THE KINGSTON INFORMER THE TRADITION OF FINE BRASS WWW.KINGSTONBRASS.COM
MONTHLY NEWSPAGE OF KINGSTON BRASS
APRIL 2011 - ISSUE 4
KB releases new finish and brand
Every once in a while a new look or finish comes along that sets the tone of a company’s vision for the future, such is the case with the new Water Onyx® finish from Kingston Brass. The vision of KB is that of boldness, leadership and confidence. With the black nickel finish, the Water Onyx brand makes it presence known-especially at a time where there hasn’t been any cutting edge developments with design and finishes.
What is special about black nickel? The finish is a KB version of a polished chrome mixed in black, but with slightly more depth than your regular run-of-the-mill black chrome. There are many ways to put this bold offering to good use. The brand is available in the Concord and Templeton collections and will be accessorized with a red or dark gray handle insert. Log on to www.kingstonbrass.com for more information on Water Onyx.
NS8411DRL2
All about the clawfoots It’s amazing how sometimes the best things in life happen by accident. Originally designed as horse troughs, the clawfoot tub is one of those items that have never gone out of style. The American Sanitary Company (later to become American Standard) was the first to produce clawfoot tubs. As the centerpiece of bathroom dÊcor, the tubs were used as luxury items back in the 1800s. These clawfoot tubs or free-standing tubs (as they are sometimes called), have evolved to include other materials, the most common being acrylic. The following reveals the many options available to a potential freestanding tub buyer:
Material Cast Iron Pros: The cast iron has a solid build and feel, but also retains heat for a longer period. Cons: The enamel may chip and if such the case, it becomes nonrepairable. It is also very heavy to transport.
Double Classic Roll Rim: The faucet and drain are located in the middle, allows for two-person bathing without the risk of somebody hitting their head on the faucet.
Acrylic Pros: The acrylic is fully repairable and very light to transport. Cons: It loses heat faster than cast iron and the lower quality acrylic tubs may feel flimsy or plastic. The following is a list of the different types: of clawfoot tubs. They are as follows:
Double Slipper: Same as the Double Classic Roll Rim; is designed for a two-person bathing experience. Make sure to double-check the dimensions. It may turn out to be a tighter fit than expected.
Classic Roll Rim: This particular type is very popular; the roll rim allows for easy ingress and egress from the tub.
Pedestal tubs: Now with the increasing popularity of clawfoot tubs, some manufacturers are adding other options to their free-standing tub product line. Pedestal tubs are available in basically the same configuration as the clawfoot tubs. There are also flat rim models available in most of the above configurations. Flat rim tubs allow installation of a faucet directly on the rim of the tub. Single Slipper: This model is more ergonomical, as it allows you to recline and relax while bathing.
Photos courtesy of Haimabath.
Taking care of KB’s stainless steel sinks To ensure beauty and longlasting use, there are certain things that should be known when taking care of your Kingston Brass stainless steel sink. The following is a list of the Do’s and Don’ts of maintaining your KB sink: THE DO’S • Clean your sink on a regular basis. • Towel dry frequently to prevent accumulation of mineral deposits from building up on the surface of the sink. These mineral buildups may appear as permanent water spots. If you develop a buildup of minerals from the water, clean with a soft cloth dipped in vinegar. Make sure to rinse well and dry with a clean paper towel. • Clean your sink with a mild non-abrasive solution of soap and water.You can also sprinkle baking soda on a soft sponge and rub gently--always in the direction of the grain. Some regular household cleaners contain chlorides
or acidic compounds. Try to select those cleaners which have a low chloride content. • The use of a rubber mat will help protect the surface, however, if you do use a rubber mat, please remember to remove it daily as there is a possibility of bacteria growth under the mat. • If you develop minor scratches, try using a
stronger non-abrasive cleaner such as Barkeeper’s Friend or Franke’s 903 Inox Stainless Steel cleaner, Flitz or Gordon’s Miracle Shine. If necessary, you can use a fine grade 3M Scotch brite pad and any of the above cleaning compounds. Make sure to rub in the direction of the grain. Rinse thoroughly and towel dry
when finished. THE DON’TS • Do not use steel wool when cleaning your sink--it will leave small residue of iron particles. These iron particles, in time, will develop into rust stains and blemish the beauty of your sink. • Do not leave steel or cast iron cookware in the sink. • Do not leave certain foods such as pickles, mayonnaise, mustard, fruits or juices in the sink as they contain citric acids which may corrode the protective coating of the sink. • Do not use chlorine bleach--chlorine attacks the protective coating that makes sink stainless. Our sinks are manufactured from 304 grade, that is, the standard industry makeup of stainless steel consisting of 18% chromium and 10% nickel. The material, however, is the top choice with kitchen sinks. By learning how to take proper care, your sink will appear as new as it ever can be.
UNDERSTANDING OUR
POLISHED CHROME
SATIN NICKEL
FOUR FINISHES
After you have gone through extensive research selecting your bathroom faucet, making sure it will fit on your sink ... and seeing that the projection is sufficient, etc. etc., we come to one final question ... Which finish should I buy? Let me attempt to help you sort out the differences of the main finishes available today. Polished Chrome
This is by far the most popular finish sold today in plumbing and door hardware products in the world-especially in Europe, Asia and South America.
Part of the reason might be its durability--after all, it was not long ago when automotive bumpers and trim pieces were chrome-plated. Polished chrome is an electroplated finish, which is part of the reason why it is very durable (And I say “part” because in automotive applications, the finish is made more durable by plating the bumpers initially with nickel and then coating them with chrome). Chrome is considered a cold color--a stark silver color. Designers like it because it is very easy to work with and it fits into most décors depending on the style of the faucet or accessory. The biggest complaint I hear is
Polished Brass (or PVD [Physical Vapor Deposition]) is a metal finishing process that greatly increases the durability and wear resistance of standard brass finishes on plumbing fixtures. Independent testing laboratories have determined PVD to be up to 23 times more abrasion-resistant than chrome plating, the previous industry standard.
that it shows fingerprints and water spots. Satin chrome on the other hand (or brushed chrome), is a safe compromise in some cases. It is originally polished chrome that was either wire-brushed or satinized using different techniques. It tends to look more industrial and is used mostly in commercial door hardware. It is very easy to maintain, because it does not show water spots or finger prints as well. With polished nickel, some people consider it as an alteration of the polished chrome finish. In reality, it is a totally separate finish. It looks somewhat like chrome with a slight yellow tint, making it a warmer option to your décor. Although it gives a much richer look to your kitchen or bathroom, it is still not in the top five finishes. It is priced at 25% to 50% higher than chrome and unfortunately, most end users do not see the value of paying a substantial up-charge for a finish that looks very close to chrome. Satin Nickel
Without a doubt this is one of the most popular finishes today, second only to chrome.
POLISHED BRASS
OIL-RUBBED BRONZE
room a rustic feel. In reality, it does not always mature the way you want it to. If the end user is aware of the characteristics of this finish and know what they are getting into, then it’s fine. The problem originates when we, as designers, fail to educate the client and do not give enough “Caveat emptor” information. Polished Brass
It gained its popularity probably because of its practicality. It is easy to maintain as it does not show fingerprints or water spots easily. From the designer’s point of view, it is easy to coordinate with most granite or marble colors. You may still have the risk of tarnishing but if you follow common sense maintenance guidelines, you should be able to maintain it for many years. Oil Rubbed Bronze
This is by far the most problematic finish for most manufacturers because it is considered a living finish. Living is a code word for “forever changes.” The ideal scenario is that it will mature with age and give the
After the development of the PVD technologies in the 90s, the durability of the polished brass
finish is no longer an issue. This finish was very popular in the 80s and 90s, but because of the availability of so many finishes in the market, polished brass has lost some ground. Despite its popularity affected by geographic trends, the finish still has a great standing, especially in the northeast and midwest. Polished brass will add a touch of rich elegance to any bathroom unsurpassed by any other finish.