Brushed Vs. Satin Nickel

Brushed and Satin Nickel

• Fixtures and appliances with a satin nickel or brushed nickel finish are made with nickel plating on top of brass. Brushed nickel looks similar to brushed stainless steel or brushed aluminum, all of which are matte metal finishes. The codes for brushed or satin nickel finishes to look for when shopping for hardware are o15, US15, 619 and SN.

Designing with Brushed Nickel

• Brushed nickel is similar in appearance to steel, and it incorporates well into homes with modern decor. Satin nickel has a slightly bluish tone to it because of the coating that is added to protect the finish. When designing with satin nickel, choose complementing color shades that have undertones of blue and gray to match the metal. Brushed nickel metal finishes are resistant to tarnishing and scratches, which makes them durable. But brushed nickel is not very long-wearing. Over time, the finish wears away.

Caring for Satin Nickel

• Brushed and satin nickel finishes have the advantage of showing fewer fingerprints and water spots than high-polished, shiny metal finishes. Satin nickel metals need cleaning and polishing far less frequently than shinier finishes, but they do need some regular light cleaning and maintenance or they become dulled and unattractive over time.

Cleaning Satin Nickel

• When cleaning satin nickel, use a soft, non-abrasive cloth and non-harmful chemicals. The manufacturer of your satin nickel item may have specific care instructions, but as a general rule you should avoid using all products containing bleach and/or ammonia when cleaning your brushed nickel metals. Abrasive chemicals cause damage that could ruin the look of your satin nickel.