (the side facing the rest of the room) of the island with a brass or copper sheet. If single sheets do not come in a big enough size then several panels could also work.
Does anyone know where might supply such materials? I'm based in the west but would be interested to hear of suppliers based anywhere really.
Secondly, if brass or copper turns out to be too expensive or too hard to get would anyone have any suggestions for an alternative material? For example is it possible to get aluminium that is coloured to look like brass?

Would appreciate any opinions or advice.

antoinolachtnai

http://www.amari-ireland.com/Products-Services/Copper-Brass-Bronze.aspx

seems to be the spot. I think it will be around the 200-400 euros a square meter mark.

coillsaille

antoinolachtnai wrote: »

http://www.amari-ireland.com/Products-Services/Copper-Brass-Bronze.aspx

seems to be the spot. I think it will be around the 200-400 euros a square meter mark.

Thanks for that but no joy I'm afraid. I emailed them yesterday and they got back to me today saying they couldn't help. Which I was surprised by as they supply the material I'm looking for.

antoinolachtnai

http://www.jameshealy.ie

http://www.impactirl.ie/bronze-brass-aluminium-bronze.php

?

There are plenty on google.

They might not want to get involved in small jobs? There are interesting sites in the UK. https://www.metalsheets.co.uk - don't know anything about them.

coillsaille

Thanks antoinolachtnai.

I got what seems like quite a reasonable price from James Healy for the brass.
I had already received a quote from the UK company you mentioned but it was much higher.

Seems getting one sheet isn't an option but the area to be covered works out at exactly two sheets.

Effects

Amari told me they only do copper in precut sheeting, and 2m x 1m was the biggest they had.
They recommended I try a builders providers for longer lengths :rolleyes:

antoinolachtnai

Yes you can get it in rolls I think. Used for roofing.

Be warned! Actual skills are required to join the pieces and finish it off nicely. This is going to be harder to find than the materials!

Calahonda52

antoinolachtnai wrote: »

Yes you can get it in rolls I think. Used for roofing.

Be warned! Actual skills are required to join the pieces and finish it off nicely. This is going to be harder to find than the materials!

And that is just thinking about how to make it look right, before any work gets done:D

For the joint and ends, maybe make them obvious, by design that is.

Effects

That's why I wanted it in a roll or specific length, to avoid having to join pieces.

antoinolachtnai

You still have to round it off somehow at the edges or wrap it around the panel, or something.

Get someone who knows what they are doing (typically a guy who does copper roofs I suppose).

Effects

I could be wrong but I'd imagine a copper roof guy would finish it to a lesser degree as it's not seen up close when it's on a roof.
I had planned to sand the edges then buff and polish.

antoinolachtnai

The copper roof guy will finish it a lot better than someone who isn't used working with copper! The copper work I've seen is all pretty tidy looking. No one really does 'rough' copper roofs anymore. If you pay for a copper roof, you generally want something pretty tidy.

I don't know if you'll be able to sand it that easily. But I am no expert. It would make sense to get a scrap piece of material and try.

If you want a polished look rather than a tarnished look, it would make sense to think about how you are going to achieve this. And you will need to take particular care with finishing to make sure you have a nice shiny finish.

CJhaughey

Being honest, I don't think you will find it all that easy to achieve a good finish dealing with bare copper with no experience.
For a better finish I'd suggest cladding it in plastic or aluminium and wrapping it with a metallic wrap.
It will be easier to clean and maintain as well, copper tarnishes over time and you will have to keep polishing it to maintain the shiny surface.
https://www.metrorestyling.com/3M-1080-M229-Matte-Copper-Metallic-Vinyl-Wrap-p/matte1080m229.htm

my3cents

I did behind our range in copper from old hot water cylinders and joined 3 sheets together, some job took me ages! We wanted an aged look and got it but I know someone with a copper kitchen sink and its a nightmare to clean so unless the copper is sealed its going to take a lot of maintenance.

Lumen

What about metal effect tiles?

http://www.porcelanosa.com/uk/metallic-effect-tiles.php

Markcheese

A friend did stainless steel panels behind his units.. The steel fabricator insisted that he get plywood panels and "offer them up" to the wall to get a really good fit, to the worktop, power points ect.. When that was done he "wrapped them in SS at his work shop, took a while to get the timber right but a great Job,and copper easier to work than SS,

Effects

I’ve managed to get a supplier with copper on a roll at a decent price. Only issue is I have to buy the whole roll! Either 11m or 18m depending on the width I get.

Lumen

Effects wrote: »

I’ve managed to get a supplier with copper on a roll at a decent price. Only issue is I have to buy the whole roll! Either 11m or 18m depending on the width I get.

I might be interested in some of that for a project. What price did you get?

Effects

It's €8.50 per kg, ex vat. Rolls are around 51 kg each. 600mm x 18m , 700mm x 14m, 900mm x 11m. It's 0.55mm thick.
I have a section that I use from time to time that's the same thickness so I'm used to what it's like. I'll probably go for 900mm as I need it for two areas, one being about 900mm and the other 500mm.