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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.

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