I swapped out a few of my window handles for powder-coated ones last fall, mainly because the old brass ones were getting all pitted from moisture. Honestly, they seem to be holding up better—haven’t noticed the usual spots where condensation would leave marks or make things sticky. The only thing is, the finish does scratch if you’re not careful with cleaning or bumping stuff against them. Not sure it’s a total game changer, but at least I’m not wiping off rust anymore.
I swapped out some old chrome handles for matte black powder-coated ones last spring—mainly for the look, but also because the old ones felt gross after a while. I do like that I’m not seeing fingerprints or tarnish, but you’re right about scratches. I’ve already got a couple from bumping the vacuum hose against them. Did you notice any difference with how they feel to use? Mine are a bit colder to the touch than the old ones, which surprised me.
- Swapped mine out last year—same deal, went for black for the “modern” look.
- Agreed, they show fewer smudges, but yeah, scratches happen fast if you’re not careful.
- I’ve noticed they feel colder too, especially in winter. Not a dealbreaker, just weird at first.
- Honestly, I’d still pick style over the old sticky chrome... but I do miss not worrying about every little bump.
- Swapped the handles in our kitchen a couple of months back—went matte black too. I like the look way more than those old shiny ones, but man, you’re right about the scratches. First week, my kid somehow managed to scrape one with a toy dinosaur (don’t ask), and now it’s got this little line that bugs me every time I see it.
- The cold thing is real. In January, those handles feel like grabbing an ice cube first thing in the morning. Not enough to make me regret it, just... something I didn’t expect.
- On the plus side, no more fingerprints everywhere. The old chrome ones looked grimy 24/7. Still, I kind of miss not worrying about every little knock or scrape.
- If you’re someone who likes things looking spotless, these might drive you a bit nuts. I’m pretty practical so as long as they work and don’t look ancient, I’m happy. Style’s nice, but honestly, I’m not sure it’s changed my life or anything.
Matte black looks sharp, but I’m not totally convinced it’s the big upgrade people expect. I’ve swapped out plenty of handles for folks, and honestly, I see the scratches and chips more often than with the old nickel or chrome ones. They hide fingerprints, sure, but if you’re in a busy kitchen or have kids, those dings add up fast. Ever tried satin nickel or even brushed brass? They’re a bit warmer to the touch and not quite as fussy about minor scrapes. Just makes me wonder if the style boost is really worth the tradeoff...
I hear you on the matte black. I got swept up in the trend a couple years ago and swapped out all the window handles in our den. Looked amazing for about a week—then the kids started banging their toy trucks into them. Now every handle’s got this constellation of little silver dots where the finish chipped. The old brushed nickel ones I had before? Barely showed anything, even after years of use. I do like how matte black hides fingerprints, but honestly, if you’ve got little ones or just a lot of traffic, it’s almost more trouble than it’s worth. Brushed brass is tempting, but my wife says it clashes with our light fixtures... so for now, I’m just living with my “distressed” look.
- Matte black’s a great look, but yeah, durability can be hit or miss. Powder coating on handles rarely stands up to heavy use, especially with kids or pets in the mix.
- Brushed nickel’s kind of the workhorse—hard to scratch, hides dings, and you barely see smudges. Not the flashiest, but it’s practical. I’ve swapped out a lot for clients who got tired of “trendy” finishes chipping.
- Brass is tricky. Some of the new brushed or satin brass finishes are more forgiving with fingerprints and scratches, but they can look out of place with cooler-toned fixtures or hardware. Mixing metals is “in” right now, but it’s easy to go from stylish to chaotic.
- If you’re set on matte black, look for solid metal handles versus coated plastic. The finish holds up a bit better—still not indestructible, but you’ll get fewer chips.
- Honestly, sometimes a little “distressed” patina just tells a story. I’ve seen folks lean into it and call it “industrial chic”... not sure everyone buys it, but hey, whatever works for your space.
- Quick tip: If you want to disguise chips, a black Sharpie or furniture touch-up marker can help, at least until the next round of toy truck demolition.
Funny timing—just swapped out a bunch of old, grimy handles in a 90s ranch last month. The client wanted matte black for that “modern farmhouse” look, but their kids treat doors like wrestling partners. Ended up going with brushed nickel after the first black set chipped in a week. Honestly, it’s not the most exciting finish, but it hides fingerprints and scuffs way better. I get the appeal of a bold handle, but sometimes practical wins out, especially if you want it to look good for more than a season.
Totally get where you’re coming from—matte black looks sharp in photos, but in real life with kids? That finish is basically doomed. I swapped out the window handles in our place last year, went with satin nickel, and honestly, haven’t looked back. Sure, it’s not going to win any style awards, but it doesn’t show every grubby fingerprint or random dent. Sometimes boring just works, especially if you don’t want to be swapping hardware every six months.
Honestly, you nailed it—matte black is a fingerprint magnet, especially with kids around. I’ve seen folks get really excited about that modern look, only to regret it after a week of constant wiping. Satin nickel’s not flashy, but it’s practical and hides the evidence of daily life pretty well. Sometimes function just needs to win over form, unless you really love cleaning... or buying new handles every few months.