Walk into any modern kitchen showroom and you will notice a shift. Chrome is no longer the automatic choice for taps and sinks. Instead, darker tones, warm metallics, and bold colours are defining the look of contemporary kitchens. Behind most of those finishes is a technology called PVD, and it is worth understanding why it has become the standard for premium kitchen fixtures.
At Pure.Sink, PVD is the foundation of our entire colour range. Every tap, stainless steel sink, and accessory in our collection is available in PVD-coated finishes, allowing a single colour to run consistently across the full kitchen installation. But PVD is not just about colour. It is about durability, longevity, and a finish that performs as well in year ten as it does on day one
PVD stands for Physical Vapor Deposition. It is a coating process carried out in a vacuum chamber, where metallic particles are vaporised and deposited onto the surface of the product at a molecular level. The result is an ultra-thin but extremely hard layer that bonds permanently to the base material.
Unlike traditional electroplating or paint-based finishes, PVD does not sit on top of the surface as a separate layer waiting to peel, chip, or wear away. It becomes part of the surface. The bond is so strong that the coating cannot be separated from the base material under normal conditions. This is what gives PVD its exceptional resistance to scratching, fading, tarnishing, and general wear.
PVD coating has been used for decades in industries where surface performance is critical, including aerospace, medical instruments, and precision tooling. Its adoption in kitchen fixtures reflects a growing expectation from both consumers and trade professionals that finishes should hold up to real-world kitchen conditions, not just look good in a catalogue.
Most conventional kitchen tap and sink finishes rely on electroplating, where a thin layer of chrome or nickel is deposited onto the surface through a chemical bath. Electroplated finishes look good initially, but they are softer and more vulnerable to damage over time. Scratches, water spots, fingerprints, and chemical exposure gradually degrade the surface, and once the plating is compromised, it cannot be repaired.
PVD outperforms electroplating in virtually every measurable category. A PVD-coated surface is up to 10 times harder than a standard chrome finish. It resists scratches from daily contact with rings, pans, cleaning tools, and utensils. It does not react to common household chemicals or acidic foods. It will not tarnish, discolour, or fade with exposure to UV light or moisture. And it will not peel, because there is nothing to peel. The coating is the surface.
For distributors and dealers, this translates directly into fewer returns, fewer complaints about finish degradation, and greater long-term customer satisfaction. A product that still looks new after years of daily use is a product that builds trust in the brand behind it.
Every Pure.Sink PVD finish is designed to coordinate across taps, stainless steel sinks, and accessories, so a single colour can run through the entire kitchen installation. One finish across every fixture, perfectly matched.
Stainless Steel is the most understated option, offering a classic, clean, professional look. It pairs with virtually any kitchen style and material palette. For projects where neutrality and timeless appeal are the priority, Stainless Steel is the safest and most versatile choice.
Black delivers a bold, modern, fingerprint-resistant surface. It has become one of the most popular finishes in contemporary kitchen design, and for good reason. Black fixtures create strong visual contrast against lighter countertops and cabinetry, and the PVD coating ensures the colour stays deep and consistent without the fading or flaking that cheaper black finishes are known for.
Gunmetal sits between Stainless Steel and Black, offering a dark, industrial, sophisticated tone. It has a depth and richness that photographs exceptionally well and pairs naturally with concrete, dark stone, and industrial-style interiors. Gunmetal is increasingly specified in high-end residential and hospitality projects.
Gold brings warmth, refinement, and a sense of occasion. A Gold PVD tap or sink is a statement piece that elevates the kitchen without feeling excessive. It works particularly well in kitchens with warm wood tones, marble surfaces, and classic or transitional design schemes. The PVD process ensures the gold tone remains stable and does not tarnish over time, unlike traditional brass or gold-plated alternatives.
Copper offers rich warmth and vintage character. It shares some of the tonal qualities of Gold but with a deeper, more earthy presence. Copper finishes have seen strong demand in kitchens that blend modern functionality with rustic or heritage-inspired design elements. Like all Pure.Sink PVD finishes, the Copper coating will not oxidise, patina, or change colour over time, maintaining its original appearance indefinitely.
For importers, distributors, and dealers, the finish on a kitchen fixture is not just an aesthetic consideration. It is a quality indicator and a long-term liability factor. Products with inferior finishes generate after-sales issues: customers reporting peeling, discolouration, or wear within months of installation. These issues erode confidence in the product and in the dealer who supplied it.
PVD eliminates the most common finish-related complaints. Its hardness prevents scratching. Its bonding method prevents peeling. Its UV stability prevents fading. Its chemical resistance prevents tarnishing. The result is a product that maintains its appearance through years of daily kitchen use, which means fewer warranty claims, fewer returns, and a stronger reputation for the businesses that sell it.
There is also a merchandising advantage. A coordinated PVD colour range across taps, sinks, and accessories simplifies the selling process. Rather than mixing and matching finishes from different suppliers and hoping the tones align, a dealer can offer a complete kitchen fixture package in a single, guaranteed-matching colour. This is the approach Pure.Sink is built around: one finish across your entire kitchen, tap, sink, soap dispenser, perfectly matched.
PVD is also a more environmentally responsible finishing process compared to traditional electroplating. Conventional plating involves chemical baths that generate hazardous waste, including heavy metals and toxic solutions that require careful disposal. PVD, by contrast, is a dry vacuum process that produces minimal waste and does not involve harmful chemicals. The coatings themselves are inert and non-toxic.
The durability of PVD also contributes to sustainability in a broader sense. A finish that lasts the lifetime of the product means fewer replacements, less waste, and a longer useful life for every fixture. For projects with environmental targets or for customers who factor sustainability into their purchasing decisions, PVD is a finish that aligns with those values.
One of the advantages of PVD is that it requires very little special attention. Regular cleaning with warm water and a soft cloth is sufficient for daily maintenance. Mild soap or detergent can be used for more thorough cleaning. Abrasive pads, steel wool, and harsh chemical cleaners should be avoided, not because they would damage the PVD coating easily, but because they are unnecessary and could affect the surface over time with repeated aggressive use.
The simplicity of this care routine is another selling point for the trade. End users do not need special products or complicated maintenance steps. The finish takes care of itself under normal conditions.
PVD is not a trend. It is a fundamental improvement in how kitchen fixtures are finished, and it has become the benchmark for any product positioned at the premium end of the market. The technology delivers a surface that is harder, more durable, and more colour-stable than any traditional alternative, while also being cleaner to produce and easier to maintain.
At Pure.Sink, PVD is not an optional upgrade or a limited edition offering. It is the standard across our entire range. Every tap, every stainless steel sink, and every accessory is available in all five PVD colours, engineered to match perfectly across product categories. That consistency means dealers and distributors can build complete kitchen packages with confidence, and end users get a finish that will look as good in a decade as it does the day it is installed.
Explore the full Pure.Sink PVD colour range across our taps, sinks, and accessories, or get in touch to discuss how Pure.Sink can support your next project.
