What You Should Know About Kitchen Faucets

There are so many things we take for granted in our lives until they break or need replacing. Kitchen faucets are an example. Getting a new one as a replacement or as part of a new kitchen must be simple, right?

Actually, there are many different types to choose from in varying styles. Some feature additional functions, too, depending on budget and style. This article is designed to provide the basics for anyone thinking about kitchen faucets.

Different Styles, Finishes, and Materials

People can choose from classic, transitional, and contemporary styles. When it comes to finishes, buyers can opt for bronze and brass with their polished finishes, nickel with a satin or brushed finish, or chrome or stainless steel. Some people choose the latter because they are easy to clean.

There’s also zinc alloy or copper (which should be regularly polished). Plastic faucets are also sold, and these are generally the cheapest. That’s for a reason, because they don’t generally look great, and are likely to break or be chipped.  

If one requires a faucet that is scratch resistant and strong, it’s worth checking if one is protected with PVD. This stands for Physical Vapor Deposition.

Commercial Faucets

Some people choose professional faucets for a number of reasons. When looking at these commercial options, the experts say they have more power to wash things with and are designed for high use. Classically they are used by restaurants.

Generally, they have longer, flexible designs. They are sometimes accompanied by pot fillers (taps for washing large items), which may be wall-mounted.

Ball and Disc Faucets

The most common taps have a single handle, and they may take a while for the water to reach the required temperature. These ball faucets have lots of inner parts and will be prone to leak more than other types.

Disc faucets are a great choice and have a single lever that can be adjusted to mix the hot and cold water to the required temperature. Some of the modern ones are ceramic. This could be the right choice for anyone wanting to have a product that lasts. 

Cartridge and Compression Faucets

Cartridge faucets are turned halfway to engage the water. There are two levers for hot and cold water.

Compression faucets are some of the oldest designs, featuring a hot and cold tap. They appear in older homes or when people use modern faucets that have an ‘old-time’ appearance. The user must compress the water in order to stop it flowing. Like plastic taps, this option is the cheapest, but there are more likely to be maintenance issues.

Additional Functions and Features

No doubt, you’ve seen taps that have hand sensors or motion detectors. By simply placing one’s hand or an item under the sensor, the water flow will be engaged. That’s great for people who don’t want to touch dirty faucets and want a luxury experience.

Some customers purchase separate spray nozzles. There will be an existing faucet, but also a side option to be accessed when washing certain items in the sink with the spray. People can also enjoy such extra options as built-in soap dispensers,  water filters, and garbage disposal units. 

Choices and Considerations

It’s good to get help from a specialist via the internet or face to face when feeling overwhelmed by all the choices available. As we have seen, there’s cartridge-style faucets, ball faucets, two-handled faucets, or ceramic-disc faucets. Designs range from bridge faucets to gooseneck. Costs and endurability vary too.

Another key consideration is: will the faucet/s fit in with the decor and the other hardware and cabinets? There’s no worse look than a kitchen filled with non-matching items, fixtures, and fittings.

Compatibility, Durability, and Maintenance

Besides budget, function, and style, people need to consider the existing cut out in their sink as the replacement faucet will need to match this. That’s unless they are getting a new sink, of course.

Most faucets (other than the cheapest brands) present good value for money and should last a long time. This would be in the region of fifteen to twenty years. They often come with lifetime warranties too. If maintenance is required due to leaking, it could simply be a matter of replacing a washer or seal. 

People can choose from plastic to professional. However, when you think about it, no other kitchen appliance gets used as much as a faucet. Therefore, it’s important to make a sensible choice and not cut corners and incur unnecessary costs and maintenance issues.

Additional features can also be added to the installation. The kitchen will not just look great, but everything will do what it’s supposed to do. There will be a combination of functionality, style, and endurance.