Faucet materials

The faucet finish is a matter of personal choice. The two most popular finishes are polished chrome and polished brass. But in recent years other finishes have become more popular such as stainless steel and satin or brushed nickel.

The finish is a crucial choice that determines not only how a faucet looks but also how easy it is to maintain. To avoid frequent cleanings, opt for proprietary lifetime finishes that block out oxidation e.g. Delta Brilliance, Moen LifeShine and Jado Diamond.

Pewter, nickel and satin finishes are also easy to maintain. Their muted tones hide water spots, scratches and fingerprints. They also match door and cabinet handles more easily than brass. Chrome and combination chrome-and-brass finishes are popular for baths but require frequent cleaning to maintain their shine. Chrome is interestingly, the most durable and affordable. Painted or enamel finishes may be the easiest way to individualize a faucet and coordinate it with the rest of the bath but these finishes aren't bonded to the metal like plating, they chip and scratch relatively easily.

Brass has been a common finish since the nineteenth century. It is a warm but relatively high maintenance finish, requiring frequent polishing to keep it shiny. Even with constant polishing, unprotected brass will tarnish (brown spots) in time. The Supercoat finish is good for those who appreciate the look of brass but wish to avoid the necessity of polishing.

Nickel has experienced a resurgence in recent years. It is sometimes brushed to create matte or satin nickel finishes. The brushing highlights the beauty of the nickel and creates a low maintenance finish that hides scratches, fingerprints, and water spots.

Stainless steel has quickly gained popularity. Weathered and antiqued finishes such as weathered copper, antique copper, antique brass and antique pewter are chemically treated to age them. The result is a piece that looks as though it has been installed and in use for many, many years.

Maintenance for fixture finishes:

Feather dust or wipe with a soft cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners on any of the finishes as it will cause surface scratches.

BRASS Use non-abrasives when removing any substance from the surface of brass. Scratches in brass require a great deal of abrasive work to remove and blend. Never use an object harder than the brass itself to remove old lacquer, paint, wax, etc. Solid brass can be polished by hand repeatedly for years without showing signs of wear.
Polished Brass	Polished Brass: This is solid brass fixtures that are polished and buffed to a high sheen. A coat of lacquer is then applied at the factory to give the surface a coating that will restrict tarnishing. This finish should be cleaned with a soft cloth only. Plumbers putty should not be used on these fixtures as it will affect the finish.
Antique Brass	Antique Brass: Solid brass that has an antique appearance. This finish matches most home décor well.
Satin Brass	Satin Brass: The look of satin brass is achieved by hand sateening the finish after polishing. As with unlacquered polished brass, this is a natural finish protected by a wax coating. It can be regularly polished to retain it's sheen or left to age gracefullly as the brass oxidizes.
CHROME Chrome finishes are classic and are very durable. To clean chrome fixtures, wipe the fixture with vinegar, rinse it off with water and dry. Rub chrome with baby oil and a soft cloth to give it a brilliant shine.
Polished Chrome	Polished Chrome: Polished Chrome is a classic finish that fits beautifully with a wide variety of fixture styles and décor. It works well with a nostalgic look or contemporary style.
Satin Chrome	Satin Chrome: This finish is buffed with fine abrasives to create a satin silver-like finish. Matches well with stainless steel appliances and natural pewter.
GOLD Gold fixtures can provide a dramatic constrast to bright white fixtures. A gold finish goes well with period styles and adds a luxurious and warm accent to your bathroom.
Polished Gold	Polished Gold  Polished Gold is a classic finish that fits beautifully with a wide variety of fixture styles and décor.
Satin Gold	Satin Gold This finish is buffed with fine abrasives to create a satin gold-like finish. Matches well with stainless steel appliances and natural pewter.
COPPER A striking, rich-looking finish. Copper gives a beautiful, warm vintage look and is often used in traditional, Italian-style or country homes. today’s homeowners are turning copper into a mainstream accent for kitchens, baths and bars. Copper is known to keep bacteria at bay, providing a healthier environment.
Antique Copper	Antique Copper Antique Copper has a satin-like finish and is treated to look like old copper.
BRONZE This finish is very dark and varies from a deep chocolate brown to a dark gray. Will fit a variety of home décor, from vintage to contemporary. This finish hides water spots and requires minimal care. Clean with soap and water when needed. Oil rubbed bronze is a a popular choice for faucets, showers, and door hardware.
Oil Rubbed Bronze	Oil Rubbed Bronze   Oil Rubbed Bronze also has a satin-like finish. Will not show marks easily.
NICKEL
Polished Nickel	Polished Nickel: The traditional finish. Polished nickel have a slightly warmer tone than chrome. The finish is also quite durable.
Satin Nickel	Satin Nickel: Similar to matte nickel, satin nickel has a brushed appearance. This finish is similar to mat chrome but with very slight soft gold tone, so subtle that you will not notice unless you put it next to a "whiter" metal. Color also matches some stainless steel, as some stainless is not as "white" as others. Satin Nickel is sometimes referred to as brushed nickel.
PEWTER Modern pewter is non-toxic alloy of tin combined with small amounts of copper and antimony. Pewter can be washed with warm soapy water and dried immediately with a soft cloth afterwards. Pewter will maintain its luster for a lifetime and more, with little or no maintenance. Pewter is also unmistakably elegant and will easily fit most décor.
Antique Pewter	Antique Pewter Pewters' muted tones hide water spots, scratches and fingerprints. They also match door and cabinet handles more easily than brass.