You're right about plastic valves—I've run into some polymer ones that hold up surprisingly well, especially in areas with nasty water chemistry. The key is definitely quality; cheap plastic is garbage, but the better polymers can handle corrosion issues nicely. Had a customer recently whose brass valves were a corroded mess after just a few years because their water was so acidic. Switched them to a high-grade polymer valve, and they've had zero problems since.
As for brushed nickel, I've noticed the same thing. Some brands seem bulletproof against fingerprints and water spots, others are a constant headache. It probably does come down to how well the brand applies their finish. Delta and Moen have been pretty reliable in my experience, Kohler too, though occasionally hit-or-miss depending on the fixture line. If fingerprints drive you nuts, maybe look into spot-resistant finishes specifically—those coatings seem to make a real difference.
I've had similar experiences with brushed nickel finishes. Installed a Moen faucet in my own kitchen about three years ago, and it's held up great—barely any fingerprints or water spots. But I did a Kohler set for a client last year, and it was a constant battle to keep clean. Maybe it's just certain lines or batches? Curious if anyone's tried matte black fixtures yet...heard mixed things about durability and spotting.
I've been wondering about matte black fixtures myself lately. They look great in photos, but I've heard similar mixed reviews about durability and spotting. A friend of mine installed matte black faucets in her bathroom last year, and she mentioned they're pretty forgiving with fingerprints, but water spots can be noticeable if your water is hard. Do you know if your water hardness might affect how these finishes hold up? I'm on a tight budget, so I'm hesitant to jump into something trendy if it's going to need constant upkeep or replacement sooner rather than later. Maybe certain brands or finishes handle wear better than others? It's interesting that your Moen faucet held up better than the Kohler—makes me wonder if it's more about the specific product line rather than the brand itself...
"Maybe certain brands or finishes handle wear better than others?"
Yeah, that's been my experience too. I've noticed matte black fixtures can vary wildly depending on the specific product line—not just the brand. My sister installed a Delta matte black faucet in her kitchen, and honestly, it hasn't aged well at all... water spots everywhere. But my neighbor has a Moen matte black showerhead that's holding up surprisingly well, even with our hard water. Seems like researching specific models and checking user reviews might be key here.
I've run into similar issues quite a bit in my work. It's not always the brand itself that's the problem, but more about the specific finish and how it's applied. For example, I've seen Kohler fixtures in one client's bathroom look pristine after five years, while another client's Kohler faucet (different finish line) looked rough after just a year.
One thing I've noticed is that fixtures with a textured or brushed finish seem to handle regular wear—like fingerprints and water spots—much better than ultra-smooth matte or glossy finishes. A homeowner I worked with chose a brushed nickel kitchen faucet a few years back, and honestly, it still looks pretty great despite heavy daily use and hard water.
If you're set on matte black, it's worth paying close attention to reviews from people who've had the fixture installed for a while. Those real-world experiences often tell you more than manufacturer claims ever will...
