Best Kitchen Faucet

Choosing The Best Kitchen Faucet 2018 – Buyer’s Guide

To purchase the best kitchen faucet, you should be very keen so as to find something that will suit your needs.

The first thing you should do when you’re out looking for kitchen sink faucets is that you find the ones that’ll last for long. They are often created form quite strong material, which ensures you use them for long without the need to replace them.

It will help you save on costs since once you purchase the faucet you can to relax and not concern yourself with replacements or repairs. The faucet that you buy will need to remain in great condition, and it shouldn’t change color.

This will ensure that your kitchen stays in great condition and they won’t look out of place. It is important to get a good faucet that goes well with your kitchen decor and other kitchen appliances so as to get a complete look in your house

The items should not drip in order to serve you without any issue. It will make sure that your kitchen stays dry you will be able to continue with your day-to-day activities with no disruption.

 

Choose the right kitchen sink, faucet and hardware

Once you’ve selected your cabinets, appliances and countertops you’ll need to select your sink, faucet and hardware. While these kitchen features add stylish decor to your kitchen, they are also essential tools for making your kitchen function properly. Problem is the price for these items is across the board, meaning you could save thousands by going with base or cheaper models. The question is do you really save if the product sacrifices quality.

did a side-by-side comparison of a luxury and a bargain pull-down kitchen faucet. Why a faucet? Because a pull-down sprayer is the most useful and used kitchen faucet type. It’s high enough to accommodate high stock pots and to rinse off larger cookie sheets, and its style works in both traditional and contemporary kitchens

The expensive faucet was designed using simple, sleek lines and a hefty solid-brass spray head. The three-layer electroplated nickel finish over brass gives the faucet a warmer look than chrome, while the spray nozzle is corrosion-resistant and easily clicks into place. The pull-down component is a smooth braided-nylon hose that extends out 18 inches. The handle uses ceramic discs on the inside to ensure easy use over extended periods of time, while the leak-resistant braided steel hoses come ready for the DIYer to hook up the cold and hot water supply lines. But all this will set you back US$1,170.

The bargain faucet was priced at US$220 and was constructed of plastic with a painted chrome finish. This material choice makes the faucet less durable than its more expensive brass counterpart, but also lighter. There was no water-flow pause button (which is included with the more expensive options) and the handle is also equipped with ceramic discs on the inside. Keep in mind that the steel hoses used for the water-supply connection are not included and must be sold separately.

The good news is that on all but the cheapest faucets, you’re bound to find top-notch valves and tough, ready-to-work finishes. Also, most brand-name options come with lifetime warranties (for the original buyer) that covers defects and even fading and peeling of the faucet finish.

 

Best Smart Kitchen Faucets to Make Your Kitchen Experience Less Stupid

If you’re setting up a smart kitchen, then one area to look at is your faucet. A smart kitchen faucet lets you easily turn on the water, even when your hands are full. Some are even voice-activated!

In many ways, the kitchen faucet is a cornerstone of the kitchen itself. When it’s time to cook, clean, or even make a pitcher of lemonade, you need the kitchen faucet. But you might think there’s no point in getting a smart version of your kitchen faucet—after all, it works well already. But think about all the times your hands were dirty or full and turning the faucet on wasn’t convenient. A smart faucet can help with that, and some can help with cooking duties by pouring a set amount of water when you ask, like a cup of water for instance. But you’ll want to keep a few things in mind before you buy one.

What to Look for in a Smart Faucet

Not every smart faucet is the same, nor do they all offer the same features. The one feature nearly every smart faucet has in common is a pull-out sprayer as opposed to a separate spray hose.

For space requirements, you’ll want to keep that and a few other things in mind:

Activation features: Smart faucets are typically either touch, gesture, or voice-controlled. You don’t have to pull the included handle, but that’s an option, too.

Power supply: Smart Faucets require either batteries or an outlet for power. Batteries require occasional changing, but an outlet requires convenient plugs that aren’t controlled by a light switch.

Finish: You want your faucet to look good in your kitchen. We’ve linked to traditional options like brushed nickel or stainless steel, but nearly every smart faucet comes in multiple finish options. You might need to search for a separate listing to find the finish you want.

 

How To Get Your Kitchen Faucet Clean

Your kitchen faucet is what you most likely use to clean your dishes, fill cups with drinking water and use for water when cooking or cleaning. How many times have you thought to look at the underside of your kitchen faucet though? Is it a spot that you remember to clean often? If not, it definitely should be. Kitchen faucets are a breeding ground for mold, mildew and lime buildup, and should be cleaned at least once every couple of weeks. I’m going to show you a super easy way to clean a kitchen faucet so you can feel good about the water you are using on a daily basis.

To clean your kitchen faucet, all you need is distilled white vinegar, a baggie and a rubber band or elastic hair tie.

Any white vinegar will do. Vinegar is an amazing disinfectant and will help kill any germs and bacteria

Pull the baggie of vinegar up over your kitchen faucet and secure it with your rubber band or hair tie and let sit for 20-30 minutes

Remove the baggie and discard. Use a dish brush to remove any bits that are left on the faucet head and rinse with warm water.

 

Kitchen Faucets: A Buying Guide

Anyone who has struggled to work with and use a substandard or ill-fitting kitchen faucet knows the importance of buying the right choice. It has to function well in the space, be appropriately sized for everything from pots and pans to tall vases to fit easily beneath, and yet it has to look good, too. In this buying guide, we are going to consider the factors necessary for choosing the ideal kitchen faucet.

How a Faucet Is Used

Choosing the right kitchen faucet begins with a few questions about how the faucet or sink is to be used. For example, if you find yourself frequently washing oversized pots and pans, a bar faucet (something discussed shortly) is not an ideal answer unless the sink is deep, and the faucet mounted properly. Alternately, a tall faucet with a curved neck and perhaps even a pull-down sprayer may be best for shallow sinks and basins.

Naturally, the way the faucet is to be used will also determine the number of handles. After all, a faucet is not just the component from which water emanates. It also has the handles or taps that are turned to generate hot or cold flow.

Depending upon the number of handles, you will need to also make the appropriate number of holes in the countertop. Currently, home and property owners can find faucets with:

Single Handles – These feature a lever-like faucet or handle that will turn towards the user for hot or cold water and a way for hot or cold water. They are ideal when paired with sprayer heads or pull-down faucet types (detailed below).

Double Handles – These are familiar to most and feature a single tap or handle for hot, and a single handle or tap for cold. Depending upon the design of the faucet set, there may need to be two holes in the counter for each supply as well as a third for the faucet head

When thinking about the number of handles you want or require, don’t overlook the general functionality of the kitchen faucet. For example, there are options for:

Single lever functionality

Sprayer functionality

One-touch on/off

Easy Tips for Choosing the Right Faucet

Choosing a faucet can be tricky. It may seem like a strictly functional piece of hardware in your kitchen, but the truth is that your faucet is often a major focal point to the space.

style

Think about your the general style of your kitchen as well as the style of the sink that you have selected. Pairing a cast iron farmhouse sink with a super modern faucet may not work together unless you are going for a very edgy or eclectic look. Similarly, a strongly modern stainless sink would not suit a traditional bridge style faucet.

Finish

Faucets generally come in three main finishes: chrome, nickel (or other brushed metal), or bronze. Consider the nearby cabinet hardware, as well as lighting and other metal finishes in the space. It doesn’t all have to match exactly, but choose a faucet whose finish works well with the other finishes in the space. Because I chose chrome and nickel finishes throughout the space in the cabinet hardware and lighting, I selected a chrome faucet to complement these finishes

Spout height and reach

Faucets with a high arc are very on trend these days… but you need to consider the amount of space you have above your sink. If you have low cabinets or shelves above the sink, you may not wish the arc to be too high. Another thing to consider is the size of your sink…. a large sink may require you to select a faucet with a larger reach. The farmhouse sink that we selected is quite wide and deep, so choosing a faucet that had a spray option that would reach all the corners of the sink easily was critical

Sprayer options

A sprayer on a faucet is an amazing tool… a good sprayer can remove all kinds of gunk and mess for you, and it also can help to keep your sink cleaner. Often faucets with a separate side spray are not as convenient or effective as a sprayer that is built into the faucet itself. Some faucets, such as the one we chose, even have a little button on the faucet head to turn the spray on and off making this feature super convenient and easy to use

 

What to Look for When Searching for Your Next Kitchen Faucet

Your Kitchen is Your Command Center

Prepping for spaghetti night. Bathing the baby. Watering the plants. It should come as no surprise that you spend more active time in the kitchen than any other room in the house. And from selecting a finish to starting installation, there are plenty of things for you to consider when choosing your next kitchen faucet.

Think About What Goes on in Your Sink

When it comes to taking care of business in the kitchen, you need a faucet that’s built to handle everything you throw at it. Think about your everyday experiences and then see how the right combination of features — including handles, spout height, and sprayers — can help you create a space that works your way.

Hands-Free Convenience

Touchless Kitchen Faucets with MotionSense™ feature touchless activation, allowing you to easily turn water on and off with the wave of a hand.

Keep Everything in Reach

Whether you’re rinsing down the corners of your sink or cleaning fresh veggies from the garden, a faucet with the right sprayer helps make quick work of your kitchen tasks

Get Smart About Arcs

Have you ever shimmied a large pasta pot under a low spout or had your window view interrupted by a high spout? if so, then you understand how important it is to have a faucet that’s just the right height.

 

TIPS ON CHOOSING THE RIGHT KITCHEN FAUCET

Few people would argue that the kitchen is the hardest working (and most “hung out in”) room of the house. So when you’re doing a kitchen renovation, how do you ensure you’re making the most out of the type and placement of those relied upon faucets?  Here are a few tips on how to choose those faucets, and maximize the placement of them in various areas throughout the room

A big faucet for the big jobs

The main sink of the kitchen is often used for the “heavy lifting” of kitchen duties — washing dishes, cleaning large pots/pans and much more. We suggest putting a faucet at that sink that also serves as a statement piece. Maybe it’s a commercial-grade oversized faucet such as the Danze Parma Pre-Rinse Faucet or a tall pull-down faucet. Whatever your preference, take this opportunity to set the style of the room, which is just as important as the functionality this piece will bring to those big jobs.

Bring water to the stovetop

Pot fillers have grown in popularity in recent years and there’s no question why. For relatively little effort during a renovation (run a single cold water source to behind the stovetop area), you have the added convenience of a wall-mounted pot filler. Perfect for adding water to boiling pots, a dirty pan and other purposes, these beautiful faucets making cooking that much easier and fun

Maximize the island

More and more homeowners are adding a second sink to the kitchen by placing one within the island. For at-home chefs, this is a great way to stay connected to guests while prepping food, washing vegetables and simply keeping the kitchen duties moving. Danze offers one of the only deck-mounted pot fillers on the market — perfect for island applications. If a pot filler isn’t for you, choose a small to medium-scale faucet (maybe a pull-out or bridge faucet with side spray) that helps maximize this important area of the room’s footprint.

Create a convenient bar

As homeowners choose to entertain more and more at home, a secondary (or convenience) bar area adjacent to or right within the kitchen has become a popular choice during renovations. Stylish, yet modest faucets are often chosen for these sinks to stay within scale of the area, yet provide the convenience and functionality that is required once guests arrive.

 

TIPS FOR CHOOSING A KITCHEN FAUCET YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY

Not so fun fact – I’ve gone through 4 kitchen faucets in the last two years. It’s been a frustrating (and pricey) lesson that not all faucets are made equal. With my new kitchen renovation, I wanted a faucet that not only provided style but functionality too, here are a few things to consider when choosing a kitchen faucet.

CHOOSING A KITCHEN FAUCET

Know how many holes you have. You may need a deck plate to cover any existing or if you only have one, you may need to drill into your countertop. It’s easier to go with less than more

Keep the finish of your hardware in mind. I personally don’t believe there are any hard and fast rules when it comes to home design but, personally, I prefer my kitchen faucet to match the finish of my kitchen pulls and handles. It’s easy on the eyes and makes the decor aesthetically appealing.

Spray features. When it comes to choosing a kitchen faucet, the more spray options the better. I don’t want a trickle, I also want a jet steam so I easily clean stuck on food.

Faucet height. Most faucets are in front of a window, but if yours is below cabinets – take some measurements before you buy.

Hose length. This is a feature that I missed the first few times I was choosing kitchen faucets. Take into consideration the size of your sink (my old sink was a large one, and I couldn’t stretch the hose enough to clean the bottom corner), if there are any plants nearby you would like to easily water, or if you have coffee maker next to the sink to easily fill (I can’t be the only one who gets annoyed when I have to take the reservoir out of my Keurig each time).

 

Tips for Selecting a Kitchen Faucet

Height and Reach

Kitchen faucets are available in a variety of heights and reaches. You want to choose a faucet that offers the best combination for your space. If you have large cabinets over your sink, you want to make sure that the height of the faucet doesn’t make the space look overcrowded.

Kitchen Faucet Style

You need to choose a style before you start shopping for a new faucet. Take a few minutes to look around your kitchen and gauge your current style. There are some styles that you mix and match together and others that look awkward together. For example, you can add a modern shape and style faucet to your traditional kitchen, but it would look odd if your style is rustic farmhouse.

Sprayer Options

You already know that you want a sprayer to reach the gunk that lurks in the corner of your sink, but there are so many kinds. You can choose between a side sprayer and one that pulls out from the faucet. The central sprayer is easier to use and helps keep your sink area looking tidy and efficient.

Number of Handles

Most faucets come with either one or two handles. With two handles, you use one to turn on and control the flow of water while the other handle provides hot or cold water. If you choose a faucet with only one handle, water flow and temperature are controlled with a single handle, making it very convenient in a kitchen

Number of Holes

Most sinks come with pre-drilled holes in them. There are typically two or three holes, and if your new faucet comes with fewer pieces to fill those holes than your previous faucet, then the holes need to be covered. Many faucets come with bridge pieces to cover a hole, but it’s a good idea to check the packaging if you’re going to need a cover to ensure it’s in there. For example, your old faucet had a side sprayer while your new one has a pull-down sprayer. The hole for the side sprayer is now empty.

Tips for choosing a new kitchen sink

One sink or two? (or even three!)

One sink

One large sink will be preferable if you are considering a farmhouse sink, as that is the style. The advantage of a large sink is that you have a lot of space to wash up and to leave that large casserole dish to soak. The downside is if you are juggling two sink-based chores at the same time  – maybe washing up and preparing food – it can be quite tricky in one sink.

Two sinks

When it comes to choosing a double-basin sink, there are several popular styles to choose from. If you have one larger sink and one small sink – the 60:40 ratio is a common standard – you should have one sink big enough to soak most pots and pans and still space to prep food. This might not be the case with two basins of equal size side-by-side.

Three sinks

There are also three-sink options, typically with two basins and a smaller sink with a garbage disposal unit. A trough sink is another type of sink that has become popular in recent times, so several people can work at it at one time. Remember, these will take up more space.

Which material works best for your needs?

Stainless steel

Stainless steel sinks add a stylish industrious edge to your kitchens aesthetic and are a practical solution. Hard wearing and easy to clean, they are incapable of being cracked or chipped but may get the odd scratch in the first few weeks of use. These tend to fade out over time however.

Composite materials

Composite materials, such as resin or quartz, are also highly durable. Resin sinks are made from man-made materials giving the look composite, while being cost effective. They are still hard wearing, however cannot maintain the same heat and scratch resistance as real composite quartz.

Ceramic

Ceramic sinks are a traditional material and work well in a farmhouse kitchen setting. Handcrafted and baked in fireclay, its silky smooth surface is easy to clean and maintain whilst being sturdy and hardwearing.

What’s your style?

Undermount sinks

Popular at the moment are undermount sinksthat are installed under the work surface for a cleaner look. With no edges to clean round it makes keeping the work surface free of scraps much easier.

Top mount

Drop-in or top mount kitchen sinks fit into an opening in the counter and are much easier to install making them a more cost effective option. They do however lack the clean and minimalist look of an undermount sink.

 

How to Choose the Right Kitchen Sink

large, single kitchen sink.

A kitchen sink with a single, deep basin means you can easily soak or wash a big pan or prep large quantities of food.

Rinsing vegetables while soaking a large casserole dish requires a bit of juggling — as does hand washing and rinsing china or stemware.

A certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer for 30 years, Sharon Flatley has seen the kitchen sink grow wider, deeper and more diverse. “There’s so much more to choose from now,” she says.

These days Flatley, the principal of Flatley & Associates in Dallas, says most of her clients opt for a kitchen sink with a single, deep basin that is 33 to 36 inches wide and 8 to 10 inches deep. “This kind of sink is very versatile,” she says. “It works whether you cook a lot or not much.”

Flatley says the delicate dance of doing prep work and cleaning duty at the same time can be accomplished with accessories. “Most sink manufacturers offer a wealth of add-ons,” she says, “including rinse baskets that fit nicely in the basin.”

Two basins of differing sizes (a 60/40 or offset sink).

Two basins in your kitchen sink allow you to perform separate tasks, such as cleaning dishes and preparing food, with ease. A 60/40 kitchen sink has one basin that is usually about 18 inches wide and another that is 14 inches wide. The idea is that you can clean up in the large basin and prep in the smaller one. Dual basins also come in handy when you are washing items you don’t want to put in the dishwasher (soap in one basin, rinse water in the other).

A smaller basin makes it harder to wash and soak large pans.

“For clients who want flexibility, a double sink can be the way to go,” says Flatley. “There are also a number of people who are accustomed to working with two basins, and they don’t want to change.”

Dave Burcher, principal at In House in New York, notes that double sinks aren’t necessarily limited to the 60/40 split. “Although that ratio is the most common one, the customization options are nearly limitless,” he says.

 

Easy steps to choosing the perfect kitchen sink

Know the dimensions correctly

Before heading out to the market to purchase the sink, you must first know the dimensions of your sink area. There are single basins, rectangular basins, double bowled sinks and double sinks of the same size for rinsing and washing.  Thus know what exactly you want and what the size must be before purchasing.

Choosing the sink materials

The next step is to select the material of the sink. Sinks are available in several materials including solid surfacing, composite of quartz, stainless steel, cast iron colourful enamel and others.  Each has its own positives and hence you must be clear about its purpose for yourself.  Make sure you select the one which is most durable and goes well with your kitchen interiors and colours.

Check the type of installation

Another thing that you must consider before purchasing a kitchen sink is the type of installation.  The way the sink is installed has a direct effect on the look and usability.  On one hand there are drop-in sinks whereas on the other there are self rimming sinks.  Both are mounted above the counter.   The sinks that are installed underneath the counter include recessed sinks and under mounted sinks. Similarly, many other varieties are available and hence one must choose carefully.

Consider the features being offered

Another important tip to choose the perfect kitchen sink is to know and consider the features that are being offered.  Some of the features include clamps for easy installation, availability of 2 to 3 bowls for avoiding water from spilling on the floor and rear drains etc. Some of the others include rim seal, sound lowering pad and others.

Do not forget your budget

One of the most important things to remember when choosing a kitchen sink is your budget. Set a realistic budget bracket and make sure that the sink that you buy comes within that limit. Sinks are available in many price ranges and you might easily get tempted to buy an expensive one but it is better to avoid exceeding your upper limit.

 

Kitchen Sinks: How to Choose the Best Style for Your Needs

The aesthetic appeal of the kitchen sink

“With the evolving role of the kitchen leading to tasks beyond traditional cooking and cleaning, people are often selecting more secondary sinks,” explains Peggy Gallagher, Senior Product Manager at Delta. When choosing the right sink, Gallagher tells Freshome that there are several factors to consider, but she believes style is the main driver.

“Consumers are primarily looking for the right kitchen sink to complement their personal style,” Gallagher says. “More and more, people are not only cooking and eating in the kitchen, but also socializing, entertaining and using the space as a place to work.” In fact, she says that two-thirds of consumers are spending at least three hours per day in the kitchen.

Kitchen sink styles

Stainless steel farmhouse sinks are durable and stylish. Image courtesy of Moen.

“Regarding design, undermount sinks offer an appealing aesthetic, make cleanup a breeze and are the ideal complement to popular natural stone and solid surface countertops,” Nealon explains. “The exposed front wall of farmhouse sinks complements traditional kitchens well, whereas drop-in sinks offer added convenience with a quick and easy installation process,” he says.

Another consideration when choosing sinks is determining which style will work best with your countertop material. “Top-mount, which is installed flush with the countertop, is often used with laminate counters,” explains Eric Moore.

 

tips for choosing the best kitchen sinks and tapware for you

Stick to a style

Ensure your sink and tapware make sense in the space. If your kitchen errs on the traditional side of the fashion fence, so too should your accessories. A minimalist, stark space suits stainless steel items in a square or rectangular shape. While a country cottage kitchen would call for a ceramic sink and more rounded tapware.

Understand your needs

How do you use your kitchen now? And are your needs likely to change in the future? Always think ahead to ensure your kitchen sink and taps (as well as the entire space) will adapt to your changing needs.

For instance, if space allows, a double sink will allow you to work more efficiently and get more done with less stress – as might a drainer.

Likewise, master chefs may need a more advanced tap than simple cooks. In that case, a hose tap for spraying pots and pans is probably best.

Opt for quality

A quality sink and taps are an investment. And given that you’ll likely use them frequently every day, it pays to buy the best your budget can afford. Cheap items simply won’t last as long and so will require regular replacement. A quality set, however, should serve you well now and into the future.

Think of the finish

Finish is just as important as function, shape, and style. Choose a finish that matches the rest of the space. Glossy chrome tapware works well with a stainless steel sink, while a matte finish is another popular choice. If your space is more eclectic, you could choose copper or even brass. Coloured tapware is also cropping up in contemporary kitchens. Just be sure to choose a finish that integrates with your cabinet doors and handles for a harmonious design.

Size it up

Lastly, consider how the tapware and sink will work together. A smaller sink calls for a smaller tap, while a bigger basin requires balance with bigger taps. You’ll have to think about how the taps will be mounted, too, as this will affect the size you can choose.