Kitchen Faucet Basics

Today’s “must have” kitchen upgrade is the kitchen faucet. Faucets have been revolutionized to be the “star” of the kitchen. Manufacturers have made faucets stylish and versatile while keeping the needed functionality you demand.

When buying a faucet, you want to choose one that not only looks great, but is convenient, safe and durable. Your faucet should be drip-free for its lifetime under normal usage. To determine whether or not a certain faucet will best serve your needs, the following information on the construction and inner workings may assist you.

Selecting a Kitchen Faucet
Features

Kitchen faucets come in many styles, finishes, shapes, and sizes. Options include sprayers, matching soap dispensers, hot water dispensers, and escutcheons/ deckplates. Each of these options requires a separate mounting hole. The most important thing to know before buying a kitchen faucet is knowing the type of sink that the faucet will be used with:

• The style of sink it’s being used on – size the faucet to complement the sink, not overwhelm it
• Does it have the right number of mounting holes?
• Does your sink have 3 or 4 mounting holes - determine the space between the holes?
• Is the spout long enough to reach the center of the bowl?
• Are you matching the sink color?
• Do you have extra mounting holes for desired accessories: soap and/or lotion dispenser, sprayer, hot water dispenser, etc.?

Finish Options

There are many finish options available to suit any décor.Some options are; chrome, polished brass, chrome/brass, brushed nickel, satin nickel, French gold, brushed chrome, oil rubbed bronze, weathered copper, French bronze, pewter, white, almond, biscuit, satine, platinum and more.

One of the most important things to remember about finishes is that each manufacturer’s finishing process is different, and the color will vary slightly. To ensure that all the faucets and accessories match, buy them from the same manufacturer. Most manufacturers have made choosing easy by offering beautiful collections of kitchen accessories such as, soap dispensers, cutting boards and bottom grid racks.

Faucet Applications
Functionality

Make food preparation and cleanup easy with a kitchen faucet that matches your work style. Most kitchen faucets are on the cutting-edge of design and technology. Should you choose a faucet with a side spray or one with a pull-out spray built into the spout? Or, add a faucet mounted on the wall by the stove for filling and topping off pots? High neck styles, also called pot fillers, are seen in many professional kitchens because of its ease of operation. You also must leave enough room behind the sink so that the faucet can be mounted properly. The following information will help you select the perfect versatile work-horse you deserve.

Single Handle vs. Two Handle

The decision to go with a single handle or a two-handle faucet is purely a personal one and generally relates to your anticipated use. Whatever your design preference, it is important to consider how convenient the handles will be when you’re actually using them.

Single Handle Faucets

Allow you to quickly and easily adjust the water flow and temperature with one single motion, using one hand. This is especially important when your hands are occupied, dirty, or soapy. The ease of operation with one hand, or even a gentle nudge, often makes single control faucets the better choice.

Two Handle Faucets

Allow more design flexibility and provide precise temperature adjustment with independent hot and cold controls. Two-handle models generally offer a wider selection of spout designs with handles available in a variety of styles and finishes, including numerous lever, knob, and cross handle options.

Pull Out Spray Faucets

Offer both style and functionality. The spray wands usually pull from the front of the faucet and have a button on the top or underneath to perform the spray. This makes it easy to access and operate for quick cleanups.

Wall Mount Faucets

Are a unique stylistic choice that gives the feeling of an antique country kitchen. As the name states, these faucets are mounted directly to the wall above your kitchen sink. They require water supply lines that are longer and connect to the faucet differently than a traditional counter or sink mounted faucet.

Pot Filler Faucets

These are faucets that mount on the wall above the sink or on the wall by the stove. For those of you who are avid cooks, you are really going to love them. No more hauling that big heavy pot, simply place the pot on the burner and fill it. As if this great functionality wasn’t enough, pot filler faucets further enhance your kitchen experience with incredible design variations. For example, they may be wall or deck mounted, single or dual handle, long spout, gooseneck swivel spout, mixer with a pre-rinse spray and bridge. Handles are either cross style or lever style in a traditional or contemporary style and come in a plethora of finishes!

Bar Sink Faucets

Bar sink, entertainment or prep faucets are a handy addition to any kitchen or bar area. They are simply a miniature kitchen faucet designed to be used with the bar/entertainment/prep smaller sinks. They generally have both hot and cold water operations and are handy when it comes to prepping veggies or other foods on a center island and keep the main sink clean and useable. They are available in 1 – 3 hole configurations and many manufacturers often create bar faucets that perfectly match the style and design of their kitchen faucets for a flawless look.

Water Filtration Faucets

This style of faucet looks like a regular kitchen faucet but with one important difference – It’s a highly efficient water-filtering faucet. It provides sparkling-clear, delicious tasting, quality water direct from the tap - for a tenth of the cost of bottled water. They are usually available in the same style and finish as your regular kitchen faucets.