Silver polished chrome is still the most popular finish for bathroom faucets and other faucets, but it is nowhere near the only option. Specialty bathroom stores may offer an overwhelming variety of colors, metals, and styles. While there are important differences between these metallic finishes, what’s inside also matters.
Here is a guide to choosing bathroom faucets with comparisons of faucet bodies, finishes and valves. You can find other faucets to match your faucets once you have a good deal on a quality faucet with the appearance you want.
Faucet body
Many metal and plastic fasteners can be coated with almost any surface. So ask about the material inside the faucet body. Also lift the bracket and feel the weight. A quality tap should have some weight. Here are the best and worst options for faucet bodies.
Brass: Full-faucet fittings made of brass will last for many years and are unlikely to leak or corrode. For forged brass faucets, it is worth paying a little more. They are usually smoother and denser, making them less likely to leak than lighter cast brass models. Most brass faucets and other metal fittings contain lead that can get into the water, especially the first water that comes out of the faucet after sitting in the faucet overnight. Since 1997, federal regulations have required manufacturers to reduce the level of lead in their faucets, but even “lead-free” faucets can leach tiny amounts of lead into the water.
Steel: Cheap steel taps are likely to rust. Stainless steel faucets are good, but they usually don’t last longer than a good brass model, so the extra cost may not be worth it.
Zinc: Zinc and zinc alloy faucets are among the cheapest metal faucets, but they are also the least durable.
Plastic: Plastic is the cheapest, but also the least durable. However, plastic faucets are the only models without lead.
Faucet SurfacesChrome: The most popular finish is polished chrome, which is actually bonded to a layer of nickel on the base metal of the lamp. It has long been popular, so it goes well with both classic and contemporary styles. Chrome is tough and scratch-resistant, but remember that chrome can only protect the surface of a faucet. Inferior faucet bodies can still corrode or crack from the inside.
Nickel: While polished nickel surfaces are significantly more expensive than chrome, they have a rich gold tone that chrome cannot compete with. Brushed nickel is warmer and softer for a spa-like bathroom atmosphere. These types of high-quality, matte surfaces also have a secret advantage: they hide water stains and fingerprints better than glossy surfaces, so they don’t need to be cleaned as thoroughly. Hammered nickel is one of the newer specialty options out there, with a rougher texture and classic style.
Bronze: If you’re looking to personalize a bathroom, bronze might be the way to go. Kohler and other major manufacturers have faucets in brushed, oil-rubbed, and polished bronze tones. They all have the deep color of bronze, but have a different look and texture. Ironically, a bronze finish on a bronze faucet is not a 100 percent bronze fixture. The bronze finish typically has a brass plate over chrome. Look for bronze surfaces with physical vapor deposition (PVD) or clear epoxy coatings. PVD coatings are charged metal atoms that chemically bond to the surface of the metal. Such coatings protect against corrosion and scratches.
Brass: Gold colored brass fittings offer a high quality look at a reasonable price. They offer sharp contrast and a unique break with the chrome standard. However, they are maintenance-intensive and usually require regular polishing to prevent tarnishing.
Pewter: The subdued gray tones in gunmetal offer another unique alternative to the typical bathroom fitting.
Movable parts
You should also consider the small moving parts that you cannot see on the outside of the device. The best valves are ceramic or bronze. Keep away from steel or plastic.
The finish should suit both your lifestyle and tastes, but it should go beyond the glossy finish when considering your bathroom faucet options. Look for solid brass bodies and valves made of bronze or ceramic.
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