When building or renovating a home, details matter — and that includes the look and feel of your light switches and power sockets. While often overlooked, these fittings play a key role in your interior design. Hamilton-Litestat, a respected British manufacturer, offers two main styles of modern screwless switches and sockets: Slimline and Flat Plate. Both offer a clean, contemporary finish, but they differ in subtle ways that can affect how they look, how they’re installed, and how they work in your home.

This guide will help you understand the difference between these two options, so you can choose the one that best suits your style and practical needs — no technical knowledge required. 

To view these ranges, click on the link here and then filter by either Flat Plate or Slimline Plate in the Style filter on the left-hand side of the page. You can also filter for Screwless options to focus your results.

What Are Screwless Plates?
Before diving into the differences, it helps to understand what “screwless” means. Traditional switches and sockets often have visible screws holding the faceplate in place. With screwless designs, those fixings are hidden, giving a much neater and more modern appearance. Both Slimline and Flat Plate options from Hamilton use a clip-on faceplate system, so there are no screws on show.

Key Difference 1: How They Look on the Wall
Slimline: These plates have a slightly raised profile — they stick out a little from the wall but still look sleek and tidy. They often feature a subtle curve at the edges. This style offers a balance between a classic and modern look.

Flat Plate: These are designed to sit almost completely flush against the wall, with a completely flat surface. They give a very streamlined, minimal look, which works especially well in modern or minimalist homes.
In short:

• Slimline = a softer, gently raised look
• Flat Plate = ultra-sleek, sits close to the wall

Key Difference 2: Installation Needs

Slimline plates are generally easier to fit. Because they project slightly from the wall, they can hide minor imperfections like uneven plaster or old paint lines. This makes them a good choice for older homes or renovation projects where the wall surfaces aren’t perfectly smooth.

Flat Plate fittings need a bit more planning. To get that flush look, the wall needs to be very flat, and the back box (the part inside the wall that holds the wiring) needs to be recessed slightly deeper. That means they’re best suited to new builds or full refurbishments where walls can be prepped accordingly.
In short:

• Slimline = easier to install, more forgiving of uneven walls
• Flat Plate = requires precision, best for new or perfectly finished walls

Key Difference 3: Styles and Customisation

Both Slimline and Flat Plate options are available in a wide range of finishes — from polished chrome to antique brass, matt black, and even paintable options. This means you can match your sockets and switches to your wall colours, kitchen hardware, or interior accents.

Hamilton’s Sheer G2 range (a flat plate style) even comes pre-primed, so it can be painted to match any colour scheme. On the other hand, the Hartland CFX® slimline range offers dozens of stylish combinations of metal finishes and insert colours.
In short:

• Both ranges are customisable
• Flat Plate (e.g. Sheer G2) includes paintable options
• Slimline (e.g. Hartland CFX®) offers traditional and contemporary finishes

Key Difference 4: Features and Technology
No matter which style you choose, you’re not sacrificing functionality. Hamilton includes plenty of modern features across both ranges. You can choose sockets with:

• USB ports for charging phones and tablets
• USB-C and USB-A combinations, for compatibility with newer devices
• Smart dimmer modules, which allow you to control lighting from your smartphone

These options are available whether you choose slimline or flat plate, so your decision can be based on style and installation preference rather than tech capability.
In short:

• Both styles offer the same smart features and charging options

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Slimline if:

• Your walls aren’t perfectly flat, or you’re updating an older home
• You want something stylish, but slightly more classic in appearance
• You’d prefer a simpler installation process

Choose Flat Plate if:

• You’re building a new home or doing a full renovation
• You want the cleanest, most minimalist finish possible
• You’re aiming for a high-end contemporary look

Final Thoughts

Hamilton Litestat’s Slimline and Flat Plate screwless switches and sockets both offer excellent quality, a modern appearance, and the option to include the latest in technology. The choice comes down to how you want them to look on your walls and how much preparation your installation allows for.

Whether you go for the gently raised slimline style or the super-sleek flat plate design, you’ll be investing in fittings that combine design, durability, and future-proof functionality.