How do I choose a faucet?

Faucets are not just about a functional appointment and choosing the first one you see in the market. Let's look at all the functions of a faucet – washing vegetables in the kitchen, filling buckets of water or bathing, can everything be done with a single faucet? Therefore read on for some tips on choosing the right faucet for the kitchen and bathroom. Choosing between options available is also done with faucets. First classify the taps, by understanding the different kinds of faucets in the markets. The various features available now are push-button showers valve diverters, screen aerators, flow control aerator, pressure balancing shower valves, and swivel sprays. There are infinite options available with designer and budget-friendly options to choose from. So let's consider the options available before we choose a faucet:-

-Budget: Firstly, understand which bathroom fixture is needed and the budget. Now faucets have a wide price range depending on the quality, materials, and style. Also, decide whether you need a faucet for your sink or something that matches your tub and shower.

-Style: This plays a very important role in choosing a faucet. Bathroom faucets are available in various styles and finishes. For eg. If you like contemporary aesthetics, then faucets with clean lines and few handles are available, and for those that prefer traditional styles, the center set faucet is available.

- Quality: The best method of determining a quality faucet is to see what it’s made of. Solid brass bodies have a longer life and need less care than other materials. Also solid brass weighs heavier than other metals, and there are also die-cast zinc alloy bodies, which typically cost less and corrode gradually.  

- The finish: It’s important to decide the finish i.e. nickel and chrome, it decides the overall style of the bathroom, plus the price of the faucet.

Also, kitchen faucets must be matched with the number of mounting holes a sink has. One must not drill extra mounting holes to an existing sink.

You can also decide based on the type of spouts that make it easy to rinse and clean the sink, and lastly, the faucet size must match the size of the sink so that it doesn't look awkward. 

-Single handle vs double handle: You can choose between both, wherein a single handle is better if at least one hand is clean, while double handles allow access to water and the sink if one handle springs a leak and requires repair.

Mounting Options: Here you get to choose between sink mounts, deck mounts, and wall mounts.

Sink-mounts: Those who are replacing their sink-mounted faucets need to account for the number of faucets available. If the faucet needs four holes, but the sink has three, you must continue searching. Single handle faucets have a deck plate to cover unused holes.

Deck-mounts: If you choose to mount the faucet on the countertop, you must be sure there is enough space behind the faucet for cleaning. This configuration is best for under mount and farmhouse sinks.

Wall-mount: Placement of a wall-mounted faucet can be tricky. You must check local codes for plumbing on outside walls. Whoever does the installation needs to check for wall studs and move anything that interferes with placement. You should check the pitch of the faucet to determine the water flow in the sink. 

Style: Whether you like modern aesthetics or a traditional way of decorating, there are a variety of finishes for you to choose from. The five popular styles n the markets, which you can choose from are:-

• Contemporary
• Rustic
• Modern
• Traditional
• Transitional

Touch: You have the option of choosing sensor faucets that turn the water on and off with just one touch of the back of a hand or wrist. But adjusting the flow and temperature is a manual operation with the handle touch option. Brands today use batteries to power sensors but all touch faucets now are powered by electricity with an outlet under the kitchen sink.

Apart from the above, you can choose between various finishes available in the markets today. The finishes available are polished chrome, brushed nickel, stainless steel, matte black, and oil-rubbed bronze. Plus trendy colors like brushed gold and champagne bronze. 

How you match your faucet to the kitchen depends on your style i.e. traditional, contemporary, modern, transitional and rustic. 

Side, Pull-Down Or Pull-Out Sprayer: You can also choose between single-handle kitchen faucets with a pull-down or pull-out sprayer and a traditional side spray, 

Therefore just like other things, choosing a faucet is also a process in which various features need to be considered, and once you’ve made the right decision your kitchen will look a class apart!