Almost every cabinet handle on the market is made from one of three materials. They differ in cost, weight, corrosion resistance and the finishes they can carry, and choosing the wrong one is the fastest way to a complaint six months after installation.

Zinc alloy (die-cast)

Molten zinc is injected into a steel mould, which allows complex shapes — T-bars, cup pulls, ornate antiques — at a low unit cost. Zinc alloy takes chrome, nickel, black and antique finishes beautifully.

• Best for: interior furniture, kitchen cabinets, decorative styles, price-sensitive ranges.
• Watch out for: cheap thin-walled castings that flex under load, and plating that blisters if the surface was not polished properly.
• Price index: 1.0 (baseline)

Stainless steel 304

Formed from tube or solid bar, 304 stainless needs no plating, so there is nothing to peel. It is the standard choice for kitchens, bathrooms, hospitals and coastal projects.

• Best for: humid environments, commercial kitchens, outdoor furniture, long-life residential projects.
• Watch out for: 201-grade steel sold as 304 — it rusts within months in a wet kitchen. Ask for a material certificate.
• Price index: 1.6–2.2

Solid brass (H62/H59)

Brass is dense and warm, machines to a fine edge, and takes PVD coatings that hold colour for years. It is the material of high-end furniture and hotel casegoods.

• Best for: premium cabinets, hotel projects, lacquered furniture, heritage restoration.
• Watch out for: hollow brass-plated zinc sold as “brass”. Weight is the giveaway: a solid brass 128 mm bar pull is roughly 90–110 g; a plated zinc copy is 50–60 g.
• Price index: 2.8–4.0

Quick selection table

The coating matters as much as the metal

A decent zinc handle with a well-controlled 3-layer plating will outlast a cheap stainless handle with rough welds. Ask your supplier for the salt-spray test result — 48 hours is acceptable for interiors, 96 hours or more for kitchens and bathrooms.