How to Select a Kitchen Faucet
The right kitchen faucet will not only look great but make everyday chores easier, and installing a new faucet is a relatively simple update that can make a big impact. Learn how to select a kitchen faucet in this Build with Ferguson video:
When you’re ready to start shopping for a new kitchen faucet, you need to consider installation type, features and style.
Installation type describes where the faucet is mounted and how many holes it requires. Kitchen faucets are either deck mounted or wall mounted. If the faucet is installed in holes drilled into the sink or countertop, it is deck mounted and the most common installation type. If the faucet is installed on the wall behind the sink, it is wall mounted.
Wall mounted sinks typically have two or three installation holes. Three-hole models require openings for the spout and each handle. Wall mounted bridge faucets only require two holes. Deck mounted faucets typically require from one to three holes. Adding a side spray or built-in soap dispenser will increase that number. If you’re replacing an existing faucet without doing any other remodeling, it’s easiest to choose the same installation type with the same number of holes; however, you can easily swap out a three-hole deck mounted faucet for a one-hole model by using an escutcheon plate. These plates are designed to cover up the extra holes, and many manufacturers offer a matching escutcheon plate for their single hole faucets.
Once you’ve narrowed down the installation type, you need to decide which features are important to you.
- Pull-down faucets are great time savers. The spray head can be pulled out so you can reach every corner of the sink for easy cleanup or fill the coffee pot while it’s sitting on the countertop. Models with different spray settings let you switch from a powerful spray to clean messy dishes to a gentle spray for watering plants. Pull-down faucets with a magnetic docking feature securely lock the spray head in place while you’re not using it.
- Touch and touchless faucets are a popular choice to keep your home clean and hygienic.
- Pre-rinse faucets are often found in commercial kitchens. The high arc makes it easy to fill large pots, and the powerful spray is great for cleanup. Pre-rinse faucets are also popular for their industrial design.
When shopping for a faucet, try sorting by design theme and finish color to narrow down your options. Whether your kitchen design is traditional, modern, industrial, or somewhere in between, there’s a faucet made to match.
