How eco-friendly, or “Green” is bronze and New Bronze Age Tile, Inc.?
New Bronze Age Tile is committed to leaving as small a carbon footprint as possible. We pledge to continually expand our knowledge of “Green” production and put the healthiest environmental practices in place throughout our business.

Among our “green” activities:

• The bronze in our tiles is made from local recycled metals
• The bronze is melted from recycled ingots in efficient induction furnaces in an OSHA compliant facility
• No metal is wasted, all scrap is re-melted and reused
• Bronze is a sustainable resource. Our tiles will never break, break down or need to be replaced 
• Bronze doesn’t harbor moisture and therefore does not promote mold or bacteria
• Bronze cleans best with soap and water only – in fact, chemical cleaners can ruin the patina
• Our office, studio and warehouse:
• Uses only cornstarch packing peanuts and recyclable boxes
• Recycles all plastics, cardboards and paper
• Uses low energy lighting

Is it easy to care for bronze tiles?
Yes! Bronze is beautiful, durable and a perfect choice for installation indoors, outdoors, in wet or dry areas. And with minimal attention bronze tiles will become even more beautiful with age.

New Bronze Age tiles are patinaed (colored,) sealed and waxed. Expect the patina to grow darker and richer over time. The tiles are sealed with a high quality solvent lacquer that contains corrosion and ultraviolet, or UV, inhibitors. Over the lacquer, a high quality wax is applied that also protects from corrosion and UV.

Are bronze tiles easy to clean?
Yes! Keep them free of dust as you would any other surface. Clean them with a cloth and/or soap and water or use a non-abrasive household cleaner. Avoid cleaners or strippers containing acid, vinegar, bleach or abrasives.

If tiles are installed in wet or high humidity areas a thin layer of Butcher's or paste wax with carnauba should be applied once or twice a year.

Apply as follows:
Using a ½- or 1-inch brush, apply a very thin layer of wax to the tiles. Let sit two hours. Buff the tiles using a terry cloth towel. If tiles are in a high traffic or wet area, apply two coats of wax to increase protection. Let the first coat dry for two hours before applying the second coat. After the second coat, buff as directed.

How does bronze age?
Beautifully! Over time, bronze tiles in high traffic areas may burnish to a rich gold, highlighting the relief sculpture. Besides the normal lustrous darkening of tiles, this is another elegant way that bronze shows its age.

Doesn't bronze turn green?
The lacquer and sealer coating New Bronze Age tiles prevents oxidation, or greening. However, tiles installed in high humidity, high salt environments might begin to green after a long time. But greening is a very gradual process (it takes years!) and easy for the homeowner to recognize and remove. Simply rub the tiles with a Scotchbrite pad, rinse them with water, dry them completely and reapply a solvent lacquer sealer made for bronze, such as Permalac. Then apply wax as described above.

What if I prefer greened bronze tiles?
Some clients do, preferring the look of ancient bronze statues. With that in mind New Bronze Age Tile offers tiles in a rich verdigris patina. Ask your showroom representative or contact us for details.

 

How are bronze tiles installed?
It is recommended that an experienced contractor/tile installer install bronze tiles.

Because the tile patina (color) can be scratched if the surface comes in contact with a sharp metal edge, prior to installation keep the tiles from rubbing against each other by layering them with plastic, as they were when they were shipped. Use care with metal cutting and installation tools to avoid scratching the patina.

New Bronze Age tiles should be installed using a thinset or epoxy adhesive. Tiles can be cut using a metal cutting blade. Do not cut the metal tiles using a dry masonry blade. The heat from the blade may discolor the metal.

If the tiles are cut to fit an installation, the cut edge needs to be sealed to avoid greening. After cutting, wipe the cut edge with a damp cloth to clean residue, dry completely and then seal the cut edge with any clear shellac.

The recessed areas of New Bronze Age tiles are as important aesthetically as the high areas and are meant to be seen. That why we recommend that they be installed so that no grout is visible on the high- or low-relief areas. Remove surface grout from the tile while it is still wet. Use a toothbrush or similar soft bristle brush and a lot of water to safely remove wet grout from tile surfaces and recesses without scratching the patina.