Hardware Finish Guide
MDI SUPPLY RESOURCE CENTER
Hardware Finish Guide
BHMA and US finish codes, base metals, and the newest ASSA ABLOY finishes, including Black Suede (BSP), White Suede (WSP), and 10BE / 613E, in one place.
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Reading a CodeFinish GalleryNew FinishesPainted & AnodizedUS to BHMA ChartManufacturer CodesBy ApplicationOrdering TipsDoor hardware finishes are identified two ways: the older US codes (US26D, US32D) and the current BHMA codes defined in ANSI/BHMA A156.18 (626, 630). Most specifications and submittals list both side by side. The BHMA number also tells you the base material the finish is applied to, which is why one US code can map to several BHMA numbers. Some manufacturers also use their own codes for finishes the standard doesn't cover, such as BSP and WSP.
How to read a finish code
US code
Describes appearance only. A “D” suffix means dull or satin rather than bright polished (US26 vs. US26D).
BHMA code
Three digits under ANSI/BHMA A156.18, tied to both appearance and base metal. Satin chrome is 626 on brass and 652 on steel.
Stainless exceptions
US32 and US32D describe solid stainless steel, both finish and material: BHMA 629 and 630.
Manufacturer codes
Codes like BSP, WSP, 10BL and 20D are manufacturer designations. Order them by the exact code shown on the product.
Finish gallery
Current ASSA ABLOY standard decorative hardware finishes, shown with the manufacturer code first and the BHMA number where one applies. Finishes marked NEW are the latest additions.
Swatches are on-screen approximations. Actual color and sheen vary by monitor, manufacturer, base metal, and production run. Finish list per ASSA ABLOY standard finishes.
New ASSA ABLOY finishes
Three finishes now showing up on hardware schedules. All three are manufacturer designations, so list the exact code on your order.
Black is not one finish. BSP (matte powder coat), 622 / US19 (flat black coated), 693 (black painted), 711 (black anodized), and 722 (black oxidized bronze) all read as “black” but differ in sheen and tone. Use one code across an opening where you can.
Painted, powder-coated & anodized finishes
Door closers, exit devices, thresholds, and continuous hinges are often painted, powder coated, or anodized rather than plated. These are the codes you'll see most on those products.
US to BHMA cross reference
Find the US code, then read across to the BHMA number for the base material of the product you're ordering.
| US code | Description | On brass / bronze | On steel | Other base metals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USP | Primed for painting | — | 600 | 674 (zinc) |
| US1B | Bright japanned (black) | — | 601 | — |
| US2C / US2G | Zinc plated | — | 603 | — |
| US3 | Bright brass, clear coated | 605 | 632 | 666 (aluminum), 677 (zinc) |
| US4 | Satin brass, clear coated | 606 | 633 | 667 (aluminum), 678 (zinc) |
| US5 | Satin brass, blackened, satin relieved, clear coated | 609 | 638 | — |
| US9 | Bright bronze, clear coated | 611 | 637 | 679 (zinc) |
| US10 | Satin bronze, clear coated | 612 | 639 | 668 (aluminum), 680 (zinc) |
| US10A | Oxidized satin bronze, relieved, clear coated (antique bronze) | 614 | 641 | — |
| US10B | Oxidized satin bronze, oil rubbed | 613 | 640 | — |
| US11 | Satin bronze, blackened, satin relieved, clear coated | 616 | 643 | — |
| US14 | Bright nickel plated, clear coated | 618 | 645 | 669 (aluminum) |
| US15 | Satin nickel plated, clear coated | 619 | 646 | 670 (aluminum) |
| US15A | Satin nickel, blackened, satin relieved, clear coated | 620 | 647 | — |
| US19 | Flat black coated | 622 | 631 | 671 (aluminum), 676 (zinc) |
| US20 | Light oxidized bright bronze, clear coated | 623 | 649 | — |
| US20A | Dark oxidized statuary bronze, clear coated | 624 | 650 | — |
| US26 | Bright chromium plated | 625 | 651 | 672 (aluminum), 681 (zinc) |
| US26D | Satin chromium plated | 626 | 652 | 682 (zinc) |
| US27 | Satin aluminum, clear coated | — | — | 627 (aluminum) |
| US28 | Satin aluminum, clear anodized | — | — | 628 (aluminum) |
| US32 | Bright stainless steel | — | — | 629 (300 series stainless), 653 (400 series) |
| US32D | Satin stainless steel | — | — | 630 (300 series stainless), 654 (400 series) |
Finish designations are governed by ANSI/BHMA A156.18, Materials and Finishes, which defines the BHMA 600-series codes and their relationship to the older US designations still used throughout the industry. A few legacy US codes are used inconsistently between manufacturers; when in doubt, order by the BHMA number.
Manufacturer finish codes
These codes appear on ASSA ABLOY product data and hardware schedules. Most have no direct US-code equivalent.
| Code | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BSP | Black Suede Powder Coat | Permanent matte black powder coat. Offered across ASSA ABLOY lines including closers, exit devices, hinges, and aluminum products. |
| WSP | White Suede Powder Coat | Matte white powder coat. A cooler-to-the-touch option for hardware in direct sun. |
| 10BE / 613E | Dark Oxidized Satin Bronze, Equivalent | Coated finish that matches the look of 10B / 613 on products where a true oil-rubbed bronze finish isn't practical. |
| 10BL | Dark Oxidized Satin Bronze, Clear Coated | Oil-rubbed bronze appearance sealed under a clear coat so it holds its color. |
| 20D | Dark Statuary Bronze, Clear Coated | Near-black statuary bronze. Similar in appearance to US20A / 624. |
| 722 | Black Oxidized Satin Bronze, Oil Rubbed | Darker, cooler-toned alternative to 10B / 613. |
The finishes you'll see most often
- 26D / 626 — satin chrome: the most common interior commercial finish for locksets and levers.
- 32D / 630 — satin stainless: the default for exit devices, hinges, push/pull plates, and exterior openings. Best corrosion resistance of the common finishes.
- 10B / 613 — oil rubbed bronze: traditional and institutional work; a living finish that darkens and wears with use. 10BE / 613E gives the same look in a more uniform coated finish.
- 15 / 619 — satin nickel: hospitality, healthcare, and modern commercial interiors.
- BSP and 622 / US19 — matte and flat black: increasingly specified on design-driven projects.
- 689 — aluminum painted: the standard door closer finish. Closers are often ordered in 689 even when the lockset is 626 or 630.
- 600 / USP — prime coat: hollow metal doors and frames shipped to be field painted.
Choosing a finish by application
| Application | Typical finish | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Interior offices, schools, corridors | 26D / 626 or 32D / 630 | Durable, easy to match, widely stocked. |
| Exterior and coastal openings | 32D / 630 stainless | Plated finishes can pit and corrode outdoors. Consider WSP for sun-exposed hardware. |
| Healthcare and labs | 32D / 630 or 26D / 626 | Choose finishes that stand up to the facility's cleaning and disinfecting routine. |
| Hospitality and design-driven interiors | BSP, 622 / US19, 10BE / 613E, 15 / 619 | Matte black and bronze tones are common on current specifications. |
| Traditional and historic interiors | 10B / 613, 04 / 606, 10 / 612 | Warm brass and bronze tones. 10B / 613 will patina with use; the clear-coated finishes hold their color. |
| Door closers | 689 aluminum, or 690 / 693 / 695 | Closers are usually painted; match the color family, not the plating. |
| Aluminum storefront | 628 clear, 710 dark bronze, 711 black anodized | Match the storefront framing finish. |
| Hollow metal doors and frames | 600 primed | Shipped primed for field painting. |
Tips before you order
- Match by code, not by name. “Satin chrome” and “brushed chrome” are used loosely by different brands. The code is what guarantees a match.
- Watch the base metal. 626 and 652 look the same but are chrome over brass and chrome over steel. On the same opening, use the same BHMA number where you can.
- Exterior and coastal openings: specify stainless (630) or a powder coat such as BSP or WSP rather than plated finishes, which can pit and corrode.
- Closers and exit device trim rarely match exactly. Painted, powder-coated, and plated finishes age differently, so slight variation between products is normal and not a defect.
- Living finishes change. Oil rubbed bronze (613) is intended to patina. If you need the look without the change, ask about 10BE / 613E or 10BL.
- New finishes may have longer lead times. Confirm availability of BSP, WSP, and 10BE / 613E on each product before you finalize a schedule.
Printable guide
Need this guide for a submittal, a hardware schedule review, or the job site? Download the 5-page printable version with the finish gallery, cross reference chart, and ordering tips.
Need help matching a finish?
Send us photos and any codes stamped on the existing hardware through our contact page or call 888.634.3667. More technical documents are in the Resource Center, and common ordering questions are answered on our FAQ page.
Last updated October 6, 2026. This guide is for general reference. Actual appearance varies by manufacturer, base metal, and production run, and availability varies by product. Confirm critical matches with a physical sample and verify finish availability with the manufacturer before ordering. Always check MDISupply.com for the most current information.