Kitchen Faucets

When choosing a kitchen faucet you need to consider functionality, style, and your existing sink and countertop components.

Before you begin choosing a faucet style, here are a few things to consider:

Considerations Before You Begin

• Your faucet materials should be resistant to water damage.
• Reach is as major factor. Would you rather have a high arc with limited reach, but an elegant appearance? Or, would you rather have a far reaching faucet with less aesthetic appeal?
• Spout height is an important consideration. New styles have higher spouts that allow for taller pots while older style faucet spouts are nearly horizontal with the countertop.
• The design of your kitchen should be a factor in choosing a faucet. You want your faucet to match your look, whether that be traditional, vintage, modern, or something in between.
• Not all sinks can accommodate every type of faucet, so make sure to choose a sink and faucet that work together.

Faucet Styles

There are three basic faucet styles to choose from.

Two handle - This faucet style is composed of one spout and two knobs or valves, one for hot and one for cold. These components are all located on the same unit base. This is a center-set style and uses a compression system for the flow of hot and cold water.

Single handle - This style faucet is also center-set. Hot and cold is controlled through one knob or valve that is usually part of the spout. Single handle styles use a mixing faucet mechanism for dispensing hot and cold water. The mixing faucets typically last longer than compression systems.

Widespread - This type of faucet has two valves, one for hot and one for cold, and a spout that are all mounted separately. Widespread faucets are more expensive than center-set styles.

Faucet Materials, Finishes and Options

Faucets are available in a variety of metals and finishes. Keep your kitchen's overall design in mind when choosing your faucet as well as the hardware used on your cabinetry. Also consider extra options to add to your faucet system, such as pull-out sprayers and soap or filtered water dispensers.

Here are some of the popular material choices for faucets, as well as their available finishes:

Brass - Although a unique and beautiful choice, brass requires regular cleaning. It requires frequent polishing to maintain its shine and although desired by some, brass tarnishes with time. A brushed, polished or antiqued finish is popular for brass.

Nickel - Like brass, nickel can be polished or antiqued for a traditional look. A brushed finish is also a popular choice for nickel because it hides finger prints and water spots and it resists tarnishing.

Chrome - The advantage of chrome is that it doesn't tarnish like brass, so it doesn't need to be coated. However, like brass it requires frequent cleaning to maintain its shine. Chrome is usually polished to a high shine and it is the most affordable faucet material.

Stainless steel - This material is a popular choice for homeowners because it is easy to maintain and clean. Stainless steel is normally polished for a modern, sleek appearance.

Copper - An unique choice, copper is becoming more and more popular. Normally, copper faucets are a brass or steal base with a copper coating because it is a relatively soft material. However, if you don't regularly coat your copper faucet the oxidization process will change its color.