Which Type of Material for Faucets Lasts the Longest?

Which Type of Material for Faucets Lasts the Longest?

March 5, 2019

By far the most popular finish used in most bathroom faucets today is a silvery, polished chrome, but there are certainly plenty of other options available. You can find them at your local hardware store, as well as in specialty bathroom stores, where you’ll find a significant variety of colors, metals and styles to choose from.

As you go about choosing the finishes and materials for your bathroom fixtures, here is some of the information you should consider as you determine what type of fixture and finish is best for your choice of bath accessories in Colorado.

Materials

The most popular materials for the body of the faucet are as follows:

  • Brass: All-brass faucets are durable and long-lasting, and not nearly as likely as other materials to rust or leak. While they do cost a bit more, their durability makes that extra expense worthwhile. They are smooth and dense. The downside is that they can contain lead—even lead-free versions can leach small amounts of lead into the water, but federal regulations should minimize that issue.
  • Steel: Steel faucets are generally cheap, and much more likely to rust than other types. Even stainless steel faucets, while less likely to rust, are not going to last any longer than brass models.
  • Zinc: Zinc alloy faucets are among the cheapest options available, but not nearly as durable as other options.
  • Plastic: This is the cheapest type of faucet you’ll find, as well as the least durable, but this is the only model you can be guaranteed will not leach lead into your water.

Finishes

Some of the most common faucet finishes include:

  • Chrome: Chrome is polished, tough and scratch-resistant. However, it only protects the surface of a faucet—the interior body of the faucet can still rust or crack.
  • Nickel: Polished nickel finishes are a bit more expensive, but can have a more appealing color and tone to them that you can’t find with chrome. Brushed nickel is even warmer and can help provide a spa-like atmosphere. Its matte finish allows you to avoid fingerprints and water spots.
  • Bronze: Bronze finishes are often used in customized bathrooms. Look for bronze finishes that have clear epoxy coatings to protect them, or physical vapor deposition (PVD). These PVD coatings feature charged metal atoms that form a chemical bond with the surface of the metal to resist scratches and corrosion.
  • Pewter: Pewter has some unique gray tones that offer an alternative to the standard chrome you find in most bathrooms, and can provide a more industrial sort of feeling.
  • Brass: Golden, bright brass tones offer a high-end look while still maintaining some affordability. They offer a sharp contrast with the other finishes and elements in your bathroom, but are a little more high-maintenance as they must be polished regularly to prevent the surface from being tarnished.

For more information about the most common materials and finishes used for faucets and other bath accessories in Colorado, contact Custom Door Hardware today. We look forward to helping you make the perfect selection for your space!

Categorised in:

Custom Door Hardware