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Installing a new faucet is a cost-effective way to beautify your kitchen or bathroom as well as improve functionality.
Installing a new faucet is a cost-effective way to beautify your kitchen or bathroom as well as improve functionality.
Whether in the kitchen or bathroom, a sink is only as good as the faucet it’s paired with.Functionality aside, pairing your sink with the right faucet can help you achieve the look you want in your kitchen or bathroom, whether your tastes are modern or traditional.
A faucet for a kitchen sink usually has a tall spout for putting bulky items in the sink, while a bathroom faucet may have a shorter spout and a lever for adjusting the temperature.There are several things to consider when choosing a new faucet, such as how it will mount to the sink, how high it should be, and how to control it.The Delta Faucet Essa Single Handle Touch Kitchen Sink Faucet is a great example to use in the kitchen.It’s designed for single-hole sinks and features a high-arched water outlet with pull-out wand and touch-sensor controls.
The first thing to consider is the type of sink and how the faucet is installed.The sink may have one, two or three mounting holes for a monobloc, mixer or column faucet.Undercounter, built-in, or container sinks often have no mounting holes and require a countertop or wall-mounted faucet.
Choosing the right design can be difficult.Should it be modern or traditional?Tall or compact?Gorgeous or minimalist?But there’s a good chance you’ll find a faucet that matches the style of your sink, your decor, and your appliances or hardware.
Chrome, brushed steel and nickel are popular choices for modern bathrooms and kitchens, while bronze, gold and polished brass suit a more traditional aesthetic.Inexpensive faucets tend to have low-quality finishes that can tarnish or even peel over time.High-end kitchen faucets are often treated with a protective coating to prevent staining and limescale build-up.
The way the water flow and temperature are controlled is another key factor.Modern faucets often have a mixing valve with a single lever for adjusting pressure and mixing hot and cold.On the other hand, traditional designs tend to use double taps with crossheads or knobs.Some kitchen faucets also have a sensor that turns on the water when the spout is touched, making it easy to turn on and off with both hands.
The size and height of the water outlet can affect water flow and availability.Narrow spouts increase pressure but pass less water, which can be a problem when filling large sinks.The kitchen faucet should have a high spout so as not to obstruct the use of the sink.Some even have a pull-out wand attached to the flexible hose to help with cleaning odd-shaped items or filling cans on countertops.
Installation difficulty varies by installation method.Faucets that mount directly on the sink are usually easiest to install, while wall-mounted faucets require sinking the water supply into the wall.
A basic monobloc faucet for a bathroom sink can cost less than $50, while a high-quality faucet for a kitchen sink, with features like a pull rod and touch controls, can sell for as much as $500.
A: No, they are not.In fact, most faucets are designed for high or low pressure systems.If your hot water is coming from a storage tank, then you may need a low-pressure faucet.
A. As long as the faucet uses the same installation method, there is no reason why it cannot be used again.You can even install new right-angle inserts in some faucets to make them work just as well as new faucets.
What you need to know: Available in four finishes, this integral kitchen faucet has a high-arched swivel spout with a pull-out spout.
What you’ll love: It has a sensor that turns on the water when the spout or handle is touched, and an LED temperature indicator that changes from red to blue.
What you need to know: Designed for bathroom sinks, this striking faucet comes in an oil-rubbed bronze finish.
What you’ll love: Temperature and flow pressure are controlled with a single lever and feature a metal pop-up drain and flexible supply.
What you need to know: This faucet mounts to the wall and is perfect for kitchen sinks that don’t have mounting holes.
What you’ll love: It has cross handle faucets and an adjustable head that rotates 360 degrees.It’s available in a variety of finishes, including matte black.
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Chris Gillespie writes for BestReviews.BestReviews helps millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.