Secondly, you can also narrow down your choice for the finish based on the application. Brushed Nickel. Your email address will not be published. If you are not looking for a smooth outlook, but rather want some texture added to your kitchen faucets, Brushed Nickel is your best buddy. Brushed nickel can develop a milky white tarnish over time with age and exposure, particularly in bathrooms due to the humidity. Similarly, because nickel has been historically used for metal finishing, it gives a more traditional, homey and antique look. Brushed nickel and stainless steel often look very similar, but the difference is in their underlying tone: brushed nickel tends to have a golden or brownish tint while stainless steel has a faintly blue tone. If you’re after a warmer, more traditional vibe, brushed nickel could be the winner. Now, it's time to ... Are you ready to turn your everyday shower into an encaging and soothing adventure? Your email address will not be published. Yes, the finish of the faucet not only determines its utility but plays an essential role in the aesthetic beauty of your home. Each metal is essentially just as durable and noncorrosive as the other; however, chrome is generally more expensive and offers a cooler appearance than the nickel. She actively write about her work on her own blog and has been featured in various online publications and industry blogs. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. Nickel’s high resistance to corrosion makes it ideal for mixing with other metals such as iron and brass. Brushed Nickel: Brushed Nickel Hides Water Marks Chrome is appreciated for its versatility and durability. Copyright © 2020 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Brushed nickel is more subdued, with a slightly matte appearance, having been treated with a wire brush to dull the shine with texture. Additionally, you will find that this finish is not made up of pure nickel, rather it is an alloy. More traditional design, so to say. This also helps to protect the fitting from fingerprint stains that can make a faucet look really awful. "Satin" nickel is nickel's natural finish, whereas "brushed nickel" is scoured or treated to get its finish. In selecting between the two, consider the color of the surroundings; warmer colors, such as tan or earth tones, would look better with brushed nickel fixtures, while cooler colors, such as grey, blue or even white, may benefit from the bluish hue of chrome fixtures. Brushed Nickel Vs Chrome Vs Stainless Steel – Which One You Should Go for? Next up is the chrome finish not so new, but pretty widely used finish in the market. Try this cleaning hack: Rub a piece of waxed paper over chrome fixtures so that the unnoticeable residue left behind prevents water spots and fingerprints from showing. BathSelect chrome faucets are also available in satin and brushed chrome finish, however these type of finishes will have a more matte look to it. This means that fixtures from different manufacturers may take on a different appearance from one another, even though they are both coated with brushed nickel. The color of brushed nickel tends to be more like subtle or a lesser tone degree compared to stainless steel. Brushed Nickel Two affordable, consistent, and versatile choices are chrome and brushed nickel. The chrome which is mixed in with a bit of nickel to keep it a solid fixture is then able to stay bonded to the brass fittings. This slight yellow hue is often seen as a warmer color than chrome’s blue. His prose, poetry and essays have been published in numerous journals and literary magazines. Brushed nickel can develop a milky white tarnish over time with age and exposure, particularly in bathrooms due to the humidity. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, Finishing.com: Questions About Hard Chrome Plating, U.S. Geological Survey: Nickel Statistics and Information, Look in the Attic & Company: Polished Chrome Versus Polished Nickel, HGTV: Before Buying That New Faucet, Think Finish First. Brushed nickel used to be sold at a slightly higher price point, but in more recent times, there isn’t much of a cost difference between the two. Chrome plating gives metal a slightly blue tint, while nickel has a natural yellow or white shine. You can compare them and choose the one that fits you best! And if you do not wish to spend even that much, you can go down a step and make use of the shiny chrome finish for your fixtures. Nickel's natural resistance to corrosion makes it a prime metal for use in home fixtures, as it is unlikely to rust or deteriorate from use.