By Susie Quick
You've probably seen the commercial: A well-dressed couple meets with
their architect. Without a word the woman reaches into her bag and pulls
out a sleek, polished nickel faucet and says "Design a house... around
this."
While you might find the notion extreme, it may not be far from reality
for someone creating their dream kitchen. Today's faucets aren't just
a delivery system for water to the kitchen sink, they're a style statement.
Whether it's a gleaming high-tech spout you clipped from a glossy magazine
or a timeless bronze fixture you coveted in the showroom, the faucet
you choose can inspire your entire kitchen. But this particular sink
fixture isn't just about appearances, say experts. It needs to meet the
demands of your cooking and cleanup needs and make life easier. Otherwise,
that fancy looking faucet could wind up as an expensive and frustrating
design disaster.
A kitchen faucet can cost anywhere from $50 to more than $1,200, depending
on the materials used and the finish you want. But most plumbing and
design experts say that for a quality faucet that lasts 10 to 20 years,
you should start your search in the $300 range.
"Faucets are like shoes" says Marc Schlesser, chief designer
at MyHome (
www.myhomeus.com),
a full-service design firm in New York City. "You get what you pay for — and
if it's cheap, it won't last.
Schlesser advises consumers renovating their kitchens — or just
looking to update the faucet — to visit a kitchen design showroom
as well as the chain home stores to compare the products and "feel
the difference." A good fixture should have substantial heft and
the best materials even in the details: the latest ceramic disc valve
rather than plastic to control water flow, and a heavy-duty woven sprayer
hose instead of vinyl.
Here's more of what's on tap when shopping for kitchen faucets today,
with a few tips from the experts:
Spouts
The most popular spouts today are high-arching "goosenecks," and
for good reason. These elegant spouts can rotate to both sides of your
sink, and, because of their height, are extra handy for filling large
pots.
Pull-out faucets — spouts with sprayers attached — reach
anywhere in a two- or even three-bowl sink, fill large stockpots, coffeemakers,
and buckets outside the sink, and can replace a separate side sprayer.
Look for one that extends 20 to 24 inches. Pull-down spray faucets let
you adjust the water flow, choosing between an aerated stream and a spray.
Some offer a second, more powerful spray setting for intense cleaning.
Pot Fillers
Another type of auxiliary faucet gaining popularity — especially
for large families — is the "pot filler," a spout on
a hinged arm usually located next to the range or wall-mounted on the
back splash behind it.
Side or Overhead Sprayers
Schlesser says the "get what you pay for" rule for faucets
also applies to the side sprayer: "It takes a lot of abuse, so it
needs to be a product of fine engineering."
One of the newest features to the sink area is overhead, pull-down sprayers
for pre-rinsing before a trip to the dishwasher. Inspired by restaurant
equipment, these sprayers (some are separate while others are attached
to the faucet), are larger and have a higher-pressure spray than traditional
side sprayers, says Dave Bloom, sales director for George Morlan Plumbing
in Portland, Oregon. This professional gear is perfect for cooks who
love to entertain (and use a lot of dishes and pots). Several manufacturers
have designs for the home, but you can also find industrial-grade sprayers
in restaurant equipment stores. Though restaurant equipment is more affordable,
these sprayers can be heavy and require more space above and around the
sink.
Handles
Faucets with a single handle — either attached to the spout or
located to the side — take only one hand to use, freeing up the
other to hold vegetables or a pot for instance. They take up less space
and hence, create a minimal, contemporary look.
Two-handled faucets allow you to adjust water temperature more precisely
and may the perfect fit for a retro or period-style kitchen. But there
may be a better reason to choose a single handle, says Schlesser. Aging
boomers, who may have less mobility 10 to 15 years in the future, might
want a faucet that will be easier to use as they mature.
Finishes
Most faucets are made of cast brass and are chrome-plated, says Bloom.
But newer, higher-end faucets by several manufacturers (KWC and Hansgrohe,
for instance), are made entirely of stainless steel, which come from
an entire block of stainless steel carved to form the design. A carved
stainless faucet should last 15 to 20 years. Today's better faucets also
have special coatings (and lifetime warranties) guaranteed to resist
scratches and abrasive cleansers.
The finish itself can also dictate the style of your fixture, says Moody.
Brushed or satin nickel finishes generally are considered modern. Chrome,
depending on the design, works for both high-tech or vintage kitchen
designs. Bronze, antique brass or copper usually say "country," whether
your kitchen resembles a rustic cabin or a sophisticated Tuscan farmhouse.
Classic chrome faucets are usually the least expensive, but often have
a bluish cast — not the ideal match for popular stainless steel
appliances and fixtures. Instead, choose polished or satin nickel or
brushed stainless, says Schlesser. These have a warmer, yellow undertone;
they cost 25 to 40 percent more for the same design, but hide scratches
and are more aesthetically pleasing.
Multi-Tasking Faucets
Some homeowners today want a faucet that also delivers purified water
on demand. Filtering faucets start at $300 and are usually housed under
the sink; others are situated inside the spout. "Anti-scald" faucets
let you set the maximum water temperature, which is important if you
have small children in your home. Another choice is a filter system with
a dispenser that delivers both hot and cold drinking water.
Bottom Line...
Schlesser, whose newly renovated kitchen boasts a top-of-the-line faucet
by KWC, says he tries to convince clients that the kitchen faucet is
a key purchase — not the place to cut costs. "You can get
them excited about the oven and fridge or dishwasher, but there are huge
differences in quality and functionality of an inexpensive fixture that
looks great and the engineering marvel of a great faucet.
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