Gold Leaf Product Guide: Choosing the Right Carat and Materials for Indoor & Outdoor Gilding

Choosing the Right Gold Leaf for Your Project

Selecting the correct gold leaf is one of the most important decisions in any gilding project. Whether you are restoring a heritage frame, completing a monumental architectural commission, or enhancing a contemporary interior feature, the type of goldleaf you choose will directly influence durability, colour, performance and cost.

As a specialist gold leaf supplier, Wrights of Lymm provides a comprehensive range of goldleaf products suitable for restoration, decorative work and large-scale monumental applications. This guide explains the differences between types of gold leaf, outlines when to use each, and recommends suitable complementary products for both indoor and outdoor gilding.

Understanding carat, environment and technique ensures that your gilding project achieves professional, long-lasting results.

What Is Gold Leaf?

Gold leaf is gold that has been beaten or rolled into extremely thin sheets, typically just a few microns thick. Despite its delicate appearance, once applied correctly, goldleaf forms a durable and stable surface finish.

Unlike many metals, gold does not oxidise. This makes genuine gold leaf uniquely suited to restoration and monumental work where longevity is essential. The purity of the gold – measured in carats – determines how resistant the leaf will be to environmental exposure.

Understanding Gold Leaf Carats and Metal Alternatives

Carat refers to the purity of gold. Pure gold is 24 carat, and as the carat decreases, a greater proportion of alloy metals are introduced. These alloys influence colour, tone, strength and resistance to tarnishing. In addition to genuine gold leaf, professionals may also consider imitation leaf, silver leaf and palladium leaf depending on the application.

Below is a comprehensive comparison to help you select the right material.

6ct, 9ct and 12ct Gold Leaf

Lower carat gold leaf such as 6ct, 9ct and 12ct contains a significant proportion of alloy metals. These leaves are generally stronger in handling but far more susceptible to tarnishing.

Best suited for:

• Interior decorative projects

• Artistic experimentation

• Short- to medium-term installations

These carats are not recommended for restoration or monumental exterior work due to oxidation risk.

16ct Lemon Gold Leaf

16ct lemon gold has a paler, cooler yellow tone due to higher silver content in the alloy. It offers a distinctive decorative finish but remains unsuitable for exterior exposure.

Best suited for:

• Interior design accents

• Contemporary decorative schemes

18ct Green Gold Leaf

18ct green gold contains a higher proportion of silver, giving it a slightly cooler, greenish-yellow hue. It provides moderate durability indoors but may tarnish in exposed conditions.

Best suited for:

• Interior architectural detailing

• Decorative furniture

22ct Gold Leaf (Including Moon Gold & Champagne Gold)

22ct gold leaf offers significantly improved durability compared to lower carats. Variations such as Moon Gold and Champagne Gold are alloyed to create subtle tonal differences — Moon Gold often presenting a softer, slightly muted tone, and Champagne Gold offering a warmer, pale-gold aesthetic.

Best suited for:

• High-end interior work

• Protected exterior applications

• Decorative architectural features

23ct and 23ct Red Gold Leaf

23ct gold leaf provides strong durability and rich colour. 23ct Red contains a higher copper content, producing a warmer, deeper tone.

Best suited for:

• Interior restoration

• Ornamental plasterwork

• Feature details requiring warmer tonal character

23.5ct Gold Leaf

23.5ct gold leaf is widely regarded as the professional standard. It offers excellent durability and strong colour stability while remaining highly workable.

Best suited for:

• Restoration projects

• Monumental interior spaces

• Protected exterior gilding

23.75ct Gold Leaf

23.75ct gold leaf approaches the purity of 24ct while retaining slight alloy benefits for handling. It offers superior tarnish resistance and is suitable for more demanding environments.

Best suited for:

• High-specification architectural gilding

• Significant restoration work

• Semi-exposed exterior applications

24ct Gold Leaf

24ct gold leaf is pure gold. It contains no alloy metals and therefore will not tarnish. It offers the richest, most luminous tone and the highest resistance to environmental factors.

Best suited for:

• Exterior architectural gilding

• Monumental projects exposed to weather

• Domes, spires and public sculpture

• Coastal or high-pollution environments

Because it does not oxidise, 24ct goldleaf is the safest specification for outdoor applications.

Silver Leaf

Silver leaf provides a bright, cool metallic finish. However, genuine silver will tarnish when exposed to air and moisture unless sealed. It is rarely used in exterior monumental contexts without protective coating.

Best suited for:

• Interior decorative work

• Contemporary design schemes

• Sealed architectural detailing

Palladium Leaf

Palladium leaf offers a silvery-white tone similar to platinum but without the tarnishing associated with silver. It is highly stable and more resistant to oxidation than silver leaf.

Best suited for:

• High-end interior applications

• Contemporary architectural finishes

• Situations requiring a cool metallic tone with improved durability

Imitation Gold, Silver and Copper Leaf

Imitation leaf (often called composition leaf or Dutch metal) is typically brass-based for gold tones, aluminium-based for silver tones, or genuine copper for copper leaf. These materials are more affordable but will oxidise unless sealed.

Best suited for:

• Large-scale interior decorative work

• Theatrical and display applications

• Budget-conscious projects

Imitation leaf is not suitable for restoration or monumental exterior gilding where longevity and authenticity are essential.

Indoor vs Outdoor Gilding: What You Need to Know

The environment in which the gold leaf will be used plays a crucial role in product selection.

Indoor Gilding

Interior gilding allows for more flexibility in carat selection. Environmental exposure is limited, meaning that when sealed or protected sufficiently for the particular area, it is possible to use any carat of goldleaf indoors.

Indoor projects may include:

• Decorative wall panels

• Furniture and cabinetry

• Mirrors and frames

• Ornamental plasterwork

For purely decorative interiors, lower carat goldleaf may be considered, though genuine higher carat gold offers superior longevity.

Outdoor Gilding

Outdoor gilding demands careful specification. Exposure to moisture, pollutants and temperature fluctuations can accelerate degradation in lower carat materials.

For exterior use, 24 carat gold leaf is strongly recommended due to its complete resistance to tarnishing, however 23.5 carat is also sufficient for most uses and is slightly more cost effective.

Common outdoor applications include:

• Signage and lettering

• Monumental memorials

• Architectural detailing

• Public statues and civic buildings

Choosing the Right Gilding Method

Selecting the appropriate gilding technique is just as important as choosing the correct gold leaf.

Oil Gilding

Oil gilding uses an oil-based adhesive (size). It is the preferred method for exterior and monumental applications.

Recommended for:

• 24 carat gold leaf on exterior signage

• Architectural metalwork

• Stone and masonry surfaces

Oil size offers extended working time and strong adhesion for outdoor use.

Water Gilding

Water gilding is a traditional technique used primarily in restoration and fine interior work. It involves applying gold leaf over a water-activated surface prepared with gesso and bole.

Recommended for:

• Frame restoration

• Decorative furniture

• Museum-quality conservation

Water gilding allows for burnishing, producing a mirror-like finish.

Essential Products to Use with Each Carat

Selecting the correct supporting products ensures optimal performance.

For 24 Carat Gold Leaf (Outdoor Use)

• High-quality oil-based size

• Exterior-grade primer and sealer

• Protective clear coatings only if required (often unnecessary for pure gold)

• Suitable brushes and burnishing tools

Because 24 carat goldleaf does not tarnish, sealing is generally not required, though substrate protection is essential.

For 23.5 Carat Gold Leaf (Interior & Protected Exterior)

• Oil size or water gilding system depending on project

• Traditional gesso and bole for restoration work

• Soft finishing brushes

• Optional protective coatings for high-contact surfaces

23.5 carat gold leaf performs exceptionally well indoors and in protected outdoor environments.

For Lower Carat Gold Leaf (Interior Decorative Use)

• Compatible oil size

• Clear protective lacquer to reduce tarnish risk

• Proper surface sealing to prevent contamination

Lower carat goldleaf should not be used in demanding exterior conditions.

Gold Leaf for Restoration Projects

In restoration, authenticity and compatibility are critical. Using the correct carat gold leaf ensures the finished work remains visually and chemically aligned with the original materials.

23.5 carat gold leaf is frequently specified for historic interiors, while 24 carat gold leaf may be required for significant monumental restoration.

Substituting lower carat materials in conservation work can compromise both appearance and longevity.

Monumental Gilding: Long-Term Performance

Monumental gilding refers to large-scale architectural or sculptural work. These projects demand materials that withstand decades of exposure.

24 carat gold leaf is typically the preferred choice for monumental exterior applications. Its non-reactive nature ensures that the goldleaf maintains brilliance without deterioration.

Proper substrate preparation, high-quality oil size and professional application are essential for long-term success.

Estimating Quantity and Planning

When planning a gilding project, accurate estimation prevents waste and ensures sufficient coverage.

Consider:

• Surface area measurements

• Complexity of mouldings

• Overlap allowance

• Application method

Professional advice from a knowledgeable gold leaf supplier helps ensure you purchase the correct quantity and format.

Why Choose Wrights of Lymm?

Working with a trusted gold leaf supplier provides more than just materials. It ensures access to expert guidance, consistent product quality and a full range of gilding supplies suitable for restoration, monumental and decorative projects.

Wrights of Lymm supports professionals and beginners alike, helping customers select the right goldleaf, adhesives and tools for indoor and outdoor applications.

Conclusion: Matching Gold Leaf to Purpose

Choosing the right gold leaf means balancing purity, environment and technique. 24 carat gold leaf provides unmatched durability for exterior and monumental gilding. 23.5 carat gold leaf offers exceptional performance for interior and restoration projects. Lower carat options can serve decorative purposes in controlled indoor environments.

By understanding carat differences and selecting appropriate supporting products, you can ensure your gilding project achieves both visual excellence and lasting performance. With expert advice and premium goldleaf products from Wrights of Lymm, every project – from restoration to monumental architecture – can be specified with confidence.