Brushed nickel is one of the most durable finishes available, and tends to keep its appearance up longer than chrome. The finish is etched with a metal brush to create the matte sheen and then coated with a lacquer to protect it from wear.
Both finishes have positive and negative aspects, so it isn't always easy to choose which will serve your home and family best over the long term. Brushed nickel is extremely durable and tends to keep its finish longer than chrome. It doesn't show fingerprints or water spots and is easy to clean.
Brushed Nickel Hides Better Than Chrome
The reflective, shiny chrome surface will show fingerprints and water marks more readily than brushed nickel.
The main disadvantage of brushed nickel is that it is difficult to match to other fixtures. Because the process of making brushed nickel involves etching it with a wire brush, you may not be able to find the exact same finish in all of your finishing touches for your bathroom.
Brushed nickel hardware resists rust, but it's not 100% rust proof forever. The plating will wear off at some point, and that depends on how often it's handled and cleaned. Don't worry, the hardware can still last for years without rust.
You only need a soft cloth to clean brushed nickel. It's easier to keep clean because you can't see smudges and fingerprints as brushed nickel hides smudges.
Both chrome and brushed nickel are corrosion resistant, though nickel can tarnish more easily. Chrome and brushed nickel are both durable finishes, but each is susceptible to wear and tear depending on the application of the finish to the metal, as well as its care and cleaning.
Does this mean brushed nickel and oil rubbed bronze are out of style? Nope. And in even better news, there's no need to replace all the metals in your kitchen all at once anymore. Because mixed metals in the kitchen create a curated look in the kitchen that is so 2023.
Nickel (Ni) is a hard, silvery-white metal that may cause irritation to the skin. Exposure can harm the lungs, stomach, and kidneys. Exposure to nickel may lead to cancer.
While brushed nickel may not be one of the top finishes for 2023, it is certainly a safe option that will not require updating any time soon. Get more home decor tips here.
The soft metallic look of brushed nickel has stood the test of time. Advantages: This is one of the most durable finishes; it has a tendency to keep its finish longer than oil-rubbed bronze and chrome. It doesn't show wear, fingerprints or water spots.
Shiny chrome is the most popular bath finish and comes with an affordable price tag. Nickel has a warmer tone and a more exclusive pedigree. Stainless steel, still the leading metal in the kitchen, looks indulgent in the bath, too.
What's the difference? While they may 'behave' in very similar ways, the main difference between Nickel and Chrome is in their appearance – while both finishes have a silver colour, Nickel has a warmer, yellowish hue whereas Chrome is much cooler with blue undertones.
O'Brien suggests mixing brass and dark bronze, brass and chrome, or brass and nickel, but never mix nickel and chrome. Also, he cautions that there is a limit to how many metal finishes you can mix together in one room. “There should be a main finish choice and maybe one accent,” he says.
Brushed Nickel is a cool-toned metal finish found in many lighting collections, from modern to traditional, but the brushed quality gives it a subtle warmth. Neutral color schemes, such as ivory, light brown, beige or slate, blend well with brushed nickel fixtures and create a soft yet contemporary effect.
It's important because it leads to rule #1 of mixing metals – when in doubt, keep the same undertones. Cool undertones and warm undertones often don't mix great, though there are some exceptions. You'll see all of our favorite combos in the graphic below! Top tip – never, ever, EVER mix chrome and nickel.
Nickel is a known carcinogen
One of the primary disadvantages of nickel is that it is a known carcinogen. A carcinogen is a substance that can cause cancer. Numerous studies have shown that exposure to nickel can increase the risk of developing cancer, particularly lung cancer and nasal cancer.
It is hard, ductile and considered corrosion-resistant because of its slow rate of oxidation at room temperature. It also boasts a high melting point and is magnetic at room temperature. Disadvantages: Handling nickel can result in symptoms of dermatitis among sensitized individuals.
Nickel mining raises concerns about pollution, indigenous rights, GHG emissions, and working conditions. Dominance of nickel production by certain countries may also present problems: for example, the world's largest producer is Indonesia, a situation that presents both ESG and single-source risks.
Topping the list of kitchen design trends in 2023 are faucet finishes such as nickel, chrome, black, and brass and options like brushed, matte, polished, satin, and dual-tone finishes. GRAFF's faucet finishes do more than reflect and set trends.
What Colour Doors Knobs Are In Style For 2023? In 2023, the most on trend colour door knobs are matte black, sage green, polished brass and aged brass metal finishes.
Matte Black & Gold Cabinet Hardware
Whether separate or together these colours are dominating the 2023 kitchen trends.
Bleach-based cleaners or other products that claim to "remove rust or tarnish" can be detrimental to the surface of the nickel, as they likely contain hydrofluoric, hydrochloric and/or phosphoric acids.
Be sure to avoid using acid, alcohol, or solvent-based cleaners. These types of cleaners can ruin or discolor the more delicate surface of the brushed nickel finish. Vinegar is a popular faucet cleaning solution, but should be avoided on brushed nickel.
The cause is usually improper cleaning — either too much (by using harsh chemicals or abrasives) or too little (by leaving spatters of acids or other harmful ingredients on the metal until all the moisture evaporates).