In most households, the kitchen is one of the most prominent rooms. It’s not just where food preparation happens. Often it’s where the eating occurs too, and where people tend to congregate.
If you’re having guests over, the kitchen is usually a focal point of the socializing. So it makes sense that people want to make sure everything in that room is perfect. This is especially true for the faucet, which could be said to be the centerpiece of the kitchen.
Before you purchase a new kitchen faucets, read the buyer’s guide below for help in picking one you’ll be happy to use and proud to show off.
Survey Your Sink
Before you get too far into perusing your options, take a moment to consider what will work with your sink.
This has more to do than with just the overall style. Unless you’re planning on replacing your sink, you need to consider how many holes it has or you could buy a faucet that won’t fit.
We’ll get into it in greater detail, but for the most part, some sinks only require one hole, while others will need three holes. If you plan on having a sprayer, that will need its own hole, as well.
Of course, if you have your heart set on a certain model, but don’t have the holes for it, you don’t necessarily need to replace the sink. You can simply drill the necessary holes as part of the installation.
Handles
For the most part, faucets come with one of two options where handles are concerned.
The more traditional look is a faucet that has two handles: one for hot and one for cold. This type of faucet will give you a bit more say over the temperature it provides, but it needs a hole for each handle. Usually, this will be the most affordable option, as well.
Single-handle faucets tend to have a more modern look to them. Their lone handle is often referred to as a “post” and controls both hot and cold water.
Touch-Sensitive Handles
One of the newest types of faucets that is gaining a lot of popularity is a faucet with touch-sensitive handles. These faucets also feature a single handle, and thus generally have a more contemporary style to them, but they can be switched on by merely touching the post.
Finishes
For the best aesthetic results possible, you’ll want to be sure to consider all your options for the faucet’s finish.
Classic chrome is always a safe choice. It can go with just about any style your kitchen may have, whether it’s modern or more traditional. Stainless steel is also a popular choice, though it will work best with a modern look. It makes cleaning a breeze, as well. There’s also brass, bronze, brushed,enamel, nickel andantique finishes, among others, for you to choose from. Finishes are a completely aesthetic consideration, so simply pick the one that will make your faucet look best.
Valves
Though you won’t usually see them, your faucet’s valves are one of the most important features to consider.
Valves and their accompanying mechanisms are responsible for regulating the flow and temperature of the water that comes through your faucet. You’ll have four different options to choose from.
The least expensive version is also the oldest option. A compression valve is used for faucets that have separate handles for cold and hot water. In order to stop the flow of either, you need to tighten the handle to its original position. While compression valves are known for their durability, the washers they use will need to be replaced once every few years.Although compression valves have been around the longest, ball valves are the most popular choice at the moment. They don’t use washers, are extremely easy to maintain and are very affordable to replace. However, lacking a washer means these faucets are more prone to leaking, though it’s far from certain that will ever happen.Cartridge faucets use movable stem cartridges that regulate the flow of water by moving up and own. Consider a single-handled faucet: when you raise the post, the cartridge moves to let water flow through the spout and the higher you move it up, the greater the volume. The two-handled versions work in much the same way. These types of faucets tend to outlast other types in terms of their working life.Some faucets use a ceramic disc to regulate water flow. Usually these faucets have a single lever that’s attached to a bulbous body. They use a wide cartridge that houses two ceramic discs. These discs slide over each other to adjust the flow of water and decide temperature. This is also a very durable option, as ceramic discs are quite tough.
As you can see, a lot goes into picking the right faucet for your home’s kitchen. Installing them tends to be a technical process. At Deer Valley Plumbing Contractors, Inc., however, we’re always happy to help. With our 25 years of experience, we can assist you in finding the make and model of kitchen faucet that will be perfect for your home. Of course, if you need help, feel free to speak to us about installation, too.