What is PVD Finishing?

What Exactly is PVD Finishing?

PVD stands for physical vapour deposition, also sometimes called thin film deposition. It’s a high-tech process involving a series of steps that transforms solid metal, like brass or nickel, into a vapour using a super-heated gas called plasma. This process is carried out in a specialised vacuum chamber, where the metal parts being finished are suspended from a rack.

When the super-heated metal vapour contacts the cooler surface of the base materials, such as a stainless steel grab rail, the metal turns back into a solid on contact and coats the surface of the item. During this process, physical and chemical bonding occurs, fusing the two metals together, atom by atom. Therefore, PVD is not just a coating on the surface of another metal; it becomes part of the metal itself.

How Durable is PVD?

A key advantage of PVD finishing is its durability. Some metals, such as brass, are prone to tarnishing or discolouration over time and require cleaning with special products to keep them looking new. Other metals may not be durable enough to withstand years of cleaning with antibacterial products often used in public settings, especially healthcare.

PVD metals take on the inherent qualities of the base metal, so PVD brass applied to stainless steel will never tarnish, and PVD nickel applied to solid brass is much harder than solid nickel. As previously mentioned, PVD is not a ‘coating’ – unlike electroplated metals, the finish can never wear off, even in high-traffic areas.

PVD finishing is ideal for high-traffic accessible washrooms where items like grab rails are in frequent use, ensuring a durable and luxurious finish.

Why Choose a PVD Finish?

Designing accessible bathrooms means removing barriers to use while creating aesthetically pleasing spaces that match conventional interiors.

There's a welcome shift away from accessible design that looks medicalised, but this brings challenges because disabled toilets must withstand significant wear and tear.

PVD finishing is ideal for designers and architects seeking a high-end look without compromising practicality. Here are the key benefits:

• Luxury Look: PVD finishing allows for carefully engineered products like grab rails and taps with luxurious metal finishes impractical to achieve using solid metal. For instance, you can use real gold for PVD or simulate it using titanium nitride. PVD can also closely match Doc M accessories to existing hardware in the bathroom, including tap and shower fittings, for a seamless look.
• Durability: PVD is extremely durable, won’t rust, tarnish, or wear off. This makes it ideal for high-traffic accessible washrooms where items like grab rails are frequently used. PVD is fully waterproof, making it suitable for wet areas and even outdoor use. It's not vulnerable to chlorine, so it can be used in accessible swimming pool and spa areas.
• Hygiene: Hygiene in public bathrooms became a huge priority during the pandemic, resulting in heightened awareness around infection control. PVD surfaces can withstand regular, stringent cleaning without damaging the finish.

With PVD, you never need to worry about using specialist cleaning products or damaging the surface – it stays looking bright and new, year after year.