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Faucet
Buying Guide
Content
Provided by Builderssquare.com
In plumbing
parlance an indoor tap is called a faucet. Being indoors, faucets also
need to have a certain amount of aesthetic appeal. This need has given
rise to a whole industry that caters to specific needs that are both
functional and cosmetic in nature.
Insides
homes kitchens and bathrooms need faucets. While the basic
features of kitchen and bathroom faucets are similar, certain
functional changes make them more appropriate for specific uses.
Kitchens
and bathrooms need both hot and cold water. People have an
option to have either separate hot and cold water faucets, or as is now
common, have a mixer for hot and cold water. The mixer allows the user
to control the temperature of water that he or she will be using.
When you
are about to purchase a new faucet, think about the ones that
you currently use. If you find any discomfort in usage in the ones you
are currently using, then look for features that will remove that
problem. You may find that features like a longer/shorter spout, an
easy to operate handle, an easy to maintain finish and the like are a
few features that can make your faucets more user friendly.
Faucets are
generally a basic combination of a spout
and a handle. And
there is a wide range of permutations and combinations of spouts and
handles to choose from. This range is because of the differing needs
that different types of faucets cater to.
Faucets can
be classified on many counts. Installation is one of them.
 Installation
The
way a
faucet is installed can differ and thus various designs in each
installation type are offered by all manufacturers. Faucets may be
installed above the counter if the sink is conducive to this
installation. Faucets may also be mounted
on the sink itself if
there is a provision for it. If the sink has no provision for faucets
then the faucets may be fixed to the wall in such a way that water from
the faucet falls into the sink.
 Centerset
models are a common faucet design with
three fittings in the same unit. Centerset models are deemed to be
space efficient as the spouts and handles are part of the same
assembly. Generally a three hole panel on the sink is needed to fit a
centerset model faucet.
If
your sink has a single hole drill for
fitting a faucet you can opt for either a simple one handle faucet or a
model with two handles that fits into a single drill hole. Some models
even offer you a matching plate that can be used to cover any extra
holes in the sink. The cover blends with the faucet design without
making it look like a cover.
 Wall
mounted faucets are used for sinks that do
not have hole drillings for faucets. The one main advantage
with wall mounted faucets is that it
makes maintaining sinks easy. There are no hard to reach corners around
the faucets to clean in the case of wall mounted faucets. These faucets
may be fixed at desired heights.
Wall mounted faucets are generally used along with designer sinks that
generally do not have drillings for faucets. Wall mounted faucets may
be either a necessity or an option. Several wall mounted faucets in
contemporary settings have spouts and handles as separate fixtures.
While the aesthetic angle is easily decided by looks, functionality has
to be checked to ensure ease of use. As wall mounted faucets vary in
size and form one should check that once fixed in place, the water flow
from the spout of the faucet falls into the centre of the sink
.
 The
other type of installation that can be chosen
is one that is referred to as the
widespread faucet.
This kind
of a faucet has two fixtures
for separate hot and cold controls and one fixture for the spout. In
order to install a widespread faucet one needs sinks that have three
holes spaced well apart. Faucets of this kind can also be mounted on a
counter placed behind the sink if the sink is not adaptable for a
fixture of this kind.
Widespread
faucets are often used in kitchens as most vessel sinks are
not faucet ready off the shelf. This is especially true for countertop
sinks. The choice of faucet for this kind of a fitting should be made
after taking into consideration the height of the spout. Water should
not splash out of the sink nor should there be very little clearance
between the sink and the spout. If this arrangement is not proper then
usage will be inconvenient.
Spout Reach and Height
The
height at which the
spout is and its reach, are two very important
factors that determine ease of use. In kitchens that have
a double bowl
sink, the faucet should be able to swivel and supply water to both
bowls. Similar attention should also be given to sprays. The sprays
should also be able to spray water liberally in both the bowls. Usually
a faucet is generally set at a height of 3 to 5 inches above the sink.
Kitchen faucets need to be at a higher level to make space for large
pots. High arch faucets are available for this purpose and are
available at varying heights between 6 inches to 10 inches.
Is Your Faucet Finished Just the Way You
Want?
 The
finish of the faucet is
another important factor to consider before buying a faucet.
The finish should be
aesthetically pleasing and should blend
well with the rest of your bathroom and/or kitchen decor. Be sure to
choose a finish that is easy to maintain.
A
classic look can be achieved by using faucets that have a polished
chrome
finish. These faucets can be teamed with sinks in dark
colors to achieve a striking look. Those
who are not very fond of shiny surfaces can go in for faucets with
matte finishes. This kind of a finish is easier to maintain as it even
camouflages spots caused by wet hands.
You
can
maintain the chrome color and have a matte finish or go in for a nickel
matte finish. Find the nickel matte finish too gray for your taste? Go
in for a brushed gold color which is a perfect blend of ornate looks
and elegance. This finish is easy to maintain too.
 Love
color? Most manufacturers can indulge your
fancies by offering you a mix and match of different styles to give you
a distinct faucet. Sandbar, silver, tea green, thunder grey, wild rose,
fawn beige, biscuit or almond are a few of the colors that you can have
faucets in.
Want
an ornate and rich look? Indulge yourself with a gold finish. Be
prepared to pay for it in terms of scrupulous cleanliness to maintain
the rich look.
Top
manufacturers like
Kohler, American Standard, Moen and others take care that their
products comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
requirements. So if you are doing up a bathroom or a kitchen for
someone with special needs, you can find appropriate faucets easily.
How
Many Handles Should Your Faucet Have?
For
a minimalistic look
faucets with single
handles would be ideal. Two handle faucets
are however more user friendly as they make the mixing of hot and cold
water a bit easy. If your sink has a single hole for faucet fixing it
does not mean that you have to settle for a single handle faucet.
Single hole double handled faucets are made available for this very
need. Lever handles are generally easier to operate than knobs. Homes
with children are better off with faucets with lever handles. Spout
types
Faucet spouts are generally seen to be of three basic styles. The basic
fixed spout may be either anchored in one direction or have an option
for change of direction. A small twist by the hand is enough to change
the direction of the spout. This is a feature which comes in handy in
the kitchen. The spout may have a sprayer attached to it. In the
bathroom this may be in the form of a hand shower and in the kitchen a
sprayer with controlled spray pressure. Also known as pullout sprays
these can be controlled with one hand leaving the other hand free to
hold the object being washed. This feature is found to be indispensable
by some users while others find no use for it.
Opinions vary but the choice is there for you to make. Some kitchen
faucets also come equipped with pullout sprays. Faucets meant for
bathtubs are made especially for the purpose and standard measurements
are adhered to. Faucets for showers are also made as per standard
specifications. Technology has been incorporated to make hi-tech shower
panels with specially fitted faucets.
Price
Ranges for Bathroom and Kitchen Faucets
A
simple two handle faucet can be purchased in the $30 - $100 price
range. Manufacturers like Delta, Vintage, Banner and other
manufacturers have models in this range. This price range has faucets
for both the kitchen and the bathroom. Top manufacturers like American
Standard, Kohler, Moen and others have most of their faucet models in
the $100 and above price range.
Gracefully
curved spouts and even spouts that swivel and add a classy look to your
kitchen/bathroom can be had in the $100 - $200 range. The $200- $300
category will bring you slick finished faucets with control levers from
top manufacturers like Kohler, American Standard and others. This price
range can also get you specialty single faucets like entertainment
faucets and beverage faucets.
The
$300- $400 price range will get you two handled models that look almost
like pieces of art. Those looking for faucets with sprays will find
basic models in this category. The $400 plus category has several
aesthetically pleasing models.
Specialty
faucets meant specifically for bathtubs, bidets and the like also fall
in this category. Pull out sprays, antique patterns, ornate designs,
opulent finishes – all these find a place in this category.
If
you can afford to go beyond the limit of $650 you will get faucets that
cross over to the realm of indulgence. Sensational models with all the
features that you would ever want fill this category. Models from all
the top manufacturers in the industry find a place here. A 30 inch
floor mounted bathtub faucet can cost a cool $1500- $2000. You can
indulge your fancies with a faucet that almost looks like a telephone.
This indulgence would cost you anything from $1000- $1500.
Most
manufacturers offer a year’s warranty on faucets. Both low
end and high end models come with warranties.
Top Manufacturers
Kohler
Moen
American
Standard
Delta
Hansgrohe
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