Understanding Our Finishes - Pros and Cons

CHROME

A shiny finish with a hint of blue for a classical or contemporary feel.

PROS

Durability: Chrome is known for being the hardest and most durable electroplated finish, making it suitable for situations involving daily cleaning. This robustness ensures a long-lasting appearance even with frequent use.

Ease of Maintenance: It can be easily cleaned with water or mild soap and water, and dried off without the need for harsh commercial cleaning products, which makes it relatively low-maintenance.

CONS

Susceptibility to Chemicals: The warranty for the chrome finish can be voided if damaged by unsuitable cleaning agents, adhesives, sealants, or paint. This requires careful adherence to specific cleaning guidelines to avoid corrosion and tarnishing.

Environmental Sensitivity: Chrome finishes can be affected by vapours released from curing paints, potentially causing discolouration or tarnishing. This necessitates waiting until no paint odour is detectable before installing plumbing trim pieces, which might delay installation processes.

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NICKEL

PROS

Aesthetic Appeal: Nickel offers a shiny finish with a golden glow, which develops an aged patina over time, adding a distinctive classical look. Occasional polishing can restore its original gleam, making it versatile for both contemporary and traditional settings.

Living Finish: As a "living finish," nickel naturally evolves with time, providing a unique and personalised look. This patina can add character and charm to the fixtures, making them more attractive over the years.

CONS

Maintenance Requirements: Nickel requires regular care, including drying off after use to prevent water spots caused by mineral deposits. It also needs occasional polishing to maintain its original sheen, which can be more demanding than other finishes.

Susceptibility to Damage: The nickel finish warranty is voided if damaged by unsuitable cleaning agents, adhesives, sealants, paint, or improper materials. This means that users need to follow specific care instructions diligently to avoid tarnishing or discolouration, which can be inconvenient.

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PEWTER

PROS

Aesthetic Compatibility: Pewter, with its brushed satin nickel finish, perfectly complements stainless steel sinks and appliances, making it an excellent choice for cohesive and stylish kitchen designs.

Living Finish: As a "living finish," pewter develops a natural patina over time, providing a distinctive classical look. This evolving finish adds character and a unique touch to fixtures, enhancing their aesthetic appeal.

CONS

Maintenance Requirements: Pewter requires regular care, including drying off after use to prevent water spots caused by mineral deposits. It also needs occasional polishing to maintain its original sheen, which can be more demanding than other finishes.

Susceptibility to Damage: The pewter finish warranty is voided if damaged by unsuitable cleaning agents, adhesives, sealants, paint, or improper materials. This means that users need to follow specific care instructions diligently to avoid tarnishing or discolouration, which can be inconvenient.

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GOLD

PROS

Luxurious Appearance: Made with real gold, this finish provides a luxurious and elegant look, making it a premium choice for high-end kitchens and bathrooms. It adds a touch of opulence and sophistication to any space.

Unique Aesthetic: The gold finish, akin to fine jewellery, can create a distinctive and prestigious appearance, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of fixtures and fittings.

CONS

High Maintenance: Gold-plated products require delicate care, similar to fine jewellery. They must be cleaned with warm water and a mild pH-neutral liquid soap, and dried with a chamois leather cloth to avoid scratches and discolouration. This level of maintenance can be demanding for users.

Durability Issues: As the softest finish, gold plating is prone to scratches and wear, especially on frequently touched areas like handles. The finish may deteriorate over time with regular use, and the warranty is only valid for two years, reflecting its vulnerability compared to other finishes.

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SATIN BRASS

PROS

Aesthetic Appeal: Satin brass provides a sophisticated look similar to polished brass but with a brushed surface that reduces shine. This matte finish can add a touch of elegance and subtlety to any space, offering a more understated and classic appearance.

Natural Patina Development: Over time, satin brass will develop a unique patina due to exposure to water, food acids, and everyday chemicals. This evolving look can add character and a vintage charm, making each piece uniquely beautiful.

CONS

High Maintenance: Satin brass requires regular maintenance to manage spotting and staining from food acids, toothpaste, and other substances. Establishing a routine of rinsing and drying the fittings is necessary to maintain their appearance, which can be more demanding than other finishes.

No Finish Warranty: There is no finish warranty as there is no finish over the base brass material.

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POLISHED BRASS

PROS

Aesthetic Appeal and Patina: Polished brass offers a highly polished, luxurious appearance that matures over time to develop a unique, character-filled patina. This evolving look aligns with the wabi-sabi philosophy, celebrating the beauty of imperfection and change, and complements natural elements such as timber, granite, marble, limestone, and copper.

Suitability for Outdoor Use: The uncoated brass finish is ideal for outdoor installations, such as al fresco kitchen taps and outdoor showers, especially in coastal areas where the brass rapidly develops a patina without losing functionality. This feature makes it a striking and durable choice for exterior settings.

CONS

High Maintenance: Polished brass requires careful handling during installation and regular maintenance to manage spotting and staining from everyday chemicals, food acids, and bathroom products. This can be more demanding compared to other finishes, as routine cleaning and drying are necessary to maintain its appearance or to slow patina development.

No Finish Warranty: There is no finish warranty as there is no finish over the base brass material.

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