If you are shopping the upper end of the Canadian faucet market, Rubinet and Aquabrass tend to land on the same shortlist. Both are Canadian companies, both build primarily in solid brass, and both offer far more finish choice than the chrome-or-nickel menu most mainstream brands stick to. But their custom finish programs work in genuinely different ways, and that difference shapes everything from lead times to what your finished bathroom can actually look like.
This comparison covers how each program works, what each brand is known for, how warranty and parts support plays out in Canada, and which buyer each suits best. No hype, just the trade-offs we talk through with customers from Vancouver to Halifax every week.
Two Canadian brands, two philosophies
Rubinet, based in Ontario, runs what is probably the deepest finish customization program in the Canadian plumbing market. Its fixtures are built to order, and the signature move is the split finish: a main finish for the body of the faucet and a separate accent finish for handles, levers and trim. Multiply a long list of main finishes by a long list of accents and the possible pairings add up quickly. If you want a matte black body with a brushed gold lever, or an aged brass faucet with polished nickel accents, Rubinet is set up to make exactly that.
Aquabrass, based in Montreal, takes more of a fashion-house approach. Rather than building each piece to order, it maintains a curated palette of on-trend finishes and applies that palette broadly across its catalogue, from single-hole lavatory faucets to full thermostatic shower systems. The idea is that you can dress an entire bathroom, faucet, shower trim, tub filler and accessories, in one consistent finish without hunting through special-order lists.
Design language and construction
Rubinet's catalogue spans a wide arc, from traditional cross-handle designs that suit a heritage home in Halifax or Westmount to minimalist contemporary lines for a downtown condo. The brand is known for solid brass construction and a made-in-small-batches feel, and because pieces are finished to order, coordinated details across a whole room are the point of the exercise rather than an afterthought.
Aquabrass leans contemporary and European in its design language. It has built much of its reputation on showers: thermostatic valves, rain heads, body sprays and complete exposed and concealed systems. If your project centres on a statement shower, Aquabrass's depth there is a real advantage, and you can see how those systems come together in our shower systems collection. Construction across the range is likewise brass-based, with the clean machining you would expect at this tier.
How the finish programs compare
| Factor | Rubinet | Aquabrass |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Built to order, main finish plus separate accent finish | Curated palette applied across the catalogue |
| Two-tone options | Core strength, nearly any pairing on offer | Available on select designs, not the program's focus |
| Consistency across a room | Excellent, since every piece is finished to your spec | Excellent within the standard palette |
| Lead times | Longer, because fixtures are made to order | Shorter on popular finishes, longer on specialty ones |
| Best suited to | Bespoke and designer-driven projects | Trend-conscious renovations on a schedule |
One honest caveat for both brands: specialty finishes such as brushed golds and living brass tones need gentler care than chrome. Soft cloth, mild soap, no abrasives. That is true across the industry, not a knock on either company.
Warranty and parts support in Canada
This is where being Canadian companies genuinely matters. Both Rubinet and Aquabrass are headquartered in Canada, which means warranty claims and replacement cartridges do not have to cross a border, clear customs or get priced in a foreign currency before they reach you. For buyers in the Prairies or Atlantic Canada, where a local showroom for either brand may be hours away, domestic parts support is the difference between a weekend fix and a month-long wait.
Both brands back their products with manufacturer warranties appropriate to this tier. Terms differ by product category and change over time, so confirm the current warranty on the specific model before you buy. On certifications, check the spec sheet for the exact model: Canadian inspectors look for recognized marks such as cUPC or CSA, and while the National Plumbing Code sets the broad framework, your local authority has the final say on what passes inspection.
A cold-climate note: in much of Canada, incoming water in January is dramatically colder than in July, which makes a quality pressure-balancing or thermostatic valve more than a luxury. Both brands build their shower offerings around exactly this valve technology.
Price positioning and lead times
Both brands sit firmly in the premium tier, above mainstream lines and in the same general neighbourhood as other design-led brands we carry such as Riobel's upper collections or ROHL. Within that tier, Rubinet's made-to-order model means a truly bespoke combination usually costs more and takes longer than an off-the-shelf finish, which is the fair price of getting exactly the pairing you specified. Aquabrass's core palette ships faster and keeps budgets more predictable, with its own specialty finishes commanding a step up. Everything we sell from both brands is priced in Canadian dollars and ships across Canada, so there are no surprise conversion or brokerage costs at checkout.
Which brand fits your project?
- Family bathroom: Aquabrass is usually the easier call. The standard palette covers the finishes most families want, availability is quicker, and the shower systems handle daily use from a busy household. Browse the bathroom faucet collection to see how the finishes read across different designs.
- Designer build: Rubinet earns its keep here. When a designer has specified a two-tone scheme or a finish that has to match custom hardware elsewhere in the home, the main-plus-accent program is unmatched in Canada. If you are a designer or contractor buying regularly, our trade program is built for exactly these projects.
- Rental or investment property: Honestly, neither is the obvious first choice, since custom finishes and premium pricing are wasted where durability and easy parts replacement matter most. If you want one of the two, Aquabrass in polished chrome keeps things simple and serviceable.
Whichever way you lean, take your time with finish samples in your own lighting. A brushed gold that glows in a showroom can read very differently under the flat winter light of a north-facing Edmonton bathroom. For more comparisons like this one, our buying guides hub covers brands and categories across the store.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rubinet or Aquabrass better for a two-tone finish look?
Rubinet, without much debate. Its program is built around pairing a main body finish with a separate accent finish on handles and trim, so two-tone is the default rather than the exception. Aquabrass offers mixed-finish looks on select designs, but it is not the centre of its program.
Do custom finishes take longer to arrive in Canada?
Generally yes. Rubinet fixtures are made to order, so a bespoke combination carries a longer lead time than a stocked finish, and Aquabrass specialty finishes take longer than its core palette. Build that into your renovation schedule before the plumber is booked.
Are these brands compliant with Canadian plumbing codes?
Both sell across Canada and design for the Canadian market, but compliance is confirmed model by model, not brand by brand. Check the exact fixture's spec sheet for marks such as cUPC or CSA, and confirm local requirements with your municipality or plumber, since enforcement varies by province and city.
Can I match a tub filler to my faucet finish with either brand?
Yes, and it is a strength for both. Rubinet can finish a matching tub filler to the same custom spec as your faucets, while Aquabrass carries tub fillers across its standard palette. Compare mounting styles in our tub fillers collection before settling on a finish.
