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Selecting the Right Kitchen Faucet
The sink and faucet zone in a kitchen get a lot of action and are usually considered a key design element for the entire room. Switching up your kitchen faucet is a simple and cost-effective way to instantly update your space or enhance a complete kitchen makeover. Getting a new faucet can completely transform the overall appearance of the area. Make a thoughtful decision when choosing, ensuring it suits your home perfectly, and be sure to know what to consider before making the purchase.
Choosing a Faucet: Wise Tips
Choosing the perfect faucet for your kitchen involves more than just picking out handles for hot and cold water. The kitchen faucet is a heavily used item, and it’s surprising how many improvements have been made to this seemingly simple fixture. Before you start shopping, it’s beneficial to have a vision of how you want the final look to be.
When selecting a new faucet, it’s wise to explore the various styles, finishes, and features available. Consider the styles and colors you want to highlight in your kitchen, along with the size of your sink and countertop. This information will help you make a well-informed decision. The right design not only enhances the aesthetics for years but also adds value to your home while meeting the demands of your busy kitchen. Take a comprehensive look at the available options and choose the one that fits your needs best.
Ultimately, the key is to ensure that you are satisfied with the new addition to your kitchen after installation. Keep the final product in mind as you explore different options, and aim for a faucet that not only looks great but also meets your functional requirements.
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Picking the Right Size for Your Kitchen Faucet
Get out your measuring tape because it’s time to crunch some numbers for your kitchen faucet. Finding a faucet that fits within the existing space is usually more manageable than restructuring your entire kitchen to accommodate a new one. Like any home improvement project, selecting a new faucet involves making informed decisions about its placement, having a general vision for the final look of the sink area, and considering the tasks it will handle.
Understanding the dimensions of the basin is crucial, especially in relation to the size of plates, pots, and pans you intend to wash in the sink. The faucet you choose should have a spout high enough for these tasks and others, while being positioned low enough to prevent excessive splashing outside the sink.
For deck-mounted faucets, be aware of the space available behind the sink for installation. If you’re considering a wall-mounted faucet, ensure the spout extends over the center of the sink, taking into account the distance between the interior edge of the sink and the wall.
To stay on top of these factors, compare the sink measurements to the faucet sizes as you narrow down your options. This way, you can ensure a well-fitted and functional addition to your kitchen.
Essential Measurements
To ensure a proper fit, it’s crucial to have accurate measurements of the installation area, considering the width, depth, and height to accommodate the sink. This measurement is also valuable in determining the appropriate size of the faucet and the range of movement it may require.
Measure the countertop space behind the sink, along with the diameter of any pre-drilled holes and the distance between their centers. The hole dimensions are key in figuring out the faucet size that will fit before making a purchase.
Take measurements of the distance between the wall and the sink edge. This is vital for both the installation and everyday use of your faucet, ensuring there’s enough space between the wall and the faucet to fully operate the handles or levers.
Kitchen Faucet Choices
While on the hunt for a new kitchen faucet, you’ll come across various options that impact both the overall style and functionality of the fixture in your home. It’s advisable to familiarize yourself with the fundamental configurations before making a decision, ensuring you are well-informed about the product details and getting precisely the features you desire.
Installation Types
There are two types of faucet installations to consider, distinguished by their location.
In a counter- or deck-mounted installation, kitchen faucets can be placed on the counter or the edge of the sink. Deck-mounted is the more common style, emphasizing the sink as a key design element in your kitchen. Here, you’ll discover a wide range of faucets, from single-hole mounts to three-hole mounts, available in various sizes and finishes.
On the other hand, wall-mounted kitchen faucets are often found in more commercial or industrial settings, boasting a unique and modern style. They are commonly used in home kitchens, laundry rooms, garages, and greenhouses, offering a space-saving design.
For smaller kitchens with limited counter space, wall-mounted faucets prove beneficial by freeing up the counter and providing different design options for the sink, along with unique plumbing profile lines.
Faucet Valves
Valves play a crucial role in regulating the flow and temperature of water from faucets. These essential controls inside the faucet body enable water to pour from the spout and aerator, responding to your command with a simple turn of the handle. The various valve types operate differently, influencing the capabilities of the faucet design and requiring distinct maintenance approaches over the long term. The valve type essentially describes the fundamental operation of the faucet, identifying the moving parts that prevent water leakage. While there are numerous valve types, four common ones are frequently encountered.
- Ball Valve: Identified by a single handle near the base, a ball valve controls water flow and temperature by pivoting and rotating to blend the water as needed.
- Disk Valve: A ceramic disk valve faucet handle moves vertically to control water flow and horizontally to adjust the hot or cold mix. It derives its name from the two flat disks inside the faucet mechanisms, creating a seal to regulate water flow. The disk valve can be replaced without replacing the entire faucet.
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- Cartridge Valve: Common in faucets with blade handles, cartridge valves are hollow and only need to be turned up to a 90-degree angle to work. For a single-handle faucet, the cartridge moves vertically for water flow and horizontally for temperature control. In setups with separate handles (e.g., three or four-hole sink configurations), two individual handles can independently control hot and cold water lines. Cartridges can be replaced without replacing the entire faucet.
- Compression Valve: Typically found in older fixtures, compression valves resemble traditional faucets with 360-degree turn-screw knob handles. Separate handles manage hot and cold water, and in vintage setups, they can be directed to different taps. Turning the handles tightens or loosens an internal washer, and this compression action closes the water line. Due to their construction, a damaged compression valve often requires replacing the entire faucet rather than just internal components.
Number of Faucet Holes in Your Sink
For drop-in, undermount, or farmhouse sinks, the deck typically comes with pre-drilled holes for the faucet and other plumbing fixtures. The number of holes required depends on the type of faucet and additional fixtures you choose. Whether you opt for one, two, or four holes on the sink deck is not only influenced by your faucet choice but also by the aesthetic you’re aiming for.
- Single-hole faucet with a pull-down sprayer: These can be high, gooseneck faucets with a tall arch leading to the spout or more industrial-style pre-rinse faucets with durable springs and a lever handle along the spray hose for added reach and control. Some have the handle on the faucet body, while touchless models require no handle – just a wave at the side-mounted sensor or a voice command for tomorrow’s kitchens.
- Single-hole faucet with a side-spray: Even though it’s a single-hole faucet, a smaller side spray may occupy a second pre-drilled hole in the sink deck or countertop. This offers a clean look without taking up much extra space and provides versatility. Two-hole escutcheon plates are available for design accents or to cover an unnecessary third hole in the sink.
- Two-handle faucet (3-hole layout): Some faucets feature separate hot and cold water handles on each side of the central faucet. This design takes up a bit more space along the sink edge, serving as a design focal point. It’s convenient for everyday sink tasks, allowing one-handed control for hot or cold water. An escutcheon plate can cover one of the three holes, accommodating a faucet with a single, separate control handle.
- Bridge faucet with side spray (4-hole layout): A bridge faucet has two temperature handles beside a central water flow pipe.
The hot and cold water travel up dedicated handles and mix between them on the way to the spout. The bridge faucet can take up three or two holes, depending on the chosen style, and often requires a separate side spray as the bridge connection prevents the extending hose feature.
Kitchen Faucet Features
While the primary purpose of a kitchen faucet is to provide a water source, modern designs and innovative companies like Moen, Delta, Brizo, and Kohler have transformed these fixtures, offering a range of features to enhance functionality and convenience.
- Side Sprayer: A classic fixture, the side sprayer is a smaller faucet located at the end of an extendable hose, providing directed water pressure for tasks like cleaning pots and pans, scrubbing the sink, or watering plants.
- Pull-out Faucet: Offering the convenience of a side sprayer without taking up extra space, the pull-out faucet has a hose that extends down toward the sink or at a slight angle, providing additional reach.
- Electronic Faucet Features: A contemporary trend involves smart technology with motion sensor technology integrated into the faucet. Wave your hand to turn the water on or off, or take it a step further with voice activation for a hands-free experience. Professional installation may be required, and electronic faucets need access to a reliable power supply.
- Water Filtering: Some faucets come with built-in filtration options, purifying tap water directly from the faucet. These high-capacity faucets can filter out common contaminants like chlorine, lead, mercury, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals.
- Drinking Water Dispensers: Designed for filtered and cold water or hot beverages like tea or cocoa, dedicated drinking water dispensers can be installed at the sink. These fit into standard faucet holes and dispense water at a slower rate, ideal for filling drinking cups. Many include hot water dispensers that maintain water at a drinkable temperature for tea.
As technology advances, kitchen faucets continue to evolve, offering a variety of standard features that make daily kitchen tasks more efficient and enjoyable.
Choosing the Right Finish
Ultimately, a crucial aspect of picking a kitchen faucet is selecting the ideal finish. The finish not only defines the color but also influences the durability of the faucet over the years. Whether it’s stainless steel, copper, or a contemporary black, finishes come in a range of metals and colors to complement the accenting tones of your kitchen hardware and appliances.
FAQs
When selecting a kitchen faucet, consider the faucet type, installation style, number of holes in your sink, and the overall design that complements your kitchen’s aesthetics.
Common types include single-handle faucets, double-handle faucets, pull-down faucets, pull-out faucets, wall-mounted faucets, and bridge faucets. Each type has unique features and advantages.
The number of holes required depends on the type of faucet. Single-hole faucets require one hole, while two-handle faucets typically need three holes. Consider additional holes for accessories like side sprayers or soap dispensers.
Popular finishes include stainless steel, chrome, brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, and matte black. The choice of finish should complement your kitchen’s style and be durable for long-term use.
Electronic or touchless faucets offer hands-free operation, promoting hygiene in the kitchen. They are activated by motion sensors or touch controls, making them convenient for tasks like food preparation and cleanup.
Yes, some kitchen faucets come with built-in water filtration systems, allowing you to have purified water directly from the faucet. These systems can filter out common contaminants for healthier drinking water.
