Brushed finishes really are the way to go for rentals—less stress for you and the tenants. Chrome and matte black both look great at first, but the upkeep just doesn’t make sense unless you’re really on top of cleaning. I’ve seen brushed nickel hold up better over time, especially if folks aren’t the tidiest. Curious to hear what you think of the recycled materials if you end up trying them... always good to see options that might be lower maintenance.
Brushed finishes definitely make life easier. I swapped out all the old chrome in my duplex for brushed nickel a couple years back, and it’s been way less of a headache—smudges just don’t show up as much, and tenants aren’t calling about water spots every other week. Funny thing is, I thought matte black would be the “modern” upgrade everyone wanted, but after one turnover, those fixtures looked rough from hard water stains and cleaning sprays.
I haven’t tried recycled material fixtures yet, though. Curious if they actually hold up or if it’s more of a marketing thing... Price-wise, are they any better than standard options? Sometimes the eco stuff sounds good but ends up costing more or being harder to replace down the line. Anyone end up regretting going with something less traditional?
Curious if they actually hold up or if it’s more of a marketing thing... Price-wise, are they any better than standard options?
Brushed nickel seems to be the sweet spot for hiding fingerprints and water spots, I totally get that. I was tempted by matte black too, but hearing that it "looked rough from hard water stains and cleaning sprays" makes me second-guess it. As for recycled material fixtures, I’ve only seen them in showrooms so far—looked decent, but I worry about durability and matching replacement parts down the road. Sometimes the eco-friendly options feel more like a trend than a long-term solution, especially if you’re on a budget.
I’ve installed a few recycled material fixtures for clients, and honestly, they’re hit or miss. Some brands use solid brass cores with recycled coatings, which hold up fine, but others feel flimsy—especially the cheaper ones. Matching parts later can be a pain, too, since the lines change fast. Brushed nickel’s still my go-to for kitchens and baths. Matte black looks sharp, but yeah, hard water’s brutal on it unless you’re wiping it down constantly. If you’re on a budget, I’d stick with tried-and-true finishes and reputable brands. The eco stuff is cool in theory, but it’s not always practical for long-term use.
I hear you on the matte black—looks amazing until you forget to wipe it down for a week and suddenly it’s all water spots. I ended up going with brushed nickel in my bathroom for that exact reason. If you want something that’ll last and not drive you nuts with upkeep, that’s probably the safest bet. I tried a recycled faucet once and the finish started peeling after a year... lesson learned.
