Is polished nickel same as chrome?
The primary difference for homeowners is the difference in color. Chrome is typically colder, giving off an almost blueish hue, whereas polished nickel is warm with a slightly yellow hue.
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.
Polished chrome will be shiny and bright, reflecting light from its surface due to chrome electroplating over the base metal. Brushed nickel is more subdued, with a slightly matte appearance, having been treated with a wire brush to dull the shine with texture.
Although it can go with a wide variety of styles, chrome is particularly great for modern design styles. Additionally, polished chrome is generally a better match for cool-toned schemes than polished nickel is.
Hues that are similar can also work very well together. Mixing finishes like polished chrome and polished nickel can add subtle dimension to a space. DO call attention to an accent piece by contrasting the style as well as the finish.
Polished Nickel boasts a warm pale gold hue, while Chrome shines with a cooler silver blue tone. While these two finishes have their shininess in common, the warmer hues of Polished Nickel are not found in Delta's Chrome.
Polished nickel tends to show water spots and fingerprints much like chrome, and it does tend to require a bit more maintenance than chrome does.
Nickel plating is a very shiny metal, but the brushing removes any natural shine. Still, brushed nickel will be shinier than a satin nickel finish.
When looking at a chrome product and a stainless steel product side by side you will notice a difference. A chrome plated finish is a brighter, shiner finish while although stainless steel is polished to a high mirror finish is it slightly duller and darker than chrome. See comparison images below.
As a general rule, nickel faucets - brushed nickel OR chrome, are the most popular finishes for bathroom fixtures including faucets and bathroom cabinet hardware. It is most common to see fixtures that are of the 'silver' family such as chrome, brushed nickel, and stainless steel.
Can you mix brushed and polished nickel?
Don't mix POLISHED nickel and BRUSHED nickel in the same room, they are too close and could look like a mistake. It's good to be aware that there are not a lot of good lighting options available in chrome.
Shiny chrome is the most popular bath finish and comes with an affordable price tag. Nickel has a warmer tone and a more exclusive pedigree. Stainless steel, still the leading metal in the kitchen, looks indulgent in the bath, too.
Polished nickel finishes are generally more expensive than chrome ones. For example, a polished nickel faucet is roughly $90 on average, whereas a chrome faucet will be closer to $60.
Nickel Plating is again applied to a base metal and polished to a high shine.
Not at all! Chrome is one of the most classic finishes for faucets and other home fixtures. It is extremely versatile, and is suitable for both a modern and contemporary home design.
POLISHED NICKEL
Polished bickel is a great mix with brass because while it's a cool toned metal, it has a warm undertone that blends well with the warmth of brass. We tend to use polished nickel the most in faucets and lighting.
Mixing chrome with brushed nickel generally depends on your preference. You can mix these metals together if you prefer having a uniform look. However, if you are looking for contrast or a more creative flair, mixing brushed nickel and chrome may be too plain for you since they both come in the same family.
Brass. Solid brass finishes are the most expensive but are considered to be the best faucet finishes. They are extremely durable, and they barely corrode, like other metals do.
Timeless Finishes
The Polished Nickel finish has a traditional energy, making it feel like it was always meant to be in your kitchen or bath. It's bold in its simplicity, which is always a bonus.
Typically, you should use warm metals (like brass, nickel and copper) with warm hues (like whites, beiges, browns and taupes) and cool metals (such as chrome and silver) with cool hues (such as blues, greens and grays).
How do you keep polished nickel shiny?
To retain the finish, regular cleaning with mild soapy water and a non-abrasive cloth is all that is necessary. If you find that this is not enough, a decent chrome polish can also be used. We use either Autosol or Silvo which are generally available from local DIY stores.
Polished nickel finishes are generally more expensive than chrome ones. For example, a polished nickel faucet is roughly $90 on average, whereas a chrome faucet will be closer to $60.
What colour is Polished Nickel? Polished Nickel is the ultimate "warm" finish, it is a highly shiny, smooth, mirror like finish with a very slight golden tint. Polished Nickel is very popular with architects and designers for being softer and less harsh then Polished Chrome.
What causes nickel to tarnish? Tarnishing is a thin layer of corrosion and usually the result of a metal surface reacting with a nonmetallic compound present in the environment.
Polished Nickel hardware will naturally develop a milky-white tarnish over time (particularly in humid environments, such as bathrooms). This patina should periodically be removed with a soft cloth and a mild solution of household ammonia. Heavy tarnish may require a metal polish to brighten.
#1 Most Sought-After Finish in 2022: Matte Black
Adding black to the features in any room is nearly always appropriate, especially when utilized as an understated finish or accent. Matte black makes a strong statement on its own while also complementing nearly any color scheme.
Brushed nickel is a trending faucet finish that lends a softer touch than stainless steel, but you still have the effect of a silver finish.
Shiny chrome is the most popular bath finish and comes with an affordable price tag. Nickel has a warmer tone and a more exclusive pedigree. Stainless steel, still the leading metal in the kitchen, looks indulgent in the bath, too.
Nickel plating is a very shiny metal, but the brushing removes any natural shine. Still, brushed nickel will be shinier than a satin nickel finish.
Nickel is also occasionally referred to as “non-living finish,” though nickel will patina or “tarnish” as well.
Does all polished nickel look the same?
From my experience, they are not all the same. Some polished nickel pieces I saw were slightly yellower than others. Most, however, were very similar. Unless you're putting two different manufacturers items directly side by side in your kitchen, I think you don't need to worry.
You can clean and polish nickel with any kind of glass cleaner.
Vinegar can damage the finish if you allow it to soak on the metal, so wipe it clean right away. Avoid using any harsh cleaners or abrasive pads that can scratch the finish of your polished nickel. You can use glass cleaner as long as you do not allow the cleaners to soak on the polished nickel.
To retain the finish, regular cleaning with mild soapy water and a non-abrasive cloth is all that is necessary. If you find that this is not enough, a decent chrome polish can also be used. We use either Autosol or Silvo which are generally available from local DIY stores.
Is the CLR product nickel safe? We do not recommend that CLR products be used on any metals except for chrome or stainless steel. Any 'polished' finish usually has a coating and most nickel materials are combination metals (containing zinc) and CLR products could compromise the finish.
For the most part, Bar Keepers Friend is not recommended as a cleaning solution for brushed nickel. Though it is considered a non-abrasive cleaning solution, it may still be too harsh for the metal. However, some consumers have reported using it successfully on their brushed nickel surfaces.
Tackle hard water stains or mineral deposits on your polished nickel surfaces by mixing 1/4 cup of white vinegar with 1/4 cup of water. Wet a clean cloth with the diluted vinegar solution then lay the cloth over the stained area. Allow the cloth to remain on the hard water stains for five minutes then wipe off.