Kitchen faucets are important pieces of kitchen décor that complements its functionality of supporting the activities that take place in kitchen sinks. The looks of the fixtures matter a lot not only for aesthetics but also for easy maintenance that depends on the type of finish. For example, a chrome kitchen faucet will dazzle under the lights and look very attractive besides retaining the good looks and shine for many years with the least maintenance. Those who prefer shiny looks in the kitchen would choose chrome and stainless-steel finish for kitchen faucets, and those who prefer milder and elegant appeal could settle for powder coated faucets that are available in many colors like white, red, gray and black.
The cost of faucets varies according to the styles and finishes. And with so many options out there, selecting the faucet may be a daunting task for many. Considering the practical aspects of installing and the functionality of faucets is the first step in faucet selection. There are many other considerations that you will come to know about as you go through this article.
Focus on functionality
Whether you are replacing a kitchen faucet or installing it for the first time, you must pay full attention to the functionality of the fixture first and then look at the other aspects of style, finish, and cost. Never make the mistake of searching for faucets by considering its looks only as many buyers often do and land up in problems due to wrong selection. Indeed, appearance does matter, but if the fixture does not perform satisfactorily, it becomes a burden for you that needs replacement after going through a lot of hassles and wasting money. Instead, you must first concentrate on the features and construction of the faucet to determine its usability to your needs and preferences.
Consider kitchen usage
For family homes, the kitchen is one of the most used rooms, and therefore it is important to choose faucets that match your tastes and lifestyle needs. Along with the functionality, you must also consider the convenience of use. What is your height and whether you are a right-handed or left-handed person will influence the selection. You must also consider what kind of cooking you do, the number of family members, and whether you use the kitchen for entertaining guests.
By considering the minute details, you should be able to narrow down the requirements and lay the foundation for making a sensible choice of a faucet for your needs. Once you have completed the exercise, you can start thinking about style.
Single handle faucets
For maximizing the usable sink area, you should take a minimalist approach in selecting the faucet by ensuring that the fixture occupies the least space on the sink. Single-handle faucets are smaller in size, and the design allows controlling the water volume and temperature by operating the handle or lever. This is the most basic type of kitchen faucet that has now become traditional but are excellent fixtures in terms of functionality and minimalist aesthetic that looks stylish. You will also find these in some contemporary designs.
Double-handle faucets
Your pursuit for a classic kitchen faucet ends when you come across the two-handle or double handle faucets, which for many users, is the ultimate answer to kitchen aesthetics and functionality. The faucets have a high degree of reliability, and the attractive design helps to neutralize some of the drawbacks like lower efficiency and speed as compared to its modern counterparts. Double handle faucets are available in a wide array of contemporary designs that look attractive with different types of stylish handles that add to the versatility of the fixture, which is suitable for all kinds of kitchens from the traditional to the modern.
Pull-down and pull-out kitchen faucets
Pull-down and pull-out faucets stand out from other traditional faucet designs due to the spray feature included in the design, which is a clear departure from the way faucets are designed. Moreover, the spray feature adds a whole of lot convenience for users that put theses faucets in a class of its own. Pull-down faucets are taller, and the spout located higher, which offers greater flexibility in terms of spray stream and flow. The faucets come with in-built controls within the spray attachments that ease the operations. However, the complicated profile of pull-down faucets comprising of the spray head and flexible hose often invites some criticism.
Pull-out kitchen faucets have shorter arcs or low spout height, but the moveable head sections are slightly larger. The larger faucet size allows a more comfortable and fuller grip that many people like.
Touch control kitchen faucets
Smart kitchens need smart faucets, and the touch control kitchen faucets are the highlight of modern and trendy kitchens, which are the epitome of convenience. The sleek, elegant, and no-frills design of the faucets make it the futuristic fixture for kitchens. The faucet does not have any handle or lever nor any other externally operable controls but instead uses infrared and electronic circuits to switch-on and switch-off the faucet by motion detection in the closest vicinity. The touchless operation implies that the faucet activates whenever you wave your hand close to it, and it automatically switches off after a specified time when not in use, which helps to conserve water by preventing wastage. Some faucets have thermostatic control that allows setting the water temperature at any specific point.
Faucet materials
Brass is the most preferred material for making faucets because it is highly durable; it is possible to create various types of finish from chrome plated to gold plated and even powder coated enamel finish. Choose a faucet that uses brass for both the body and controls. Another aspect to consider is whether the internal parts are replaceable, which can make maintenance easy and cheaper as it would not require replacing the whole faucet.
The mounting style, whether deck mounted or wall mounted also matters depending on the available kitchen space and the sink design. For deck mounted faucets, the number of holes on the sink determines the number of faucets that it can accommodate and its type.