During your bathroom remodel, you’re likely to consider many different factors when shopping for new fixtures. Cohesive style, affordability, and durability are all integral factors when deciding on your new bathroom component purchases, including faucets. If you’re trying to figure out which fixtures are best for your remodeled space, here’s a basic guide to help you choose the right bathroom faucet material:
1. Brass bathroom faucets
Although they are the most expensive option, solid brass bathroom fixtures are the most highly recommended by home remodeling professionals. They are known for being dense and strong and will last a long time with little or no leaks or repairs. For brass faucets, also consider brass finishes as they tend to be durable. This polished brass finish is easy to clean and looks great. Due to its matte finish and bronze color, the satin matte finish is a cool choice for modern bathrooms.
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1) Advantages of brass bathroom faucets
- Faucets made of brass are corrosion-resistant, which is a great advantage for faucets with water-conduction functions.
- Brass faucets are durable. Partly due to its corrosion resistance and partly due to its mechanical strength, brass faucets last a long time.
- Faucets made of brass have antibacterial properties. Copper metal kills bacteria and germs on contact. Although the manner in which copper kills microorganisms is uncertain, there is substantial evidence supporting this fact.
- Brass faucets do not need to be plated with other metals. Brass itself is both beautiful and tough. There is no need to cover it with protective or decorative plating.
- Faucets made of brass metal can be plated with other metals to change the color of the surface. Although brass faucets do not have to be plated, brass can be plated well if you want the durability of brass but want a different color finish.
- Depending on the decorative effect you want to achieve in your bathroom, brass faucets can come in different surface finishes. This means your faucet will look like brass, but it can be glossy brass, antique brass, matte brass, etc.
2) Disadvantages of brass bathroom faucets
Faucets made of brass are more expensive than those made of other metals or plastics.
Antique or vintage faucets made of brass may contain higher levels of lead. Lead is a standard metal that used to be added to faucets and other household essentials. Since its extreme toxicity to humans was discovered and studied, it has been excluded or used only at levels consistent with current health regulations.
3) When should you choose brass bathroom faucets?
You should choose a brass faucet if:
- Your current home is something you plan to live in for a long time. As the most durable faucet material, brass is an investment. You may never need to replace your bathroom faucet again.
- You like the antique look. Unplated brass faucets can be finished in a variety of ways, but all will give you an old-fashioned look.
- You want an industrial look for your bathroom. Unplated antique brass faucets fit perfectly into an industrial-themed decor.
- Your bathroom gets a lot of traffic. If you have a large family, you have many guests at home, you run a B&B, etc., then brass faucets are the material for you. Not only is it durable, but its antimicrobial properties will also bring added value.
4) When should you not choose brass bathroom faucets?
If you have a smaller budget, you should not choose brass faucets. Brass faucets are definitely not the cheapest option, so unless you can find an affordable used faucet that can be repaired, it’s not an ideal material for a small budget.
If you don’t know when a brass faucet was made, you shouldn’t choose it. If you are looking for bathroom finishes in vintage and antique stores, you should limit yourself to items like handles and towel racks. Buying an old brass faucet is dangerous because it may contain toxic lead.
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2. Zinc bathroom faucets
Zinc is a good choice for frugal bathroom renovators because it costs a little less than solid brass. However, the problem with zinc and zinc alloy faucets is that they need to be replaced frequently because they are prone to corrosion when in contact with water.
1) Advantages of zinc bathroom faucets
- Faucets made of zinc alloy are the most affordable metal option for bathroom faucets. This also makes them the most common.
- These faucets can be plated with other metals to change the color of the finish, depending on the decor scheme you are looking for in your bathroom.
- Zinc alloy faucets are also popular due to their affordability. This means you will have many zinc faucet models to choose from.
2) Disadvantages of zinc bathroom faucets
Faucets made of zinc alloy must be plated with other metals. Color or electroplated finishes, while a plus, are not optional. The zinc alloy itself is dark gray and looks worn.
Zinc faucets are not corrosion-resistant. This means that over time, they wear out and must be replaced.
3) When should you choose zinc bathroom faucets?
Choose a zinc faucet if the following conditions are met:
- Your budget is small. Any type of metal faucet is better than plastic (the cheapest), so if you’re on a tight budget, go for zinc faucets.
- You are renovating for sale. If you are updating your bathroom to get a better sale price, zinc faucets are the way to go. It’s a perfectly acceptable faucet material, so buyers are less likely to complain, and you don’t have to spend all your money on a faucet you won’t even use.
- You want to coat it with different colors. Although brass and stainless steel faucets can be plated, this may seem like a waste or a shame. Additionally, electroplating costs extra, so why add it to the price of these more expensive metals? However, zinc must be electroplated, so it is the better choice.
4) When should you not choose zinc bathroom faucets?
If durability is your primary concern, don’t choose a zinc faucet. Aside from concerns about durability, there aren’t many reasons to avoid zinc faucets. It definitely won’t last forever. Even after maintenance, the surface will remain in good condition, and the interior that comes into contact with water will wear out.
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3. Stainless steel bathroom faucets
Another material used for bathroom faucets is stainless steel. Stainless steel is slightly less expensive than solid brass, but also probably won’t last as long. Steel (not stainless) is very cheap but usually rusts before other materials after exposure to water, so it’s not a viable option for longevity and durability.
1) Advantages of stainless steel metal bathroom faucets
- Faucets made of stainless steel are corrosion-resistant. The chromium in stainless steel reacts easily with oxygen, forming a layer of chromium oxide on the surface of the steel. Chromium oxide is inert and prevents any further reaction.
- Stainless steel faucets are sturdy. The nickel in stainless steel helps form a strong and ductile alloy structure. It is not as durable as brass, however.
- Faucets made of stainless steel do not have to be plated with other metals. Like brass, stainless steel is aesthetically pleasing and requires no help in conservation.
- Stainless steel faucets can be plated with other metals to change the color of the finish depending on your desired bathroom color scheme. If you want a solid faucet but you prefer a different color than stainless steel’s natural blue-gray, you can electroplat it.
- Stainless steel faucets can come in different finishes (e.g. matte, brushed, mirror) depending on the décor you want to achieve in your bathroom.
2) Disadvantages of stainless steel metal bathroom faucets
Although brass faucets tend to be the most expensive option, faucets made of stainless steel are not considered a cheap option.
Faucets made of stainless steel can be easily scratched. This means that, although they may last a long time due to their structural strength, they may start to look worn long before they are no longer functional.
Stainless steel faucets are difficult to form, so there are fewer design options. They are not impossible to mold into more complex shapes and designs, but they will be more expensive.
3) When should you choose stainless steel bathroom faucets?
You should choose stainless steel faucets if:
- You’ve chosen an industrial or modern decor for your bathroom. Unplated stainless steel faucets are ideal for both styles but are less expensive than brass.
- Your bathroom gets a lot of traffic. If your bathroom gets a lot of traffic, stainless steel faucets are a great choice for a durable material that doesn’t cost as much as brass.
- You are planning to buy a used bathroom faucet. First, it doesn’t have the same lead issues as old brass faucets. Secondly, it will also be cheaper to buy second-hand. Finally, since a stainless steel faucet is strong and durable, it is likely to still be in good condition. It might just be a little scratched, but you might consider patching it up.
4) When should you not choose stainless steel bathroom faucets?
If scratches will eventually start to bother you, you shouldn’t choose stainless steel faucets. A scratch can be caused by a ring or a scratch from sand on a child’s hand.
If you don’t have a big budget, you shouldn’t choose stainless steel faucets. Although stainless steel faucets are less expensive than brass faucets, they may still be out of your price range.
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4. Plastic bathroom faucets
Plastic bathroom fixtures should be avoided during a remodel, according to most home improvement experts. The cheapest option is plastic, but plastic faucets have to be replaced often since they are not durable.
1) Advantages of plastic bathroom faucets
- Plastic faucets are definitely the cheapest option.
- Faucets made of plastic can be metal-plated to add strength and protection to the exterior of the faucet.
2) Disadvantages of plastic bathroom faucets
Faucets made of plastic are the easiest to wear and have a short service life. This means that even if they initially cost less, you’ll have to replace them faster and more often, which adds to the cost.
3) When should you choose a plastic bathroom faucet?
If this is truly the only option in your budget, you should opt for plastic faucets.
4) When should you not choose plastic bathroom faucets?
If you can afford any other type of faucet, you should not choose plastic faucets.
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5. Finishes of bathroom faucets
Finishes aren’t just a style choice—the right finish for bathroom faucets can keep them well protected. Faucet manufacturers try pairing these finishes with brass bathroom faucets for a more durable bathroom fixture:
- Chrome Plating: Chrome is popular and versatile because it works well with many bathroom styles. It’s a fairly inexpensive option that’s hard to scratch or damage and easy to clean.
- Bronze: Satin bronze and oil-rubbed bronze bathroom faucets look great, especially with vintage bathroom designs. Although more expensive, bronze faucet finishes are durable and easy to maintain.
- Nickel: Nickel finishes are one of the most durable options, but also one of the most expensive.
When shopping for new bathroom faucets and fixtures, consider investing in options that may be more expensive but last longer. Less durable options could mean you’ll spend more money replacing them in the long run.
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6. Conclusion
All in all, each bathroom faucet material has advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the bathroom faucet that suits you is the best faucet.