If counting sheep doesn’t put you to sleep, you may want to try imagining all of the different kinds of faucets available. A plumbing showroom may have hundreds of different models on display with varied designs, materials, colors and styles. You can buy a faucet for under $100 or spend thousands of dollars for a designer model. Even within a given price range, choosing one can be a bewildering exercise. Many people select faucets as part of a kitchen or bath remodeling project and they often opt for models that look stylish in accordance with the surroundings. That’s okay, but as a professional plumbing contractor I urge you to pay attention to the faucet’s material and construction as well as its design before choosing. Though there is some correlation between the price of a faucet and its quality, it’s far from a perfect match. Some expensive faucets may look fancy but are made of inferior materials and are likely to leak, tarnish and scratch prematurely. Here are some of the things to consider when choosing a faucet:
- Faucets made from cast molding generally are more durable than those pressed from a machine.
- The internal valving of a faucet is the main factor contributing to durability. Many faucets may look stylish but have internal components made of cheap plastic. They will not stand up to years of on-off turns many times a day. There is also a safety factor to consider with regard to scald prevention. A good valve will prevent water temperature from changing abruptly when switching from cold to hot. It’s impossible to tell from looking at a faucet how it’s constructed on the inside. Here’s where a professional plumber’s experience comes into play. We can distinguish quality from junk based on years of installing and repairing faucets.
- Do you want one or two handles? Single-handle faucets are the most common nowadays for both bathrooms and kitchens. These are where hot and cold flows are both controlled by a single lever or knob, usually connect to the spout. A two-handle faucet has hot and cold controlled by separate handles with the water mixed in the spout, but all are mounted on the same base unit. Another type is a widespread faucet whereby the hot and cold handles and spout are all mounted separately. Widespread’s are generally pricier. A few people still opt for antique-style faucets whereby hot and cold water are delivered through separate handles and spouts, but these are increasingly rare.
- Most faucets are made of brass with nickel plating, though they may look different because of different kinds of finishes. These include chrome, brushed chrome, polished brass, pewter, stainless, gold plating, or powder-coated enamel. Powder coating can be produced in various colors. Polished brass gives off a sheen. Chrome-plated faucets will not tarnish like brass. In general, the higher-priced faucets come with better finishes.
- Pay attention to a faucet’s warranty. The best ones sometimes offer lifetime protection against leaks and drips.
Give us a call if you need help deciding what works best for you.