Switch/socket finish, white or chrome?

Lemoncurd

A number of electricians are working on quotes for rewiring a house for us.

Our preference has always been to have stainless steel or brushed chrome effect switches and sockets etc as we had these in our last property and we felt they made a big difference to the modern luxury feel we are aiming for.

One of the electricians has discussed this with us a number of times (before we even voiced our prefs) and keeps on trying to put us off these because he says they mark easily and oxidise when they get finger prints on them and also says that they aren't as good quality as the white ones they use (unless we buy really expensive ones). We expected to pay a bit more for this finish and in the 4 years we had them ourselves we never had a problem with fingerprints.
Not keen on the white ones because I feel they yellow and look dirty quickly, would the better quality ones not do this? (they use MK fittings)

Just wondering what other peoples experiences with stainless steel/ brushed chrome vs white fittings were?

The same for downlighter surrounds - this electrician says that white looks smarter but I'm concerned they will yellow and not that we're planning on it but would they still look good if we painted the ceilings any other colour than white?

Also do you think chrome might just be a fashion fad?

Bennifred

We had the same dilemma a couple of years ago when we had a new extension and kitchen with stainless steel appliances, so we propped samples about, and ummed and ahhed for a bit, asked friends' opinions etc, and finally went for white, on the grounds that initially at least the walls were going to be off-white, and we didn't want the switche covers standing out too much; and also there is enough SS in the kitchen already! We also chose white for the downlighter surrounds - more discrete (they are the directional ones,with small oval appertures, so the surrounds are quite large) with white ceilings. I am inclined to agree that the metal switch covers are likely to date, whereas who even notices white once they are in place? Just my opinion, though! (Well - and OH's, of course :rolleyes: )

John_M_Business

I have flat brushed-steel plated sockets (plugs and switches) throughout my house. They look great and work fine, and, though more expensive than white ones, if you're re-wiring or doing a job on a home - then it's not much more (you should get single switches for less than £8, and doubles for less than £12 max!).

To keep them clean we use the same 'polish' that we use for our steel fridge (applied about once a month or so). We were reliably informed by the fridge mechanic that although they make it seem like a highly specialised 'steel ointment' - it is, in fact, just about the same as Johnson's Baby Oil ;-)

Sure, if you were going to put one outside or in a potential 'damp' area I would advise caution... but, then again, you can't put sockets and switches in bathrooms any more, and you're hardly likely to put one next to your sink - so don't worry about it.

The chances are the sparky doesn't like installing the steel ones because they're so much of a fiddle (especially the flat plates). However, IMHO, if you're also thinking down the line to a sale and you are going for a modern / contemporary look, then you'd do well to choose steel.

plumb1_2

MK are the best plastic ones on the market,and they shouldn,t yellow,as with cheaper ones.

skiddy2k

plumb1 wrote:

MK are the best plastic ones on the market,and they shouldn,t yellow,as with cheaper ones.

i think the next best thing to MK accessories are a company called Contactum. they're just like MK in there manufacture of electrical switches, plugs, consumer units etc. in addition, they're slightly cheaper to MK but i recogn they are decent in there quality and long lasting.

Skiddy

big_ste

I'm a electrician, here are some facts.
1 white ones only yellow if you smoke.( its the nicotine that sets them off)
2 MK are the best known brand and are of a higher percieved quality, but in reality if tis CE marked which they all should be then go for the ones you like the look of.
3 stainless will mark up with finger marks if you touch them. and need cleaning time to time.
4 Be savy, only put expensive ones in where they show, no pount putting a expensive one if its hidden behind the tv.
5 If you favour style over price go for the stainless ones.
6 Reason why electricians dont like them is that you have to be ultra carefull in installing them one slip of the screw driver and you get a nasty scratch which stands out a mile.
hope this helps

robowen

big_ste wrote:

Be savy, only put expensive ones in where they show, no pount putting a expensive one if its hidden behind the tv.

Point no 4 is the best piece of advice. :T
I was about to change all my sockets to s/s, 8 out of the 12 fitted are going to be permanently hidden behind sofas/ cupboards etc etc.

You saved me a few quid ! :money: :money:

Thanks for that ! :beer:

rob

sooz

finger marks don't show on brushed steel...we have them almost everywhere, and yes, the electrician hated them... he chewed up all the screw slots, so i made him replace them

Hunnymonster

I'd go for white either CaradonMK or Contactum - though I'd always side with CaradonMK myself out of preference.

If at a later date you found yourself desperately wanting metallic finish 'furniture' in some rooms, then you could still DIY - even with part p in force.

vansboy

We've some polished black chrome (if that makes sense, in the kitchen - very smart.

In the new bedroom Ultimo range from Homebase. They're flush, stainless steel, brushed, but a swirl design, rather than square. Hard to describe, but smart & NOT over dear!!

VB