I’ve noticed that greenish tint on some oil-rubbed bronze too, but honestly, it’s usually the cheaper stuff or when the finish is just painted on instead of actually rubbed. In my last place, the higher-end bronze held up fine, even in a steamy bathroom. As for matte black, I agree—looks sharp but every water spot and fingerprint shows up. Bronze seems a bit more forgiving, at least in my experience. If you’re on a budget, I’d still lean bronze over black, just make sure you’re not getting the bargain-bin version.
That greenish tint is basically the fixture’s way of telling you it’s tired of pretending to be bronze. I’ve swapped out a few “oil-rubbed” faucets that turned green in record time—usually the ones that feel suspiciously light. Out of curiosity, are you looking at fixtures for a bathroom or kitchen? Steam and splashes can really test a finish.
Yeah, that greenish tint is a dead giveaway the finish isn’t holding up. I’ve noticed the same thing—lighter fixtures almost always mean cheaper materials underneath. I’d argue it’s worth spending a bit more for solid brass or stainless if you want something that’ll last, especially in bathrooms where the humidity just eats up those fake finishes. Learned that the hard way after a year with a “bronze” faucet that started looking like a science experiment...
Not sure I totally buy that solid brass or stainless is always the way to go. I’ve seen some decent mid-range zinc fixtures hold up just fine, especially with a good powder coat. Maybe quality control matters more than the base metal sometimes? Just my two cents.
I've wondered about that too. Honestly, I went with some cheaper zinc faucets in my last remodel because the price difference was huge. Three years in, they still look and work fine—no corrosion or weird leaks yet. I think as long as the finish is decent and you’re not in a super harsh water area, you don’t always need to pay for brass or stainless. Sometimes it feels like you’re just paying for the name or marketing.
