There are many different manufacturers of kitchen faucets and each company has their own makes and models. You can choose different styles, different designs, and different finishes. The point is that there are an almost unlimited number of options available. To cut down on some of the time and effort involved in finding the perfect faucet, we put together this kitchen faucet buyers guide to help you find a faucet that will work for you.
Keep Your Budget in Mind
Before you start shopping you should consider your budget. There are kitchen faucets available for under $100 and others might go for 10 times that much. Figure out how much you are willing to spend before you start shopping.
Look for a Faucet That Will Work with Your Sink
If you are replacing an existing faucet you will need to find one that will work with your existing sink. A traditional faucet with separate handles for hot and cold water will require three holes while a one handle faucet requires just one hole in the sink. Does your sink have one hole or three holes? You will need to find a faucet to match.
A single handle faucet can often be installed in a sink that has one or three holes but to use a traditional, two handle faucet with a sink that has just one hole may require some modification and additional hardware.
Different Types of Sprayers
A kitchen faucet that has a sprayer gives you more versatility and convenience. The sprayer makes it easier to clean your sink, wash vegetables, or fill up large pots with water. There are different types of sprayers available and he will have to decide which kind you want.
A side sprayer will mount to the side of the faucet and will require an extra hole in the sink or the countertop. A pullout sprayer will allow the head of the faucet to be pulled out and extended. A pulldown sprayer will have a faucet spout that rises into a high arc which allows the head of the sprayer to be pulled down into the sink. Each of the different types of sprayers gives you extra convenience and functionality so your decision about which type of sprayer to go with may come down to aesthetics, the look or style of the faucet.
Different Spout Styles
As a rule of thumb, you should select a faucet with a spout that will reach as close to the center of your sink as possible. The reach of the spout is only one consideration and the height of the spout can also be very important. A standard spout may only extend 3 to 5 inches above the top of the sink while a Gooseneck spout may give you 8 to 10 inches of clearance. The higher clearance is good for people that cook with large pots and need extra clearance to get pots, pans, and bowls in and out of the sink.
Different Types of Finishes
Kitchen faucets come in many different finishes. Some people like stainless steel that will match their sink and kitchen appliances. If stainless steel isn’t for you, kitchen faucets come in a number of different colors. You should look for a finish that is durable and able to resist corrosion, discoloration, or abrasion. You may want to look for a faucet that has a good manufacturers warranty.
I hope this kitchen faucet buyers guide will help you narrow down your choices a bit. The points mentioned above are some of the most important things to look at when you are selecting the right faucet. Another important thing to look at are customer reviews for some of the different faucets you are considering. Getting feedback from customers is a great way to figure out whether a particular faucet is going to work well before you spend your time and money purchasing and installing a new faucet.
