Brass vs aluminium

Brass reads warm — champagne to gold depending on light and polish. Suits timber that wants warmer hardware.

Aluminium stays cooler and quieter. Lighter visually; many desks take it without shouting.

Brass takes a polish, then a quieter patina with use and fingerprints. That is expected solid brass, not a coating wearing through.

Aluminium keeps a cooler tone longer. It still marks if you abuse it, but it does not brown the way brass does.

Our aged brass cable grommet is the same solid brass machining as polished brass, finished with an intentional deeper patina. Specifiers searching for an antique brass desk grommet or antique brass cable grommet usually want that warm, darkened look — Plinko ages the solid metal, rather than plating zinc to look antique.

Same 60 mm drop-in fit as brass and aluminium. Choose aged brass when the joinery already calls for antique or aged brass hardware; choose polished brass when you want brightness that will patina more slowly in use.

Brass is denser — the piece feels settled in the hand and in the cutout. Aluminium is lighter to ship and to handle on a long install day.

Postage follows weight: three brass pieces cost more to send than three aluminium. Exact postage locks in at checkout / shipping.

Brass is $195 AUD. Aluminium is $145 AUD. Same 60 mm cutout, same two-part insert.

Unsure? The sample pair is one of each at a discount under buying both separately — feel both metals before a project run.

Specify brass when the desk wants warmth — walnut, oak with warm oil, brass pulls nearby.

Specify aluminium for cooler schemes, white or pale tops, or when weight and list price matter across many stations.

Mixed finishes on one floor are fine — fit is identical. Trade 10% off list for approved ABN accounts; see Trade.