Stunning Style Starts With Sloan Special Finishes

(Which One Will Inspire You?)

Sloan Special Finishes are amazing, and we’ll get to them in a bit. First, I have to ask you a question:

Have you ever noticed how well you can recognize patterns?

Your brain is so naturally good at pattern recognition that you are constantly (and unconsciously) doing it. Every. Single. Day.

But your brain lights up and takes notice when there’s a break in a pattern. You can vividly and effortlessly recall the exciting and novel experiences that happened years ago; the “exciting and novel” successfully broke the pattern.

So what does this have to do with Sloan’s special finishes? Read on.

How sloan Special Finishes Can Guide and Direct Attention In Your Restroom Design

Polished chrome plating is the most common finish for nearly all restroom hardware. When you use a finish other than polished chrome, the user has NO CHOICE but to take notice. (And while they are noticing, YOU are setting the tone for the rest of your design).

Obviously, this must be done tastefully (there are good and bad ways to get noticed, after all). And luckily, Sloan offers the same special finishes across many types of products, so you can achieve a unified look now that you’ve exceeded user expectations and earned their attention.

Made you look! Your brain is hardwired to notice differences in your environment and patterns of experience

Sloan Special Finishes are Created with Advanced Technology

Applying finishes to plumbing fixtures can have a tremendous impact on their durability. Sloan Special Finishes are created using the highly technical “physical vapor deposition (PVD)” process, which is known to produce outstanding results. In fact, this methodology takes material strength to the next level, so it is commonly used on products that are made to take a beating, such as engine parts, firearms, and drill bits.

There are four main steps to the PVD process:

  • Vacuum Exhaust. Parts are placed in a furnace, and a vacuum chamber is created.
  • Heating. The material is heated to over 450-deg F, and all moisture is removed
  • Etching. Argon ions are introduced to etch the material surface and remove impurities.
  • Coating. The finish material is vaporized into a plasma state, ionized, and bonded with the parts on a molecular level.

(For a superb visual explanation of this process, watch this short video).

After the material cools, the result is a surface that is incredibly durable and vandal resistant.)

The results of durability testing: Abrasion (wire-brush), Vandalism (scratching with razor’s edge), and Chemical Attack (using harsh cleaning chemicals). PVD finishes can take a beating — and you wouldn’t know it. (Image courtesy of Sloan)

Sloan Special Finishes are Easy-to-Clean

There’s no doubt about it — Sloan Special Finishes are easy to clean. Simply wipe the unit with soap and water, then dry with a clean cloth or towel.

(Note: harsh bathroom tile cleaners may discolor or dull the metallic finishes of your plumbing hardware. Always make sure to cover them to protect them from accidental chemical spattering).

Easy does it! No harsh chemicals or scrubbing pads are necessary

Sloan Special Finishes are Beautiful

Sloan creates products designed for maximum hygiene, functionality, and attractiveness. They know well-designed spaces rely on fine material choices that engage the senses. However, users can often be unaware of the meticulous planning it takes to design such an environment. 

Fortunately, users directly engage with plumbing restroom fixtures, so special finishes are one thing that won’t go unnoticed. In fact, these added touches will attune users to the beauty that is all around them.

Here are the Special Finishes that Sloan offers:

Brushed Nickel PVD

Brushed nickel provides a warm metallic veneer to your restroom fixtures. This effect is enhanced by the soft linear texture of brush strokes. The end result is an approachable finish that invites interaction.

This surface is highly resistant to fingerprints and water stains. This benefit ensures a clean, sleek look in any commercial restroom.

Brushed Stainless Steel PVD

Brushed Stainless Steel is a well-known material in homes and commercial kitchens. Consequently, this finish is synonymous with cleanliness and hygiene.

Brushed Stainless Steel offers a classy style that is easy to match with its surrounding environment. Further, its highly corrosion-resistant nature makes it a sensible choice in public restrooms.

Polished Brass PVD

Polished brass is a bright and exciting finish that promises to add luxury and warmth to its surroundings. It looks lovely set against dark or light tones and offers a welcome departure from conventional plumbing fixture finishes.

Surprisingly, the polished brass will maintain its lustrous shine for the life of the building (unlike conventional polished brass that tarnishes). This longevity results from the advanced PVD coating process that created it.

Graphite PVD

Graphite PVD is perhaps the most striking finish that Sloan offers. This finish instantly expresses modern, industrial power fused with dignity and class.

Graphite is especially suited to high contrast designs. For example, occupants will be delighted when you pair graphite’s dark, handsome shades with a crisp, white AER-DEC sink surface. 

Custom Engraving

When you want to create a one-of-a-kind restroom experience, Sloan can engrave custom designs on their products. (A Sloan BASYS faucet crown is the perfect canvas for your company or team logo).

(If you’re interested in custom engraving for your project, please contact us, and we’ll walk you through the process of getting your design approved.)

Sloan Special Finishes are Widely Available Across Many Product Lines

A unified look is essential for a well-defined space. Sloan offers their finishes across multiple product lines and categories for this reason. You can easily coordinate faucets, soap, dispensers, flush valves, and even hand-dryers.

For a guide to available finishes, download the Sloan Special Finishes Brochure. (See page 15/16) 

A Word on Sloan’s Standard Polished Chrome Finish

There is a good reason polished chrome is a standard finish for commercial plumbing fixtures: it is beautiful, versatile, and affordable. This bright, mirror-like finish complements nearly any environment, reflecting the beauty of its surroundings.

You can also be confident of the quality; Sloan products have the thickest chrome plating coating in the industry, ensuring protection for years to come.

Conclusion

Sloan Special Finishes give you and your users a welcome break from the ordinary. While polished chrome plating can highlight your design’s beauty, sometimes a unique material adds that “wow-factor” you looking for to engage users and focus their attention where you want it.

In addition to setting the tone for a space, PVD special finishes provide enhanced strength to the products, ensuring the integrity of the design will be upheld for the lifetime of the building. 

No wonder they’re called special finishes.🤔

Next Steps

  • Please contact us if you are from Michigan and interested in learning more about Sloan Special Finishes. 
  • If you are outside of Michigan, please refer to this page and enter your zip code to find a manufacturer’s representative in your state. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the aesthetic benefit of Sloan Special Finishes? 

The beauty of Sloan Special Finishes creates an unexpected surprise that users can’t help but notice. 

What value does the PVD coating process add to the plumbing hardware finish?

PVD coating dramatically increases the strength and durability of a surface. This is because bonds are formed at a molecular level. 

How should you clean Sloan Special Finishes? 

To clean, simply use mild soap and a damp cloth. Towel dry when complete.  

What are the special finishes Sloan currently offers? 

Sloan offers Brushed Nickel, Stainless Steel, Polished Brass, and Graphite (in addition to their standard chrome finish)

What products have special finishes available? 

Special finishes are available across multiple categories, including manual flush valves, sensor flush valves, sensor faucets, soap dispensers, and hand-dryers.

Look for Special Finish options for BASYS, Optima, G2, ECOS, Solis, and Royal product lines. Special Finishes are not available for “Sloan” series flush valves or “SF” series faucets. Please contact us or refer to the Sloan Special Finishes Brochure for a complete breakdown. 

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top