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 hands, rinsing dishes, filling a pot of pasta, or washing vegetables, your kitchen faucet gets a workout every day. So when it’s time to buy a new faucet, you need to know how to choose one that will get the job done and keep doing it for years to come. But don’t worry, this guide should take much of the fear and disgust 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 brass 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 purchasing a faucet is its orifice configuration. Most sinks come with pre-drilled holes to receive the faucet and sometimes accessories such as a sprayer, soap dispenser, hot drink or filtered water faucet. One-hole sinks are for single-control faucets, three-hole sinks are for single-control faucets with spray and/or accessories, and four-hole sinks are for single-control or two-handle sinks with multiple accessories. If you have a front or undermount 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, frequently fill vases, or have a large, roomy sink, a high-arc faucet is probably for you. High-arch faucets, also known as gooseneck or high-arch faucets, give you more room to work. Today’s high-arch 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-arch type to allow as much space as possible for washing produce.
Pull-out and pull-out faucets
Pull-down faucets have a sprayer that opens toward you, while a pull-down faucet has a sprayer that pulls toward the bottom of the sink. Both options help you clean the sink and wash produce or water 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.
Single Handle Kitchen Faucets with Side Spray
Single-handle faucets still account for more than 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 sprayer which is much less expensive than pull down sprayer 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 kitchens “aged in place” or with people with disabilities. These are wonderful additions to any food prep sink because they are so easy to light with hands covered in batter or flour. They are also useful for a benchtop potting sink.
wall mounted kitchen faucets
As you might guess, these are attached to the wall above the sink. Often seen with farm sinks and sometimes boat sinks. These faucets are becoming more popular since deck or farmhouse sinks have found great success 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.