As one of the most used features in your home, choosing the right kitchen faucet is not a decision to take lightly. This comprehensive guide gives you all the information you need to make a good choice. Find comprehensive tips on faucet mount, number of holes needed for installation, picking the right faucet style, finish, and features and how to measure for kitchen faucet size and reach. This guide also includes a comparison of pros and cons for kitchen faucet finishes.
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and Reach
It's important to check every aspect of the size of your faucet before you order. First, you need to address size as it relates to functionality. Second, to look balanced, your faucet should be in proportion to the sink. A large faucet would visually overpower a small prep sink, while a small faucet might look odd in a large sink and countertop area.
Height and reach are an often overlooked measurement, but they are very important considerations.
You may find height expressed as deck to top of faucet and/or deck to aerator. Make certain you are choosing a faucet with adequate height to accommodate the items you'll be washing or filling. The higher the spout, the easier it is to fit tall pots under it for filling or cleaning. If you have a shelf above your sink or a wide window ledge, a tall faucet may not fit.
This important (and often overlooked!) measurement refers to the horizontal distance from the faucet spout to its point of connection with the sink or countertop. In other words, how far the faucet extends into the sink. This measurement determines how large an arc your faucet can cover within the sink basin. This aspect of your faucet also needs to be coordinated with your sink size so the water stream does not hit too far back or forward within the basin.
A pull-out or pull-down spout helps minimize a mismatch, but you'll still want your faucet to be aimed correctly with the spout in place. Also if you have a sink with two or three basins, you want to make sure the faucet reach is adequate enough to reach all the bowls of the sink. As a rule of thumb, the water flow should hit the drain while the faucet is on and not the sink. Measure the distance from the faucet holes to the middle of the drain to get the proper distance.
Not sure if you have a tight backsplash? Choose a forward-rotating handle.
Let's say you fall in love with a faucet whose single handle controls temperature by rotating back. You bring it home and install it, and it looks fabulous. Then you turn it on&#;and find out that the handle hits your backsplash before it's fully extended. Check the product specifications to see if there is a minimum recommended clearance to backsplash. Make sure the space between your backsplash and the handle allows for the recommended measurement, or select a faucet whose handle(s) have only forward motion to operate.
When you shop kitchen faucets you will see terms like "8-inch center spread". This refers to the distance from the center of one hole to the center of the farthest hole on the other side. Some widespread kitchen faucets come with flexible water line hoses that allow for some variance in spread.
Many sinks come predrilled with holes for the faucet, so if you are simply replacing a faucet or you already have a predrilled sink, you know what you've got to work with.
You may have more flexibility if you are doing a build or remodel and you haven't yet purchased your sink. Or perhaps you are doing a new countertop with an undermount sink, so you won't be restricted to a certain number of holes. You may even have decided that your new faucet is going to be plumbed and mounted in the wall.
If that's the case, you can move on to choosing your kitchen faucet style. If you do need to pay attention to the number of holes your faucet requires, keep reading.
Any extra feature, such as a side sprayer, hot or cold water dispenser, or soap dispenser, will require an additional hole.
Some faucets may fool you: they look like they need three holes, but really it's two. Or vice versa. Always check the faucet specifications&#;don't go by looks alone. Here are some general guidelines:
Some lighter material sinks come with circles stamped on them to allow you to drill out the desired number of holes, but be wary of drilling additional holes in sinks that weren't specifically designed for it. (FYI, be careful about drilling new holes in existing countertops for deck mounted faucets as well. It's usually better to have the holes put into a countertop before installation.)
For example: You bought a two-hole sink intended for a single handle faucet with a side sprayer, but now you've got your eye on a pull-down faucet so you no longer need the sprayer.
Some faucets can be installed with an escutcheon, or decorative plate, to cover the holes. (Check to see if the faucet you are ordering comes with one, or you need to order it separately.) Or you can get covers for the extra holes, but not everyone likes the look.
Just like furniture or architecture, kitchen fixtures come in many styles like contemporary, traditional, transitional, craftsman and farmhouse, modern, industrial and more.
Traditional Faucets
Traditional style kitchen sink faucets feature classic architectural forms, curved surfaces, and charming Old World or European motifs.
Modern and Contemporary Faucets
Modern and contemporary kitchen faucets are more streamlined with simple, sharper lines and can have clean, rounded forms or be more angular.
Transitional Faucets
Transitional blends the best of modern and traditional with more detailing than contemporary designs, but sleeker than traditional.
Industrial Faucets
Industrial style kitchen faucets use factory-inspired design details such as industrial-style lever, wheel, or cross handles, exposed springs, knurled detailing, and rustic or vintage finishes.
Craftsman and Farmhouse Faucets
Craftsman and farmhouse kitchen faucet styles lean more in the traditional camp, but incorporate richer or vintage finishes such as bronze, copper, and aged brass.
We've classified our faucet styles to make it easy to match faucets to the predominant style in your home.
High-arc (also called gooseneck) faucets come in many sizes and shapes and are great for filling large vessels or washing big pots. They add an elegant note to an ever-expanding variety of decors.
Pull-down and pull-out faucets offer varied spray patterns you control with a button. The spouts extend from the faucet on sturdy hoses and retract back into the spout, usually with a spring-activated mechanism or magnetic docking system.
Bridge faucets are usually compatible with a more traditional decorating scheme. Check the number of holes required as that can vary with bridge styles.
A single handle faucet has the handle incorporated into the spout. This style, which mixes both hot and cold water with a single lever, can be easier to use if your hands are full of rutabagas or cupcake pans. Some people prefer the more traditional look of double handles as well, meaning the hot/cold handles are separate.
It's Catch-22, you need to turn on the faucet to wash off the chicken juice or fingerpaint, but you don't want to touch your faucet with those dirty hands. The best solution is to get a one-touch faucet that features touch technology, which allows you to turn on the water by touching the spout or handles with any part of your hand or arm.
Touch or hands-free faucets are a great option if you don't like touching your faucet with dirty hands.
Or go for the next step: a completely hands-free faucet that turns on when you pass your hands below the spout. (We have heard from cat owners that both types of faucets may occasionally turn on when you aren't around&#;)
When a faucet is labeled with the WaterSense® symbol you know it meets water saving specifications designated by the EPA. This means it is designed with a maximum flow rate of 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm). With a quality faucet, you should not notice any difference in flow during everyday use.
ADA stands for Americans with Disabilities Act. Although the term is sometimes used to refer to accessibility concerns in general, strictly speaking it refers to government legislation requiring public buildings and facilities to be adapted for people with special requirements. To be labeled as ADA compliant, faucets must be operable with one hand without tight grasping or twisting, and able to be activated using a maximum of five pounds of force. In addition, hand-operated metering faucets must remain open for at least ten seconds.
Consider who will be using the faucet. For seniors or people with disabilities, choose a faucet with a substantial, easy to grasp pull-out wand.
ADA certification tells you that a particular product meets government standards for accessible design. If you are building or renovating a home, you still need to evaluate whether that product provides features that meet your particular needs. Other accessibility building and renovation terms you may encounter include adaptive living and aging in place.
These are often smaller versions of full size kitchen sink faucet models. They are designed for a secondary prep sink in the kitchen or for the bar sinks in kitchen, home theater, recreation room, man cave, or anywhere else you entertain. In addition to being slightly smaller than kitchen sink faucets these models typically have less reach, as they are designed to be used with smaller sinks. They can be available with pull-down or pull-out spouts, one handle or two, in a variety of finishes so you can coordinate with other fixtures in the room.
Most manufacturers use the combined term "bar/prep", but others designate them separately. They are really interchangeable depending on the features you desire. These faucets are also great for a small main sink as they are less likely to splash or visually overwhelm the sink.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website accessible handrails.
Passionate home cooks can now purchase a professional style pull-down faucet similar to those used in restaurants and commercial food prep facilities. They offer powerful spray action as well as control and flexibility. These faucets are sometimes referred to as "prep" faucets, which refers to their commercial use; they are not usually a good match for a small residential prep sink.
A semi-pro faucet can bring out your inner chef.
Finish refers to the coating on your faucet. Your finish can be different metals or colors, with a variety of textures including polished, brushed, satin, matte, and others. The finish serves two purposes: it is both decorative and protective.
Like many fixture features, when you spend a bit more you often get more in ways that you can't really see. For example, two bronze faucets may look identical, but the process by which the finish was applied might make one faucet more resistant to corrosion, abrasion, tarnish, and discoloration.
PVD (physical vapor deposition) is a fairly new process for bonding a finish to a faucet. With PVD, the finish becomes an integral part of the faucet rather than just a coating. Faucet finishes utilizing this process resist tarnish, scratches, and corrosion, and retain their good-as-new look for a long, long time. (Note: Finishes that are meant to age into a patina generally do not use PVD technology.)
The warranty on the finish varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and even for different finishes from the same manufacturer. Check before buying.
You certainly don't have to spend hundreds of dollars to get a high quality finish. Just be sure you are getting the best value for the amount you can spend.
The chart below shows a sampling of the most popular finishes. There are dozens of variations, with new ideas coming all the time from manufacturers trying to spark a new design trend. You will also find faucets with a combination of two finishes or an enamel/metal combination.
Finish Options Pros Cons Brass Gloss, satin, antique Durable, solid, enhances antique and vintage decors Can be costly Bronze Polished, brushed, oil-rubbed Resists scratching; complements neutral decor If resale an issue, may not appeal to everyone's taste, enhances traditional, Mediterranean, or rustic decor Chrome Polished, brushed, matte Most economical; durable; enhances many decors; resurging in popularity Shows water marks &#; easy to clean but needs frequent wipe down Nickel Satin, brushed, polished; Durable, easy to clean, versatile; adds elegant, upscale note to decor Some models may scratch, tarnish; plating can wear off Stainless Steel Polished, brushed, matte Economical, won't corrode or tarnish; enhances modern decor Shows water marks; easy to clean, but needs frequent wipe downStart looking at kitchen sink faucets that you like and see how you feel about the prices. You may be surprised by the range. If you really love a faucet but the cost brings up visions of PB&J sandwiches for a year, contact us. Our Riverbend Home Consultants can usually suggest alternatives that give you the same look at less expense. If you like a faucet style but you want features it doesn't have, such as an all-brass body or a premium finish, we can help you upgrade as well.
Once upon a time, faucet material was a simple issue. The party line was that to avoid leaks and last a long time, faucets should be made of metal, inside and out. Brass has traditionally been considered the best metal for the job.
However, most metals, including brass, leach a tiny bit of lead into the water. Regulations limit the amount of lead that a faucets contains. Since the regulations took effect in , manufacturers have decreased or eliminated the lead in residential faucets.
Some companies are using plastic in the faucet body. This is not a new practice, but was previously considered a sign of inferior quality. Now it is virtually the only way to produce a truly lead-free faucet (even faucets that may be advertised as "lead-free" allow .25 percent lead).
Other manufacturers are finding different ways to meet these standards. As with every aspect of your project, stay informed and ask questions.
In addition to considering the material used in your faucet, pay attention to the valve cartridge, as well. Washerless faucets, especially those utilizing the newer ceramic disc cartridges, are less likely to drip and they will last longer too.
Now you know that the inner body of the faucet is as important as the outer body, if not more so.
Sometimes, faucets sold in a big discount store employ quality short cuts that you won't notice simply from appearance; a particular model may look identical to a faucet you like that is more expensive. Often these models bear off-brand house names, but these "special" versions are sometimes even marketed under a reputable brand name.
Buyer beware: If this is the case, you may save a few dollars at the cash register, but the inferior product may cost you money and time in the long run.
Most designers suggest that you coordinate your faucet finish with your other kitchen fixtures and appliances. For example, if you are adding a pot filler, you can match the finish of your main kitchen faucet as closely as possible. Or if you have all stainless steel appliances, that's a good choice for your fixtures as well.
Our advice? Take a deep breath and do whatever makes you happy. Some people prefer the exact same finish in every bath and their kitchen. Others go for a funky, eclectic mix right in the same room. It's your home. Enjoy!
Choosing the right faucet is one of the most critical decisions when designing a bathroom or kitchen. A faucet is not only a functional item, but it also plays a significant role in the overall aesthetic of your space. With so many options on the market, deciding which faucet suits your needs can be overwhelming. This blog will discuss the key factors to consider before choosing a faucet.
Let&#;s begin.
Type of Faucet
There are several types of faucets to choose from, including:
Size and Configuration
Once you've decided on the type of faucet, you'll need to consider the size and configuration. The size of your faucet will depend on the size of your sink or countertop. You want a faucet just the right size for your sink and enough for your countertop. If you're replacing an existing faucet, you'll want to make sure that the new faucet is compatible with your current plumbing.
The configuration of your faucet refers to the number of holes in your sink or countertop. Some faucets require a single hole, while others require three holes &#; one for the spout and two for the handles. Ensure you choose a faucet compatible with your sink or countertop configuration.
Style and Finish
The style and finish of your faucet are important considerations, as they can significantly impact the overall look of your space. There are several different styles to choose from, including:
The finish of your faucet is also an important consideration. Some popular finishes include:
Water Flow Rate
The flow rate is measured in gallons per minute (GPM) and determines how much water the faucet will release per minute. It can vary depending on the type of faucet and the manufacturer. A 1.5 to 2.5 GPM flow rate is considered efficient and can help you save and reduce your water bill. However, some areas require a lower flow rate, so checking your local regulations before choosing a faucet is essential.
Mounting Style
The mounting style of the faucet is also an essential factor to consider. There are four main types of faucet mounts: deck mount, wall mount, sink mount, and counter mount.
Deck-mount faucets are the most common type, and you can mount them on the sink or countertop. Wall-mount faucets are mounted on the wall above the sink or countertop, which gives a clean, minimalist look. Sink-mount faucets are mounted on the sink and can be used in smaller bathrooms or kitchens. Counter-mount faucets are mounted on the countertop and are usually used in larger kitchens with more counter space.
Spout Height and Reach
The spout height and reach of the faucet are crucial factors to consider because they can impact the functionality of the faucet. The spout height determines your clearance under the spout, while the spout reach determines how far the water will extend into the sink.
If you have a deep sink, you may want a faucet with a higher spout to provide more clearance for washing more critical items. Similarly, if you have a large sink, you may wish for a faucet with a more extended reach to ensure the water covers the entire sink.
Conclusion
Choosing the right faucet is essential when designing your bathroom or kitchen. Several factors are to consider, including the type of faucet, size, and configuration, style and finish, water efficiency, and installation and maintenance requirements. Considering these factors, you can choose a faucet that looks great, meets your functional needs, and fits within your budget.
Remember to choose a reputable brand and consult a professional if you need clarification on the installation process. With the right faucet, you can transform your space and enjoy a functional and stylish addition to your home.
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