Close
When making selections for your home lighting, one of the first questions you’ll be asked is what style and finishes you’re looking for. You probably have a general idea of what you need, but what about the details? Do you know the difference between chrome and polished nickel? How about satin and brushed? Each finish has a distinctive look, and even different maintenance, which should all be taken into account. Scroll through to learn the basics of lighting finishes so you can make the perfect selection for your design.
Colors
Chrome vs. Polished Nickel
To the untrained eye, chrome and polished nickel are the same finish—reflective, smooth, and contemporary. While they do have a similar look and style, there are some key differences in these finishes. You won’t find solid chrome fixtures, but rather chrome plating over another metal like brass, steel, or copper. A higher quality underneath usually ensures a more durable finish. Chrome is generally cheaper, and known for being fairly low maintenance. Compared to polished nickel, it has a cooler color, but one that is consistent and easy to match.
Polished nickel is actually nickel plating over brass, which is then polished, resulting in an overall warmer finish. Compared to chrome, it’s considered a more luxurious finish, and the pricing will generally reflect that. Some have noticed the color can change slightly with lighting, and that it may be harder to match with other hardware, accessories, and other metal finishes. It also may require more maintenance over time to keep the best appearance, but it all depends on how it was made and finished. With lighting fixtures, it’s very unlikely that you’ll have to worry about the finish tarnishing over time.
Silver vs. Pewter/Gunmetal
Another set of similar finishes is silver, pewter, and gunmetal (as well as a few other cool metallic finishes). Silver is a pure, durable metal, while those like pewter and gunmetal are sort of lookalike finishes. They are a mix of different kinds of metal with a similar look, like tin. Pewter, and especially gunmetal, usually have a darker look, but it depends on the mix and type of materials used. They are also not as durable as silver, making them more susceptible to scratches and damage.
Brass vs. Gold
If you’ve been following design trends with us, you know that in 2016, gold was a hot finish to add vibrancy and warmth to a space. As we moved into 2017, and now continuing into 2018, brass seems to be the way to go. Again, with an untrained eye, you might be thinking, “What’s the big deal?” Both are warm and luxurious, and seem to have the same effect on the look of a space. But the differences aren’t as subtle as you might think.
Gold tends to be brighter, with a very even finish and more yellow color. Brass, on the other hand, is a subtler, duller, warm finish with brown or red undertones. Depending on the type of process used, it can have variations in color, which actually allows it to blend more easily into a design.
Processes
Satin vs. Brushed
Satin and brushed describes a more matte finish. Satin can be seen on bronze, brass, nickel, or other finishes. It has a duller appearance, as opposed to polished finishes where you can see your reflection. Satin finishes are attractive for their low maintenance (no fingerprints!) and more neutral style.
A brushed finish is most commonly seen with nickel, but you can get it with other metals as well. The difference between satin and brushed is that you can see the abrasion marks on a brushed finish. There should be some sort of directionality to it, almost like it was painted on. These finishes are very comparable in price and maintenance, so it really comes down to which look you prefer.
Oil-Rubbed
This is a unique finish that uses a chemical oxidation process to create a dark hue. You can usually identify it by the lighter hues that peek through, as opposed to a satin finish, which will have a solid, even color. You can find finishes in oil-rubbed copper, brass, and more, but bronze is the most common. Oil-rubbed bronze is generally considered a more traditional finish because of its historic, hand-made look, but works beautifully in styles like Modern Farmhouse and other trends leaning towards dark, moody accents. Oil-rubbed bronze sometimes requires maintenance, particularly when used for bath fixtures or other damp locations. But for light fixtures, they are generally designed to be durable and long lasting.
Leafing
Yet another finishing process is using silver or gold leaf to coat a less expensive metal, creating a unique, textured finish. The gold or silver is hammered into incredibly thin, delicate sheets, which is then hand-laid onto the lighting or furniture piece. When you look closely, you can see tiny wrinkles, irregular reflections, and even the occasional leaf peeling up from the surface. The effect is organic, luxurious, and always unique. Because of its delicate nature, an occasional dusting with a soft brush is all the cleaning or maintenance this finish typically requires.
Finally, we have to note that this is just the tip of the iceberg. Each brand or manufacturer will have variances in these finishes, even coming up with their own on occasion. In our showrooms, we can show you samples of each finish so you can see, feel, and learn more about each look, and never have to guess what the final product will be.
Don’t forget to check us out on Facebook, Pinterest, Houzz, Twitter, Instagram, and subscribe to our email list for more updates, tips, sales, and inspiration.
