As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. This is often
true for today’s faucets and fixtures as well. That said, there are
many different
price points for the variety of faucet brands you’ll find in today’s
market. Some of the price differences are based upon the popularity of
the brand.
(After all, TV advertising doesn’t come cheap.) Other price
differences are based upon the features. A more highly engineered faucet
with advanced features
will obviously be more expensive. Finally, the price can be dictated
by the quality. The more fine-tuned the craftsmanship in a faucet, the
more expense
was required to create the finished product.
With so many faucets out on the market, you will
likely find brands that cover every range of feature, brand reputation
and quality. Your
goal is then to get the right mix for you. As most faucets are
repeatedly turned on and off for years, you’ll probably be interested in
finding a faucet
that is not only attractive in your home but is also durable enough
to manage the daily wear and tear of your household. Knowing the
rudimentary
construction of a faucet will certainly help in aiding your buying
decision. Visit your local showroom or faucet dealer and don’t be afraid
to ask
questions. Ask about the valve. With a high-quality valve, water
temperature doesn’t fluctuate abruptly when adjusting from hot to cold.
Also, a scaldguard
or temperature-limit feature is something you might conside for
single-control faucets. These faucets let you remove the handle to
adjust the maximum water
temperature of the faucet. This is really handy if you have young
children as it will protect them from hot water burns
New regulations in faucet manufacturing are now
resulting in higher-quality faucets than ever before. All new faucets,
for example, are
now mandated to deliver no more than 2.5 gallons per minute, which
aids in water conservation. Some even provide additional flow rate
restrictors.
The following six considerations can provide you with a checklist
list of ‘must-haves’ before you walk out of the store with your next
kitchen faucet.
1. Smooth Handle Operation. Test the faucet handles to see how
smoothly they feel when turned on and off. There should be no hitches,
scratching or
grinding noises. Check the handles on a variety of faucets to get a
basis of comparison. If the handle on the faucet you’re interested in
seems to bind or
feel stiff in certain positions, they could be a problem. Move on to
a different model or brand.
2. No Plastic parts. Sometimes the cheapest product you buy is
actually the most expensive. That’s because you have to buy it twice!
Don’t make the mistake
of buying faucets containing plastic parts. Plastic is great for
Legos toys but has no place in commercial plumbing fixtures like your
home’s kitchen
faucets. Look for faucets made from bras metal construction that
feel heavy and solid.
3. Ceramic/Metal Cartridge
A ceramic cartridge, ball or disk valve faucet is
your best choice for high-quality, long-lasting construction. If this is
not within your
budget, stainless stell and brass are also good choices as they will
last for many years. To find the kind of valve the faucet has, simply
look at the
faucet box. If the box doesn’t indicate the composition of the
cartridge, it could well indicate that it is constructed of inferior
quality materials. Be
wary if the composition of the cartridge is not indicated on the
faucet box.
4. Ease-of-Cleaning. Many of today’s contemporary styles are smooth,
sleek and have very high-quality finishes that are easier to clean.
5. Aim for Consistency. You will probably want to keep a consistent
look in your kitchen by selecting a kitchen faucet that has the same
type of finish as
the other hardware in your kitchen. Premium kitchen faucets often
have a brushed nickel finish. Chrome and stainless steel are also
popular choices. Again,
its all up to personal preference.
6. Warranty. Be sure to check the faucet warranty carefully. The
best ones typically offer liftime protection against drips and leaks,
and provide years of
trouble-free service.
A kitchen faucet is a major component to your kitchen and can bring
you and your family years of satisfaction. Over the past several years,
such premium
faucet brands like Grohe kitchen faucets, Kohler kitchen faucets, Delta kitchen faucets, Pegasus and Danze kitchen faucets have been
producing faucets and fixtures that not only provide function, but are
also considered
by many to be works of art. Whichever brand you’re considering, do
your homework on the features, reputation and quality you need and
you’ll be sure to
come out a winner.
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