When you upgrade your bathroom with a frameless glass shower door, one of the details that makes a big visual impact and helps tie your design together is the hardware finish. The finish you choose for handles, rollers, wall channels, and hinges can elevate your shower’s aesthetic and influence how it fits into your overall bathroom style. Below is a guide to common hardware finishes used by Aston Bath and tips on how to choose the one that’s right for your space.
Common Aston Shower Door Hardware Finishes
Aston Bath offers several popular hardware finish options to match a variety of bathroom styles. While not every finish is available on every model, these are among the most commonly offered:
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Chrome
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Bright, mirror-like shine with a clean reflective look.
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Best for… modern, minimalist, or high-contrast bathrooms; spaces with chrome faucets or lighting fixtures.
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Stainless Steel
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Soft, muted metal tone with a slightly textured or matte feel.
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Best for… transitional or contemporary designs, or styles that emphasize warmth over shine.
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Matte Black
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Bold and dramatic with a flat, non-reflective surface.
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Best for… modern, industrial, or minimalist bathrooms; designs with strong contrast.
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Oil-Rubbed Bronze or Bronze
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Warm, rustic tones with deep brown or copper undertones; moodier and vintage-inspired.
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Best for… traditional, farmhouse, or classic bathroom looks; spaces with warm wood or vintage finishes.
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Brushed Gold
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Elegant and luxurious, offering a glamorous look and feel.
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Best for… spa-like spaces with high-end styling; bold and on-trend finishes.
*Always check a product’s available finish options when choosing your model.
How to Decide Which Hardware Finish Is Best for Your Bathroom
Here are some guiding principles to help you select a finish that complements your design and performs well over time:
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Match or Contrast Thoughtfully
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Look at your bathroom’s existing metal fixtures, your faucets, towel bars, lighting, vanity knobs, etc. Choosing a hardware finish that matches or intentionally contrasts these pieces helps create a cohesive, intentional design.
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If your fixtures are chrome, polished chrome, or brushed stainless steel may blend in, while matte black or bronze can make a bold statement.
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Consider the Design Style
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Modern and Minimalist: Polished chrome or matte black provides clean lines and a sleek look.
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Spa-Like or Soft Contemporary: Brushed stainless steel adds warmth without overwhelming the visual space.
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Classic or Rustic: Oil-rubbed bronze or dark bronze finishes offer an antique feel that works beautifully with stone or wood textures.
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Think About Maintenance and Durability
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Consider how much cleaning you’re willing to do and how often: a low-maintenance finish can make your shower door easier to keep looking great.
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Some finishes show water spots, fingerprints, or soap residue more than others. For example, polished chrome looks stunning but may show smudges more clearly, while matte and brushed finishes tend to mask those marks.
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Lighting and Color Palette Impact
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Hardware finishes can look very different under warm lighting vs. cool lighting. A finish that looks warm in a showroom might look cooler or more muted under bathroom lighting. It’s a good idea to view finish samples in your own bathroom lighting (or bring a tile sample) before making a final decision.
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Future-Proof the Design
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Bathroom fixtures can be expensive to swap out, so if you anticipate keeping this remodel for many years, think about whether you might want to change your color palette or hardware style in the future.
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Going with a more neutral metal finish now might give you flexibility later.
Choosing the right hardware finish for your Aston frameless shower door can elevate your bathroom from just renovated to truly refined. Whether you go for the sleek polish of chrome, the subtle warmth of brushed stainless, the dramatic flair of matte black, the rustic charm of oil-rubbed bronze, or the spa-like style of brushed gold, each finish can transform the look and feel of your shower and bathroom.
Explore Aston Bath’s collection of glass shower doors and enclosures and review the hardware finish options available for each model so you can visualize how they’ll integrate with your bathroom's design. With thoughtful selection and planning, your shower door can seamlessly blend in or boldly stand out, all while delivering lasting style and function.
