What is inside the faucet?

Faucets could make our lives easier. Old school faucets handles look classic but not too practical especially in a kitchen. That option is quite good for a bathroom, however, and gives it that cozy feeling.

Kitchen faucets have to be practical and easy to switch. Most of the time you use them with dirty hands and that would be perfect to keep the faucet handles clean without extra work. That’s why new contactless faucets became popular, but they cost more than a faucet you could operate with your elbow. Best way of choosing what works for you, is just imagining that your hands are extremely dirty and think what type of faucet would help you to keep it clean within your budget. There is a very useful feature for the kitchen faucet. It’s a pull out spray that helps to wash large pans, dishes and sink itself.

Another moment you have to think about is where you would like to  mount your faucet. Sink, countertop or even a wall? With a sink mounted faucet you have to buy the sink with holes for faucets. For the countertop mount version you could ask a supplier to make a hole for your future stone. For the wall mount faucet your plumber has to install a pipe inside the wall before drywall installation. Keep that in mind before starting your project.

It’s also very important to know if internal faucet’s parts could be easily replaced in case of broken. Otherwise you’ll have to get a new faucet which is more expensive.

Valve type is one more thing you have to consider. Compression valve is the cheapest one but prone to leaks. Ball valve regulates water flow with a rotating ball. Cartridge valve prevents leaks with a rubbing O-ring. Ceramic disks valves are the last generation and cost more, of course. 

And last but not least is the material that faucets are made of. It has to be safe from corrosion that’s why brass or steel are more common. The cheaper version is made from zinc but technically you could have even the gold faucet. Overall it has to fit your kitchen design and minimize the mess which means less cleaning for you.