Most of us turn our kitchen faucets on and off many times every day without ever giving it a second thought. However, when it comes time to install new kitchen faucets during a home improvement project, we are often amazed and perplexed with the plethora of options and choices available. This kitchen faucet buying guide will help you choose the right kitchen faucets for perfect functionality and style in your kitchen. You'll learn how to buy kitchen faucets based on such criteria as sink type, handle type, style, finish and construction. Let's get started!
The perfect kitchen faucets combine functionality and aesthetics. The best kitchen faucets are well-made with high quality valve mechanisms and durable finishes that ensure the faucets will operate problem-free for many years to come. Things to consider when looking at kitchen faucets include:
Holes in your kitchen sink
If you're replacing an existing faucet, be sure to choose a new one that requires the same number of holes in the deck of the kitchen sink as the one that's being removed. One-piece faucets (with integrated handle and spout) need one hole for the handle/spout piece and usually require a separate hole for a sprayer. Traditional faucets, with hot and cold taps, require three holes for the taps and spout and a fourth for a sprayer. Don't get caught with the wrong kind of sink for your shiny, new faucets.
Kitchen faucet handles
Two-handle faucets: If you're lucky enough not to have to worry about fitting your new faucets into an old sink, you have many choices. Two-handle designs are usually the least expensive and offer a classic look. In addition, because of the independent controls for hot and cold water, they make adjusting the temperature easier.
Single-handle faucets: Single-handle faucets are more contemporary looking and usually cost a little more than two-handle faucets. The single handle, also called a post, adjusts both the temperature and flow rate of the water.
Today's selection of kitchen faucets is almost endless. Whether you prefer a classic look or ultra-contemporary, there are kitchen faucets for you. Faucets also come in a wide array of finishes. The most common -- and least expensive -- is a chrome faucet; however, there are also stainless steel faucets, enamel coated faucets, bronze faucets, brass faucets, brushed nickel faucets and antique copper faucets to name but a few. When choosing a style and finish remember that kitchen faucets are built to last a long time, so choose one that will still look good if you remodel your home down the road.
In addition to type, style and finish of your faucets, you also will be choosing what type of valves your faucets have. Valves -- or mechanisms that take the place of valves -- are what keep your faucet from dripping. They also regulate the flow and temperature of water. There are four types of valves:
Compression valves
Compression valve faucets have been around the longest and are the least expensive type. They are identifiable by their separate hot and cold water handles and their action requiring you to tighten the handles down to close off the water flow. These valves will need to have washers replaced as they wear out, although it's a fairly easy process.
Ball valves
Ball faucets are currently the most common type of faucets in kitchen sinks and were the first type of washerless faucets. They are identifiable by their single handle which moves over a rounded, ball-shaped cap right above the base of the faucet spout. Ball valves have no washers, require less maintenance and are inexpensive to replace, but because of the number of parts which make up this type of faucet, ball faucets tend to leak more than other washerless faucets such as the cartridge or the ceramic disk type.
Cartridge
Cartridge faucets operate with a movable stem cartridge that moves up and down to regulate flow. They are identifiable more by how they feel when they operate than how they look. As opposed to a ball faucet that you push back to turn on, a single handle cartridge faucet operates in an "up/down" motion to adjust water volume and a "left/right" motion for temperature. Similarly, a two-handle stem cartridge faucet looks almost indistinguishable from a compression type washer faucet. However, again, you can tell the difference by how the handles feel when used. This is a more modern type of valve than the compression or ball valves and, while being more expensive, is generally more reliable and has a substantial functioning life.
Ceramic disk
This is the highest quality valve. Kitchen faucets with ceramic disk valves are identifiable by their single lever over a wide cylindrical body. These faucets have a wide cartridge housing two ceramic discs which slide over each other to control water flow and mixing temperature. Hardened ceramic is a durable material which is virtually indestructible and is guaranteed not to wear out, but it is obviously much more expensive than the ball valve or compression valve. Should you need to fix it, your cost will be higher, but the likelihood of a kitchen faucet with ceramic disks failing is very slim.
Will it take me long to install new kitchen faucets?
The most time-consuming, and sometimes extremely challenging, step will be removing the old kitchen faucets, especially if your water supply connections are corroded (and, therefore, hard to disconnect). Installing the new faucets, however, should be a relatively simple operation.
Can I adjust my kitchen faucets to increase the flow of the water?
In 1992, the federal government passed the Energy Policy Act. This law placed strict regulations on flow rates. All manufacturers must adhere to these standards and no adjustments can be made. In some cases, you may be receiving less than the maximum allowable water flow rate. Normally, this is due low water pressure, a blockage in the plumbing or in the faucet or a faucet malfunction.
I have three holes in my sink but I want to put in faucets that only require two holes. Can I do that?
Absolutely. You have several options of what to do with the extra hole in your sink. You can add a sprayer, you can add a liquid hand soap dispenser, or you can simply cap it with a sink hole cover. Be creative and turn that extra hole into an upgrade!
Home improvements work well together -- go for it!
As long as you're replacing your kitchen faucets, why not put a whole new face on your kitchen? A new kitchen sink would look great with those new kitchen faucets, and Overstock.com also carries a variety of ranges and refrigerators that will make your kitchen a favorite gathering place for your family. Be imaginative and turn your kitchen into a showroom!
Don't limit your home improvement efforts to the kitchen
While remodeling a room can be fun, it can also sometimes make the other rooms in your home look dated and uninspired. Why not use all the resources available at Overstock.com to give your entire home a facelift? Overstock.com can help with striking new bath tubs, showers, sinks, lighting, shelving and scores of decorating items. And with Overstock.com's flat rate $2.95 shipping, you're only limited by your imagination!
