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Bathroom Sink Faucets Buying Guide:
How to Choose Your Bathroom Sink Faucet
Bathroom sink faucets are an essential piece of any bathroom but that doesn't mean they can't also be a stylish accent to enhance your bathroom. Faucets come in a multitude of styles, designs and finishes with a wide variety of features such as anti-scald protection, touch less operation and more. All of these things as well as ease of use, safety, durability and faucet set size should be taken into consideration before you make your purchase.
Bathroom Sink Faucet Installation Type
Not every bathroom sink faucet will be compatible with every bathroom sink. Bathroom applications generally have 1 or 3 holes located in the rim or deck of the sink, the countertop or the wall above the sink. After determining where your faucet will be mounted, measure the distance between the center of the far left hole to the center of the far right hole.
Look at the below sketches to determine which bathroom sink faucet is compatible with your bathroom sink.
If there is one hole in the sink or counter, a single hole bathroom sink faucet will fit your application.
If there are three holes 4" apart on the sink or counter, a 4" minispread faucet or a 4" centerset faucet will fit your application.
If there are three holes 8" apart on the sink or counter, an 8" widespread faucet will fit your application.
Types of Bathroom Sink Faucets
Single Hole Faucets have a spout and a single handle control together on the faucet body. Single hole faucets are intended for sinks or countertops that have only one faucet hole drilled. If you prefer the appearance of a single hole faucet but your sink or countertop is drilled for a 4" style faucet some models can be purchased with an optional deck plate to cover the extra holes.
4" Centerset Faucets, are intended for sinks and countertops with 3 predrilled holes that are 4" apart. Centerset faucets sit on a deckplate which connects the two handle bodies with the spout body. This style also comes in single handle configurations.
4" Minispread Faucets, will fit the same sink configuration as the 4" centerset faucets with 3 predrilled holes 4" apart. The difference between the minispread and the centerset is that the minispread has 3 individual pieces not connected by a deckplate.
8" Widespread Faucets are intended for sinks and countertops with 3 predrilled holes that are 8" apart. The faucet body and handles are all separate pieces.
Vessel Filler Faucets have a taller faucet body intended for vessel style sinks which sit on top of the counter rather than on or below the counter. When purchasing a vessel filler faucet you'll want to keep in mind the height of the bowl of your vessel style sink to ensure your faucet is tall enough to clear the rim.
Wall Mounted Faucets are installed directly to the wall above the sink rather than on the countertop or sink itself. This type of faucet requires that the water supply lines are positioned above the sink height rather than for a traditional faucet (where supplies are located below the sink). When purchasing a wall mounted faucet check that the spout reach is long enough for adequate sink clearance based on the size of the sink bowl and the placement on the counter.
Bathroom Sink Faucet Handle Options
There are a few different styles and configurations of handles available.
Lever Handles are the most common handle style available. This handle type is generally ADA compliant and is very easy for children and older adults to use. Faucets with lever handles are typically 3 hole design however some models are available in single hole.
Cross Handles are similar to lever handles except they have a cross or "t" design rather than a single straight lever. This type of style isn't quite as easy to use for small children or older adults and generally is not ADA compliant. Faucets with cross handles are typically of 3 hole design, however some models are available in single hole.
Knob Handles are frequently constructed of acrylic or metal, as the name implies they are a knob shape often with groves to make grip easier. This type of style isn't quite as easy to use for small children or older adults and generally is not ADA compliant. Knob handle faucets are typically of 3 hole design, however some models are available in single hole.
Single Handle Faucets as the name implies have just one handle, which controls the range from cold to hot water. These faucets are relatively easy to use for children and older adults and are generally ADA compliant. Single handle are usually available for single hole design faucets although 2 hole single handle faucets can also be found where the handle is its own separate piece apart from the faucet body.
Motion or Touch Activated is a smart new feature being added to select bathroom sink faucets. The water flow (set to a pre-determined temperature) is activated by simply touching or hovering your hand, finger, wrist, even elbow near the faucets activation point. This feature helps conserve water, keeps the faucet cleaner and can reduce transferred bacteria on the faucet surface. These faucets powered and generally require an electrical connection; review spec sheets for any faucet labeled as motion or touch activated.
Considerations Before Your Bathroom Sink Faucet Purchase
Before purchasing your bathroom sink faucet, here are a few things that you should consider:
• Who uses your bathroom?
Some handle styles are by design easier to grip and turn than others. Consider who will be using your bathroom, is ease of use or ADA compliancy something you need to take into consideration? Achieving a solid grip and turning a knob or cross handle may be difficult for some users, if this is a concern for you consider handle options that are very easy to use such as lever handles, single handle faucet or even touch activated. If ADA compliancy is a concern, review the Details and Dimensions section on the product page to confirm that a faucet is compliant before purchasing.
• How much space do you have around your sink?
When replacing an existing faucet examine the space you have around your sink. Are there shelves above the faucet which will determine a maximum spout height? How big is the sink and countertop itself? Along with the number and configuration of holes, allow the space around your sink to help guide your faucet choice.
• Consider finishes of other items in the bathroom.
Take into consideration the finish of the other elements in your bathroom such as the lighting, bathroom accessories, shower/tub faucet(s). Generally you want to stick with the same finish throughout the bathroom. Finishes do vary by brand, however if you stay within the same family such as brushed chrome or brass you should be able to coordinate all elements nicely.
Spec sheets for bathroom sink faucets can be found for each of the faucets available at Ferguson.com on the product page. Take the time to review the information including the faucet configuration, dimensions and faucet features prior to making your purchase.
- Shop all Bathroom Sink Faucets
- Shop 4" Centerset Faucets
- Shop 8" Widespread Faucets
- Shop Single Hole Faucets
