Every home has to have one – a faucet is an important part of your daily life. Just think about how many times a day you use your kitchen faucet. Knowing the number of uses it receives on a daily basis, it’s important that you select the right one for you and your family.
There are many different designs and styles on the market, so how do you go about choosing a new kitchen faucet? There’s more to it than just finish and convenience, and knowing the differences between various types of faucets will help you make the right decision.
When selecting a new faucet, think about your needs and about your budget. There are a large variety of faucet designs and styles and a wide range of prices to go with them. Comfort and ease-of-use should be the major considerations when making your decision.
Choices Are Plentiful so Here Are a Few Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing Your Next Faucet:
What concerns should I have when selecting a new kitchen faucet?
First, does the brand matter? Definitely!
When choosing a faucet, stick to a brand that you can rely on — in other words, stick to the main brands such as Moen, Delta, Kohler or American Standard. These companies support the product well, and repair parts are readily available. Don’t let a shiny, fancy faucet catch your eye if you’ve never heard of the manufacturer.
Second, make sure the faucet you select will work with the kitchen sink you have – for example, your sink needs to have the correct number of holes to support the faucet installation.
Kitchen faucets are among the hardest working fixtures in your home, so make sure you choose wisely.
What are some reasons for buying a new faucet?
New faucets look good and function well. If the old faucet leaks, a new one will save on water usage.
Is it best to make repairs to an older faucet or buy a new faucet?
This depends on the quality and condition of the existing faucet. If the existing faucet is fairly new and of good quality, then a repair is the best option. Old, worn-out faucets and those that are lower quality should be replaced.
Is it best to get an expensive faucet, or does price matter?
The brand of the faucet matters most. The higher-end faucets, from a good manufacturer, typically are more decorative and have specialty finishes that drive up the price. A basic faucet from a good manufacturer can be reasonably priced and still maintain good quality.
Faucets sold at “big box” stores, even the name-brand ones, often are of lower quality than those sold from plumbing supply houses. The faucet may look the same, but the part numbers are different. Some parts that normally are made from a metal-like brass are substituted with plastic to lower the cost to manufacture.
Should I install the faucet myself?
Replacing a faucet is actually a good do-it-yourself project. In most cases, the removal of the old faucet is the hardest part. Most new faucets install fairly easily.
