What Are Commercial Hardware Finishes? BHMA and US Finish Codes Explained

Commercial hardware finishes are standardized coatings and surface treatments applied to door hardware components such as locksets, hinges, closers, and exit devices. The two primary designation systems used in the United States are the legacy US finish codes (US3, US4, US10, US26, US26D, US32, US32D, etc.) and the current BHMA (Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association) three-digit numeric codes (605, 606, 612, 625, 626, 630, 652, 689, 693, and others). Both systems describe the same finishes. Selecting the correct finish affects appearance, corrosion resistance, durability, and the ability to match hardware components across a complete door opening.

CDF Distributors supplies complete commercial door assemblies with coordinated hardware finishes. You can configure and order online using CDF’s ProBuilder tool at cdfdistributors.com, which displays available finishes for every hardware component in your assembly. For assistance selecting finishes for your project, call (855) 769-9895 or email sales@cdfdoors.com.

Understanding the BHMA and US Finish Designation Systems

The commercial hardware industry uses two parallel finish designation systems. The legacy US finish codes were established by the steel and brass hardware industry decades ago and remain widely used in project specifications, architectural drawings, and hardware schedules. The BHMA system replaced the US codes with a three-digit numbering scheme standardized under ANSI/BHMA A156.18. Both systems are in active use, and architects, contractors, and distributors must be fluent in both to interpret hardware schedules accurately.

The US system uses a prefix (US) followed by a number and sometimes a letter suffix to indicate the base metal, plating, and surface texture. The BHMA system uses a three-digit code that encodes the same information. The table below maps the most commonly specified commercial finishes between the two systems.

BHMA and US Finish Code Cross-Reference

The following table lists the most commonly specified commercial door hardware finishes, showing the BHMA three-digit code, the legacy US code, the finish description, the base material, and the typical appearance.

Detailed Finish Descriptions

Each commercial hardware finish has specific characteristics affecting its suitability for different environments, maintenance requirements, and aesthetic properties. The following sections describe the most commonly specified finishes in detail.

US3 / BHMA 605: Bright Brass

Bright brass (US3/605) is a high-gloss polished brass finish with a clear lacquer or epoxy coating to retard tarnishing. The base material is solid brass or brass-plated steel. This finish is primarily used in interior applications where a traditional, formal appearance is desired, such as office lobbies, hotels, and institutional buildings. Bright brass requires periodic cleaning to maintain its luster and is not recommended for high-traffic areas where the clear coat will wear, exposing the brass to oxidation. It is not suitable for exterior or corrosive environments.

US4 / BHMA 606: Satin Brass

Satin brass (US4/606) has a brushed, matte texture achieved by mechanical abrasion of the brass surface before clear coating. The directional brush pattern hides fingerprints and minor scratches more effectively than bright brass, making it more practical for moderate-traffic interior applications. Like bright brass, satin brass is not recommended for exterior use because the clear coat degrades under UV exposure and the brass substrate tarnishes when exposed to moisture.

US10 / BHMA 612: Satin Bronze

Satin bronze (US10/612) is a brushed matte finish on a bronze base. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin that develops a natural patina over time. Satin bronze hardware has a warm, muted appearance and is used in both traditional and contemporary interiors. The clear coating slows patina development, but bronze will still darken gradually with age. Satin bronze is suitable for interior applications and some sheltered exterior locations, though it is not recommended for coastal or highly corrosive environments without additional protective treatment.

US10B / BHMA 613: Oil Rubbed Bronze

Oil rubbed bronze (US10B/613) is a dark, aged-looking finish created by chemically darkening a bronze surface and then hand-relieving the high points to expose lighter undertones. This produces a two-tone appearance that simulates antique hardware. Oil rubbed bronze is one of the most popular architectural finishes for its visual warmth and ability to blend with wood doors and traditional interiors. Because the finish is a surface treatment rather than a plating, it will continue to age and change slightly over time. It is an interior finish and is not recommended for exterior exposure.

US26 / BHMA 625: Bright Chromium

Bright chromium (US26/625) is a high-gloss mirror-like chrome plating applied over a nickel undercoat on brass or steel substrates. Chrome plating provides excellent hardness and wear resistance. This finish is used in high-end interior applications where a clean, modern aesthetic is desired. Bright chromium shows fingerprints and water spots readily and requires frequent cleaning in high-traffic areas. It offers moderate corrosion resistance and can be used in sheltered exterior applications, but is not recommended for coastal or industrial environments without enhanced plating thickness.

US26D / BHMA 626: Satin Chromium

Satin chromium (US26D/626) is a brushed matte chrome finish that provides the corrosion resistance of chrome plating with better fingerprint concealment than bright chrome. It is one of the most widely specified commercial finishes due to its clean appearance, durability, and moderate maintenance requirements. Satin chromium is appropriate for interior commercial applications including offices, schools, healthcare facilities, and retail spaces. Like bright chromium, it offers moderate exterior resistance but should not be used in corrosive environments.

US32 / BHMA 629: Bright Stainless Steel

Bright stainless steel (US32/629) is a high-gloss polished finish on 300-series stainless steel, typically 304 or 316 grade. This finish combines the mirror-like appearance of polished chrome with the superior corrosion resistance of stainless steel. It is specified for high-end interiors and exterior applications where long-term durability is required. 316-grade stainless is recommended for coastal and marine environments. Bright stainless shows fingerprints and requires regular cleaning but will not rust, tarnish, or degrade under normal atmospheric conditions.

US32D / BHMA 630: Satin Stainless Steel

Satin stainless steel (US32D/630) is the most commonly specified finish for commercial exterior hardware and high-traffic interior applications. The brushed matte texture on 304 or 316 stainless steel hides fingerprints and scratches while providing the highest corrosion resistance of any standard hardware finish. Satin stainless is the default specification for hospitals, food processing facilities, laboratories, exterior entries, and any environment subject to frequent cleaning with harsh chemicals. For coastal, marine, or chemical-exposure environments, specify 316-grade stainless steel specifically.

US28 / BHMA 628: Satin Aluminum

Satin aluminum (US28/628) is a brushed matte finish on anodized aluminum. Anodizing creates a hard, integral oxide layer on the aluminum surface that resists corrosion and wear. Satin aluminum is lightweight and commonly specified for exit devices, push-pull bars, and continuous hinges, particularly in institutional and commercial applications. It is suitable for both interior and sheltered exterior use. In coastal environments, aluminum hardware should be specified with enhanced anodizing thickness or avoided in favor of stainless steel.

BHMA 689: Aluminum Painted

Aluminum painted (689) is a spray-applied aluminum-colored paint finish on a steel substrate. It is one of the most economical hardware finishes available and is commonly specified for closers, exit devices, and other hardware where function takes priority over aesthetics. The painted surface provides basic corrosion protection for interior use. Aluminum painted hardware does not have the corrosion resistance of true anodized aluminum and is not recommended for exterior applications or environments subject to moisture, chemicals, or abrasion.

BHMA 693: Black

Black (693) is a dark black finish achieved through paint, powder coat, or specialized coatings applied to steel or other substrates. Black hardware has become increasingly popular in contemporary commercial and architectural design. Durability depends on the coating method: powder-coated black finishes offer significantly better scratch and chip resistance than spray-painted finishes. Black hardware is primarily specified for interior use. For exterior black hardware, specify powder coat over paint for improved UV and weather resistance.

Powder Coat Options (Custom Colors)

Powder coating is an electrostatically applied dry finish that is heat-cured in an oven to form a hard, durable shell. Powder coat finishes are available in virtually any RAL or custom color, making them the standard choice for projects requiring a specific color match. Powder coat is significantly more durable than wet paint: it resists chipping, scratching, fading, and chemical exposure. It is suitable for both interior and exterior applications. Most commercial hardware manufacturers offer powder coat as a factory-applied option with lead times longer than standard finishes. Powder coat is commonly specified for exit devices, closers, and trim in custom colors to match architectural color schemes.

Finish Durability by Environment

Selecting the correct finish for the installation environment is one of the most important decisions in a commercial hardware specification. A finish that performs well in a climate-controlled office may fail within months in a coastal or chemical-exposure environment. The following table summarizes finish suitability across three environment categories: interior, exterior, and coastal or corrosive.

For coastal and corrosive environments, 316-grade stainless steel is the standard recommendation. Where stainless steel is not aesthetically acceptable, powder coat over stainless substrates provides the best combination of corrosion resistance and color flexibility.

Matching Finishes Across Hardware Components

A complete commercial door opening includes multiple hardware components: hinges, locksets, closers, exit devices, kick plates, door stops, and protective trim. Achieving a consistent finish appearance across all components requires careful specification, because different manufacturers, base metals, and coating processes can produce visible variations even when the same finish code is specified.

Why Finishes May Not Match Exactly

Several factors cause finish variation between hardware components, even when the same BHMA or US code is specified across the entire hardware schedule.

• Different base metals: A US26D lockset on a brass substrate will have a slightly different tone than a US26D closer on a steel substrate. The base metal affects the warmth and depth of the plated finish.
• Different manufacturers: Each manufacturer has its own plating or coating process. A Schlage US26D lockset and an LCN US26D closer may not be an identical color match despite sharing the same finish code.
• Plated vs. solid finishes: Solid brass hardware and brass-plated steel hardware will look different over time as the plating wears.
• Painted vs. plated: Painted finishes (689, some 693) do not have the same reflective properties as plated or anodized finishes.
• Aging and patina: Living finishes like oil rubbed bronze (US10B/613) will continue to change over time. Hardware installed at different dates may develop different patina levels.

Best Practices for Finish Coordination

The following practices help minimize visible finish variation across a complete door opening.

• Specify hardware from a single manufacturer whenever possible to ensure consistent plating processes.
• Request finish samples from each manufacturer before finalizing the hardware schedule, especially for high-visibility openings.
• Use the same base metal across components where possible. All-brass or all-stainless hardware groups will match better than mixed-metal groups.
• For critical finish matches (lobby entries, executive areas), consider ordering all hardware in the same purchase order so components are plated in the same production batch.
• Specify satin finishes (US4, US26D, US32D) over bright finishes for better visual consistency. Brushed textures mask subtle color differences between components.
• For closers and exit devices that are difficult to finish-match to locksets, consider specifying them in a complementary neutral finish (689 aluminum painted or powder coat) rather than forcing an imperfect match.

Fire-Rated Hardware and Finish Selection

Fire-rated door assemblies require all hardware components to carry appropriate fire listings. The finish applied to fire-rated hardware must not compromise the fire rating. Standard factory-applied finishes from listed manufacturers do not affect fire ratings. However, field-applied finishes, custom coatings, or aftermarket painting may void fire labels if not specifically tested and approved.

Fire-rated assemblies are available at five rating levels: 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 3-hour (180-minute). The hardware specified must be listed for the required rating level. Finish selection does not change across rating levels, but the available hardware models may differ. Higher-rated assemblies (90-minute and 3-hour) typically have a more limited selection of listed hardware, which may in turn limit available finishes.

The following table summarizes fire rating levels and their typical hardware finish availability.

Always verify that the specific hardware model in the desired finish carries the required fire listing. Consult the manufacturer’s catalog or the Intertek (WHI) Directory of Listed Products for confirmation. CDF Distributors verifies fire listings on every fire-rated assembly before shipping.

Finish Maintenance and Care

Maintaining hardware finishes extends their service life and preserves the appearance of the door opening. Maintenance requirements vary significantly by finish type. The following table provides general maintenance guidelines for each major finish category.

Specifying Finishes in Hardware Schedules

Hardware schedules are the primary document controlling finish selection for a commercial construction project. The hardware schedule lists every opening by number and specifies the exact hardware required, including manufacturer, model, and finish. The following best practices ensure clear and accurate finish specification.

• Use BHMA codes as the primary designation: While US codes are still widely understood, BHMA codes are the current ANSI standard and reduce ambiguity in procurement.
• Include the US code in parentheses: Many contractors and field personnel still reference US codes. Listing both avoids confusion. Example: 626 (US26D) Satin Chromium.
• Specify the base metal when critical: If the project requires solid brass rather than brass-plated steel, state this explicitly. The finish code alone does not guarantee the base metal.
• Specify stainless grade for exterior and corrosive environments: State 304 or 316 grade explicitly. The finish code 630 does not distinguish between grades.
• Note acceptable alternates: If an exact finish match is not available across all hardware types, specify which alternates are acceptable. Example: 626 (US26D) or 630 (US32D) acceptable for closer.

Configure Your Hardware Assembly

CDF Distributors’ ProBuilder tool allows contractors and facility managers to configure complete door assemblies online, including finish selection for every hardware component. ProBuilder displays available finishes for each hardware item and flags potential finish mismatches across the assembly. This helps ensure consistent finish coordination before the order is placed.

For assistance selecting finishes for your project, call (855) 769-9895 or email sales@cdfdoors.com. CDF’s sales team is available Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM CT.

Frequently Asked Questions

About This Guide

This reference guide reflects current BHMA and ANSI/BHMA A156.18 finish standards as applied in commercial door hardware specification. The information is compiled from established industry standards, manufacturer technical data, and CDF Distributors’ experience supplying thousands of complete commercial door assemblies annually from its Nashville, Tennessee headquarters.

For questions about hardware finishes or to configure a complete door assembly with coordinated finishes, contact CDF at (855) 769-9895 or sales@cdfdoors.com. Configure your assembly online at cdfdistributors.com using ProBuilder.