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Shower enclosure metal: Does it need to match the faucets?

8 years ago

Hi Everyone,

We are getting to the end of our new home construction, and I will soon have to pick what kind of metal gets used in our shower enclosures. These will likely be the "frameless" style where a clip is used where the glass forms a corner. My dilemma is this: my fixtures, faucets and hardware are all variations on oil rubbed bronze. But, when you use a dark clip like that for the enclosure, it really stands out, like a dark blot floating in space. Calls attention to itself and in my opinion, mars the look. Brushed nickel stands out far less, but it would be radically different from all the other metal in and out of the shower. Would that look ridiculous? I wish we could do it with no clip at all, but it seems the only way to do that is to have the glass go all the way up to the ceiling, which we don't want due to air flow, condensation inside the shower, etc. Thoughts?

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Comments (5)

C F
8 years ago
Hmmm I see what you're saying... If literally everything else is oil rubbed bronze, I think you need to do bronze in the clips. I have a guest bath that has oil rubbed bronze bath and sink faucets and then brushed silver mirror frame and cabinet hardware. Our house came with it that way and for some reason, in that particular bathroom it works.
Olychick
8 years ago
I couldn't find any pics of any baths with the shower clips different than the faucets, altho they probably exist. For some reason, I found these more attractive with the ORB than the doors with clips, which seem to look like they are just suspended in midair. Not sure what you think. Same with ORB handles on the doors; esp with lighter tile, they just look oddly suspended to me, which might be why I prefer this look - no handle and the hardware is higher, more out of line of sight.
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I am sorry but I have to agree with Patricia Colwell on the pictured faucet. I don't want the rubber hose that is normally hidden inside the metal of the faucet to be exposed for me to have to look at all the time. Looks "super cool" now; I wonder if you will feel that way a year from now. Also, the kitchen you described is a traditional look. That faucet is a contemporary look. Not that you can't mix traditional and contemporary; of course you can, but it seems you are going quite traditional with your other selections. As to the finish, I have polished nickel in my bathrooms, and that finish is more maintenance. They get tarnished over time, and need polishing to stay looking polished. I don't recommend PN for a kitchen, though of course, many people install it in a kitchen, I am just giving my $.02 from my experience. If just choosing between PN and stainless steel, I would choose stainless steel. But repeating my point above though; your other choices are traditional, while stainless steel is a more contemporary-looking finish, so it depends how much you want to stay traditional with your faucet or not. I personally like polished chrome faucet in a kitchen - it's been classic for a hundred years, won't go out of style, and I like its gleam and easy maintenance. Polished chrome is not trendy though, the way your pictured faucet is trendy.
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sujeka
Original Author
8 years ago
Just found out that shower hardware can be gotten in many more colors than just ORB, nickel, and the other most commonly seen ones. Check out: http://www.goframelessaustin.com/options/ I'm thinking about maybe going with the antique brushed copper (would go really well with the tile, granite, and cabinetry) or one of the bronzes. Want to see samples in person -- will ask our shower guy tomorrow.
justgotabme
8 years ago
If the antique brushed copper blends well with the shower tile, that might be your best bet.

Good luck.
C Marlin
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
When my frameless was installed the rep from the company suggested (I think) brushed nickle for the reason you mention. He told me to trust him, he worked with the same problem everyday and the nickel look blends in reflecting the color of the tiles. I took his advice and was happy with it.

I dislike like that pic, the ORB looks very heavy.

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