brushed nickel vs. polished chrome - which easier to keep clean
jeanteach
14 years ago
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rookie_2010
14 years agolecuzz
14 years agoRelated Discussions
Chrome or Brushed Nickel????
Comments (22)I have chrome fixtures in my 35+ year old bathroom. Still in perfect condition. I am in the planning stage of a bathroom remodel. I have brushed nickel hardware throughout my house, kitchen knobs, light fixtures, door knobs. So I was thinking of doing the same for the bathroom. Keeping everything matchy-matchy. However, the more I go to showrooms the more I see bathroom fixtures displayed in chrome. Now, I'm trying to decide between brushed nickel and chrome finishes for my faucets and fixtures, I like the shiny look of Chrome. But, notice brushed nickel hides fingerprints and water spots on my kitchen faucet. Something to consider. The problems with satin and brushed nickel however come in trying to match one “version” of satin nickel to another. Different manufacturers have different standards and processes for creating this finish and can make it difficult to create a uniformed look....See MoreChrome or Brushed Nickel - Which finish holds up the best?
Comments (6)At the 10 year mark it's possible that brushed nickel will be horribly dated like brass (I don't mind dated finishes but some folks sure do). Chrome really is durable. Unbeatably so. Look at old Buicks! I do have some 80 year old nickel faucets (hot and cold) that look a bit weathered but the nickel is still good. Of course, it started off shiny and is probably not what they are currently using for "nickel". I think for nickel, you need to compare specific manufacturers--the colors of the finish vary and the composition must as well. I had brushed nickel hardware (door handles and cabinet pulls) installed my the PO in my last house and after less than 5 years, the more used ones were worn smooth. I didn't mind, but you could sure see which cabinet had the good towels and which one had the cleaning supplies (insert blushing face here). For durability (and for not being in fashion enough to go out of fashion), I think chrome is the way to go unless you dislike it....See Morebrushed nickel vs chrome faucet
Comments (3)I can't remember who sold me polished nickel fixtures for my bath but if it ever comes back to me, they better leave the country fast. A more nightmarish material I can't imagine, except for polished marble, which someone else is going to pay for, too. Staining, fingerprints, watermarks--on chrome, those are just from dirt on the surface, if you even get them. They come off with pretty much anything you feel like cleaning with--water, soap and water, Windex, 409, whatever. Nickel is a "living" (i.e., decaying) finish. Those watermarks are a kind of tarnish. Especially with polished, you have to wipe up each and every time you touch or use it. Then do a thorough polish once a week. Shoot me. I don't think brushed anything is very authentic to the age of your house, though. As far as mixing metals, it depends where they are used. I have a chrome sorta vintage light fixture in the nickel bath, and you really can't tell--it's way up on the ceiling. However, the sink drain pipe is chrome, and it looks fairly ridiculous next to the nickel console legs, which is why I always keep a towel in front of it....See MorePolished nickel vs polished chrome
Comments (11)Thanks - that's helpful to know that the nickel is a warmer tone. You can kind of see that the tone is slightly different in the pictures. I wonder if the patina thing happens with all or if that's a brand specific situation. I don't really want to get a patina like the ORB stuff I bought years back. My new faucet is chrome. I will never again buy any faucet that isn't classic chrome as I'm so tired of the trendy finishes that go out of style. I don't particularly like silver hardware on a medium/light cabinet but I also don't want trendy bronze that will also go out of style. So I will probably go with some combo of chrome/polished nickel and brushed nickel so at least it's all the same color. This isn't a high end remodel, just a minor update of a small guest bathroom that isn't used that often. It all started with ancient wallpaper removal and then I decided to replace the cheap, ugly vanity and medicine cabinet and then the hanging brass light fixture had to go. On and the door that swings out into the hall will be changed to swing into the bathroom. What were they thinking.........See Morejust_julie
14 years agoHere is a pic of our brushed nickel faucet handle. There are 2 faucets in the bathroom and they both look like this ALL OF THE TIME. Right now, there are 4 people using them and I constantly wipe them down. You would never know it by looking at them!
yadax3
14 years agosue_b
14 years agoI have to wipe off my new polished chrome Toto faucet every day to avoid water spots. It has a lot of flat surfaces so avoid flat surfaces and maybe the water will run off.
busybee3
14 years ago
monicakm_gw
14 years agoIn my case, I found brushed nickel to be MUCH more forgiving than polished chrome. Same with my Venetian bronze faucet in the kitchen. I would be embarrassed to say how long it's been since the faucet has been cleaned. Cleaned the sink about a week ago but didn't wipe the faucets. I was in a hurry and they looked fine.
Monica
buyorsell888
14 years agojeanteach
14 years ago
dedtired
14 years agotoolbabe
14 years agoovermyhead08
14 years agotoolbabe
14 years agomonicakm_gw
14 years agojeanteach
14 years ago
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