Steel Sockets and Switches

Frequently Asked Questions

What plate styles are available in brushed steel?

Brushed steel is available in five plate styles. The Usk plate is our entry-level option with a clean, straightforward profile. The Flat plate is a frameless style with no visible border, suited to minimalist spaces. The Contour plate has a raised profile with rounded corners. The Spectrum plate is an oversized design with rounded bevelled edges. The Lexus plate is our screwless option — a clean, contemporary style that removes visible fixings entirely.

Is a screwless brushed steel socket or switch available?

Yes. Our Lexus range offers a screwless option in brushed steel. Screwless plates are particularly well suited to bedrooms, living rooms, and contemporary spaces where visible fixings would interrupt the look. The Lexus range is imported rather than Made in Britain but carries the same 10-year warranty as our British-made ranges.

What is the difference between brushed steel and satin chrome?

Both are silver-toned finishes with a brushed or satin quality, but they are distinct in character. Brushed steel is made from stainless steel and has a cool, slightly blue-grey tone with a directional grain. Satin chrome is a brass-based plate with a chrome plating applied, giving it a fractionally warmer, softer appearance. Side by side, brushed steel is crisper and cooler; satin chrome is slightly warmer and more reflective. If your appliances are stainless steel, brushed steel will match most closely.

What is the difference between brushed steel and nickel?

Brushed steel is cooler and lighter in tone with a clean, precise finish. Nickel is a brass-based plate with a nickel plating applied, giving it a warmer, softer tone than brushed steel. If you want a functional, modern finish that matches stainless steel appliances, brushed steel is the better choice. If you want a softer silver with a slightly more traditional quality, nickel is worth considering.

Which brushed steel ranges are Made in Britain?

The Flat, Contour, and Spectrum ranges are Made in Britain. The Usk entry-level range and Lexus screwless range are imported. All ranges carry a 10-year warranty.

Is brushed steel suitable for a kitchen?

Yes — brushed steel is one of the most practical finishes for a kitchen, particularly where stainless steel appliances are present. The brushed texture is less likely to show marks than a polished finish. For kitchens, we recommend specifying a 20-amp double pole switch for isolating below-worktop appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, fridges, freezers, and ovens — all available in brushed steel.

Where is works

Brushed steel is the finish most closely associated with modern and industrial interiors — clean, cool, and precise. It works naturally alongside stainless steel kitchen appliances, industrial lighting, and contemporary joinery. In kitchens it is one of the most practical choices, as the brushed texture is less likely to show marks than a polished finish. It also works well in utility rooms and home offices where a functional, no-nonsense finish is appropriate. For period properties, brushed steel tends to work better in rooms that have been modernised than in those retaining original features, where a warmer finish is generally more sympathetic.