What You Should Look For in Kitchen Faucets

The kitchen is one of the most used parts of the house, and as a result, it is typically one of the areas that receives the most attention when the time comes for remodeling. Whether you’re updating the kitchen to better suit your personal tastes or are prepping to sell your house, the right upgrades — including kitchen faucets — can make all the difference.

Of course, there is a lot of work that goes into remodeling your kitchen. From upgrading cabinets to installing new features like an island or a double oven, these decisions will have a big impact on both the looks and functionality of the kitchen once the project is complete.

But while many people devote countless hours to selecting cabinet designs or countertop materials, kitchen faucets have a tendency to get overlooked.

While it’s true that kitchen faucets may not seem to be as important of a decision as determining the color of your new cabinets, the reality is that the right faucet may have an even bigger impact on how you use your kitchen on a daily basis.

A kitchen faucet will hardly be the most expensive element of your remodeling project, but it is well worth taking some time to consider which options will best fit your needs. Here is a closer look at some of the attributes you should take into consideration.

Handle Type

kitchen faucets

One of the first things you should consider for your kitchen faucet is the type of handle that you would prefer. Most modern kitchen faucets use a single lever handle, such as the Grohe 30295000 Essence Professional Single-Handle Kitchen Faucet.

With a single lever, it becomes much easier for users to adjust the water temperature while rinsing food or washing dishes. This allows for more precise temperature control, which can greatly streamline these routine kitchen tasks. A sink that only has a single lever also takes less time to clean.

Of course, some homeowners prefer the symmetrical look offered by multiple handles. Models like the Danze D404457 Opulence 2H Bridge Kitchen Faucet w/Cross Handles help evoke a more rustic look with cross-shaped handles. If you prefer this type of symmetrical style, go for it!

When choosing a handle style, be sure to select an option that matches the rest of your kitchen upgrades. After all, a rustic handle won’t be a good match for a sleek, contemporary kitchen.

Spray Features

A common feature of modern kitchen sinks is the implementation of additional spray functionality. This feature is perhaps most commonly used to clean out the bottom of the sink, particularly when an extendable spray wand gives the user extra mobility and maneuverability.

Pull-down faucets, such as the Brizo 63043LF-PC Litze Pull-Down Faucet With Arc Spout And Knurled Handle, are the most common. These are found on faucets with a high arc. By pulling on the end of the faucet, you can use the pull-down spray wand to reach every part of the sink. The flexible interior hoses used for these spray wands are manufactured in a way that will prevent leaks, even with frequent bending to reach those hard to clean spots.

Kitchen faucets with a lower arc, such as the Grohe 30306000 Eurosmart Single Hole Kitchen Faucet, utilize what is referred to as a pull-out or pull-off spray wand. Functionally, these are pretty much the same as a pull-down spray wand, with multiple flow and spray options available.

Finally, there are faucets with a side spray, such as the Danze D401157 Opulence Single Handle Kitchen Faucet With Spray. Though less common nowadays, these kitchen faucets feature a standalone spray wand that is mounted through an additional sink hole. The faucet itself does not have a pull-down or pull-out spray wand.

Spout Height and Reach

kitchen faucets

The spout height and reach has a direct impact on how you will be able to use your kitchen sink on a daily basis. You must evaluate both the surrounding space and the way you want to use your kitchen sink to determine what type of faucet “arc” will work best for your needs.

For example, a tall spout may be ideal if you want to use your sink for filling cooking pots or water pitchers. A tall spout will give you more maneuverability to fit these other items into the sink. However, if you have a shelf or cabinet located above the sink, a faucet that is too tall might not fit properly. Or it might block part of your view from the window.

Similar considerations should be made for the spout’s reach — or the length it extends from the base of the faucet. If your spout is too short, the faucet may not reach all of the sink bowls (this is especially common if you have a commercial-style, three-bowl sink). 

Because of this, you should carefully measure your space to determine the appropriate height and reach for your kitchen faucets. Generally speaking, a faucet is considered to be a “high arc” model if it extends about 10 inches above the top of the sink. Some commercial style pot fillers are even taller. Low arc faucets only extend three to eight inches above the top of the sink. However, many low arc faucets are also available with pull-out wands to further extend their reach.

When you’re mindful of your available space and how you will use your kitchen sink, you can narrow your search to arc styles that will look and perform great.

Number of Sink Holes

two sink holes

The number of holes in your sink or countertop surface may not seem like a big deal. However, this is something you should keep in mind when looking for a new kitchen faucet, especially if you are planning to switch to a faucet with a different number of handles from what you currently have.

Most sinks and countertops will have between one and four holes. A one hole sink gives a simple, clean look that is ideally suited for a single-lever faucet. Two-hole designs are typically used for single-lever faucets in combination with a side spray. Three-hole sinks are used for traditional designs that have separate hot and cold faucets. A four-hole design accommodates both separate faucets and an additional side spray.

So what does this mean for your installation? For countertops that come with only a single hole, you won’t be able to install most multi-handle faucets unless you get a different type of sink or drill additional holes in the countertop. 

On the other hand, a sink that has three holes may still work with a single-handle faucet if the faucet comes with a cover plate that can be used to hide the unused holes. However, even these cover plates may not be sufficient if the sink was designed for a wide spread faucet.

To avoid purchasing a faucet that is incompatible with your sink, be sure to check the description so that you’ll know how many faucet holes your desired model was designed for, and whether it comes with extra features like a cover plate. If you are replacing the entire sink and/or countertop, be mindful of your preferred faucet style so that you get a new design with the proper number of holes.

Finish and Style

Blanco finish

The type of finish you select for your kitchen faucet will go a long way in helping you create a cohesive look for your kitchen — and it can even affect your cleaning routine. Generally speaking, it is best to try to match your kitchen faucet finish to the existing hardware used for your cabinets. If you are doing a full-scale kitchen remodel, be sure to select a similar finish for both your faucet and cabinet hardware for a better look.

Chrome is the most commonly used finish for kitchen faucets today because it is highly durable and one of the easiest finishes to clean. Its sleek style also makes it easy to match to other kitchen features.

Many kitchen faucets also use a nickel finish, which offers a wider variety of colors and styles. Nickel finishes include styles such as “brushed stainless” or “stainless steel.” Because nickel brushing tends to be more prone to water spots and finger markings, many of these faucets also utilize a special coating that helps keep them clean.

Of course, those opting for a more traditional look could choose faucets with brass or copper tones, or even black or white faucets. Some models, like the Blanco 403773 Artona High Arch, Pull-Down Swivel Single Hole Kitchen Faucet Stainless Steel/Biscuit, combine stainless steel and colored finishes for a truly distinctive look.

Remember, the combination of your faucet’s finish and handle style will go a long way in helping you establish a traditional, transitional, or contemporary look for your kitchen. Select the style that best fits your preferences and the overall design of your kitchen.

Additional Features

Pull-down and pull-out sprayers are far from the only add-on feature that you can enjoy with modern kitchen faucets. 

For example, products like the Delta 440-DST Classic Single Handle Kitchen Faucet With Spray are ADA compliant and meet water efficiency standards. This enables these faucets to be used by people of all ability levels, while helping you reduce your household water consumption.

Other faucets, like the Brizo Vuelo 64955LF-PC Single Handle Bar/Prep Faucet With SmartTouch Technology, allow you to turn the water on and off simply by touching part of the faucet’s body or handle. This sink also uses a magnetic docking system to ensure that the spray wand is kept firmly in place when not in use.

While these extra features are exciting, don’t forget about basic indicators of quality. Faucets with ceramic valves generally offer better long-term reliability and are less likely to drip. You should also look for lead-free faucets so you can have confidence that your faucet selection won’t compromise your water quality. 

Finally, buying from manufacturers that offer some type of warranty coverage for their kitchen faucets will also protect you financially should you experience any material or workmanship defects. Some manufacturers even offer a lifetime warranty on their kitchen faucets.

We’ll Help You Find the Right Kitchen Faucets

Kitchen faucets may not be the visual focal point of your kitchen, but they will still get used every day. By doing your research to find the right faucet for your needs, you can have confidence that your entire kitchen will deliver the performance you desire.

Of course, top-quality kitchen faucets from brands like Brizo or Delta aren’t always cheap. Thankfully, those who are looking to save a little money on their remodeling project can turn to Kitchen & Bath Authority for a wide selection of quality faucets at great prices.

We offer significant discounts off MSRP for a wide range of kitchen faucets, with some products discounted by over 50 percent. This allows you to save hundreds of dollars on your purchase, so you can get a higher-quality faucet that still fits within your budget.

If you sign up for our membership program, you can save even more with additional discounts on select faucets and other products. In addition, all orders come with free shipping, so you won’t have to worry about extra expenses beyond the listed price. Some products routinely feature additional discount offers that let you take an extra 10 to 15 percent off.

Whether you’re planning a full-scale remodel or simply want to improve the functionality of your kitchen workspace, let Kitchen & Bath Authority help you transform your kitchen!

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