The Art of Bronze

Sun Valley Bronze uses only the finest quality art grade bronze for consistent, high-quality castings. New ingots are transformed into architectural hardware. Scrap bronze from sand castings is recycled into subsequent castings, and even the floor sweepings are saved and sent to recycling centers.

Sun Valley Bronze uses only the finest quality art grade bronze for consistent, high-quality castings. New ingots are transformed into architectural hardware. Scrap bronze from sand castings is recycled into subsequent castings, and even the floor sweepings are saved and sent to recycling centers.

Patterns originate as an idea on paper. The design then begins to take shape traditionally using hard-carved wood or resin models, or digitally by implementing 3D modeling software.

Patterns originate as an idea on paper. The design then begins to take shape traditionally using hard-carved wood or resin models, or digitally by implementing 3D modeling software.

The bronze ingots are melted at 2250° fahrenheit in a clay graphite crucible with an induction furnace. 

The bronze ingots are melted at 2250° fahrenheit in a clay graphite crucible with an induction furnace. 

Tehnicians pour the molten bronze into a gate so that it flows smoothly into the small channels leading to the parts. 

Molds are created from a water based green sand.  The sand is pneumatically packed around match plates in order to create empty chambers divided by a parting line.   Finished flasks are prepped for casting. 

Heavy metal weights are placed on the top of a finished mold to provide pressure and prevent the molten bronze from breaking through the sand. 

Computer operated CNC machines cut intricate detail into the bronze parts while maintaining uniformity among all pieces of that style. We use state of the art CNC milling machines from HAAS Manufacturing (CA) to manufacture our hardware. Precision machining ensures that every piece of Sun Valley Bronze hardware functions perfectly and meets our exacting specifications.

The final stage of the process involves patination, hand waxing, buffing and final assembly in the Sun Valley Bronze finishing studio.  If specified, the bronze hardware is dipped into a patina bath to create a desired finish. Assembly is completed with our stainless steel components and Teflon coated springs which bring our pieces together for flawless function. Each piece, whether it be custom made or one from our collections, does not leave our shop without a final inspection. 

The final stage of the process involves patination, hand waxing, buffing and final assembly in the Sun Valley Bronze finishing studio.  If specified, the bronze hardware is dipped into a patina bath to create a desired finish. Assembly is completed with our stainless steel components and Teflon coated springs which bring our pieces together for flawless function. Each piece, whether it be custom made or one from our collections, does not leave our shop without a final inspection. 

The final stage of the process involves patination, hand waxing, buffing and final assembly in the Sun Valley Bronze finishing studio.  If specified, the bronze hardware is dipped into a patina bath to create a desired finish. Assembly is completed with our stainless steel components and Teflon coated springs which bring our pieces together for flawless function. Each piece, whether it be custom made or one from our collections, does not leave our shop without a final inspection. 

Hand applied non-toxic patinas take the place of time and nature to oxidize copper and other alloys, giving the bronze a deep, aged look and feel. We do not use lacquers or coatings over our finishes, so the copper element is exposed, enabling the antimicrobial properties of the copper to function.

Sun Valley Bronze showrooms display a variety of styles and patina choices. Whatever your project, residential or commercial, it is easy to mix and match designs and finishes.

Sun Valley Bronze showrooms display a variety of styles and patina choices. Whatever your project, residential or commercial, it is easy to mix and match designs and finishes.

Sun Valley Bronze showrooms display a variety of styles and patina choices. Whatever your project, residential or commercial, it is easy to mix and match designs and finishes.