(*Note that Touch Plate is a low voltage lighting brand and screwless Ultra plates are 1 & 2-gang sizes only).
DEVICE TYPES FOR SCREWLESS PLATES:
These simple, modern wall plates have no visible screws and are made to cover rocker devices (the large, rectangle shaped ones). This mainly includes Decora* rocker switches, rocker dimmers, and block/GFCI type outlets.
*The term "Decora" is a Leviton brand trademark term often used interchangeably with the term "rocker".
Inserts and modular frames allow you to install screwless covers over other devices, such as toggle light switches or phone/cable jacks.
Here are examples of several rocker electrical devices that fit into screw-free covers:
Switch / Stacked Switch / Combo Outlet / GFCI Outlet / Slide Dimmer / Rocker Dimmer
And, using inserts, blank dummy switches or modular frames, here are more options:
Rocker inserts convert openings to fit other devices & jacks.
Learn more about & purchase switch plate inserts here.
SHEEN VARIATIONS OF SCREWLESS PLATES:
The first difference between these 3 manufacturers is the sheen of the covers.
Pass & Seymour has a satin finish, Touch-Plate Ultra is very matte, and Lutron is high gloss (which the exception of Lutron's Midnight Satin Black, Hot Satin Red & Palladium Satin Gray).
SIZE VARIATIONS OF SCREWLESS COVERS:
Lutron's covers are the smallest, measuring 2-15/16" wide by 4-11/16 high.
Touch-Plate Ultra and Pass & Seymour's covers are both 3-1/8" wide & 1/4" deep, with P&S's being slightly taller at 4-15/16" high.
For reference, a standard rocker plate with screws is smaller: 2-3/4" wide, 4-1/2" high and only 5/32" deep. The screwless plates cover more of the wall space around the devices, but the cutout is the same size as any standard cover.
Covers are available in sizes from 1-gang (covers 1 device) up to 6-gang (covers 6 devices in same electrical box). Sizes vary by brand:
LUTRON:
1-6 Gang 6 Finishes Gloss
1-3 Gang 2 Finishes Satin
PASS & SEYMOUR LEGRAND:
1-6 Gang 1 Finish Satin
1-6 Gang 2 Finishes Metallic
TOUCH-PLATE ULTRA:
1-2 Gang 4 Finishes Matte
VISIBLE SEAMS ALONG SCREWLESS PLATE EDGES:
These covers each look different when viewed from the side.
One reason is because each manufacturer has a different sub-plate style that the cover snaps into.
Lutron's sub-plate is the same size as the cover, which is why you'll see a very noticeable seam between the cover and the subplate once it's installed.
Pass & Seymour's covers snap into much smaller sub-plates. But the edges do have a seam and taper back as they meet the wall (in a reverse bevel).
As mentioned briefly above, Touch-Plate is a low voltage lighting system brand. These snap-on screwless covers are part of their Ultra line (and are typically purchased to cover special Ultra low voltage light switches in older homes that have 2-wire 28V momentary switches instead of standard 120/277 volt light switches).
However, they can be purchased to use with any standard rocker device or insert if you like the sleek matte finish and smooth edges with no visible seams. Just know that they only come in 1 or 2 gang sizes.
FINISHES BY MANUFACTURER:
Another thing to consider is the color of your devices (and desired plate color or sheen).
All three manufacturer's have a different shade of white in addition to differences in sheen (no-shine matte vs. high-shine gloss). Take into consideration if your devices are gloss verses satin.
Note that standard devices don't come "matte", so if you buy a Touch Plate cover your switches will have more shine to them even if they are satin.
Each brand offers different finishes to complicate things even further.
Here are your finish options for each brand:
Lutron has its standard line of gloss covers (to match their gloss devices sold here), as well as specialty satin red and black finishes (which also have matching satin devices from Lutron).
White / Almond / Gray / Ivory / Brown / Black
Sizes: 1-6 Gang
Hot Satin Red / Midnight Satin Black
Sizes: 1-3 Gang
White / Almond / Ivory / Black
Sizes: 1-2 Gang
Satin White / Metallic Dark Bronze / Metallic Nickel
INSTALLED SCREWLESS COVERS:
Here, we're sharing some installed covers for inspiration.
Pass & Seymour's metallic nickel receptacle and screwless cover installed in a mirror backsplash in a kitchen in Dallas, Texas:
Lutron's satin midnight black outlet cover at a Napa Valley, California winery:
Lutron's GFCI receptacle in a glossy ivory Lutron screwless wallplate installed on a black granite tile bathroom wall at a resort on the island of Kauai:
White Pass & Seymour single rocker screwless cover with locator light on wallpaper in newly renovated California hotel bathroom:
No comments:
Post a Comment