Kielle now with a PVD surface finish: What colours can make your bathroom shine?

Bathrooms are also seeing an increasing emphasis on individuality. The main motivation does not necessarily have to be the desire to have something different from everyone else at all costs. The bathroom is a space where we want to relax, recharge our batteries and simply be ourselves... So moving away from an overly sterile and impersonal look makes perfect sense.

Today, we will introduce a new addition to the range from the kielle brand, responding to the increasingly prominent trend of moving away from classic chrome finishes. Kielle now uses PVD surface finishing technology, known for its high durability as well as the attractive appearance it gives bathroom taps and accessories. We will show you that striking colours are far from the only advantage of PVD surfaces.

How is a PVD surface finish created?

Advantages of PVD surfaces

• Excellent resistance to wear: The PVD layer is extremely hard. On metal substrates, the surface easily withstands everyday scratching and mechanical stress. On plastic components, it significantly increases their overall resistance to abrasion.
• Long-lasting protection against corrosion: The molecular bond with the body of the product (or with the protective lacquer layer on plastic components) contributes to excellent resistance to moisture, corrosion and everyday wear.
• Colour stability and a finish that does not peel: As the applied layer becomes an integral part of the surface, there is no risk of unsightly peeling or flaking that can occur with conventionally painted plastics or lower-quality finishes.
• Low weight of plastic components: Thanks to the possibility of applying PVD to plastic, even larger or intricately shaped accessories can achieve a luxurious metallic appearance without significantly increasing the weight of the product.
• Environmentally friendly production: PVD is a dry process that does not require the undesirable use of aggressive chemicals. It therefore complies with strict environmental standards such as REACH and RoHS.

How does PVD differ from a chrome finish?

Although classic chrome has provided reliability and a mirror-like shine for many years, PVD surpasses it in many respects in terms of hardness, versatility and technological possibilities.

Parameter	Classic chrome (electroplating)	PVD surface finish
Production method	Wet electrolytic process in a bath	Dry process in a vacuum chamber
Suitable materials	Primarily metals (brass, steel)	Metals (brass, stainless steel) and special plastics
Hardness (according to the Vickers scale)	500–850 HV (decorative chrome)	1,500–4,600 HV (depending on the type of coating and substrate)
Colour variety	Primarily silver, high-gloss or matt finish	A wide range of metallic and coloured tones
Scratch resistance	Standard, more prone to micro-scratches	Extremely high, highly resistant to abrasion
Environmental impact	Uses toxic hexavalent chromium	No chemical waste, environmentally friendly

A wide range of colour finishes

One of the greatest advantages of PVD technology from kielle is the ability to bring deep metallic tones into the bathroom while maintaining a consistent visual character. The new products can be found across complete ranges such as kielle Oudee I and kielle Vega, which include not only taps, but also shower accessories and bathroom accessories.

Brushed gold

A warm, velvety-soft shade with a subtle brushed texture. It looks fantastic on a shower tap as well as on smaller details such as a wall connection or a simple hook.

Gun grey

A modern, sophisticated dark tone that gives technical elements an elegant appearance. In this finish, kielle also offers washbasin taps and shower taps, double hooks and a practical replacement toilet brush.

Gun metal

A unique dark metallic finish for those who appreciate distinctive design. For example, a wall-mounted shower tap combined with a shower rail and a smooth shower hose featuring the AntiTwist system creates a perfectly coordinated aesthetic in the shower area.

How should PVD taps be cleaned?

Proper care of a PVD surface is very easy, but it is still important to follow a few basic rules to prevent limescale deposits from forming.

Recommended procedure:

• After every shower or wash, wipe the surface with a dry or damp microfibre cloth.
• Remove water droplets from the surface promptly to prevent minerals in hard water from leaving white marks.
• Use only mild cleaning products designed specifically for sanitary products and taps, or alternatively a gentle solution of soapy water.

What should you avoid?

• Abrasive powders, cleaning pastes and rough sponges or wire scourers.
• Aggressive chemical cleaners based on chlorine, alcohol or solvents.
• Strong acidic cleaners (for example concentrated citric or phosphoric acid), which could damage the upper microstructure of the surface.

Make your bathroom shine

How can you work with coloured taps and accessories in practice to achieve a harmonious result? The key lies in consciously working with the atmosphere and interior style.

The brushed gold finish is a symbol of timeless elegance and accessible luxury. Kielle gold taps and accessories create a warm and exceptionally inviting atmosphere. They stand out beautifully in combination with raw wood and warmer cream-coloured tiles. You can also achieve an excellent effect if you are aiming for an Art Nouveau-inspired retro look or if you are drawn to luxurious bathrooms with a marble-effect finish.

By contrast, the darker gun grey and gun metal tones are a perfect choice for industrial and minimalist interiors. They emphasise a more raw appearance, high functionality and uncompromising aesthetics. They complement concrete-effect surfaces, dark stone tiles and glass surfaces perfectly. Coordinating taps, connections, hoses and hooks in a single dark metallic tone gives the entire bathroom a cohesive character that retains its appeal for years to come.

Frequently asked questions

What does PVD surface finishing mean?

It is a physical vapour deposition process (Physical Vapor Deposition). The technology involves vaporising metal particles in a vacuum and subsequently depositing them onto the surface of the product, creating a thin but extremely hard and durable protective layer.

What material is the tap body made from?

The body of kielle taps is made from high-quality brass or stainless steel. The PVD layer is then applied to this solid, precisely machined metal body.

Is a PVD surface more durable than chrome?

Yes, a PVD surface achieves significantly greater hardness on the Vickers scale than decorative chrome. As a result, it resists scratching considerably better and also offers excellent resistance to corrosion and chemical wear.

How is the gold finish of a tap created?

The brushed gold finish is created by depositing vaporised titanium or other metallic elements in the presence of reactive gases inside a vacuum chamber. The matt brushed effect itself is achieved through precise treatment of the underlying metal.

How should a tap with a PVD surface be cleaned?

For everyday maintenance, a soft microfibre cloth and lukewarm water with a small amount of soap or a mild sanitary cleaner are sufficient. Dry the tap after cleaning and avoid wire scourers, abrasive cleaners and aggressive acids.