Brushed gold, brass or stainless steel: which finish should you choose for your taps?
Key points
Apart from chrome, three finishes dominate the Belgian market: brushed gold (warm and on-trend since 2023), brushed brass (with a vintage and industrial feel) and brushed stainless steel (understated and low-maintenance). Their durability depends almost entirely on one factor: whether or not they have a PVD coating.
In Belgium, where water hardness exceeds 30 to 40°f across much of the country, a non-PVD finish becomes encrusted with limescale and tarnishes within two to three years. A PVD finish from a reputable brand (Hansgrohe, Axor, Grohe) lasts 15 to 25 years without losing its colour.
At Facq, all three finishes are on display side by side in our 17 EXPOcentres across Belgium – something best assessed in person and in natural light, rather than from a photograph. Simply book a no-obligation appointment to visit one of our stores.
Chrome, brushed gold, brass, stainless steel: what’s really different
Chrome remains the best-selling finish in Belgium, and for good reason: it is cheap to produce, light-resistant and goes with just about everything. But in recent years, customers visiting the EXPOcenter have increasingly been asking for something different. This is because coloured taps and fittings change the look of an entire room far more than tiles or paint, given a comparable surface area.
Brushed gold, brass and brushed stainless steel are not three variants of the same product. They are three distinct product families, each with their own design philosophy.
Brushed gold and brushed brass are almost always produced by applying a metallic coating to a chrome-plated brass body, a process known as PVD. Brushed stainless steel, on the other hand, can refer to two very different things: either the same PVD process applied to mimic the appearance of stainless steel, or a body actually machined from solid stainless steel – a rarer and more expensive solution, found mainly in communal sanitary facilities (hospitals, schools) from manufacturers such as Delabie. In a private bathroom, it is almost always the first option that is fitted.
In a Belgian bathroom – where the average floor area during a refurbishment is around 5 to 8 m² – the taps and fittings take up a disproportionate amount of visual space relative to their actual size. The eye is drawn to them at the washbasin and in the shower several times a day. It is this repeated interaction that justifies devoting to them the budget and consideration that many people reserve for the tiling or the washbasin.
PVD – the technology that makes these finishes durable
PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) involves vaporising a metal alloy in a vacuum, molecule by molecule, onto the tap’s pre-chromed or polished surface. The result literally bonds at the atomic level, unlike paint or varnish, which simply sits on the surface and inevitably ends up flaking off.
In practical terms, for the buyer, only one question matters when choosing a model at EXPOcenter: is the finish PVD, yes or no? A non-PVD finish (simple plating, lacquer, basic anodising) is often cheaper to buy, but it tarnishes, scratches and loses its colour within two to three years in a Belgian bathroom. High-quality PVD finishes from leading brands come with a guarantee of 5 to 15 years, depending on the range, and some manufacturers claim their premium finishes will last up to 50 years, compared with 25 years for a special matt black or white lacquer finish.
Brushed gold: the finish that’s on the rise in Belgium
Brushed gold works particularly well paired with matt black: in fact, according to feedback from our in-store advisers, this is the most popular combination in Belgium for a bathroom that has character without being garish. A brushed gold mixer tap on a matt black vanity unit, paired with a white washbasin, remains a safe bet that transcends trends rather than being merely a seasonal fad.
Conversely, brushed gold does not go well with materials that are already visually busy, such as heavily veined marble or patterned tiles. In such settings, the finish tends to get lost rather than stand out. Our advisers therefore recommend reserving it for rooms with more understated surfaces, even if this means focusing the décor budget on a single feature wall.
Brushed stainless steel: the most practical finish for everyday use
Its satin finish, which is slightly grey and matt, shows almost no fingerprints or dried water marks, unlike polished chrome, which reveals them immediately. It goes with just about anything: light or dark wood, white tiles, concrete, Belgian blue stone. It is also the most neutral finish when it comes to resale: a potential buyer is never as attached to brushed stainless steel as they are to a very distinctive brushed gold finish, making it a more prudent choice for anyone renovating with a view to selling within five to ten years.
It is also the finish that works best across different rooms within the same renovation project. A stainless-steel kitchen sink and brushed stainless-steel bathroom taps create a subtle sense of continuity between the two rooms, without giving the impression that the choice was dictated by a catalogue rather than the style of the house.
The comprehensive comparison: ambience, maintenance, durability, budget
Finish | Atmosphere | Dealing with limescale | Durability (if PVD) | Estimated additional cost compared with chrome |
| High-gloss chrome | Classic, versatile, bright | Visible fingerprints, frequent wiping | Excellent, a historical reference | Reference price |
| Brushed gold | Cosy, trendy, spa hotel | Well then, avoid acidic foods | Excellent, aged 15 to 25, with a serious PVD | +20 to 40 per cent |
| Brushed brass (PVD) | Vintage, industrial, Art Deco | Good quality, colour remains stable over time | Excellent, comparable to brushed gold | +20 to 40 per cent |
| Solid, unpolished brass | Unapologetically vintage, with a vibrant patina | Natural patina accepted; not a ‘flaw’ | Well, it’s improving rather than getting worse | Varies; often handmade |
| Brushed stainless steel | Understated, contemporary, discreet | Very easy to use, resistant to smudges | Excellent – the most reliable for everyday use | +10 to 25 per cent |
These percentages are indicative figures based on equivalent models within the same range (same mechanism, same brand). They compare different trim levels with one another, not a fixed price: the final price depends primarily on the model and the brand, rather than on the trim level. The only way to get an exact figure is to check at an EXPOcenter.
Create a look that complements the rest of the bathroom
Choosing a finish on its own, without considering the rest of the room, rarely produces the desired result. The rule our advisers most often emphasise is: just one dominant finish per room, applied to the mixer tap, the shower head, the fittings (towel rail, soap dispenser, mirror) and, if possible, the furniture handles. Mixing brushed gold and brushed stainless steel in the same room, even with the best of intentions, creates a jarring effect.
The type of tap (single-hole, concealed, high-spout) is a choice that is independent of the finish, but in practice the two decisions are made together. Our comprehensive guide to choosing shower and washbasin taps sets out the technical criteria: spout height, thermostatic or conventional, concealed or exposed. It directly complements this comparison of finishes.
The finish also plays a part in the overall style chosen for the room. Our article Which bathroom suits my style and space? shows how brushed gold, brass or stainless steel fit into the wabi-sabi, industrial and modern chic styles that are currently the most popular in Belgium.
Look after each finish properly on a daily basis
Maintenance varies little from one PVD finish to another, but a few simple habits can help you avoid unpleasant surprises. A slightly damp microfibre cloth, wiped over the basin after every shower or at the end of the day, is sufficient in 90 per cent of cases. A mild, pH-neutral soap cleans without damaging the coating. Products to avoid at all costs, regardless of the coloured finish, include: white vinegar, harsh limescale removers, bleach, and any abrasive sponges such as Cif. These products, although commonly used to tackle Belgian limescale, are precisely the ones that will scratch or dull a PVD coating within a matter of weeks.
With untreated solid brass, the approach is the opposite: you either let the patina develop naturally, or slow down the process using a special wax if you prefer to preserve the original appearance for longer. This is the only one of the three finishes where it makes sense to actively counteract the metal’s natural ageing process.
Frequently asked questions
Q1. Does brushed gold scratch easily?
No, not if it is a PVD coating from a recognised brand. The scratch test carried out by Hansgrohe (an abrasive sponge rubbed over the surface 500 times) shows the surface remains intact where a conventional plating would already be showing signs of wear. The risk of scratching arises mainly when abrasive sponges or metal utensils are placed directly on the mixer tap, not during normal use.Q2. Can you combine two different finishes in the same bathroom?
It is possible, but tricky to get right. Our advisers recommend one dominant finish (taps, fittings, handles) and, at most, a second metallic accent – on a light fitting or a soap dish, for example. Two finishes used in equal measure almost always create a sense of clutter rather than opulence.Q3. Does brushed stainless steel turn yellow over time, like some types of brass?
No, brushed stainless steel (whether it has a PVD coating or is solid stainless steel) does not yellow or develop a patina. This is precisely what makes it the most durable finish over time, unlike raw solid brass, which naturally changes over time.Q4. Is unpolished solid brass a bad choice in Belgium, given how hard the water is?
Not necessarily, but it does require you to accept the idea of patina rather than trying to prevent it. In areas with very hard water (Brussels, Hainaut), patina may develop more quickly and less evenly than in regions with soft water. If you want a stable and predictable brass finish, PVD-coated brushed brass remains the safest choice.Q5. Does a brushed gold or brass finish go out of fashion more quickly than classic chrome?
This is the risk with any distinctive finish, but brushed finishes (less shiny than the polished gold of the 1980s) have stood the test of time since their comeback around 2020. When paired with matt black or neutral materials (light wood, concrete), they age better than a model that is entirely gold and shiny, which looks more dated.