Choosing Faucet

Apart from serving their basic functions, faucets also add an ornamental value to your kitchen. Before deciding on the type of faucets you want for your kitchen, it is better to get complete information on them and then determine as to which style suits you the most.

There are a number of facts that you should take into consideration before buying faucets for your kitchen.

The main aspects that come into play while deciding the type of kitchen faucet you want to buy are your preference and budget.

The next thing that you need to consider is the sink or the counter for the faucet and the hole provided. Kitchens usually have 8-inch center or single hole, made for single-handle faucets. For widespread, single-lever and center set faucets.

If you want an instant hot-water spout, a soap dispenser, a sprayer, etc and you have a top mount sink you will need a model with the correct number of holes to accommodate all these. If you have an undermount sink you will need to have all the information for these accessories so that the countertop can be drilled with the correct number of holes.

Another factor that you should keep in mind is the 'reach'. For example, a high arc faucet looks good, but has limited reach across the sink basin.

You will also have to make sure that the faucet matches the overall decor of your kitchen. While faucets in a vintage look suit traditional cabinetry, contemporary faucets work best with sleek cabinetry.

Kitchen faucets are available in a variety of materials, such as stainless steel, chrome, nickel, brass and copper. Stainless steel and chrome give a sleek and contemporary look, while rubbed bronze and brass can be given an antiqued finish.

Before you purchase a new kitchen faucet, take a look at your present kitchen and consider how you use it. As you cook, clean, and live in your kitchen, consider why and how often you use the sink?

What do you like about your current faucet? And what faucet features are missing?

With those thoughts in mind choose the perfect kitchen faucet for your home.

Pullout spray

Spout with sidespray

Spout without sidespray

 

Spout Type

Faucet spouts come in three basic types, with the key difference being whether or not they include a spray feature. Handheld sprays, which come in a variety of styles, let you move the water flow to where you need it. If you have a spray on your current kitchen sink, is it something you use frequently? If you don't have one, would it make cooking and cleaning easier?

Pullout or pull-down spray faucet

Pullout sprays offer the functionality of a side spray with the streamlined look of one-piece faucet. Pull-down spray faucets let you adjust the water flow, choosing between an aerated stream and a spray. Some offer a second, more powerful spray setting for intense cleaning. Inspired by professional kitchens, these faucet types provide mobility and ease of cleaning, as well as versatility.

If you expect to use the spray frequently, or if you alternate quickly between regular water flow and spraying, consider a pullout spray spout. Pullout sprays can be controlled with one hand, leaving the other free to hold pots or vegetables, for example. In addition, many pullout sprays are ergonomically designed to fit comfortably into your hand.

Faucet with side spray

A side spray is a handheld sprayer attached to a hose, mounted to the right or left of the faucet spout (you can choose the side based on your needs). Pull the side spray out from its base and squeeze its handle, and it overrides the faucet spout water flow.

Faucet without side spray

If the aesthetics of a sprayer don't suit your kitchen (for example, if you are creating a period look), or you don't anticipate needing one, you can often get the faucet spout you like without the side spray. You still have a wide variety of faucet types to choose among.

Kitchen faucet spouts come in a variety of styles and heights. Although your choices might be limited by the installation requirements of your sink, in most cases you can decide how much height and length you want on your faucet. No Preference

High-arch

Standard

 

Spout Height

High arch

A high-arch spout provides plenty of room between the bottom of the sink and the spout for washing large pots or oversized dishes. High-arch faucets generally start at 6 inches, but are more commonly from 8 to 10 inches high.

Standard

A standard faucet spout is generally from 3 to 5 inches high.

 

Spout reach

Another key factor to consider is the size of your sink and how many basins you have.

The faucet should direct water to the center of the sink. A small faucet can get lost on a large sink, and a too-large faucet will overpower (or overflow) a small sink.

If you have a double sink, choose a swivel faucet spout that can reach both basins.

Consider as well the reach of the spray - is it long enough to reach the far corners of your sink basin, or all of your sink basins?

ADA-compliance

Most single-control faucets, and two-handle faucets with blade or lever-type handles, comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. If you are seeking to make your kitchen accessible to people with disabilities, look for faucets that specify they are the ADA-compliant