Is brushed nickel better than stainless steel? Brushed nickel can work in a wider variety of kitchen designs, but solid stainless steel is more durable. Also, brushed nickel will hide fingerprints a little bit better because of its color.
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.
#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.
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.
It's tough to scratch, and the brushed finish makes it difficult to see any blemishes even if it happens. This has to do with the way light reflects off a matte finish compared to a shiny one.
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.
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 most obvious difference between satin nickel and brushed stainless steel is their appearance. Satin nickel has a softer, matte look, while brushed stainless steel has a more polished look.
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.
Corrosion. Another disadvantage of nickel alloy is that it is susceptible to corrosion. Nickel alloy can corrode when exposed to moisture or other corrosive substances.
Brushed nickel, also called satin nickel, has a more subdued, matte finish, lending itself to a more traditional look. Brushed or satin nickel also works well in both light and dark spaces and with just about any color scheme.
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.
Brushed nickel gets its slightly matte appearance from being treated with a wire brush. We're seeing more and more clients navigate towards a brushed nickel finish, and for good reason. This finish has a luxurious, almost hand-crafted aesthetic that hides water spots and fingerprints well.
There are two kinds of stainless steel finishes: brushed and polished. Both styles function similarly, but brushed stainless steel is slightly easier to clean because the slightly textured surface prevents dirt from sticking as stubbornly.
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.
Chrome is a highly reflective cool bluish toned silver. 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.
Brushed Nickel (BPN)
The brushing highlights the beauty of the nickel and creates a finish that hides scratches and water spots. Brushed Nickel has become one of the most popular finish choices for hardware due to its versatility and ability to complement all styles and cabinet colors.
Matt black and chrome are highly versatile finishes that suit any property style. However, antique brass and oil rubbed bronze are truly classic finishes that are a popular choice for a traditional home.
Brushed Nickel Cabinet Hardware – Brushed nickel is the most popular cabinet hardware. It works well with all cabinet colors as well as stainless steel appliances. Brushed nickel is also the more durable hardware finish being that it resists fingerprints.
Brushed stainless steel is regular stainless steel that has been treated with an abrasive material to give it a unique texture or finish. This treatment can be done by hand or machine and results in a surface that looks like metal wool or sandpaper was used on it.
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.
Gold and Brass
Gold is getting an added boost thanks to this year's trend of black and gold, which is especially popular in this year's resurgence of Art Deco. The warm look of gold and brass creates an inviting atmosphere that is also timeless and luxurious.
Neutral color schemes, such as ivory, light brown, beige or slate, blend well with brushed nickel fixtures and create a soft yet contemporary effect. Likewise, the muted silver tone of Brushed Nickel blends well with purple, from lavender to plum.
Brushed nickel hides water marks and fingerprints better than chrome. Fingerprints are the bane of kitchen and bathroom fixtures. So are those small white marks that show up when water dries on metal surfaces. Fortunately, the textured nature of a brushed finish can hide these spots, smudges, and splotches quite well.