A Simple Guide to Light Switch Covers That Proves It’s All in the Details

White Light Switch Cover

Finally got around to remodelling your home? What a thrill! There’s always an unprecedented level of excitement that comes with adding new décor items and tailoring everything to your taste and preferences. Naturally, people tend to focus on the big picture, whether it’s the type of sofa to include in the living room or which home lighting fixtures to fit in the kitchen. So much to do, yet so little time to do it.

While all of those are certainly important decisions to make, you shouldn’t overlook the details either. Think about it this way, would you be able to finish the entire puzzle if you’re missing a few key pieces? Definitely not. Similarly, you’ll need to put the finishing touches on your home with some fine details.

Hear us out on our suggestion for perhaps the most crucial accessory that’s both functional and practical – sturdy light switch covers for added safety. More on this in just a bit.

What Are Light Switch Covers Made of?

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It’s no secret that electrical outlet covers are made up of different materials. All of them serve virtually the same purpose, with a few slight differences in terms of their build and features. When you’re trying to decide on a suitable match for your needs, you should be aware of all the options at your disposal. For this reason, we’ll be listing the most common materials you’ll likely come across on your shopping journey.

Brass

For those of you that are looking for a more eye-catching and traditional approach, then brass covers are your best bet. With its bright gold look, brass is surely going to make a statement in your home.

In general terms, we’re dealing with is a non-ferrous material that is known for its durability and workability. In other words, it’s a soft metal that can be moulded easily according to your preferences. In addition, it’s quite resistant to corrosion so you won’t have to worry about external damage too soon.

Copper

Since it has high levels of electrical and thermal conductivity, copper is used in a variety of home appliances, including light switch covers. Much like its brass counterparts, copper covers are highly corrosion-resistant and incredibly resilient.

In addition, copper’s pinkish-orange finish is definitely going to stand out from all the other items of your décor. Feel free to enhance the look and feel of your home with a stunning light switch cover.

Metal

This is probably the safest option of them all since metal is highly unlikely to crack or expose internal wires over time. Plus, most models won’t show any visible signs of discolouration or deterioration which means they’ll last a really long time.

Either way, you can’t deny that there’s a specific kind of aesthetic appeal to metal covers that can’t be found anywhere else. Nothing comes close to the level of elegance and sophistication you’ll be able to achieve with metal so it’s no wonder that people are going crazy over it.

Porcelain

For some, this might seem like an unexpected choice, given its somewhat more delicate appearance. But in this case, look are very much deceiving since they’re much tougher than they look. In fact, porcelain is the strongest contender among ceramics and you definitely won’t get to damage it as easily as you think.

Which Light Switch Cover Should You Choose?

With the materials out of the way, is that really the only factor you should rely on to make a decision? Not necessarily, there are a few other clues you can turn to for guidance. Most of us are pretty indecisive as it is anyway so there’s no point in making it any harder. Without further ado, here’s what you need to focus on.

Style and Colour

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Luckily, there’s no shortage of variety in either department. If you’re a fan of minimalism, you’ll surely find something simple and monochromatic that catches your eye. Similarly, those of you that want some embellished designs won’t end up empty-handed either. There’s something in it for everyone.

Size and Shape

Now the best thing here is that the choice is pretty straightforward for most people – get the standard model and you should be just fine. Sometimes though, things get a little complicated and you might need a somewhat larger cover to hide all those messy wires underneath. While this isn’t a dire situation per se, getting the size right can be a bit of a nuisance for some people.

Number of Gangs

black-light-switch
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This refers to the exact number of electrical units that are included in the cover. So for example, if you only have one light switch, then a single gang cover plate is what you need. But if you’re dealing with three switches all in one place, you’ll have to get a cover plate with three gangs in order to fit properly. Regardless of which material, size or colour you get, the number of gangs stays the same among all models.

Budget

Last but not least, it’s advisable to shop within reason. While we’re sure you only want what’s best for your home, some things are just not worth breaking the bank for, you know? Shop within your budget limits so that you don’t end up spending a fortune.