As with every other appliance in your home, kitchen faucets come in a variety of types, finishes and with different features. If you're not sure what faucet you can buy, view our Selecting the Right Faucet diagram. It’s easy to look at a faucet and know you like it… but in a few months will you be pleased with your decision? Use this article to find out what options are available to ensure that you and your new faucet will live happily ever after….
Finishes
The finish of the faucet is personal preference. You may want to choose a faucet that matches your sink, countertop, or other kitchen appliances. Traditionally, the two most popular finishes have been polished chrome and polished brass. Recently other finishes have become more popular such as stainless steel and satin or brushed nickel. These offer a duller look than polished chrome and tend to match stainless steel appliances well. Interestingly, while chrome is the most durable, it's also the most affordable. Alternative coatings are substantially more expensive.
Although each manufacturer may have it’s own name for a finish, below is a list of common kitchen faucet finishes:
Polished Chrome
Polished Brass
Colored epoxy (glacier white, almond, biscuit, and black)
Handles
Select a handle type that will compliment your kitchen. A two-handled faucet
is a traditional style that has one knob for hot water and one knob for cold
water. This gives you independent control of both handles. When using a
two-handle faucet, remember that cross-handles and lever-handles provide an
easy grip. Also keep in mind that lever-handles are almost always ADA
Compliant. Single-handle, or "single control" faucets give you the convenience
of being able to control the water temperature and pressure with one single
control. Single handle faucets are growing in popularity.
Spray Types
Most kitchens can benefit from some type of retractable sprayer associated
with the kitchen faucet. Retractable sprays aid in the rinsing of large pots
and can extend to hard-to-reach areas. The two options are traditional side
sprays (otherwise known as vegetable sprays), or modern pullout sprays. A side
spray or vegetable spray is a separate spray mounted on the side of the faucet
that requires an additional hole in the sink. A pullout spray combines the
pullout spout into the faucet. Single-handled faucets with pullout spouts are
by far the most popular selling kitchen faucets today. With any spray, those
with stainless-steel hoses kink less than others but often make more noise.
Spout Types
Your basic faucet will have a standard spout. A standard spout increases only
slightly in height. A high-arc faucet (also known as high-neck or gooseneck)
has a spout that increases dramatically in height. Not only does it provide
for easy rinsing of large pots it has an elegant look that is sure to grab
attention in any kitchen. If you have or are planning to purchase a sink with
two or three bowls the length and flexibility of the spout is important. You
may want a 12- to 14-in.-long spout or a spout that swivels at least 180
degrees to reach the different bowls.
Faucet Configuration
Kitchen faucets have different configurations that require different types of
installation. The most common installation type is deck-mount. When purchasing
a deck-mount kitchen faucet it is very important that you choose one that will
fit your sink. We recommend replacing your sink when replacing your faucet. Of
course we do, we sell them! But aside from that, it reduces the chance of
leaking and usually looks better to put a new faucet on a shiny, new sink.
Regardless of your decision, this is what you need to know to ensure that your
sink and new faucet work together.
If you have an undermount (sometimes known as undercounter) kitchen sink, which
is installed from underneath the counter and has no visible rim, then the
faucet holes are drilled directly into the countertop. If you are replacing
the faucet on an existing undermount sink, you want to be sure that the number
of holes that your faucet requires matches the number of available holes
already drilled in your countertop. In the case that the faucet holes are
drilled through the countertop only, and not also through the sink which is
underneath the countertop, your plumber can drill an additional hole in your
countertop if needed. If you are purchasing an undermount sink without hole
drillings and a faucet at the same time for a new installation, you do not
have to worry about the number of holes your faucet requires. Your plumber
will drill the required number of holes into the countertop.
If you have a self-rimming sink (sometimes known as a countertop or drop-in),
which is installed from above the counter and has a visible rim and deck which
the faucet mounts on, you have to match the number of required holes for your
faucet with the number of existing holes on the sink that you own or are
purchasing.
NOTE: If there are additional holes on your sink or countertop that your
desired faucet will not fill, no need to worry. You can purchase a hot water
dispenser, side spray, soap dispenser, or hole cover to fill the extra hole.
Also don’t worry about a faucet or accessory not fitting the holes in your
sink; all sinkholes are the same size!
Number of Holes:
Allows For:
One
A single lever-handle faucet with or without a pullout spout.
Two
A single lever-handle faucet with a side-spray, soap dispenser, or hot water dispenser on the side.
Three
A two-handle faucet with or without a pullout spout.
Four
A two-handle faucet with a side spray, soap dispenser, or hot water dispenser on the side.
Other installation types for a kitchen faucet are a wall-mount faucet or pot
filler. For a wall-mount faucet, instead of drilled holes in your sink or
countertop you can mount the faucet on the wall above your sink. Pot fillers
can be used in addition to your kitchen faucet. They have a long swing-out arm
that is installed near your range or cook top that provides cold, filtered
water. Pot fillers are growing in popularity but remember a separate water
line is required.
Water Filtration
In this day and age many families are exploring methods of filtering their
water for drinking or cooking. Water filters can protect against dirt, rust,
bad taste & odor, scale, hard water, iron, chemicals, lead, etc.
Traditionally, many have added a water filtration unit to their kitchen
faucet. However, it has become increasing popular to purchase a faucet with a
built-in filter in the spout. The most popular model selling today is the Moen
Puretouch.
Faucet Construction
The construction of the faucet is important because you may be able to save
money on a cheap faucet now, but you’ll be paying the difference in repair or
replacement costs later. Your options for the faucet’s construction material
come down to solid brass or plastic. Brass is by far the most recommended
choice because of its toughness and ability to handle extreme temperatures.
Internally, your faucet will control the flow of water using either rubber
washers, a plastic or ceramic cartridge, a plastic, brass, or stainless steel
ball valve, or a ceramic disk. Ceramic cartridges allow the handles to open
and close at precisely the same spot every time. Alternately, a ball valve
uses washers, which wear out and require you to continually adjust the handle
position. A ceramic disk is highly recommended. Over 90% of the faucets sold
at SupplyHouse.com have ceramic disk construction.
Here is a handy table that will guide you through choosing the kitchen faucet
that will best fit your needs:
If you need…
Then purchase…
One-finger control of both water temperature and volume
Single lever-handle faucet
A faucet that meets ADA requirements for the handicap
A one or two lever-handle faucet
A flow of water that can extend to hard-to-reach areas in a large sink
A faucet with an integral pullout spray or side spray
A faucet that can fill large pots
A high-arc faucet or a separate pot filler that mounts on the wall near your range or cook top
To remove harmful chemicals and other sediments from your water so that it is safe for drinking and cooking
A water filtering faucet such as the Moen PureTouch
Soap Dispensers – A container that dispenses soap or lotion. It is mounted besides the kitchen faucet and requires one-hole drilling on the sink or countertop for installation.
Escutcheon Plates – used to cover unwanted sink holes when switching to a different style faucet. For instance, if you are removing a two-handle faucet out of a sink with three-hole drillings, and replacing it with a single-lever faucet that only requires one-hole, instead of purchasing accessories to fill the holes you can purchase an escutcheon plate that will cover them and look nice at the same time. The plate should be in the same finish or color as the faucet.
Side Sprays – A retractable spray that mounts on the side of your faucet. Side sprays are available with many faucets but can also be purchased separately. They require one hole drilling in your sink or countertop.
Hole Covers – They are inserted into an unwanted hole in your sink to cover it up. For instance, if you no longer want to use a soap dispenser, you would use a hole cover to cover up the space that the soap dispenser was.
Air Gaps - Connects the dishwasher drain and the sink drain, it prevents the water from sucking the drain water back into the dishwasher. They require one hole.
Hot Water Dispensers – Spout that dispenses hot water instantly! You can use it to make coffee, soup, tea, or Jell-O. Usually requires one-hole drilling in your sink or countertop.
Q: I have a sink with three holes and I would like to buy a new faucet that only has one handle, what can I do to cover the other holes?
A: You can simply purchase an escutcheon plate that will cover the remaining holes, or you can complement you faucet with a soap dispenser, hot water dispenser or filtered water dispenser.
Q: I see that you offer kitchen faucets with a gooseneck spout and a high spout, what is the difference?
A: The standard spout height of a faucet is approximately 3 to 7 inches. Some customers require more spout height so the manufacturers have made faucets with high spouts. These higher spouts range from 8 to 12 inches. A gooseneck spout is simply a high spout style that resembles an upside down “J.”
Q: I noticed that on some faucets, the handles are sold separately…why is this?
A: In order to keep costs down, manufacturers have determined that it is easier and less expensive to produce and stock the faucet base separately from the handles. This allows them to offer a larger handle selection without having to stock hundreds of each style faucet. Selling the handles separately may seem like an inconvenience but in the end it's a benefit because you have the opportunity to save money and to customize your faucet style.
Q: I’ve heard of a faucet that has water filtration built in…who makes this?
A: Moen makes the most well known filter faucet, called the PureTouch. It is available in several finishes and is a perfect choice for homeowners who don't have room under the sink for a standard filtration system. Other manufacturers that produce filtered faucets are American Standard, Price Pfister, and KWC.
Q: I see you have a brand called Danze and I have never heard of them.
A: To keep prices low, they don’t invest heavily in advertising… therefore they have ultimately become one of the best-kept “secrets” in the industry! SupplyHouse.com highly recommends Danze due to their superior craftsmanship, large style selection and exceptional value.
Q: Do all faucet models fit all kitchen sinks?
A: In most cases, yes. Standard-size sink openings and faucet dimensions are used throughout the plumbing industry. However, since there are a few exceptions, it is a good idea to check sizes first. The one area you might want to verify is the spout length just to make sure the spout hits inside the sink basin and is not too long. Most of the time, this won't be a problem either, but if you have an exceptionally long faucet and/or a short sinks from front to back, it could come into play in your buying decision.
Q: Does my faucet color or finish need to match my sink?
A: That is a question of personal taste. Most people match the drain/strainers to either the sink or the faucet, or both. The faucet and sink are sometimes the same color, and sometimes people prefer to match two different colors when picking a sink and a faucet. Often times people choose to match chrome or stainless with any color or stainless sink. Also, people sometimes like matching polished brass faucets with sand, biscuit, bone, almond and other "off-white" colors. Another popular combination is stainless steel and black. These are simply suggestions. The right faucet and sink are ones that will make you happy for a long time, since you will probably buy a sink and a faucet only once every decade or two.
Q: I see that faucets are available with knobs or as a single handle…Are there any benefits to having one over the other?
A: Some say that having a single handle faucet gives you greater flexibility when preparing food because you are able to turn the faucet on and off with just one hand. Other than that, there is no benefit to one over the other… again, it is a question of personal style.
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We specialize in decorative plumbing and lighting. Our top plumbing brands are Kohler, Blanco, Danze, Elkay, Franke, Kindred, and Moen. We have a warehouse full of these & other brands. Our top Lighting brands are PLC, Quoizel, & Thomas. For item availability, stock status or lead times, please email us or call 1-516-749-6375. Or else, place your order online, and we will alert you of any lead time.
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