Stainless Steel vs Nickel Plates - The Difference

Choosing coordinating granite, tile and paint colors is tricky. In fact, much tricker than I thought when I recently updated my builder-grade kitchen. Costly mistakes were made. *Sigh*

Finding the right updated light switches & cover plates is an unexpected part of most remodel projects. And it's something most homeowners only think of as an afterthought.

Getting a perfect match to your marble, tile, wallpaper or paint isn't likely. But there are lots of finishes to choose from, so with a little bit of effort, you can find switches, outlets and covers that blend with your fresh new color palette.

One of the most popular finishes for kitchens is stainless steel. Many customers want to coordinate with stainless steel fridges, ovens and other kitchen appliances.

We always recommend our residential grade stainless steel faceplates for rooms in which you're trying to match appliances with a satin stainless finish.

Stainless switch & outlet covers are neutral, and don't pull toward any particular color like nickel plates do. Here you can see that nickel switchplates have a yellow tone in comparison to stainless steel:

Note that you can't get actual light switches in stainless, but you can use white, gray, black, red or ivory switches with stainless plates.

A customer emailed us this week to share a picture of her white electrical devices with an oversized stainless steel plate on white mosaic tile:

Pretty fabulous, huh?

Shop stainless steel switch plates in every size and get $6.95 flat-rate shipping. And please send us pictures when you have them installed! 

We'd love to see how our plates have improved your living space.

Narrow Switch Plates for Tight Spaces

If you've nearly completed your kitchen, bathroom or other remodel project and you're just now discovering your switch plate covers won't fit in their new space, you're not alone. We get calls almost daily from people who carefully planned out the placement of their outlets and switches, but forgot to consider the space the wall plates take up around those devices.

That's right - the number 1 mistake people make when remodeling their home is failure to consider the space a switch plate takes up around their switches, outlets and other electrical devices.

Sometimes it's a corner the plates run into, other times it's a window frame, mantle or cabinet. Your first thought may be that you need to rip out your freshly laid tile or sheetrock, or create a new location for the switches. Or, you may head to the hardware store to find some narrow switch plates. That trip will probably lead to a google search, which may have landed you here.

Although hard to find, thin or narrow wall plates do exist and Kyle Switch Plates stocks a variety of sizes in various finishes to help you complete your home's project. Find narrow toggle, Decora rocker, duplex outlet, phone, cable jack covers and more.

The number 1 question customers ask is, "Do you carry narrow electrical boxes?".

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a narrow electrical box.

Some people use a standard electrical box to mount their devices, and then slightly cover the box's edges with tile or whatever they're installing in this tricky space. Then, they use the skinny face plate to fit where they need it to. However, this may not be up to code and is something we don't recommend until you've checked with an electrician in your area.

If you need a narrow switch plate for another purpose, such as on top of a desk or fireplace mantle, Kyle Switch Plates has the perfect plates for you.

Shop narrow switch plates and outlet covers.

Complete Your Kitchen Remodel Faster with This Essential Tip

You've selected the tile floor, the granite counters, the perfect wood cabinets and a fabulous backsplash. You may have purchased all new stainless steel appliances to match your new high-end look. From the moment you decided to do your kitchen remodel you've been anticipating the end results - the feeling of walking into your kitchen every morning and loving it. Am I right?

But, there's a good chance you left one essential item of your to-do list - new switch plates. It's so easy to overlook this detail. After all, before the remodel there were white plates on white walls or plain tile. But now, against the gorgeous grain of your new granite countertops and rich tile backsplash, those white switches, outlets and cover plates stick out. And they're awful!

New Switches, Outlets and Cover Plates will Complete Your Kitchen Remodel

You can easily avoid this disappointment by planning ahead and purchasing matching devices and wall plates in advance. That way, you won't have to live an extra week or so with the old tacky plates in place once the rest of your kitchen is complete.

If you head down to your local hardware store you may find that their selection is limited. The best way to find all the parts you need is to shop Kyle Switch Plates - your order will ship out in 1-2 business days (sometimes even the same day) and the flat-rate shipping means you can order as much as you want without outrageous shipping costs.

At Kyle Switch Plates, you'll find outlets and switches in a vast array of colors - including black, ivory and gray which are popular in kitchens. You can also order switch plates and outlet covers in 17 different finishes - stainless steel, black, oil rubbed bronze, brass and more. We keep everything in stock and ready to ship from our Livermore, California warehouse.

If your newly renovated kitchen has stainless steel appliances, you'll love the look of gray switches with stainless steel plates. If your new granite counters have a lot of black, deep brown and tan shades, you can go with black switches and faceplates or do brown switches and outlets with either brown or dark bronze cover plates. Play around with different finishes to find the look that appeals to you.

Don't forget to budget for new switch plates!

When budgeting for your project, take into consideration how your old switches and faceplates will look with your new color scheme. A single switch or cover plate isn't expensive, but it can add up when you're re-doing an entire room. Determine what color will work best in your kitchen, and calculate the cost of ordering replacement electrical devices and covers. See our post on Replacing Switch Plates for a handy printout that will help you avoid order mistakes. We just hate to see when someone forgets 1 plate or outlet and has to wait for a 2nd order to arrive.

Shop Kyle Switch Plates to order new switchplates and matching switches and outlets for your kitchen. It will be the perfect finishing touch on your project - we guarantee it.

#remodel #kitchen #kitchenremodel #switchplates #electricaldevices #homedecor

Are Metal Switch Plates Really Better than Plastic Ones?

People often ask what the difference is between a metal plate and a plastic one, and I can hear the hesitation in their voice as they question ordering a replacement plate that's metal.

You've been surrounded by plastic switch plates your whole life, but probably haven't given them much thought. Most people don't until they decide to update the look of their home - either adding a fresh coat of paint to the walls or doing a kitchen remodel.

One of the first steps when painting a room or remodeling your space is removing all the face plates from the walls. It generally isn't until you reach one of the final steps - putting those cover plates back up - that you notice how dingy your plates are. How did I not notice this before? you wonder. They may be dirty or discolored and if you're like me, you've managed to crack one when screwing in the screw too tight.

When replacing your switch plate - whether it's a single one or you're revamping an entire room - it's always better to go with a metal one.

Benefits of Metal Switch Plates

• Metal plates are sturdier. You're not going to crack the plate because you've screwed a screw in too tight. They won't bow or warp over time either.
• Metal switch plates never discolor. Quality metal plates, like we sell at Kyle Switch Plates, are going to last. Even if they see a lot of sunlight from a nearby window, they are not going to yellow over time the way plastic ones will.
• Metal face plates are a better value. Since they won't crack, break or discolor, you'll never have to replace them, so they'll save you money in the long run.
• Metal covers come in more sizes. You will find more configurations and sizes available in metal plates than you will in plastic ones. That's why so many of our customers ask about the difference - they need a plate they can't find in plastic and want to be sure it will not stand out among their old plates (they won't).
• Bigger selection of finishes. Whether you're looking to match your stainless steel appliances or you want to add appeal with polished brass or oil rubbed bronze, you'll find 20 finishes at Kyle Switch Plates.
• They're paintable. Although we do carry a huge selection of finishes, there are some circumstances in which a plate needs to be painted to achieve the desired results. See our Tips for Painting Switch Plates to learn how.
• They're green. Well, not in color, but our metal switch plates are made of steel, bronze, copper or brass and can be recycled when no longer needed.
• They're perfectly safe. Most Kyle Switch Plates cover plates are UL approved - a testament to their safety.
• Metal switch plates are more attractive. They're weightier and their surface quality stands out.

So if you're replacing your switch plates, consider ditching the cheap plastic ones and upgrading your look to metal. The metal plates really are a lot better than the plastic ones. And if you only need 1 plate in a configuration you can't find anywhere else, replacing just that plate with a metal one is OK - besides holding it in your hand or tapping it with your finger, you're probably not going to notice the difference.

Shop quality metal switch plates at Kyle Switch Plates.

#switchplates #coverplates #faceplates #remodel #homedecor