• Brass push plates are often used on doors.aged door pull plates image by dav820 from Fotolia.com
  
  While nearly any kind of metal may be formed into a plate, only a few are used in home building and remodeling. Metal plates can be used to strengthen joints in wood, in decorative elements around the home and in outlet covers and similar fixtures. Each type of metal has its own properties, and some are best for particular uses. Knowing the most common types of metal plates and their properties can help homeowners make the right buying decisions.
  
  

Steel

• Steel plates are probably the most commonly used in construction. They can be found in wood joints, shop flooring, switch and outlet plates and many other objects. Steel plates are less expensive than plates made from most other metals, and are quite strong and durable. Steel resists bending, but does oxidize, forming rust. Steel plates for building are usually galvanized with zinc to retard rust, or made from more expensive stainless steel, which does not oxidize as easily as ordinary steel.
  
  

Brass

• Brass plates are commonly used for decorative elements inside the home. Brass can be found in door push and kick plates, outlet plates and covers, and shower and tub cover plates. Not all brass-colored plates are entirely brass. Some are brass-plated steel or nickel, which are much less durable than true brass. Over time, the brass may rub off of these plates, exposing the less attractive metal underneath. Brass is a relatively soft metal and bends easily, so it's rarely used for structural purposes.
  
  While brass does not rust, it does oxidize over time, changing from a bright, shiny golden color to a darker brown tone. Some people consider this oxidization desirable, and may attempt to speed it up using antiquing solutions. Others consider brass oxidization undesirable and must polish their brass plates regularly or coat them against oxidization.
  
  

Copper

• Copper plates are less common in building and remodeling than steel or brass, but may still be seen in some decorating schemes. Copper may be used for decorative elements--much like brass--in plumbing applications and in solar water heaters. Copper plates may also be used in roofs and shingles. Copper oxidizes readily, forming a green substance called copper carbonate. A new copper plate may look bright, shiny and reddish, but exposure to moist air will soon turn it light green. This process can be slowed, but not stopped, by coating the copper with polyurethane or other clear, water-resistant substances.