Copper and antique copper are popular for architectural and decorative applications, but they differ significantly in material composition, production processes, appearance, applications, and price. Understanding these differences can help you select the right material for your project. 

Ⅰ. Material Composition

Copper: Made of pure copper (Cu content ≥ 99.9%), may contain trace impurities (such as oxygen, sulfur). The overall material is uniform, without coating or composite structure.

Antique Copper: The base is stainless steel (such as 304, 316, and other alloys containing chromium and nickel), and the surface is covered with a copper film (usually micrometer thick) by electroplating or chemical plating. The structure is divided into two layers; the outer layer is copper, and the inner layer is stainless steel.

Ⅱ. How to Age a Copper Sheet?

Copper: It is made through processes such as smelting and forging.

Antique Copper: A layer of copper is plated on the surface of stainless steel to form the same color as copper. The color is not much different from real copper, but the cost is much cheaper than copper. In terms of surface performance, the reflective effect of stainless steel is better than real copper, and it has a more metallic texture.

Ⅲ. Appearance

Copper: Fresh copper has a bright reddish-orange tone that evolves into a darker, earthy brown or greenish patina over time due to natural oxidation.

Antique Copper : Stainless steel with an antique copper finish offers a consistent aged copper appearance without further oxidation. It often features rich, warm tones with darkened highlights, providing a rustic or vintage aesthetic.

Ⅳ. Surface treatment

Copper: The surface can maintain the natural color of copper and has a unique purple-red color

Antique Copper : The surface can be treated in a variety of ways, such as 8k, brushed, sandblasted, etc., to produce a variety of colors, including green bronze, red bronze, yellow bronze and other effects, with richer visual effects.

Ⅴ. Corrosion resistance:

copper has good corrosion resistance in a dry or neutral environment, and a dense oxide film (such as alkaline copper sulfate or copper carbonate) will form on the surface to play a protective role;

Stainless steel copper-plated plates rely on the integrity of the coating and the passivation layer of the base stainless steel.

Summary of key differences：

Ⅵ. Applications

Copper: Due to its excellent conductivity and durability, copper is widely used in electrical wiring, plumbing, roofing, and industrial machinery. It is also a favored material for decorative applications such as wall cladding, kitchen backsplashes, and furniture.

Antique Copper : It can imitate different retro surface textures to achieve an antique-like decorative effect, which is very suitable for modern retro style decoration occasions.It is commonly found in applications such as elevator doors, wall panels, trims, furniture accents, and architectural elements. Its low maintenance and resistance to corrosion make it ideal for commercial and residential projects.

Ⅶ. Why Are Copper Sheets So Expensive?

The raw material cost of pure copper plate is about 4-5 times that of stainless steel copper plate, and the copper price is more affected by market fluctuations.

Copper: Pure copper tends to be more expensive due to its material value and demand in various industries. Factors such as market prices, thickness, and form influence its cost.

Antique Copper (Stainless Steel): Antique copper finishes on stainless steel are generally more cost-effective than solid copper. The cost is one-third of real copper, providing a similar aesthetic at a lower price. Additionally, stainless steel’s durability and longevity contribute to long-term cost savings.

Ⅷ.What is the service life?

Stainless steel Antique Copper have a long service life and are more durable than copper plates, especially in environments with high loads or frequent use, where the stability and durability of this material are more significant.

Sustainability：

• Low pollution: Stainless steel Antique Copper itself can use non-toxic or low-toxic chemicals to reduce pollution to the environment.Copper easily produces verdigris, Copper salts may be generated after prolonged use.and long-term inhalation can cause immeasurable damage to the body

• Durability: Stainless steel Antique Copper holds up better in humid environments and is less susceptible to rust than copper.The copper plating layer not only enhances the corrosion resistance of stainless steel, but also improves its wear resistance and scratch resistance, prolongs the service life of the material, and thus reduces the waste generated by material loss.

• Resource conservation: Since the service life of copper-plated stainless steel plates is extended, the consumption and waste of new materials are correspondingly reduced, which is a resource-saving and environmentally friendly way.

• Cleaning and Maintenance：The surface of copper is not easy to maintain due to oxidation. You may cause the color to fall off by wiping it. However, the surface dust of stainless steel copper plate can be simply wiped with a dry cloth without affecting the surface.

Conclusion

When deciding between copper and antique copper finishes on stainless steel, consider your project’s aesthetic goals, budget, and functional requirements. Copper offers a timeless, evolving look with unmatched durability, while antique copper on stainless steel provides an immediate vintage appeal with added strength and corrosion resistance. Both materials bring unique beauty and functionality to architectural and decorative applications.