Choosing Your Kitchen Faucet
Your kitchen faucet communicates a lot about your style, but it can also make working in the kitchen easier and more efficient. When it comes to choosing the faucet that is right for you, consider these factors.
Number of holes
If you've already chosen your sink, check to see how many holes you have available for your faucet. This will be a key factor in narrowing your field of choice. Of course, if you haven't decided on a sink yet, the field is wide open. Just be sure to select your sink to correspond with the number of holes your faucet requires.
Mounting styles
Whether you buy stock cabinets, made-to-order cabinets, or something in between, it helps to understand style options.
Sink-mounted
As the name conveys, sink-mounted faucets are installed into the sink. It is especially important to coordinate the number of holes available in the sink with the number of holes the faucet requires.
Deck-mounted
These faucets mount directly to the countertop rather than the sink. Undermount sinks are particularly suited to deck-mounted faucets.
Wall-mounted
Installed in the wall instead of on the countertop or sink, distance is key with wall-mounted faucets. Be sure the water spout projects far enough to work with your sink.
Handle Options
Single handle
A single-handled faucet rotates directionally. These faucets usually regulate flow with an up-and- down motion and temperature with a side-to- side motion. They can be particularly helpful when you only have one hand free for operation.
Double handled
These faucets have dedicated hot and cold water handles and offer more precise temperature regulation. You can change the handles and spout independently, allowing for quick style updates down the road.
Pull-out/pull-down
A variation of the single-handled faucet, this type features a spout that pulls out or down from the faucet head on a hose. They come in handy for placing the water exactly where you need it.
Hands-free
These faucets are turned off and on by a sensor that detects either motion or light contact. Temperature and flow are controlled manually by a small handle off to the side.
Specialty Faucets
Pot filler
Mounted near the stove to either the counter or the wall, pot filler faucets feature articulated arms that fold out of the way when not in use. They are used to fill pots and at the point of use, rather than having to carry them from the sink to the stove.
Bar
Bar faucets are made for secondary sinks in the kitchen. They are generally smaller than the main faucet and should match its style.
Water filtration
These faucets are located separately from the main faucet and are intended to provide tastier drinking water. Most connect to cold water only and provide filtered water directly from the sink tap.