Modern homes across the world use kitchen faucets on a daily basis. It is important to choose the right size, style, and type of kitchen faucet that suits your interior décor and specific needs. In this kitchen faucet guide, you’ll learn everything about common faucet layouts, faucet features, handle options, and spout choices. In fact, you need to know these details in order to choose the perfect faucet and mounting options for your kitchen.
In This Guide
Kitchen faucet sizes
Size is the easiest and fastest way to know the faucet type you need. If your existing sink lacks adequate headroom, investing in a short faucet might be your best bet. This is mainly because a taller faucet will look weird and out of place. In fact, choosing a beautiful design may not solve the problem, especially if the faucet doesn’t fit.
A deep sink requires a short kitchen faucet as it maximizes precision and prevents splashing. That is the reason why shallow sinks are said to be more versatile. Shallow sinks can work perfectly with both short and tall kitchen faucets. It is important to read several reviews of kitchen faucets and make comparisons before choosing a size that will fit your sink. The standard length used in the plumbing industry for the mounting of both single and two-handled kitchen faucets usually is 8″ inches.
Your spout options
With gooseneck spouts, you can have more working space over the sink. These are the taller versions that are around 8 to 10 inches above the countertop. Most standard spouts are usually around 3 to 5 inches above the countertop. Therefore, depending on your spout type, measure the space between the counter and cabinets above your sink to make sure the kitchen faucet fits securely between the countertop and the cabinets.
Faucet mounting options
Wall mounted, deck plate, and non-deck plate are the three most common faucet mounting options on the market. It is important to know the total number of holes and their spacing when installing a new kitchen faucet on your current sink or countertop. Faucets, typically, have a single hole or multiple holes of up to five. The numbers vary depending on the layout of spouts, handles, and other kitchen faucet accessories such as water filters. Therefore, you need to know the number of openings in your sink or countertop before you start searching for the right faucet for your kitchen.
Single Hole
A kitchen faucet with a single hole has one handle. In other words, this type of faucet requires a single hole in the sink or countertop. Hence, you should consider a deck plate faucet or use hole covers, if you have unused holes.
Two Hole
Two-hole faucet may either look like a single-hole faucet with a soap dispenser or a bridge faucet. The other option of additional feature could be side sprayer.
Three Hole
The three-hole faucet has a layout with one spout and two holes for the handles. However, this layout can vary, especially if the three-hole faucet comes with additional features such as a side sprayer or a soap dispenser.
Four Hole
Four-hole faucets allow you to mount other additional features such as a side sprayer or a soap dispenser to the countertop. Four-hole faucets are actually so popular.
Deckplate
This is a centerset faucet with an escutcheon and contains the spout and handles in one plate. The Deck plate faucet can cover up to three holes on your countertop.
Wall Mounted
Wall mounted faucets hung on the wall above the sink. The wall-mounting option allows you to place larger pans or pots in the sink and clean your sink with ease. However, wall-mount is not suitable for cold climates as pipes on exterior walls may freeze.
Aside from these standard kitchen faucet styles, you can also find other interesting options for renovating your kitchen such as Pot Filler and Bar Faucet.
Faucet handle options
There are two common options when choosing faucet handles:
- Single Handle: A single-handle faucet is often designed to attach to a deck plate so as to cover up any unutilized handle holes. Single handle faucets can operate both cold and hot water.
- Double Handle: These faucets often have the handles mounted individually or joined to a deck plate.
Sprayer options
You can mount side sprayers onto the sink or countertop next to your kitchen faucet. You need to have extra holes to mount the side sprayers. Alternatively, pull-out or pull-down sprayers can be incorporated into the kitchen faucet without drilling extra holes. Faucets with a 360-degree swivel that can reach all parts of the sink or countertop require more space.
In addition, you can find kitchen faucets with special features such as motion sensing technology. Such faucets can offer filtered water at the desired temperature for drinking. An automatic faucet with hot and cold dispensers can be a valuable addition to your modern kitchen.
Vital considerations to make before buying
- Cost: The cost of the kitchen faucet depends on the material, design and finish. For example, while high-end stainless steel kitchen faucets can cost around $2,500, cast-brass kitchen faucets start at around $200.
- Professional installation: Although the installation process of a kitchen faucet is quite simple, consider hiring a professional, especially if you have never done it before. A simple mistake can lead to a leakage followed by devastating water damage. It is important to know the size and shape of your sink and the right spout ‘reach’ to go for. Manufacturers’ websites have this information.
- Durability: The durability of your faucet will depend on the material you choose and how you maintain the fixture. Overall, a good kitchen faucet should last for a decade or longer. Most stainless steel and brass faucets made in Europe and the U.S. come with lifetime warranties.
- Maintenance: While some faucet materials such as Copper and Bronze may require regular polishing, others such as Nickel should be wiped with a soft cloth, water, and liquid dish soap. Avoid using abrasives on your faucet.
Kitchen faucets are some of the most used fixtures in any kitchen. Although the fixture is constantly turned on and off for washing hands, rinsing off some vegetables, filling a pasta pot, or getting a glass of water, it’s expected to last for years. In today’s market, kitchen faucets come in a wider array of price points, designs, and types than ever. Remember, not all kitchen faucets are created equal. But, once you learn about the available designs, sizes, and their features, it is easier to make a wiser buying decision.
What’s Next
Read our kitchen faucet reviews here!
