3 Tips For Finding The Best Kitchen Faucets
The kitchen is a symbol of comfort in our homes. It's the place where we create delicious meals and memories. However, it is also a location that necessitates careful maintenance and meticulous attention to detail, particularly with regards to the best kitchen faucets. The kitchen faucet is essential for daily tasks like preparing food, cooking, cleaning and sanitizing. You probably use the faucet the most out of everything in your kitchen.
The faucet is a standout, practical feature in the kitchen that will serve you well for many years. Furthermore, it serves as an indication of your personal taste. When choosing the right fixture, think about how the kitchen is used and what story you want it to tell about your home.
A kitchen faucet upgrade is an easy, cheap way to breathe new life into your space or complement a full-blown kitchen renovation. Changing up your faucet can completely change how the whole room looks.
From brass kitchen faucets to sleek, modern models, finding the best kitchen faucet can be quite a chore. Here are three tips to help you choose the perfect fit for your home.
Tip 1: Consider Size, Material and Installation Types
Kitchen Faucet Sizing
It's time to get some accurate measurements. Find a faucet that works within the given space; it'll be more accessible than rebuilding your kitchen around a new faucet. Buying a new faucet requires thoughtful deliberation over its eventual location, the final appearance of the sink area, and the function it will serve, just like any other home improvement job.
When considering which faucet to buy for your sink, consider the basin's size compared to common kitchen pots, pans, and plates. You'll need a model with a high enough spout clearance for these items and a low-enough placement that keeps water contained within the sink area (and off your counters).
Kitchen Faucet Material
The material of your kitchen faucet has an impact on its style, function, and upkeep.
Brass kitchen faucets are traditional but still look great today. Brass is durable and doesn't rust easily—perfect if you're looking for a long-term fixture that's easy to maintain. Stainless steel is another popular choice because of its practicality and versatility. It's also available in many different finishes, but it can scratch easily, so handle it carefully.
If you want something that stands out, there are other materials, including bronze, copper, and glass. While these look amazing, they require more upkeep and careful handling—but it's worth it for their unique look to your kitchen.
Kitchen Faucet Installation Type
Before picking out a kitchen faucet, you'll need to consider the type of installation you want and the available space around your sink.
You can choose between two types of faucet installations based on their location.
With a counter- or deck-mounted installation, kitchen faucets can go on the counter or sink edge. The more frequent style is called deck mounted, and it usually makes the sink stand out more as a design element in your kitchen.
Wall-mounted kitchen faucets are less common than other styles, but they have a modern look that can bring new life to any room. They're perfect for small spaces like kitchens, laundry rooms, and greenhouses where every square foot counts.
Tip 2: Consider Faucet Valves and Holes
Valves
A valve is the heart of every kitchen faucet since it manages the water stream. Even though there are many types of valves, four of them are more common. If you want your faucet to serve you for years, pay attention to the quality of its valve.
Ball valve: The ball valve is a water control device identified by the single handle on its base. Users can change the water flow and temperature as needed by rotating and pivoting this handle.
Cartridge: The cartridge valve is a water control device identified by two handles on its base. By turning both handles, users can adjust the flow and temperature of the water.
Ceramic disc valves: A ceramic disc valve is a type of water control device with a single handle on its base. By rotating this handle, users can adjust the flow and temperature of the water.
Compression: The compression valve is a type of water control device with two handles on its base. By turning both handles, users can regulate the flow and temperature of the water.
Holes
In addition to the valve, you need to pay attention to the number of holes your sink needs. This depends on how many accessories you want around your faucet.
For example, if you want a sprayer and soap dispenser, you would need three or four holes for the drain assembly, hot water supply line, cold water supply line, and sprayer. If you don’t want a sprayer or soap dispenser, you need just two holes for the drain assembly and water supply lines.
If your sink has pre-drilled holes, then you can easily purchase a kitchen faucet that fits into them. However, if your sink doesn’t have pre-drilled holes, you need to buy a faucet with an adjustable base plate that can fit the different holes.
Tip 3: Look at Style and Finishes
The finish is one of the most critical details when picking kitchen sink faucets. The finish will determine your faucet's colour and durability for years down the road. You can find finishes in all sorts of metals and colors, from stainless steel to copper to modern black so that you can coordinate it with other accent colors in your kitchen hardware and appliances.
Additionally, kitchen faucets come in a range of styles. You can find them in contemporary and modern designs, traditional and classic styles, and transitional pieces that combine both looks. Just be sure to pick something that blends with the overall décor of your home.
Out of all the finishes, chrome is widely used because it's versatile and can be matched with many other fixtures. Not to mention, it's also durable and easy to find.
A brushed nickel finish is ideal if you're looking for a long-lasting solution that can resist wear and tear.
Copper is the perfect material if you're looking to add a touch of luxury to your home. With its rich color and 'healing' properties, copper improves with age and can make a space pop.
If you're looking for something that won't break easily and looks great, stainless steel is the way to go. It's a timeless choice that is extremely durable and won't go out of style.
Ending Note
Once you have considered all the factors, pick a faucet that meshes with your style. Whether you choose a modern, traditional, or transitional style, it should fit in with the overall aesthetic of your home and kitchen. Knowing your sink and its valves inside and out will help you choose a faucet that works well and looks good.