Are you looking to buy a new bathroom faucet? Confused about which faucet to get because there are so many options in the market? Well, you have come to the right place!
With an in-depth comparison between chrome vs. stainless steel faucets, we will be looking into two different types of bathroom faucets available in the market. These two are the most popular finishes available in the market.
Hopefully, by the end of this article, you will be able to come to a conclusive decision about what type of finish you want for your new bathroom faucet.
What Is Chrome Faucet?
Chrome faucets are usually made of steel, brass, or plastic. Basically, chrome is the name of the coating that is applied at the top of the base.
This layering is applied using a process known as electroplating.
These faucets are usually chosen because they are very vibrant in appearance. As a result, they can easily catch your eye once you are inside any bathroom.
In addition, these faucets have a very polished finish.
As mentioned, chrome faucets are very shiny. Such an aesthetically pleasing look has one downfall, though: it is very high maintenance.
Since the shine is so bright, the fingerprints and watermarks left behind on the body remain very visible. As a result, you have to be very thorough when it comes to cleaning them.
The polished surface is very easily scratched, so you have to be very careful regarding what products you are using to clean your faucet.
What Is Stainless Steel Faucet?
Stainless Steel is an alloy that is made up of steel and chromium. Stainless steel faucets have been a very popular choice in recent times.
This is mostly down to the durability of these bathroom faucets. Usually, it is expected that stainless steel faucets have a life expectancy of over ten (10) years. These are also very immune to denting and corrosion.
In comparison to chrome faucets, stainless steel faucets are very easy to maintain. They are known to have a shiny appearance.
You do not have to face many difficulties in removing stains or marks from the body. They are also very good at functioning properly at extreme temperatures.
Another very noteworthy trait of stainless steel faucets is their affordability. There is a lot of variation in the number of stainless steel faucets available in the market.
Now that we have got to know about the products, in brief, let us see how they pair up against one another.
How Can You Tell The Difference Between Chrome And Stainless Steel?
There is a misconception at places that chrome and stainless steel faucets are the same. But that is far from the truth.
That being said, it is quite easy to determine the difference between them.
One of the quickest ways to determine which is what is by using a magnet. If the magnet sticks to the faucet, then it is made up of Chromium.
Even though Chrome is not magnetic, the metal substrate that it is made up for attracts magnets. Stainless steel faucets are not magnetic at all.
Another way to differentiate is by seeing their color. Chrome faucets are very shiny. As mentioned before, you will notice them immediately if you walk into a bathroom.
On the other hand, stainless steel usually has a satin finish. As a result, they are not as bright as chrome faucets.
The differences are rather subtle visibly. If you know about the nuances, you can discern them rather easily.
Stainless Steel Vs. Chrome Faucets: Full Comparison
Now, let us come to the part you have been waiting for. When it comes to deciding which faucet you want to buy, the decision comes down to your requirements and needs.
Usually, when it comes to faucets, the key factors that decide someone’s choice are aesthetic and practical use.
When talking about looks, chromium faucets are untouchable. No other type of faucet even comes close. The glossy outlook is enough to catch anyone’s attention.
But on the flip side of things, this aesthetically pleasing outlook means you have to be very meticulous when it comes to keeping your faucet clean.
If this is of no bother to you, then you should go for the chrome faucet. But is look the most important thing when it comes to faucets?
Not really.
There are other things you have to consider as well. One of the most essential traits of a good faucet is its durability.
The durability of stainless steel faucets is much higher than that of chrome faucets. They can withstand more pressure and stress.
Stainless steel faucets are also very strong defensive against erosion. These faucets also have greater longevity in comparison to Chrome Faucets.
Another factor to consider before making your purchase is the product’s price. Pricing is a very important factor when you are buying any product.
The price of a product determines whether a particular product falls within someone’s budget. Chrome faucets are much more expensive than stainless steel Faucets.
This difference in price is primarily down to chromes having more gloss, and having been made up for very exuberant materials.
All in all, if aesthetics is your top priority and regular, meticulous cleaning is not something that will bother you, then you should go for chrome faucets.
But if you prioritize practicality over aesthetics, then we guarantee you that you would be happier with a stainless steel faucet.
They are also the better choice when you have budget constraints.
Is Chrome Or Stainless Steel Better For The Bathroom?
As we have mentioned before, what you purchase comes a lot down to your preferences.
However, when it comes to donning your bathroom, stainless steel is much more durable because it has higher scratch and corrosion resistance.
A bathroom is a place where the flow of water is very high. Without water, bathrooms are redundant to a degree.
So the ability to withstand water pressure is a decisive factor when it comes to deciding what type of faucet you want to have.
Apart from water pressure, the faucet must be immune to corrosion as much as possible. These traits are more prevalent in stain steel faucets.
Not that chromes do not have these traits, it is just that stainless steels are just better at it.
Chrome Vs. Stainless Steel Beer Faucet
Beer taps are also known as beer faucets. One of the most common questions people have about these taps is whether they should have a Chrome or Stainless Steel Faucet.
Most local pubs use Beer Faucets made out of Chromium and Brass. Even though they are quite common, there are a lot of drawbacks.
On these faucets, the layer of shiny chrome will deteriorate over time. The chrome can also be chipped off if it is dropped or comes in collision with another object.
After years of usage, the chrome plating might even peel away.
So when you drink a pint from this type of tap, you are inadvertently drinking tiny bits of chrome. The brass will become exposed.
Once the brass becomes exposed to beer, there will be a lot of tiny holes due to the acidity.
These pits become a breeding place for different types of bacteria. Research has found that chrome-plated beer faucets have significant levels of copper and lead leached onto them.
One way to prevent this from happening is through regular cleaning. But at the same time, regular cleaning will deteriorate the quality of the material and will lead to more erosion.
On the contrary, stainless steel faucets are much better when it comes to being used as beer faucets.
They have higher resistance to corrosion; they do not tarnish, and resist rust and stain. They are also much stronger and have greater reliability.
The drinks poured from stainless steel components have tastes identical to that of bottled drinks. No additional metal components get leached onto the beer.
This, in essence, means that stainless steel beer faucets are flavor neutral.
Stainless Steel faucets cost more in this regard. This is because you have to make purchases every now and then.
But in the long run, these expenses will pay off because eventually, you will not have to buy replacement parts at regular intervals.
Which Faucet Should You Choose?
Choosing the faucet that best fits your home is not a complicated choice. The first thing to do is understand the difference between them, then understand what you are actually looking for and make your decision based on that.
Weigh up the pros and cons before making your choice.
Final Words
At the end of the day, which faucet you will buy is entirely up to you. We recommend doing proper market research before making your purchase.
Assess your budget, find your constraints, and assess what best fits your criteria. In the chrome andstainless steel faucet comparison, we have broken down both these faucets, and we have also compared them, not just face to face, but also in different scenarios.
Now it is your time to make the decision!
