nod Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 We had intended using a good quality brushed steel S&S But after watching a recent episode of building the dream The architect talked a couple into using a small profile white Telling them he hated sockets Why would you want to highlight them Iwas wondering wagat others have done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gone West Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 We have fitted Schneider Lisse white sockets etc. If you want to fit different looking ones and make a feature of them why not. Just because an architect doesn't like them doesn't mean much. Do what you want to do, it's your house. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newhome Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 I have white sockets and black in the granite splashback, but agree with @PeterStarck, it’s an individual choice so go with what you like. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted April 22, 2018 Author Share Posted April 22, 2018 17 minutes ago, PeterStarck said: We have fitted Schneider Lisse white sockets etc. If you want to fit different looking ones and make a feature of them why not. Just because an architect doesn't like them doesn't mean much. Do what you want to do, it's your house. Yes we’ve always had white But it sort of made sense what the Architect said Our electrician made a simalar comment early on saying that there is an awful lot of socket and metal will stand out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newhome Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 6 minutes ago, nod said: Yes we’ve always had white But it sort of made sense what the Architect said Our electrician made a simalar comment early on saying that there is an awful lot of socket and metal will stand out I think metal may date more quickly. I remember when shiny brass sockets were all the rage but they are a bit vintage now. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted April 22, 2018 Author Share Posted April 22, 2018 6 minutes ago, newhome said: I think metal may date more quickly. I remember when shiny brass sockets were all the rage but they are a bit vintage now. Yep Exactly ny wife’s point when I sugested chrome origenally Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richi Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 (edited) If you're going to have metal sockets, consider a type that has a grey plastic insert where the three pins go, as opposed to white or black. I chose Knightsbridge SS; I think BG also has something similar (but uglier, IMHO). Also consider a screwless, clip-on plate. Edited April 22, 2018 by richi I have a screw loose 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ragg987 Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 White plastic will stand out against walls that are not white. I think there is a tendency to "play it safe". Steel kitchen or door handles and taps do not go out of fashion any more than switches would. Full disclosure, we have Schneider brushed stainless. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newhome Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 1 minute ago, richi said: If you're going to have metal sockets, consider a type that has a grey plastic insert where the three pins go, as opposed to white or black. I chose Knightsbridge SS; I think BG also has something similar (but uglier, IMHO). Oh I like the Knightsbridge ones! The BG ones not so much. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 How about leave the walls and go for floor sockets? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richi Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 1 minute ago, newhome said: Oh I like the Knightsbridge ones! The BG ones not so much. Yeah, there's just something... odd about having the switches on the outside. And those screws really stand out now I'm used to seeing screwless plates every day. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richi Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 1 minute ago, Tom said: How about leave the walls and go for floor sockets? How does that sit with building regs AD minimum-height specs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 (edited) I'm back on good old white MK as I think their quality is back to what it was. A few years ago their terminals I'm sure were made from cottage cheese. Sollysta by Hager, Click Mode, GET (now Schneider) you won't go wrong with. I've fitted the odd bit of Varilight not too bad though had a couple of 20A grid switched disintergrate. But how about showing the missus these for a Sunday morning discussion you probably don't want! https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Wiring_Accessories_Menu_Index/Varilight_Freestyle/index.html Edited April 22, 2018 by Onoff off / odd 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newhome Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 2 minutes ago, richi said: How does that sit with building regs AD minimum-height specs? The regs are getting so crazy that in a minute the switches and sockets will be one unit as they will all be at the same height! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizzie Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 (edited) Ive gone for a white screwless rounded edge mid range on price. MK Aspect. Suggested by electrician. Edited April 22, 2018 by lizzie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 6 minutes ago, richi said: How does that sit with building regs AD minimum-height specs? Just found this: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 Knightsbridge is also available from TLC and a bit cheaper too https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/FP9902BCG.html 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizzie Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 (edited) I have floor sockets in my large open plan living area for exactly that reason I dont want cables trailing from walls across the floor to the sofa which will be in the middle of the room and I will want a lamp or two around the sofa. I have wall sockets as usual too. I went for the floor sockets that contain the plug itself below ground so the its only the cable visible going in through a gap. There is an inset in the socket frame that takes a tile so all you see is a grey frame on the floor. Edited April 22, 2018 by lizzie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newhome Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 2 minutes ago, lizzie said: I went for the floor sockets that contain the plug itself below ground so the its only the cable visible going in through a gap. There is an inset in the socket frame that takes a tile so all you see is a grey frame on the floor. Needs a photo please 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpmiller Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 I'm going with the Hager Sollysta. Smooth and slim, and the neutral terminal on the lightswitches is darned handy. /interesting fact- the switch is held onto the faceplate by two small screws, but when removed the switch is identical to their gridswitches... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 In our "done before I found this forum else it would have been so different" kitchen, we have flat plate, matt black Volex insisted upon by SWMBO. To be fair all the fittings have a nice switch action except for the cooker switch for which I have to back the car up against! However...the terminals were a pita, very tight. I've changed most visible plug tops to decent black ones where I can so they stand out less. Less popular makes will have less range. I couldn't for instance get a neon version of the cooker switch. Then when I wanted a switched fuse outlet with the outlet in a particular place I had to an obscure make as a near match (Hamilton). I now want some USBs in there. The MKs they now do that would near match are about £60! Be aware too if you've used 25mm back boxes that some flat plate stuff won't fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 I am a fan of Scolmore Click Mode. The ones I use are the simple white ones, which are cheap and not bad looking, and seem reliable and easy to terminate with no issues. I latched onto these some time ago when I found the switch modules are interchangable, so you can have say a 2G light switch with one of the switches being an intermediate switch. This is the only make I know that allows that other than grid switches. Click also do fancy ones. In my daughters bedroom we have BG polished chrome screwless at her choice (and ridiculous expense) that seem okay. The ones I would avoid as often giving trouble to get a decent termination are some of the LAP ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizzie Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 (edited) https://www.mkelectric.com/Documents/English/EN MK Catalogue/Aspect.pdf ours are porcelain white but they do a big range of finishes. Really nice look very pleased with it. Edited April 22, 2018 by lizzie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 I've stuck with MK for any sockets with USB outlets. Reassuringly expensive is the reason I guess! I'm still not sold on the idea. There was a consumer protection report out a while ago that had some nasty failures detailed. Have to save up for these : http://www.gil-lec.co.uk/mk-edge-lustrous-black-double-usb-socket-k14343lbkb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Alphonsox Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 1 minute ago, Onoff said: I've stuck with MK for any sockets with USB outlets. Reassuringly expensive is the reason I guess! I'm still not sold on the idea. There was a consumer protection report out a while ago that had some nasty failures detailed. Have to save up for these : http://www.gil-lec.co.uk/mk-edge-lustrous-black-double-usb-socket-k14343lbkb Still the wrong flavour of USB, you'll be pulling them out within 5 years and replacing them with USB-C types. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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