Tips for Buying Kitchen Faucets

A durable and elegant kitchen faucet or bathroom faucet combines functionality and aesthetics. The well made faucet makes life so much easier. Excellent valve mechanism and more durable finishes increase longevity and appearance.

Here are six steps to choosing the right faucet for you:

1. Two-handle designs, usually as low as $50, allow you to regulate the temperature more precisely. Having separate control for hot and cold water makes it easy to adjust the temperature.

Single-handle faucets, also known as back-mount, typically cost between $75 and $200, and are powered by either a side-mounted lever or a top-mounted knob. Most single-handle faucets have pull-out spouts.

The cross-shaped design and large-winged levers are the most popular designs. However, most faucets have different handles that can be attached to the body of the faucet for a custom look.

2. If the style of the faucet is important, start your choice with the type of finish. The most affordable finish for a faucet is a chrome finish. Its price is usually around 60 dollars. The chrome finish has a long warranty against scratches.

The more colorful enamel coatings will typically set you back $20-$200 more, and are more susceptible to scratches and chips. Add 25 to 40 percent more to the price of coated faucets for stainless steel faucets.

3. A PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) finish is better than the usual plated finishes, but adds $150 to $750 more in cost. The PVD finish is achieved by vaporizing the metal and glazing it with a scratch-resistant, tarnish-resistant film.

Look to brushed chrome, oil-rubbed bronze, and satin nickel for rustic appeal. The brushed finish and satin finish cleverly hide scratches.

4. There are more spouts than standard straight faucets. There are high arc goose picks, ideal for filling pots. A pull-out faucet can take you anywhere in a three-bowl sink. You can switch from a spray mode to a stream mode with one touch. There are also restaurant type models for those extra long hoses.

5. Know that there are four types of faucets.

A. Compression valve:

The compression valve uses rubber washers. The squeeze valve type of faucet will eventually leak, but they are usually easy to repair.

b. Ball valves:

The ball valve controls the flow and temperature of the water through the use of a steel ball. Because of this, ball valves are washer-free and easy to maintain. Replacing a ball valve is easily affordable and easy to do.

against ceramic disc

The ceramic disc is virtually a maintenance free water faucet. It’s guaranteed not to wear out, but it’s obviously much more expensive than ball valve or compression valve.

d. The cartridge faucet

Like the ceramic disc, the cartridge faucet is generally maintenance-free. Like the ceramic disc, it has a high price.

Regardless of the type of faucet you choose. Always check the warranty and finish.

6. You can opt for filtering faucets, which cost $200 more, to bring purified water. Several filters are placed under the sink, while others are placed inside the spout. To set the maximum water temperature, an anti-scald tap can be used. An electronic faucet with infrared sensor is also available. They save water and allow for cleaner mangoes.

In general, you don’t need to hand over your hard-earned money to pay for good quality. Most faucets have the same basic parts and sometimes even the same finish across multiple price lines.

For a streamlined urban look, choose a faucet that is wall mounted – this is often used with vanity sinks.

Make sure your faucet connection matches the holes in your sink. If they do not match, you will need to provide more drill holes or cover the unused holes with an escutcheon plate.

All taps in general have at least one year of warranty. Even low-end models have at least a year of warranty. Many faucets have a manufacturer’s warranty of more than one year.

Good luck choosing the perfect faucet for you.