Kitchen Faucets The most common configurations for kitchen faucets are: the single handle without spray the single handle with pullout or pull-down spray two-handle deck mount or wall mount water filtration pot fillers Within these basic groups, there are many sub-varieties

Faucets can be bridge-style, integrated or mounted separately, exposed, and may require single or multiple holes, and can sport hundreds of different handle styles. The faucet should be checked to see what type of plumbing connection it requires. It may need a CPS or an IPS adapter

Also, different faucet manufactures and different faucet types are purchased differently. For example, when purchasing a Moen Inspirations faucet, you must select the rough-in valve, the faucet body, the faucet accent, and the faucet accent trim pieces. Other Moen faucets might only require a handle, or come complete. Delta faucets are purchased in a similar manner.

Some manufacturers sell faucet bodies and handles separately. This is done so that the homeowner can mix and match colors or finishes to suit their personal taste. However, if the buyer is not aware of this, he could buy an incomplete faucet thinking he was getting a bargain price, only having to go back to buy the rest of the faucet later.

Architectural Style:
Faucets should be chosen to complement the architectural theme presented by the cabinetry and appliances. Some models are reminiscent of an old-fashioned pump, while others appear to be an example of modern sculpture. But a sweeping contemporary model would look out of place in a Colonial kitchen.

Likewise, faucets should fit into the overall color scheme. Most people opt to match the faucet to the sink, but one should look beyond to the other elements to make sure they all go together.

Type of handles
Handles should be chosen that will compliment your kitchen. The traditional style has been a two-handled faucet having one knob for hot water and another for cold water. This allows for independent control of both. Handles are offered in a thousand varieties, from cross-handles to wrist-blade lever styles.

Most lever type handles are ADA Compliant. These faucets do not require fine motor movements to be turned on and off. By using either single or double levers they can be activated by wrists or elbows and do not require articulate hand movements.

Single handle faucets are the dominant style in kitchens today. Single-handle faucets offer the convenience of being able to control the water temperature and pressure with a single control. Yet variety abounds. Handles may be double turn or double lever, single lever with the lever top mounted or side mounted. Faucets may be separately deck-mounted either with hot and cold turn handles or with a single lever.

Place cursor over picture to see faucet details

Dual handles can have a variety of inserts or grips, either matching or contrasting material, or with wood, glass, white porcelain grips, or a number of other choices. Dual handles can be cross handles, straight, curved, flared, or bladed.

Type of spout:
A basic kitchen faucet has a standard spout that rises only slightly in height from the faucet body to its tip. A high-arc faucet (also known as high-neck or gooseneck) has a spout that increases dramatically in height, often as high as ten inches or more. This allows for easy rinsing of large pots, but also presents an elegant look that's an attention-grabber in any kitchen.

If plans call for a sink with two or three bowls the length and flexibility of the spout is important. A long spout with a reach of 12- to 14-inches may be called for, as well as one that swivels at least 180 degrees to reach the different bowls. Spouts can be straight, short, elongated, curved, and high-rise, with an integrated spray that pulls out or pulls down. Danze High rise faucets have a one inch diameter spout ideal for large cookware.

Type of spray:
Early faucets had no sprays, but cooks soon learned to appreciate the convenience of a handy spray for washing vegetables, and to rinse large pots or hard-to-reach areas . Today most homeowners choose some type of retractable sprayer with their kitchen faucet.

The two options available are traditional side sprays, sometimes called vegetable sprays, or modern pullout sprays.

A side spray or vegetable spray is a separate spray mounted beside the faucet that requires an additional hole in the sink or countertop. It can be placed next to the faucet itself, or anywhere near the sink bowl that is convenient.

Traditional side sprays are made of a different material from the faucet itself, and offer a contrast in materials. The traditional side spray faucet arrangement from Moen, shown at the right, includes a soap dispenser.

Today, side sprays often match the the finish to the faucet itself, as illustrated in the side spray from Danze at the left.

A pullout or pull down spray is one that is integrated into the faucet spout.

Single-handled faucets with pullout spouts are by far the most popular selling kitchen faucets today. They offer an advantage over side sprays in that they deliver a high volume spray. Side sprays draw water from a small opening in the side of the faucet, so they lack the pressure and volume offered by a pullout model.

Hoses vary in length to as long as 54 inches. With any spray, those with stainless-steel hoses kink less than others but often make more noise. Many models use weights to retract the hose, which results in a "clunking" sound when released abruptly. Other models are spring-loaded which results in a smoother operation.

All spray faucets are equipped with vacuum breakers to prevent backflow prevention..

Restaurant style faucets are now available for today's kitchens. Kohler's promaster faucet, shown at the left, features an overhead 27in high spout that rotates 140 ° for easy maneuverability and ample room for large pots and pans.

In addition, the 30in pull-out hose maximizes sprayhead reach for highly functional food preparation and cleaning. The handspray features infinite spray and volume control options to precisely suit the task at hand.

Pot Fillers
For the serious cook, a pot-filler faucet mounted on the wall next to the stove allows the cook to to fill large, heavy kettles with water without having to carry them across the kitchen.

Water Filtration
Many families are installing water filtering systems for water that's used for drinking or cooking. Filters can protect against dirt, rust, bad taste & odor, scale, hard water, iron, chemicals, lead, etc.

These units have commonly been added to their kitchen faucet. However, it has become increasing popular to purchase a faucet with a built-in filter in the spout. This is especially true when a pullout spray is desired because many after-market units are designed to attach to a standard spout.

The most popular model selling today is the Moen Puretouch., but other manufacturers make similar units. The Puretouch model shown at the left, is a pullout faucet and water filter all in one. This series features a high style lever handle, push button filter operation, LCD filter life indicator, easy to change filter and 3-way push button water flow. Te puretouch is also available with the filter unit concealed below the counter

A third handle operates the Franke Triflow water filtration system. An independent waterway runs through the faucet body, continuing through the spout. It connects beneath the sink to a compact filtration unit containing a replaceable ceramic cartridge. There is no possibility of contamination from hot and cold water supplies. The cartridge has a longer life because only drinking and cooking water is filtered. The filter line can be connected to refrigerator or ice cube supply lines. They also sell the Uniflow model.

Franke faucets contain an internal anti-scald dial that allows regulation of water temperature through a wide comfort zone. A six-setting dial adjusts water pressure to the preferred flow rate. Two-part handles can be separated into palm-sized units for maneuverability, or both parts may be used together. Dual aerators have two flow modes, controlled by a lever.

Matching accessories such as soap dispensers, hot water dispensers, hot/cold filtered water dispenser, or Euro escutcheons can be added to sinks to complete the ensemble, but they should be bought with the faucet to ensure a match. Also, remember to match the strainer and any other desired accessories that are purchased separately

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