Many manufacturers offer a complete line of kitchen and bathroom faucet sets and coordinating accessories, These accessory items will include towel bars, paper holders and other accessories to match their faucet offerings. Occasionally, a client will select specialized equipment that is not part of a "full line" product offering. Or, a client may like one manufacturer's decorative tub and another company's accessories. Although various finishes will blend, if the homeowner is expecting a perfect match, only manufacturer should be chosen.
This problem is magnified if the homeowner want the colored fittings to match fixtures, wet walls and counter surfaces made from other materials. For example, a homeowner may expect the white epoxy coated faucets to match white solid surface counter top and the white acrylic shower stall. Because of the fixture and surfacing material composition differences, a match can not be promised. Remember, a bathroom lavatory is china or enamel, the faucets have an epoxy coating, the wet walls/counter top solid surfacing are a blend of polyesters and acrylics, and the tub enclosure is an acrylic fixture. Think about color blending with one another, not matching.
To overcome this color match dilemma ,consider these solutions:
- Try to use only one surfacing material throughout the project. For example, in a bathroom, use solid surface materials in the shower and on the vanity top. Or, ceramic tile on all surfaces.
- Select fittings that have a colored, chrome or brass escutcheon plate separating them from the counter or wall. Such a color break will help camouflage slight differences in color tones.
Various Finishes:
Polished Chrome
Polished Chrome is the most popular finish for kitchen and bathroom fittings and hardware. It is extremely hard and does not oxidize in the air as most other metals, thereby eliminating the need for regular polishing. Chrome is electro-chemically deposited over the nickel plated base metal. It is a very bright and durable finish.
Brushed and Matte Chrome
A brushed finish is created by using a wire wheel to score the surface of the component part. This can result in a surface with sharp peaks and valleys that does not take the chrome finish quite as well during the plating process because the coating shears away from the peaks and accumulates in the valleys.
A matte finish produces a similar appearance without producing noticeable brush marks or the sharp peaks that are difficult for plating. This process is similar to sand blasting the components with fine glass beads to create a soft matted surface that plates better, to produce a finish as durable as polished chrome.
PVD Finishes
PVD stands for "Physical Vapor Deposition", a process NASA developed for protecting metal, The process is used to apply metallic finishes over chromed brass. The "satin nickel" or "polished brass" finish the faucet wears is deposited on then bonded to the chrome undercoating.
Differences in the alloys in the vapor deposited on the faucet yield different color finishes. PVD prevents corrosion, tarnish and scratches more effectively than the acrylic-coating process it has replaced.
Typical finishes available are:
- Brushed Bronze, Dark
- Brushed Bronze, Medium
- Brushed Nickel
- Polished Nickel
- Polished Gold
- Polished Brass
Polished And Satin Gold Plate
The highly polished brass product is first nickel plated and then 24 karat gold is applied. Durability depends on the thickness of the gold layer. According to industry standards, plating to a thickness from 13 to 50 millionths of an inch gold is "heavy gold plating". All quality gold plated fittings should fall into the latter category. Quality gold will not tarnish. Maintenance of a satin gold finish is somewhat easier than polished gold because it hides marks better. The secret to long-lasting gold plate is to clean it only with a soft, damp cloth. NEVER expose gold plate to abrasives or acids as can be found in many commercial cleaners.
Colored Coatings
A tinted epoxy coating is used to create a colored finish. The powder is sprinkled on (or a liquid is sprayed on) to the components and then baked at about 375 F to 425 F to provide thorough, even coverage and protection. The coating can be scratched by mild abrasives, which result in an unattractive finish. The key is to clean and dry the faucet frequently after use to avoid the need for heavy cleaning, and to never use an abrasive cleaner.
Living Finishes
Oil-rubbed, weathered copper and real brass are popular in rusticated environments. These finishes change with age. They are not coated in any way, and are not expected to have the finish remain constant, They take continual care and cleaning.
Pewter
This is a dull silvery-gray alloy of tin with brass, copper or lead added during the manufacturing process. Faucets are available in polished and brushed pewter finishes.
Wrap the faucet is an important design element that was once neglected. However, new technologies and the general public to see the kitchen and bathroom faucet assessment became an important element. Each sink at home is another opportunity to introduce a new element of design.Brass, copper, chrome, nickel, gold-plated, molten metal, shiny or matt, smooth finish and elegant satin, and even quality faucets are now available to customers in all price ranges. In terms of sales volume, said Judd Lord, director of industrial design for Delta Faucet Co., Chrome is still the leader.
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Ben Linus,
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