Faucet finish is an important style component that was not considered important. But with peoples demand for style and quality and now with affordable technology, have made the faucet an important feature. Any sink in the house becomes another opportunity to introduce a new canvas for design.
Brass, copper, chrome, nickel, gold-plated, oil-rubbed metals, matte or shiny finish, a smooth satin sheen and even faucets with texture are now available to consumers in all price ranges. In terms of sheer sales volume, chrome is still a leader in finishes, though quickly losing ground.
Special finishes, such as brushed nickel and oil-rubbed bronze, outnumber chrome for DIY weekend warrior, where people typically spend between $50 and $350 on faucets. Prices run from $30 for chrome to $800 and up for nickel faucets. It is worth paying more for a product that will outlast, outshine and visually outperform a basic chrome faucet finish.
Whichever finish you choose, there are several things to consider.
Designer Styling
If you want that Old World or vintage style, pick an oil-rubbed finish, The burnt gold glow gives it a rustic look that also works well in a country or log cabin setting.
Chrome still works best in a minimalist style setting
Nickel is popular for a grand, more elegant look to the faucet, particularly in a guest powder room as it is versatile.
More than Finish
Look at the shape of the sink before choosing a faucet shape itself. In addition, the edge of the counter, the mirror (if the sink is in a bathroom), the door's style and lighting is equally important.
Guests always notice something that’s out of place. Blend your finishes with other items in the room. Mix,match and experiment with the finishes and follow your intuition
Appeal your Senses
Allow your senses to take over, as long as you don’t let go of your pursestrings.If you prefer smooth or shiny, you might pick a chrome finish. If you're looking for texture, an oil-rubbed faucet might work.
If water spots drive you crazy, matte finishes can solve the problem. The latest type of technology in finishing features physical vapor deposition, also called PVD, the latest technology for bonding a finish to the standard brass faucet. With PVD, the finish becomes an integral part of the faucet itself, resisting tarnish, scratches and corrosion and keeping the faucet looking good longer.
Suprisingly, how a faucet smells depending on the type of alloy used can affect a decision, only when its too late. Certain metals give off a strong smell that takes away from the ambience of a bathroom
Another interesting sense is the sound of water as it hits the sink. The last thing you need is a clanging, rushing sound of water in the middle of the night waking up your significant other. Choosing a finish and flow that prevents this is important
Look for quality and preferably a known brand. These brands such as Moen, Kohler, Danze, Rohl are well known for their engineering and moving parts. In other words: Install the best affordable possible bath faucet you like. |
