Kitchen Faucets

Choosing which faucet to include in your kitchen is a big decision. It is important that you find a fixture that matches not only the style of your kitchen, but your budget too. There are many faucets which appear to have a chrome finish but are in fact are a plastic mould. Don't let the price tag fool you as some of the "fake chrome" faucets command a price upwards of $150.

While genuine chrome does cost more it is worth the investment since their plastic counterparts have a tendency over time to split at their mould seems and cause leakage. This is not only bad for your kitchen, but it also degrades the aesthetics as you will notice calcium and lime deposits collect around the exterior of the leak. Plastic can be a nice cheap alternative though. I would recommend going this road if you need to fit a tight budget or if you’re doing a lower to mid-market housing flip. There are some great finishes for low prices if you go this route, just don’t expect it to last more than five years.

There are many types of kitchen faucets available today. Be sure to take note of the positions of your plumbing pipes so as to make sure your hardware lines up properly. The standard types of kitchen faucets are as follows:

Single Handle - where one single handle will control both the temperature and water pressure. This model can use as few as one counter hole, depending on the style.

Two Handle - a more conventional style where each handle will independently control the hot and cold water pressure. This model typically uses at least three holes.

Wall-Mount - with this model, the faucet is not attached to the counter. Typically these have a long spout to reach over to your basin. Note: You need to make sure your water supply is fixed above the intended surface.

Pot Filler - a cold water only fixture. These are most used by avid cookers and commercial kitchens. The long neck is suited for manoeuvrability with large pots.

Pull-Out & Sprays - are a very useful took when cleaning up. With the push of a button regular water flow will be converted into a high pressure spray. These can be found as side additions to your fixture but lately you will more often see this style integrated into the main spout.