You may not believe this, but fact is the humble faucet is an integral part of a smoothly running day. Whatever faucet you buy you will be stuck with for years after purchase. That includes any number of odd quirks and great features. Consider that bathroom and kitchen faucets are what you use daily to rinse or wash dishes, clean hands, take a bath or shower.
The typical plumber may charge $400 to install a new faucet. Of course, faucets themselves run from a low-cost range well into the thousands of dollars. So there is an inherent financial investment. Though, more so, homeowners need to consider the time and functional value the investment yields on daily life. You want a new faucet that will not having you pining for your old leaky 30-year-old faucet.
Guidelines For Selecting A New Faucet
Keep in mind these tips when choosing the right bath and kitchen faucets for your home to save yourself any aggravation and undo maintenance. There are some automatic parameters set in stone by your existing plumbing limits and locations. In addition, your present kitchen counter space and bath also play a role in what faucets you can install.
All of these considerations will affect what types of faucets you may be able to have installed and successfully use. Many sinks actually come with pre-drilled holes. It's a great feature for the plumber, as long the holes line up with your kitchen sprayer, built-in soap dispenser, and faucet footprint. In other words, if you are not replacing your sink or if you are purchasing your sink with pre-drilled holes, your faucet and corresponding accessories need to fit those parameters.
In general, the available faucet sizes are conventional, with a 4-inch center set or the 8-inch wide-spread style faucet. Both of these require 3 holes in the sink for proper installation.
Form, Not Just Function
Of course, even with the basic parameters to suit your existing sink, there are many styles of looks to meet every sense of taste. To get a vintage styling, go with basin faucets, with the signature separate hot and cold spouts.
If you are looking for a space-saving standard and reliable bathroom option, go with the single handle bathroom faucet. The reason it saves space is that the hot and cold come out of one single spout. In general, this is an excellent option if you have kids because it is easier for them to operate. The vessel filler is a long faucet specially designed to suit this particular sink. Overall it is trendy and chic.
Wall mounts aptly hold up the conventional or vessel sink. This is where existing plumbing will either work with you or make the wall-mounted sink a no-go. You have to have plumbing available inside the walls that suit your wall- mounted sink. Of course if you have it in your budget and a true heart-burning desire for a wall mount, then call up your plumber and get to work!
Probably the best way to go when choosing faucets is by having an open mind. Start out by browsing showrooms, and finding out about all of the different features available these days. In particular, shower heads have come a long way in recent years. Modern designs feature multiple water jets for a luxuriant spa shower experience.
If you are getting a new tub, consider opting for whirlpool faucets. Look to improve the style of your bathroom by inviting in some old favorites that are new again with the vintage clawfoot tub and faucet.
All types of faucets are available in many finishes, for many purposes to suit many styles of taste. Top faucet brands provide reliable function and fabulous design. Turn to Delta, Moen, Kohler, American Standard and Franke for the best features in your house.
