Considerations before buying a kitchen faucet

Considerations before buying a kitchen faucet

Posted by Robert on 18th Nov 2015

Since selecting a faucet may initially seem like a difficult task, our goal is to provide you with enough information to assist you in the selection of your kitchen faucet.

Kitchen

When it comes to your kitchen, there are a few factors to consider and you should ask yourself the following questions: What other accessories do I want or need to have on my kitchen sink?

  1. Soap Dispenser
  2. Hot/Cold Water Dispenser
  3. Water Filtration Faucet
  4. Instant Hot Water Dispenser
  5. Air Gap
  6. Air Switch for Garbage Disposal

What kind of sprayer do I like?

  1. Side Sprayer
  2. Pull-Out Sprayer
  3. Pull-Down Sprayer
  4. Spring Spout

Do I need a faucet with a high spout to fill large pots?

  1. Victorian high spout
  2. High arch spout

What kind of handle do I like?

  1. Single handle
  2. Double handle
  3. Traditional handle
  4. Contemporary handle
  5. Two handle for a single hole sink

What finish do I like or what finish will match my kitchen?

  1. Polished Chrome
  2. Satin Nickel / Brushed Nickel
  3. Oil Rubbed Bronze
  4. Polished Brass

Now that you have gone through this quick questionnaire, you may have a better idea of what your needs and requirements are.

Unfortunately, you may have some limitations depending on your existing conditions.

Most kitchen sinks are pre-drilled with either 3 or 4 holes. If you have an undermount sink, you will most likely be installing your faucet on the granite counter top. In that case, your granite fabricator can drill the number of holes needed.

In any case, the number of holes and their position is a good starting point.

The bottom line is that you need to take into account the number of available holes and how many accessories you need on your kitchen sink. If you are tight on the number of holes available, you can always select a faucet that only requires a single hole installation.

Depending on your local plumbing codes, you may need to have an air gap, which helps prevent raw sewage from backing up into your dishwasher.

Sprayers and Spouts

Sprayers keep evolving and we are no longer limited to those small plastic sprayers of yesteryear.Of course, those are still available, but now there are so many more options to choose from.

Pullout sprayers are still the most popular, and as the name implies, this sprayer is part of your faucet spout and pulls out when needed. This type of spray head will give you a much more forceful spray, and they are generally equipped with two modes, aerated flow and spray mode.

Pull down sprayers share a lot of the same features and characteristics as the pull out sprayer.

The main difference is purely aesthetic because a pull down sprayer is generally installed in a gooseneck type of faucet.

Spring spouts are somewhat reminiscent of the restaurant type pre-rinse faucets, and these faucets have become the latest fad in higher end homes.

Besides the obvious aesthetic appeal, there is a big functional benefit as well. Generally, the sprayhead gives a much more vigorous flow, which works great for rinsing your pots and pans. In some cases, the spray head is activated by an integrated lever, making the whole process much more efficient.

Another criteria necessary in selecting the appropriate kitchen faucet is that of the spout.

Having the highest does not necessarily mean that it is better; you should take into account your cooking habits. A high arch spout generally will give you a clearance between the top of the sink and the spout of about 6-10 inches, in a standard spout, that same clearance is around 4-6 inches.

The size of your sink should also be taken into consideration and the spout should reach to the center of the sink.

A small faucet will get lost in a large sink and a large faucet on a small sink may visually overpower the sink. On a double sink, the spout should be long enough to reach both sinks and the sprayer should be able to reach all corners of your sink.

Handles

When it comes to handles, there is no right or wrong choice. It is mostly a matter of personal preference and matching the aesthetics of your kitchen.

Single Handle faucets are very easy to operate with one hand and are mostly available in contemporary designs. Supreme Kitchen & Bath offers a selection of traditional faucets with single handles.

Two handle faucets adjust the hot and cold water individually as well as adjust the volume of water. The main reason to choose a single handle faucet or a two handle faucet is the aesthetics. If you are designing a traditionally styled kitchen, then a traditionally styled two handle faucet maybe the best option.

The same concept applies to handle shapes. Knobs tend to be a somewhat more cumbersome to operate. Levers and cross handles are the easiest to operate and most levers meet ADA requirements.

Finishes

Choosing a faucet’s finish depends more on aesthetics than function. There are some unique characteristics to each finish besides just the color.

Chrome is by far the most durable finish. It is a very neutral finish and can be used in many different décor settings.

Satin Nickel is a very popular finish because it hides fingerprints and blemishes very easily and its color tends to blend well with a warmer toned kitchen.

Oil Rubbed Bronze is very popular because of its rustic appearance. It is considered a living finish, which means that it will continually change depending on use and cleaning practices. Beware that it may not age in the way that you were expecting.

Polished Brass is not as popular as it once was, but its gold color provides a rich look to any kitchen. 

So whatever you choose, the right faucet extends beyond a functional fixture to become an expression of your unique taste. Take a moment to look around your kitchen, soak in the aesthetic and envision a faucet that doesn't just complement the room, but makes it yours.