Why We Use Marine-Grade, Virgin Brass

Your clients count on your expertise, and you count on manufacturers for materials that last. Few things hurt a reputation faster than callbacks for luminaires that chip, fade or corrode a few years after install. That's why every Sterling luminaire is made from marine-grade, virgin brass.

Where common materials fall short

Powder-coated aluminum looks good on day one, but once the coating chips, the aluminum underneath begins to corrode. PVC well lights with aluminum covers cost less up front, but the plastic grays and the covers lose their paint. Brass outlasts both, but not all brass is equal.

Scrap brass and mixed metals headed for recycling. (Stock photo.)

Recycled vs. virgin brass

Since 2011, we've worked with engineers and material specialists to find the best material for outdoor luminaires. What we learned is that many manufacturers still use recycled brass, and virgin brass performs better for two reasons:

• Fewer impurities. Recycled brass is melted down from a wide mix of discarded objects, often with other metals mixed in. When those impurities aren't removed, they can cause pitting and a faded finish.
• Stronger castings. Contaminants melt at different temperatures and resist corrosion differently, which can leave small voids that weaken a luminaire during and after production.

That's why we use marine-grade, virgin brass exclusively, so Sterling luminaires last longer and look better on every project. You can see it across the line, from the SL01 Up Light to the SL07 Path Light. For a broader comparison of materials, read our pros and cons of light fixture materials.

You're not planning to close your business in five years. Your luminaires shouldn't wear out that soon either. Browse the full Sterling luminaire line.

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About the author: Patrick Harders, LC, is co-founder and CEO of Sterling Lighting and founder and principal lighting designer of Dayloom. He has more than 25 years of experience designing and installing outdoor lighting, and he's one of only five landscape lighting designers in North America with Lighting Certified (LC) accreditation. His projects have won multiple international lighting awards, including landscape lighting winners in 2018 and 2021, and he leads design of Sterling's luminaires.