A popular topic of discussion here on our plumbing blog are the different types of faucet finishes that you can pick from. While you might not initially expect “physical appearance” to be something that plays a major role in plumbing-related matters, it definitely factors into the faucet purchasing process. With faucets being readily visible and bathroom/kitchen remodeling being such a popular home improvement project, it’s not hard to see why this would be the case.
Having said that, how familiar are you with the various faucet finishes available nowadays? If it has been awhile since you last purchased a new faucet, some of this may sound rather new. Not to mention, along with the different finishes to pick from, you’ll also need to consider the various styles available too, as well as the brand of the faucet, which adds to the possibilities.
Remember though, it’s extremely important to look for faucets made by name brands. For one, this will ensure you’ll have easier access to repair parts (if the need arises), but it will also help in getting the maximum years out of the faucet. Granted, some maintenance will be required along the way, but the brand of the faucet is definitely a key factor!
In any case, in this week’s blog post, we’re going to look through two of the more popular faucet finishes that we come across on service calls. These two finishes are chrome and matte black. When choosing a faucet finish, you’ll want to first think about how it matches with the surrounding elements (countertops, backsplash, other appliances, etc). However, aside from that, there are other aspects of the finishes that may (or may not) be relevant to your individual situation. Now…let’s dive right in and discuss two of the frequently-purchased faucet finishes: chrome and matte black.
Intended Theme
When deciding on a new faucet, you’ll want to think about the overall style/theme you’re hoping to achieve. If this change is a part of a complete kitchen or bathroom remodel, you’ll definitely have a little more flexibility, as opposed to getting the faucet to match the existing elements with a faucet replacement. What are some of the possible themes you could be searching for?
Modern: Modern bathrooms have definitely grown in popularity over the past few years. From beautiful acrylic freestanding bathtubs to trendy light fixtures and yes, matte black faucets, there are several ways to add a modern look and feel to a bathroom.
Neutral: Another theme worth mentioning is a neutral one. Especially if you plan on selling your home in the next 5 years or so, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to figure out something that appeals to a larger audience. Thanks to the flexibility of a chrome finish, it can work in a variety of environments and can easily blend in with a neutral setting.
Timeless: With a timeless theme, you’re looking for elements that have withstood the test of time. Subway tiles and sleek countertops are perfect examples of staples for this theme. While we’ll primarily be focusing on matte black and chrome faucets in this blog post, timeless themes would likely align best with a brushed nickel finish!
We’ll plan on discussing different bathroom or kitchen themes in more detail in a later blog post, but we did want to highlight this here to give you an idea of how it plays a role in deciding which faucet finish to select.
Cleaning & Maintenance Required
As we’ve mentioned before on previous blog posts, maintenance is an important aspect of avoiding (or limiting) plumbing repairs. This is obviously something we always encourage with water heaters and it also holds importance with faucets too! If you’ve ever noticed the mineral deposits that can accumulate and even clog up the aerator, you know what I’m talking about! Considering hard water is present here in Kansas City, this will always be something to remember.
For the sake of this blog post though, the faucet finish that you pick out will have a more significant impact on the cleaning of the faucet. After all, if you invest in having stunning new faucets installed, you don’t want them to lose that beautiful appearance simply due to a lack of cleaning. With that being said, how do chrome and matte black finishes stack up when it comes to cleaning requirements?
Matte Black: In comparison to the chrome faucet alternatives, matte black faucets tend to not show nearly as many fingerprints or water spots. That doesn’t mean there won’t be any cleaning at all, but it definitely is a plus.
Chrome: Chrome finishes offer a number of advantages, but they are going to be prone to water spots and fingerprints popping up. Given that their shiny look is a unique characteristic they possess, you’ll want to stay on top of cleaning to maintain this appearance.
Matching Other Elements/Fixtures
Part of the reason why chrome and matte black finishes have been so popular is because of their ability to match so many different surrounding elements. For instance, both of them will match flawlessly with a standard white sink. While other finishes, such as a gold color, may have a more unique appearance, you also have to be a little more careful in how it aligns with other elements or fixtures in the room. All in all, both chrome and matte black finishes are very versatile!
The second half of this section is ensuring you’re able to find other fixtures or components with the same finish. Think of things like the shower trim, towel holder, toilet paper holder, etc. Fortunately, since matte black and chrome are very common, you shouldn’t have any trouble doing so. In addition, if you buy a faucet made by one of the name brands (like Moen and Delta), you should be able to find these additional items from them too. This will just ensure everything meshes flawlessly!
Price Point
Another important factor that you’ll likely take into consideration is the price of a particular faucet. With so many different styles, brands and finishes available, having a budget in mind for the project is an easy way to narrow down your options. Generally speaking though, you can typically expect to find matte black finishes to be slightly more expensive than chrome finishes for any particular faucet. It’s up to you to decide whether the cost savings is enough to sway you in one direction or the other.
Faucet Repair and Installation Services in Kansas City
Simply put, faucets are something that our technicians deal with on a regular basis. Whether it be repairing existing faucets or installing new ones, we’re here for all of your faucet needs. If you take a look through our Facebook or Instagram pages, you’ll see a glimpse at the wide variety of faucets we’ve installed over the years.
As evidenced by this blog post, two of the more popular faucet finishes that we come across are chrome and matte black. While chrome is likely still the most common one out there (thanks in large part to its affordability and reliability), there’s no doubt that matte black has consistently become more and more popular. Personally speaking, each of them are fairly flexible and can fit various environments, which is a major reason why we chose to give a breakdown of them for this week’s blog post.
Need a faucet repaired or installed? Don’t hesitate to give us a call at (816) 348-3481.