Kitchen Faucet Buying Guide

Kitchen faucets don’t just serve as a functional piece of the kitchen. Today, they set the style with shapes, sizes, designs and finishes to fit any décor. Whether you are looking for classic country or ultra modern, there's a faucet design to fit your style. Below are considerations to make when choosing a new kitchen faucet.

1) How many holes does your sink have?

One of the most important questions when buying a new kitchen faucet is how many holes are in your existing sink or counter top.

2) What handle options do you prefer?

Two Handle Faucets - Provides precise temperature and water flow adjustment, with separate hot and cold controls, utilizing 3 or more holes of a sink or countertop. This is a great style to consider if you’re creating a traditional or period-style kitchen.

Single Handle Faucets - Allow for quick and easy water flow and temperature adjustments with one hand, which is helpful when your hands are occupied. Single Handle Faucets are generally compliant with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements. This design requires 1 or more holes depending on layout and styles range from traditional to modern. Most models are available with or without side sprays.

Wall-Mount Faucets - A unique style that requires no deck holes as the faucet actually mounts to the wall above the sink. This design does require water supplies that extend above the countertop in the wall. This is a great option if you’re looking for an antique style kitchen.

Pull-Out or Integral Spray Faucets - A great mix of style and functionality, the faucet head pulls out and with a touch of a button the water pattern switches from regular flow to spray. This design requires 1 or more holes depending on the handle configuration and number of accessories, creating a clean style that lends itself to a contemporary or transitional look.

Pot Filler Faucets - A “must have” for an avid cook. This cold water faucet is installed in addition to a regular kitchen faucet and mounts on the wall behind a stove or on a countertop near the stove. It is used to fill a pot that is already positioned on the stovetop. This faucet comes in a wide array of designs including single or dual handles, long or gooseneck swivel spouts.

Bar Sink/Entertainment/Prep Faucets - Compared to a regular kitchen faucet, bar faucets are simply smaller in order to work with the bar/prep sinks they are intended to be used with. A great addition to any room, these faucets come in a variety of styles and designs utilizing 1-3 holes. When used in a kitchen application they are often “matched” to the same style as the larger kitchen sink faucet.

3) What Spout Height and Reach Do You Want?

Standard Arch - Faucet spout is generally 3-5 inches high and are best for smaller sinks and everyday pots, pans and dishes.

High Arch - Provides plenty of room between the bottom of the sink and the spout to conveniently wash large pots or oversized dishes. High arch faucets start are 6 inches, but most are 8-10 inches high.

Spout Reach - Another important factor in deciding which faucet is best is the number of bowls you have and the overall size of the sink. The faucet should direct water into the center of the sink, a small faucet can get lost on a large sink and a large faucet can overpower a small sink. Most faucet have a reach that ranges from 7½” to 10”. If you have a double bowl sink, be sure to choose a faucet that can reach both bowls.

4) What Additional Accessories Will You Need?

There are a number of handy kitchen accessories that can be used in empty holes in your sink. If you have one or more extra holes, consider a hot water dispenser, filtered water dispenser, soap dispenser or side spray.