Standard vs. Decora Wall Plate
Wall Plates, also known as switch plates and outlet covers, protect homes and businesses from safety hazards like exposed wires.
While many ignore them, wall plates are essential in keeping your electrical outlets safe. Knowing where the plate is going in the house will help you find the configuration you need.
Wall plates come in different styles, shapes, and sizes, with each shape complementing the décor of your space. Each wall plate type utilizes a distinct kinds of outlets. Some common outlet covers are standard outlet plates, toggle switch plates, and decora plates.
In this blog, we will discuss the difference between standard and decora wall plates.
Standard Wall Plate
A standard wall plate, also known as a duplex outlet plate, is one of the most common outlet wall plates. Standard wall plates, including toggle light plates and Duplex outlet plates, work by covering and protecting electrical wiring.
Duplex Covers protect:
- Duplex outlets
- Combination Switches
These plates come with two openings that are round on the sides and flat on the top and bottom. The openings are also vertical, allowing for easy plug-in methods.
The two openings and verticality are for dual receptacles. However, duplex outlet plates can also work with combination switches as well.
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Toggle Light Covers protect:
- Toggle Light Switches
- Rotary Dimmers
Toggle Light covers are most commonly found in homes, warehouses, and retail stores, to control light switches and dimmers.
Standard wall plates are typically found in residential and commercial settings where more than one outlet is needed.
As mentioned before, wall plate covers come in different configurations. A gang is the number of side-by-side openings on the plate. Standard plates can range from 1- to 6- gangs, allowing up to 12 outlets for use (duplex plates).
For standard wall plate covers, they can either come with single-gang or 2-gang configurations. Shop Enerlites 2-Gang Standard Outlet Cover today at HomElectrical. Another design for standard plate covers is a combination of designs. For example, there can be a combination of a duplex outlet and a single light switch.
Decora Wall Plate
A Decora wall plate, also called Decorator plate or Rocker wall plate, is another common outlet cover. Decora outlet covers have a large rectangular opening that makes it one of the most universal switch plates on the market. This means different devices can use the outlet cover without having to buy a new switch plate.
Decora outlet covers are manufactured to protect the following:
- Rocker Switches
- Dimmer Switches
- GFCI Outlets
- Phone or Data Jacks
Rocker Switches are found in residential and commercial settings. However, they are more common in commercial settings because they can house many different lighting options.
Decora wall plates can have from 1 to up to 6-gangs. This is especially helpful for areas with many lights in one area, like the front of a house.
You can also find rocker wall plates in combination outlet plates. For example, you might see a rocker switch with two toggle switches.
Choose from a variety of Decora Outlet Covers at HomElectrical!
Which One to Choose?
Choosing between a Standard and Decora outlet cover can be challenging. However, knowing the differences between the two can help you make the best decision. The main difference between standard and Decora wall plates is the style and design of each one.
If you are looking for a more basic style, the best option is to choose a standard outlet cover. Standard switch plates are rectangular and can hold either a toggle switch or a rectangular outlet. You'll find standard switch plates in residential and commercial spaces that prefer simplicity over style.
Decora switch plates differ in that they are more stylistic and modern. Decora switch plates have a large rectangular opening with a sleek and flat faceplate. You'll find that decora switch plates in show rooms, staging areas, modern residential or office spaces.
In the end, standard plates and decora plates serve similar functions. The decision comes down to what type of outlets are installed in your space. Standard single and duplex plates protect duplex outlets and combination switches. Decorator switch plates install over rocker switches, dimmer switches, GFCI outlets, and phone/data jacks.
In Summary
Standard wall plates have two openings for duplex outlets and combination switches. Decora outlet plates have a large opening that allows it to work with switches, dimmers, and GFCIs. Choose from Standard or Decora outlet plates today at HomElectrical!
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