Thinking of getting an outdoor shower? Which material is the best? What are the differences between chrome vs. stainless steel?
If you are building an outdoor shower, you want to think carefully about the materials that you are going to use for each part of the project. If you are considering chrome vs. stainless steel, we are here to provide more information. It’s especially important to choose the right fixture as this is the integral part of your shower. To make the best choice, you want to be informed about the different material options that are available to you. Stainless steel and chrome are both very good choices for your outdoor shower, but which is best for your specific needs?
Chrome Features
The polished finish of chrome catches the light, creating a beautiful shine that other materials simply do not have. This makes chrome very aesthetically appealing. If you’d like a shower that is truly beautiful, then chrome might be the right option for you.
If you’re looking for a lightweight option, chrome may also be the best fit for your outdoor shower. It is much less heavy and therefore more affordable than stainless steel. However, chrome doesn’t stand up to wear and tear as well as other options on the market, including stainless steel.
These showers are made of an inner core (typically brass) that is plated in chrome. Because of this, it’s important to understand that chrome plating is only as good as the craftsman who does the chroming. If something goes wrong or isn’t done correctly while the material is being plated, then it can easily become scratched or chipped. This definitely isn’t what you want when you are building an outdoor shower. If you decide to choose chrome, just be sure that you hire a top-quality craftsman to complete the work for you.
Stainless Steel Features
Unlike chrome, stainless steel showers are a single material from core to surface. Stainless steel is an alloy created by blending two metals together in order to offer a wide range of benefits. This makes it more expensive, but also more durable than chrome.
Stainless steel is significantly better when it comes to protecting the entire shower structure from corrosion. Chrome used to sit in the top spot here, but nowadays, stainless steel contains more nickel. This more recent addition makes it the best choice for protecting against corrosion and wear and tear.
Stainless steel is also extremely low maintenance and doesn’t show marks and fingerprints like other materials. You can easily clean stainless steel by simply wiping it down. It is also more resistant to erosion and will last longer than the other options out there.
What To Choose?
Which is better for you then? There are clearly many factors to take into account as you decide between chrome vs. stainless steel.
If it’s the look and a lower price point that you’re after, chrome takes the lead. It has a beautiful, shiny surface and is much more affordable than stainless steel. The truly stunning finish will make your outdoor shower a perfect haven. However, dirt and fingerprints will show up easily on this material, cleaning is a bit tougher to do and wear and tear will take a bigger toll on the chrome surface.
Stainless steel is definitely a bigger investment on the front end, but will likely pay off because of its resistance to erosion and ease of maintenance. Remember to factor in the weather conditions in your area and do your research to make the choice that is best for you.
Here at Outdoor Shower, we offer a variety of outdoor showers in both chrome-plated brass and stainless steel. We even carry showers made of marine grade stainless steel that can truly handle the elements and will stand the test of time. Whatever material you choose, we have a broad selection of styles and designs to fit your needs. Contact us today and our incredible team will help you find what you need!
