Tips On Choosing A New Faucet (With Checklist!)

Our ultimate checklist of faucet tips on styles, finishes, and more is a must read if you’re getting ready to purchase a faucet for your kitchen or bath.

Let’s face it, with so many styles, materials, finishes and prices, choosing the right faucet for your bathroom or kitchen sink can be a bit overwhelming.

So, before you reach for Amazon or head to your local hardware supply store, it’s important to consider all your options to find what will work best for you and your sink. 

Choosing a New Faucet

Faucet Tip: Unless your budget absolutely demands it, never buy a cheap faucet. You usually get what you pay for with faucets, and it’s a real hassle to have to replace them sooner than you would expect. Try to buy faucets with as many of these options as possible.

Checklist

Carefully go down this checklist of 9 faucet tips before you buy.

• A warranty of 25 years or more. Lifetime is the best.
• Choose your finish carefully (see below). Although special colors such as bronze or pewter are beautiful, chrome will outlast all other finishes regardless of warranty.
• Look for quarter-turn, ceramic disk valves for years of trouble-free service.
• Consider lever handles. When your hands are dirty or soapy, levers are easy to turn off and on. They are also terrific for kids and older folks, or those with limited dexterity.
• When you go faucet shopping, take all of your measurements with you. Faucets comes in a huge variety of sizes.
• Make sure that the spout of your new faucet will reach roughly to the center of the drain hole. Don’t you hate hitting your knuckles against the back of the sink when you’re washing your hands?
• Sinks can be found in almost any color and material (see below). These novelty products may look cool, but are they really practical when you are trying to brush your teeth? Save them for the guest bath where they will be noticed but not often used.
• For the easiest installation, replace the faucet you have with one that will fit the same openings. Otherwise, you might need to replace the sink or countertop, or drill additional holes.
• Also measure the supply line connections as they are not all the same and this may be a good time to replace old lines with more modern materials. For example, flexible lines are less likely to leak and are easier to install.

4 Types of Faucets

Faucet Tip: Before choosing your new faucet for a kitchen or bathroom remodeling project, make sure it will fit the hole openings in your sink. Bring a picture with you to the store and take measurements beforehand.

1. Wall Mounted

The name explains it all. These types of faucets work wonderful with vessel-type or freestanding sinks that require a longer spout. 

2. Widespread Mounts

Widespread mounts include three individual parts- the spout and two handles, which are usually placed around 8 inches apart from each other. 

3. Center-set

Center-set faucets fit three-hole sinks with either a single handle or two attached handles. 

4. Single Hole

A single hole faucet combines the spout and handle into one unit. It is also the most commonly used and typically most inexpensive. The simplicity of a single hole faucet makes it an ideal choice for kitchens or smaller bathrooms. 

4 Types of Faucet Finishes

Faucet Tip: Don’t be afraid to mix finishes! It can be tempting to keep all the finishes of your cabinets, door handles and towel rods the same, but multiple finishes can add depth and dimension to your powder room. 

1. Chrome

Possibly one of the most popular choices for kitchens due to its durability, price and maintenance. Chrome is a sleek, shiny material that works well with most contemporary-style kitchens.

2. Brushed Nickel

Nickel stands up to water spots and scratches and adds a more toned down, brushed appeal. 

3. Bronze

A bronze faucet finish may be a little on the pricier side, but it makes up for that with its easy to clean and durable nature. Bronze also adds a more vintage look to any kitchen or bathroom and has become more popular in recent years.

4. Stainless steel

Stainless steel remains the most popular finish in the kitchen but looks great in the bathroom as well. Works well with almost any style. 

5 Styles of Faucets

Faucet Tip: Look for a faucet that’s proportional to your sink. A large sink can look odd with a small spout and vice versa. 

1. Two Handle

If you enjoy having the option to control how hot or cold the water is then this is the style for you. Perfect for a more traditional look.

2. Touchless

Touchless faucets are the fastest growing trend. This style helps make life easier and cleaner in the kitchen. Most up to date in terms of technology and are just plain cool. Plus, the technology has been perfected for decades, in public restrooms.

3. Separate Spray

A separate spray option is another good choice for the kitchen. Makes rinsing dishes a breeze.

4. Pull Down

Pairs great with a deep, wide sink. Unlike its separate spray counterpart, the pull down faucet combines the two into one. 

5. Pull Out

Generally comes with one handle so you are able to control the water temperature with one hand. Very similar to the pull down faucet. 

Water Conservation

Choosing a kitchen and bathroom spout with an eco-friendly (WaterSense) aerator could be the difference between your household using 10,000 gallons of water per year to 6,600 gallons a year.

The WaterSense label is an official certification promoted by the EPA. It ensures that your aerator meets EPA criteria and can reduce a sink’s water flow by 30 percent or more from the standard flow of 2.2 gallons per minute without sacrificing pressure.

A low-flow aerator is a inexpensive but small and mighty way to save anywhere from 2 to 16 gallons of water per day. If water conservation is a priority, look for the WaterSense label when you’re searching for your next home faucet.

Learn More

If by chance your faucet isn’t providing you with a nice, even spray of water “” or if it’s giving you less water pressure “” you should check and clean out the faucet’s aerator. It’s super easy to do. Just watch the video and we’ll walk you through a 10-minute process.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, there are many types of faucets you can choose from. It all up to you on which one best suits you and your needs. From types to finishes to styles, there are many aspects that you need think about to conclude which faucet would be best for you.

Call 1-Tom-Plumber

Don’t hesitate to contact us or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you’d like help with repairing or installing your faucets. Our goal is to immediately handle any emergency plumbing, drain, and water damage problems, including excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines.