· 2 min read

Chrome, Black, Nickel, Gold or Brass? Choosing and Caring for Shower Screen Hardware

On a frameless screen, the glass almost disappears. The hardware is what you see: the wall brackets, the hinges and the door handle. Get the finish right and the whole bathroom looks planned.

Our hardware is brass, finished six ways.

The six finishes

Finish Looks like
Polished Chrome Bright mirror silver, the classic
Black Flat black, strong contrast
Brushed Nickel (also called Satin Nickel) Soft warm silver with a fine grain
Polished Gold Bright mirror gold
Brushed Gold Soft gold with a fine grain
Brushed Brass Warm, slightly darker gold with a grain

All six finishes have the same delivery time.

You can see every finish on a real screen in our configurator. Pick one and the preview updates.

How to choose

Match your tapware first. Your mixer, shower rose, towel rails and basin taps set the tone. The screen hardware should match them, not compete. Take a photo of your tapware in daylight and compare.

Mixing finishes on purpose. It can work, but keep it deliberate: one finish for plumbing fixtures, the other for accessories. Two slightly different golds side by side usually looks like a mistake.

Think about light. Polished finishes reflect and show water spots more readily. Brushed and matte finishes are more forgiving day to day.

Think about grout and tile. Black hardware pops against light tiles and nearly vanishes on dark ones. Brushed brass warms up cool greys and greens.

Caring for each finish

Most finish damage comes from cleaning, not showering. Brodware, a major Australian tapware maker, gives simple care advice for the same kinds of finishes:

  • Chrome and PVD-type finishes: warm water, then dry with a microfibre cloth.
  • Powder coat and brushed finishes: mild soap and warm water.
  • Avoid on all hardware: caustic cleaners, abrasives, citrus acid, bleach, vinegar and alcohol.

That last point catches people out. Vinegar is fine on the glass itself, diluted, but keep it off the hardware. The NSW Government also recommends drying hinges after every shower. See our full cleaning guide.

Silicone and brass

Acetic-cure silicone (the vinegar-smelling kind) can corrode brass. Use neutral-cure wet area silicone around your hardware. More in which silicone to use.

Warranty

Our hardware comes with a 12-month warranty, and your rights under Australian Consumer Law apply on top of that.

Sources

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Measure it tonight. Order it tomorrow.

Delivered across Sydney Metro, pre-drilled and ready to install. Locally owned, with over 30 years in frameless glass.