Yes, but some change much more than others.
Uncoated copper and brass typically show the most noticeable natural change, developing darker tones and variation as the metal reacts with its environment. Stainless steel and paint finishes generally maintain a more consistent appearance, while clear-coated copper or brass can help preserve the selected finish by limiting exposure to air.
Modern Aire offers stainless steel, brass, copper, zinc and paint range hoods, including RAL and custom colours. Several copper and brass finishes are offered both with and without protective clear coats.
“Brass and copper age the most. Homeowners should understand the patina process before choosing the finish and also understand how to maintain the original look if that is what they prefer.”
~Collin Herman
The right finish therefore depends on more than what looks best on installation day. It depends on how you want the hood to look years from now.
A living finish is a metal surface designed to change naturally with exposure to its environment.
Air, moisture, oils from hands and everyday kitchen conditions can gradually alter the colour and tone of the material. This natural process is commonly called patina.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that the whole hood will age evenly.
“Customers sometimes assume the patina will develop uniformly. In reality, it can vary depending on the environment and where the hood is touched most often. Patina on a large piece of metal is different from patina on a small fixture because you are more likely to notice areas that change faster than others.”
~ Collin Herman
That makes every living-finish hood somewhat individual.
A section that is regularly touched may change differently from a large central panel that rarely comes into contact with hands. The area closest to the cooking surface may also experience a different environment than the top of the hood.
Copper is one of the materials where natural aging can be especially noticeable.
An uncoated copper surface may gradually deepen in colour and develop tonal variation rather than remaining identical to the original sample.
That evolving character is one of copper’s main design appeals.
Homeowners essentially have two different goals to consider:
If you want the metal to evolve: choose a finish intended to patina.
If you want to preserve the original copper tone: consider a clear-coated option.
Modern Aire currently offers brushed and polished copper finishes with and without clear coats, along with smoked copper, Copper Jitterbug and copper-on-stainless options.
Like copper, uncoated brass can develop darker areas and greater tonal variation over time.
Modern Aire’s team identifies brass and copper as the two materials where homeowners are most likely to notice aging.
Because a hood is considerably larger than a faucet or cabinet handle, variation becomes more visible. A subtle colour difference that might be almost invisible on a two-inch cabinet pull can become part of the character of a large hood canopy.
Modern Aire offers brushed, polished, naval and smoked brass options, including clear-coated versions of several finishes.
So rather than asking only:
“Do I want a brass range hood?”
It is more useful to ask:
“Do I want my brass to evolve naturally, or do I want the selected brass tone to remain more consistent?”
Patina develops because metal reacts with the surrounding environment.
A clear coat creates a barrier that limits direct exposure to air and can significantly slow the natural aging process, helping preserve the selected colour and finish.
“The composition of the material causes the aging process. It is a chemical reaction between the air and the metal. A clear coat on a raw metal can halt that aging process by limiting exposure to air and keeping the finish preserved.”
~Collin Herman
Modern Aire’s finish collection makes this distinction clear. For example, homeowners can compare Brushed Copper with Brushed Copper with matte clear, or Brushed Brass with Brushed Brass with matte clear. Modern Aire
A clear coat does not mean the hood requires no care, but it can be a better fit when maintaining the original finish is a priority.
Zinc provides a cooler, more muted alternative to copper and brass.
Uncoated architectural zinc naturally forms a patina as it reacts with its environment, gradually moving from a brighter metallic appearance toward a more matte grey tone. ZINC. International Zinc Association
However, the behaviour of a finished range hood should not be assumed to be identical to unfinished architectural zinc.
Modern Aire offers both Jitterbug Raw Zinc and Jitterbug Zinc, so homeowners should discuss the expected appearance of the specific finish they are considering. Modern Aire
The practical rule is simple:
Choose the exact finish, not simply the base metal.
Stainless steel is generally a better fit when the goal is a more consistent metal appearance rather than visible patina.
It can still show fingerprints, cleaning marks and ordinary surface wear, but homeowners usually select stainless steel for its clean, stable appearance rather than because they want it to evolve dramatically.
Modern Aire offers brushed, polished, dark and Jitterbug stainless steel, including clear-coated options for several finishes. Modern Aire
Stainless also works particularly well when another metal, such as brass or copper, is being introduced as an accent.
Not every custom hood needs to look like raw metal.
Modern Aire offers paint finishes, all RAL colours and custom paint colours that can coordinate with cabinetry, a range or wall paint. Modern Aire
Unlike a living copper or brass finish, paint is chosen when the homeowner wants a controlled colour rather than natural metal patina.
It can be especially useful when you want the hood to:
Rather than assigning every metal to a particular kitchen style, choose according to the appearance you want to maintain over time.
If Your Priority Is… | Consider… |
A finish that naturally develops character | Uncoated copper or brass |
Warm metal with less natural change | Clear-coated copper or brass |
A more consistent contemporary metal appearance | Stainless steel |
A softer, muted metal look | Zinc |
A particular cabinetry or statement colour | Paint |
A layered look with several metals | Mixed materials or metal accents |
This approach also fits the current kitchen design direction. NKBA’s 2026 research highlights personalization, material sophistication, organic aesthetics and whole-home visual continuity as important themes, making finish selection increasingly about how materials work together rather than choosing one universal look. NKBA
The best finish is still the one that fits the kitchen and your tolerance for how that surface will evolve.
Not necessarily, particularly with a living finish.
A sample helps establish the overall colour, sheen and texture, but it is only a small representation of a much larger fabricated surface.
Modern Aire notes that displayed finishes may vary from the actual material and recommends requesting physical samples from a dealer before ordering.
Scale matters too.
“Patina on a large-form piece of metal is different from a small fixture because it is easier to see the specific areas that have aged more quickly.”
~Collin Herman
Lighting can also change how the finish appears. Natural daylight, warm pendant lighting and cooler showroom lighting can make the same metal look slightly different.
A finish sample should therefore help you make the decision, but it should not be treated as a promise that a living metal surface will remain visually identical forever.
Yes, but aim for coordination rather than perfect duplication.
Different manufacturers use different base metals, finishing techniques and coatings. Two products both labelled “brushed brass” may therefore look slightly different.
“Homeowners should consider the overall colour they are trying to match, but keep in mind that the finishes will usually be a significant distance apart. Manufacturers also use different processes, so exact finishes can vary.”
~Collin Herman
When comparing metals, look at four characteristics:
Warm vs. cool tone
Light vs. dark value
Brushed vs. polished sheen
Living vs. protected finish
That often creates a more intentional result than trying to force every metal in the room to be identical.
Before finalizing the material, decide:
Answering those questions early can prevent an attractive showroom sample from becoming the wrong long-term choice.
A custom range hood is more than a short-term design decision.
Copper and brass can become more individual as they age. Clear coats can help preserve a selected metal appearance. Stainless steel provides a more consistent look, while paint opens the door to custom colour.
The right answer depends on what you want to happen after installation.
Modern Aire offers stainless steel, brass, copper, zinc, paint colours and mixed-material combinations, along with physical finish samples through its dealer network. Modern Aire
Explore Modern Aire Materials & Finishes to compare your options, then Find a Dealer to review physical samples before your custom hood is finalized.
No. The exterior material or colour is primarily a design choice. Ventilation performance depends on factors such as hood dimensions, capture area, blower selection and ductwork.
Choose the finish for appearance and maintenance preferences, then evaluate the ventilation system separately.
Yes. Modern Aire offers custom detailing and mixed-material options, and its gallery includes combinations such as stainless steel with copper or painted finishes with brass accents. This can be an effective way to coordinate several materials without making the entire hood one metal.
Potentially, but changing a fabricated metal finish is not equivalent to repainting a wall. The feasibility depends on the original material, finish and coating.
If you think your design preferences may change later, discuss that before ordering. For an existing Modern Aire hood, contact the team or your dealer before attempting refinishing.
Not without first confirming the exact finish. A polish intended to brighten raw metal may alter a patina or affect the appearance of a specialty finish.
Check the care recommendations for your specific Modern Aire finish before applying polish, abrasives or other cleaning products.
The appropriate solution depends on whether the hood is stainless steel, raw metal, or clear-coated. Avoid trying to blend or polish the area before identifying the finish, since an attempted repair may make the affected area more noticeable.
For finish-specific guidance, contact Modern Aire or your dealer.
Yes. Modern Aire offers standard paint finishes, RAL colours and custom colour matching for projects that require a particular cabinetry, appliance or wall colour.
Yes. A custom hood can use contrasting metals or painted surfaces with metal accents. Modern Aire’s gallery includes combinations such as stainless steel with copper and painted hoods with brass detailing.
This can also make it easier to coordinate several finishes already present in the kitchen.
