How each finish is made, how it wears, and which one suits your water and your patience.
A finish is more than a colour. It decides how a fitting ages and how much attention it asks of you.
Chrome
Electroplated chrome is the hardest-wearing and easiest to clean. It suits every style and forgives hard water, which is why it remains the default.
Matte black
A good matte black is applied by PVD, a vacuum process that bonds the colour to the brass. It hides fingerprints but shows limescale, so wipe it dry in hard-water cities.
Brushed gold
Brushed gold warms up stone and white ceramic. The fine brushing hides small scratches. Keep it away from acid cleaners.
Graphite
A dark, soft grey that sits between chrome and black. It is the most forgiving of the dark finishes.
Mixing finishes
Keep to one finish for everything that carries water, and use a second only for lighting or mirror frames.
