Kitchen Faucets Buying Guide

Purchasing a Kitchen Faucet

Kitchen faucets have come a long way; once simply an essential aspect to a functional kitchen, now a well chosen kitchen faucet can set the style and become the design focal point in the room. With an endless array of styles and layouts there is never a need to sacrifice your desired look for the function your kitchen requires.

Things to Consider

Number of holes: If you are choosing a new faucet for an existing kitchen the first step is to determine how many holes you have available in your sink or countertop. Most existing kitchens have between 1 and 5 holes. When selecting your faucet keep in mind the number of holes the faucet itself will require plus additional accessories such as soap dispensers, air gaps etc. Many faucets also come with or have available an optional deckplate; this is a decorative metal plate that the faucet sits on and can be used to cover additional sink holes. For example if you currently have a 3 hole faucet and would like to update it with a single hole faucet a deckplate can be used to cover the two extra holes. If your project is new construction or a full kitchen remodel you can select a sink with the proper number of holes or the countertop fabricator can cut the proper number of holes to accommodate your chosen faucet.

Kitchen Faucet Categories:

Pull-Out Spray Kitchen Faucets

Pull-Out Spray Kitchen Faucets are the ultimate in functionality, as the faucet head pulls out of the body and water flow patterns can be adjusted from stream to spray with the touch of a button. This provides convenience and eliminates the need for a side spray accessory. With this design you can easily clean the perimeter of the sink, quickly move from one item to the next within the sink or even fill a vessel next to the sink. This style generally uses one or two holes depending on the handle configuration creating a clean look with a highly functional design.

Single Handle Kitchen Faucets

Single Handle Kitchen Faucets provide a streamlined look and allow for easy water flow and temperature adjustments with one hand. Single Handle Faucets are generally compliant with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements. This design requires one or two holes depending on layout. Most models are available with optional side sprays.

Two Handle Kitchen Faucets

Two Handle Kitchen Faucets provide precise temperature and water flow adjustment, with separate hot and cold controls, utilizing three or more holes of a sink or countertop. This is a great style to consider if you're creating a traditional or period-style kitchen. Most two handle faucets are available with optional side sprays.

Wall Mount Kitchen Faucets

Wall Mount Kitchen Faucets provide a unique look that requires no deck holes, as the faucet and controls mount to the wall above the sink. Wall mounted faucets require water supplies in the wall above the sink rather than supplies at the countertop level. For this reason, unless your supplies are already in the wall above the countertop, this option is best for new construction or a complete kitchen remodel in which a plumber can run the appropriate water supplies. This design often lends itself to an antique style kitchen but manufacturers are also creating stunning modern iterations.

Additional Kitchen Faucet Applications:

Water Filtration Faucets

Water Filtration Faucets are a great addition to any kitchen if you're interested in freshly filtered water right out of your sink. Water filtration faucets are generally cold water only, and frequently require a single hole, although models are available that serve as both a standard kitchen faucet and include a separate lever for dispensing filtered water. Either style will conveniently provide delicious filtered water direct from the tap - at a fraction of the cost and without the waste of bottled water. Water filtration faucets are available in the same styles and finishes as standard kitchen faucets to allow perfect coordination with the rest of the kitchen.

Bar Faucets

Bar Faucets look very much like smaller scale kitchen faucets and are intended for use on bar/prep sinks and dispense hot and cold water. A great addition to any kitchen or bar area these faucets come in a variety of styles and designs utilizing between one and three holes. When used in a kitchen application they are often "matched" to the same style as the larger kitchen sink faucet.

Pot Filler Kitchen Faucets

Pot Filler Kitchen Faucets are a "must have" for an avid cook. This cold water faucet is installed on the wall behind or on the countertop next to a cooktop/range. It is used to fill a pot directly on the cooking surface to avoid carrying a heavy pot from the sink to the stove. The faucet neck swivels or articulates out to reach the pot and then folds back to remain out of the way when not in use. This faucet comes in a wide array of designs including single or dual handles, and long or gooseneck swivel spouts.

Touch and Touchless Faucets

New technology is making a splash within the kitchen faucet industry with features such as touch or even touchless faucets. With a touch faucet you can use a finger, hand or even wrist and lightly touch the faucet body to turn the water on to a predetermined temperature. Touchless faucets are similar, a sensor located on the faucet body simply needs to be activated with movement and the water will come on. These features are particularly convenient when your hands are occupied or dirty, as they can help prevent bacteria transfer.

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