Watering plants. Prepping for pizza night. Filling the fishbowl. Bathing the baby. There’s no doubt about it—we spend more active time in our kitchens than any other room in the house. When it comes to choosing your next kitchen faucet, there are numerous things to consider, from choosing a finish to beginning installation. Trust the experience, knowledge and creativity of The Kitchen Master to help you through the process.
Choosing The Perfect Kitchen Faucet
You know that kitchen sink is the command center of your home. To pick the perfect faucet for the job, the first step is thinking about how you use your kitchen sink most. Do you garden often? Are you a dedicated cook? Do you bathe pets in the sink? Considering these things will determine the handles, sprayers and spout height that is right for your family.
Determining Spout Height
If you regularly fill large, tall cooking pots, then you could benefit from a high arc spout (generally 8-10 inches above the sink plane). This will provide more workspace at the sink. If you have low hanging cabinets or a window with a view you don’t want to obstruct, then it’s better to go with a spout that has a lower arc.
Choosing A Sprayer
Whether you’re rinsing fresh veggies from the farmer’s market or spraying down the corners of your sink, a faucet with the right sprayer can make everyday tasks easier. For extended reach and maneuverability, consider a pull-down sprayer.
With this type of faucet, the sprayer pulls down directly from the faucet for extended length, and returns securely without any assistance. For a space-saving solution, pullout sprayers are easy to install and can be used with lower arc faucets. If you’re looking for an extra-powerful option for cleaning and have a double basin sink, you might benefit from a faucet with a side sprayer.
Installation: Know The Hole Story
It’s not hard to get excited thinking about how your new faucet will transform your kitchen. But don’t forget to take a moment to consider the setup of your sink and how that can affect the type of faucet you purchase. What looks like handles and a spout on top can be something else entirely underneath.
Before picking your faucet, make sure you know how many holes there are in your sink. If you have a single faucet and a two or three hole sink, you can install an escutcheon (sometimes called a deckplate) to hide the other holes.
Mounting Basics
All faucets are mounted in some way, but the two most common are space-saving deck mounts (mounted on the sink’s surface area) and wall mounts, which make it easy to fill large pots and cooking pans. Wall mounts are often pivoted and adjustable for working with containers of various sizes.
Faucet Operation
Faucet controls can be top mounted or side mounted on the spout or they can have the control valve independent of the spout. Be sure you test and understand how your new faucet operates. Side mounted control levels are very practical and easier to learn the right positions for different temperatures and flow pressure.
They can be confusing when you first try to use them but most people grow to love them. Make sure the handle is on the side that you will best be able to control.
Also look for faucets that have ceramic disc valves. They are longer lasting and almost leak proof.
Avoid the temptation to purchase that inexpensive imported faucet at your home center. These kinds of bargain faucets may not last long and you may have a hard time getting parts when you need them.
The latest and the greatest are touchless faucets. A simple touch of the spout or a wave of your hand over or under the spout will turn the faucet on and off. This is a quick and easy way to use faucet with one hand or finger without getting it too dirty from your food covered fingers. These faucets take some getting use to and have more parts that can go bad. Most are battery operated and you can’t change the temperature or flow without adjusting the handle.
What’s Your Style?
Are you a modern kind of person? Traditional? Transitional?
Regardless, there is a faucet to match. With hundreds of shapes, sizes and finishes on the market today, you’ll find something to capture your essence and express it in your custom kitchen. Our team is always ready and willing to help answer your questions or work with you on your new faucet installation or kitchen remodel, so contact us today for more information!
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