Brushed Nickel is essentially the same as traditional Stainless Steel. Delta sometimes uses the term Brushed Nickel to distinguish bathroom fixtures from Stainless Steel kitchen fixtures. Other companies, opt to use the term Brushed Nickel for both Kitchen and Bathroom fixtures.
Stainless steel is a classic choice for hardware and fittings because it complements most home styles. Brushed nickel and stainless steel often look very similar, but the difference is in their underlying tone: brushed nickel tends to have a golden or brownish tint while stainless steel has a faintly blue tone.
In a test of durability, stainless steel will always come out on top. This is because stainless steel kitchen hardware is composed of solid metal, as opposed to chrome and brushed nickel plating.
The main difference between nickel and stainless steel is that nickel is a pure metal while stainless steel is an alloy.
A brushed or satin nickel faucet will blend in with a stainless steel sink much the way a stainless steel faucet would. They usually have a more muted finish than stainless steel and don't show water spots as easily.
The different finish names are used to differentiate between kitchen (Stainless Steel) and bathroom (Brushed Nickel) fixtures. These two finishes will complement each other, but it is recommended to use the same brand throughout your design wherever possible if you want your fixtures to match each other perfectly.
We often get questions about which metals work best together, and the answer is: They all can go together…as long as there is clear design intent! Metals are meant to be mixed, so don't worry too much about whether they'll “go together” and instead make sure each finish is a thoughtful addition to your space.
Polished Nickel is a highly reflective warm toned silver. Satin Nickel is a slightly glossy, brushed warm toned silver. Stainless Steel is a matte, brushed warm toned silver.
Difference Between Brushed and Regular Stainless Steel
While regular stainless steel does not receive any additional treatment after production, brushed stainless steel goes through an additional process of brushing or polishing the metal surface with an abrasive material to create a unique texture or finish.
Because stainless steel is more durable than brushed nickel, it is also more expensive. If you're renovating on a budget, there may be other places to spend your money, making brushed nickel the better choice.
#2 Tends to tarnish faster than polished chrome
It is important to note that brushed nickel does not tarnish easily. However, when it does, brushed nickel tarnishes faster when compared to polished chrome, especially when the fixtures are not maintained.
If brushed nickel is at the top of your list when selecting new cabinet hardware or faucet finishes for your kitchen or bathroom, I think you can rest easy if you make this your selection as it is a great choice. It is a timeless finish you will continue to love through the years, as many other trends come and go.
Satin/Brushed Nickel (Warm Undertone)
Satin Nickel is very close in appearance to stainless steel, but is available in a much wider variety of design styles. One of the most popular finishes, it is an available finish option for nearly every hardware design.
Oil-Rubbed Bronze
A great aesthetic alternative to standard chrome and brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze gives the bathroom a more traditional look and feel. To complement the look around your bathroom, use a brass darkening solution on any brass items.
Satin Nickel is a type of metal finish that's been used in kitchens and bathrooms for years. It's a semi-glossy finish that looks like a brushed nickel but offers more durability and resistance to tarnish than traditional brushed nickel.
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.
Stainless steel is a popular material because of its durability and aesthetic appeal. To keep stainless steel looking its best, it must be properly maintained. If your stainless steel looks dull or dirty, you can take a few steps to get it back to its shiny glory.
What Is Brushed Nickel? Brushed nickel finishes are soft. The material is brushed, meaning it has a semi-satin finish and isn't super shiny or matte. It looks like stainless steel, but it's not as clean.
The alloying element that makes steel 'stainless' is chromium; however it is the addition of nickel that enables stainless steel to become such a versatile alloy. It is the addition of nickel that enables stainless steel to become such a versatile alloy.
Do all stainless steel cookware have nickel? Yes, if your cookware is made of stainless steel, it would most likely have chromium and nickel in there. If there are cookware brands that claim to have nickel free cookware, they are most likely not using a durable version of stainless steel that is rust resistant.
Stainless steel is a type of steel that contains chromium, which helps to prevent the steel from rusting. Nickel plating is more expensive than stainless steel. Nickel plating is more durable than stainless steel. Nickel plating offers better protection against corrosion than stainless steel.
'Think of your cabinet hardware and kitchen faucet like jewelry,' says Xander Shreenan of Dowsing & Reynolds. 'One should complement the other; creating a beautiful and decorative kitchen that has been tailored to perfection. ' However, bear in mind that anything too matchy-matchy can look contrived.
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.
Brushed nickel is more of a subtle, softer looking finish. It has a slightly brushed appearance with a semi-satin finish. Some customers think of a brushed nickel finish as looking more like stainless steel and, therefore, it can tie in with stainless steel kitchen appliances very nicely.