Faucet Buying Guide
It’s easy to take a faucet for granted, unless you’re buying a new one. All too often, shoppers get hung up on design and forget that function is more important than form, leaving them with a faucet that looks pretty but disappoints with each use. Pronto’s Faucet Buying Guide will help you balance features with appearance to get a faucet that you’ll love to use for years to come.
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the five
What are the five key points I need to look at?
Faucet Type
Buy the best-quality faucet your budget will allow. Choose a washerless faucet for the best durability and reliability. Look for compression faucets that raise and lower the washer instead of grinding it into the valve seat.
Valves, flow and temperature
Look for ceramic disk valves that resist mineral buildup and other clogging debris. If you live in an area with low water pressure, choose a faucet with an adjustable water-flow restrictor. The best valves prevent drastic shifts in temperature when going from hot to cold and back again. Choose a faucet with an antiscald guard for added safety for children.
Spouts, handles and sprayers
Know your sink: a spout’s reach should come as close to the center of the basin as possible. Multiple-basin sinks will require spouts that can rotate. Single-handle faucets provide the greatest ease of use. Side sprayers make washing dishes and cleaning a snap.
Installation
Unless you’re remodeling, your new faucet needs to have the same number of fittings as the old one. One-piece faucets will require one hole for the handle and spout together; if you choose a side sprayer, a separate hole will be needed. Double-handle faucets require three holes: one for each handle and one for the spout. Don’t forget to factor installation into the total cost.
Finish
It’s worth paying more for non-tarnish coatings like PVD that won’t react to the minerals in water or your cleaning products. Make sure any special cleaning products you need for the faucet finish you choose are readily available. If you’re trying to match existing fixtures, buy them from the same manufacturer to avoid differences in color and finish.
pronto pick
What product do we recommend?
We like the Kohler K-6665-G Wellspring Beverage Faucet with Contemporary Design for its sleek looks and long-lasting performance. This faucet offers washerless ceramic valves and an undercounter filter or chiller. It’s high-arced neck will reach tall pots and bowls, while its brushed chrome surface provides a contemporary look that’s easy to maintain.
experts say
Home and Garden Television—“Keeping pace with consumer trends, Moen has introduced affordable lavatory faucets with the same elegant high-arching necks of more expensive brands. Finishes, too, mimic those of significantly more costly models.” Source: HGTV.com
Better Homes and Gardens—“The Lockwood 4-inch centerset faucet stirs up traditional teapot styling with an aged pewter finish and trumpet-style lever handles. Quick Snap technology makes installation fast and easy. Delta Faucet also sells coordinating Roman tub and tub/shower faucets, plus accessories and lighting.” Source: Better Homes and Gardens
JD Power & Associates—“Moen ranks highest in satisfying customers with their new faucets, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Faucets Customer Satisfaction Study.SM Customer satisfaction with faucets is measured based on performance in four factors (in order of importance): performance, features, warranty and price competitiveness.” Source: JDPower.com
hot buzz
What's the latest in the world of faucets?
The iTouchless EZ Faucet is an infrared sensor faucet adaptor that allows hands-free use of any faucet in your kitchen or bath. The infrared sensor turns water on and off automatically, reducing water consumption at home, and the hands-free operation helps prevent the spread of cold and flu germs among household members. EZ Faucet controls water temperature and flow by working with your faucet’s handles—set the desired temperature and flow and the unit does the rest. EZ Faucet features an override on/off switch for any time you need manual control. The unit runs on four AAA batteries that power it for up to a year.
Wallet Impact
What can I expect in my price range?
| Price | Description | Good Pick (see all Faucets) |
| $ | In the budget price range, you’ll find compression faucets and some washerless models, including single-handle and double-handle designs with a variety of spouts and finishes to choose from. Most models will be center-set designs with shorter necks. |
Compare prices at 4 stores $30 - $60 |
| $$ | Midrange faucets include compression and washerless models. A little hunting will turn up ceramic-disk valves in this range. You’ll have your choice of single-handled pull-out faucets or double- and single-handled faucets with separate side sprayers. |
Compare prices at 16 stores $106 - $139 |
| $$$ | At the high end, you’ll find washerless faucets with ceramic disk valves. Higher-end faucets also feature more finishes to choose from, many of which come with PVD coatings that resist hard-water buildup and fingerprints. |
Compare prices at 6 stores $439 - $630 |
shop talk
What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?
Center-set
Center-set faucets connect with a single fitting and typically have handles mounted on either side of the neck. This design requires a separate side sprayer, if desired.
Compression faucet
The oldest and most common faucet type. Compression faucets raise and lower a stem that releases a washer from the valve seat to start and stop the flow of water.
Fitting
A short piece of pipe (or pipes) attached to a faucet that connect it to your home’s plumbing. Traditional fittings must be soldered into place, while compression fittings can be attached with a wrench.
PVD
Physical Vapor Deposition, a process that bonds the finish color to a faucet. PVD helps protect a faucet from scratches, tarnishing and mineral blemishes.
Swing spout
A spout that rotates 180 degrees to extend into multiple-basin sinks
Washerless faucet
Washerless faucets use O-rings and balls or ceramic disks to control the valve. The absence of friction in operation makes them more durable and less prone to leaks over time.
Widespread
Widespread faucets connect with three fittings, allowing the handles to be offset and placed farther away from the spout than center-set faucets.
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