Of all the accessories and appliances, the kitchen faucet is probably the one we use the most. According to faucet manufacturer KWC, the average family uses the kitchen faucet more than 40 times a day. Whether it’s washing your hands, rinsing the dishes, filling a pot of pasta or washing vegetables, the kitchen faucet exercises itself every day. So when it’s time to buy a new faucet, you need to know how to choose one that will do its job and keep doing it for years to come. But don’t worry, this guide should take a lot of the fear and yuck out of selecting a new faucet.
Are you looking for a vintage antique look, a chic contemporary look, Old World rustic, or something elegant and traditional? Nickel or pewter faucets are perfect for the traditional kitchen, copper or bronze faucets are great for Old World and country-style kitchens, and chrome or stainless steel faucets have a very contemporary look.
One of the first things to know before buying a faucet is its hole configuration. Most sinks come with pre-drilled holes to receive the faucet and sometimes accessories such as a sprayer, soap dispenser, hot beverage or filtered water faucet. One-hole sinks are for single-handle faucets, three-hole sinks are for single-handle faucets with spray and/or accessories, and four-hole sinks are for single-handle or two-handle sinks with multiple accessories. If you have an undermount or front mount sink, the holes are drilled into the countertop behind the sink.
Types of kitchen faucets
The right faucet for you depends on your personal preferences. You have several to choose from.
high arc faucets
If you wash a lot of large pots, fill vases frequently, or have a large, roomy sink, a high-arc faucet is probably for you. High-arc faucets, also known as goosenecks or high necks, give you more room to work. Today’s high arc kitchen faucets often have beautiful flowing curves and tapered handles and could easily be the focal point of a kitchen. These faucets are best used in deep sinks, they will cause splashing if the sink is shallow. Most bar sink faucets are of the high-arc type to allow as much space as possible for washing produce.
pull-out and pull-out faucets
Pull-out faucets have a spray that opens toward you, while a pull-out faucet has a spray that pulls toward the bottom of the sink. Both options help you clean the sink and wash water products or plants. Pull-out faucets are the fastest growing in popularity of any faucet in the industry for good reason, they are the perfect combination of style and function. A button or toggle control makes it easy to go from aerated stream to spray. Look for one that rotates 360 degrees for easy access to all areas of your sink.
Side Spray Kitchen Mixer Faucets
Single-handle faucets still account for over 80% of faucet sales and are popular with builders. These faucets are basic and have a single handle that controls temperature and flow. These are available with a side spray which is much less expensive than pull down spray faucets. They also allow you to have a sprayer with a vintage looking faucet.
two handle faucets
Two-handle faucets (one hot and one cold) are not as popular as single-handle faucets because they are not as easy to use. They have a classic look that makes a strong fashion statement in Victorian and other period-style kitchens.
touch taps
Touch faucets are fantastic and are rapidly growing in popularity. These hands-free kitchen faucets turn on and off with just a light touch of a hand or arm. These faucets are becoming a favorite in “aged-in-place” or handicapped kitchens. These are wonderful additions to any food prep sink because they are so easy to turn on with hands covered in dough or flour. They are also useful for a potting bench sink.
Wall Mounted Kitchen Faucets
As you might guess, these are attached to the wall above the sink. They are often seen with farmhouse sinkholes and sometimes with boat sinkholes. These faucets are becoming more popular since deck or farmhouse sinks have taken a big hit in almost every style of kitchen. Please note that when using a wall-mounted faucet, the water supply must extend to the wall above the sink.