IN THIS POST
– Single-handle faucet
– Double-handle faucet
– Pull-out faucet
– Pull-down faucet
– Motion sensor faucet
Buying the perfect faucet for your kitchen sink is far more complex than it sounds. There are a lot of things you need to keep in mind while shopping for kitchen faucets, for instance, the required daily usage, the number of mounting holes and size your sink, the finishing of the kitchen, and most importantly, your overall budget.
Usually, kitchen sinks come with up to four mounting holes. While three of the holes are taken up by the faucet spout and two handles, the fourth is meant for side spray or soap dispenser. If you are renovating or remodelling your kitchen, it is recommended you buy the sink and faucet together to avoid the issue of mounting holes.
Since there are quite a few different types of kitchen faucets available in the market today, we’ve put together a list that might help you reach a quick decision.
Most Popular Types of Kitchen Faucets
These are some of the most popular types of kitchen faucets used in homes across Pakistan:
- Single-handle faucet
- Double-handle faucet
- Pull-out faucet
- Pull-down faucet
- Motion sensor faucet
Let’s take a look at each of their distinctive features as well as discuss their pros and cons.
Single-Handle Faucet
Single handle or single lever faucets are one of the most common types of kitchen faucets you will find in homes across Pakistan.
As the name suggests, this faucet only has one handle that you can turn from left to right to control the temperature. You can turn it all the way on each side to get cold and hot water. For water at room temperature, you can leave the lever in the middle.
The important thing to keep in mind while purchasing a single handle faucet is the distance between the mounting hole and the backsplash, as you don’t want the lever to hit anything in the background every single time you rotate it.
Since this type of kitchen faucet only requires a singular mounting hole, you can install a soap dispenser or/and a spray nozzle on your sink to utilize the additional ones.
Here are the major pros and cons of single-handle faucets.
Pro: It is easy to install and navigate
Con: You will have to wait for a certain amount of time for the temperature to switch
Pro: These faucets don’t require much maintenance and are easy to repair
Con: It probably won’t allow precise temperature adjustments compared to other types of faucets
Pro: Single handle faucet is relatively inexpensive
Double-Handle Faucet
It is also one of the most commonly installed kitchen faucet styles. Unlike the single-handle faucets, the double handle ones provide the user with separate levers to switch between hot and cold water. In most cases, the handles are attached on either side of a central piece. However, you can also find some models with each handle located a few inches apart from the centrepiece.
Most double handle faucets require either one or three mounting holes on the sink along with separate connections to hot and cold water. Also, if you need water that’s neither hot nor called, you’ll have to turn both handles to a certain degree for the desired temperature.
Let’s take a look at some advantages and disadvantages of installing double handle faucets in your kitchen
Pro: These types of faucets allow relatively better temperature adjustment options compared to the single lever ones
Con: Installing a kitchen faucet with two handles is a little difficult to install
Pro: Even if one of the handles break, you can use the other one to operate the faucet
Con: A double handle faucet is slightly more costly than the one with a single handle
Pull-Out Faucet
You may have seen these types of faucets in commercial kitchens.
Pull-out faucets usually come in two varieties – it either extends towards you in a straight line or has a flexible hose that can be pulled in any direction. These types of faucets are not only trendy and modern, but they can also make your kitchen look expensive and upscale.
These kitchen faucets have a detachable handle that can be pulled out and a small lever or button on its side to manage the flow and temperature of the water. If you have a slightly big kitchen sink, you should consider installing this faucet as this would make it easier for you to clean the basin thoroughly. In fact, you can even use it to wash the countertop surrounding the sink. You can also use it to fill water in larger pots and pans without going through the trouble of fitting them into the sink.
Pull-out faucets are also aesthetically pleasing and are widely available in a variety of shapes and designs.
Here are some of the pros and cons of installing pull-out kitchen faucets:
Pro: The extendable spout of a pull-out faucet allows to thoroughly clean the sink and whatever’s in it
Con: These kitchen faucets might not be suitable for smaller sinks
Pro: It can instantly upgrade your entire kitchen décor
Con: Relatively expensive and harder to install
Pull-Down Faucet
A pull-down kitchen faucet is a little different from the pull-out one, as it extends straight down instead of extending outside. It is one of the most easily available faucets in the market, owing to its high demand among residential and commercial buildings alike.
This type of kitchen faucet usually has a goose-neck spout, which extends in the downward directions allowing you to aim the stream of water closer to a spot right beneath it. Some pull-out faucets come with an extendable hose that can be manoeuvred around to clean the dishes and pots in the sink. Moreover, it also ensures your sink is spotless and free of any dirty spots.
One of the best features of pull-down kitchen faucets is that you don’t have to worry about any splashes. These faucets usually have a lever on the side or two handles to adjust the temperature and flow of the water.
You can easily find it in a number of different yet aesthetically pleasing designs and colours.
Check out the benefits and downsides of installing a kitchen faucet with a pull-down feature.
Pro: You can use it to clean the difficult and unreachable spots in your sink
Con: This faucet can only be pulled downwards and not in other directions
Pro: It is ideal for deeper sinks and prevents splashing
Con: Pull-out kitchen faucets are not suitable for small or hollow sinks
Motion Sensor Faucet
This is perhaps one of the most technologically advanced types of kitchen faucets you can install in your cooking space.
The motion sensor or motion detector faucet works best in modern kitchens and allows you to turn on the water without touching its surface at all. You can just hover your hand over the sensor to turn it on to wash dishes, fill utensils or wash the sink. The sensor itself is usually placed near the base of the faucet, however, in some cases, it may be installed at a different location. You’ll have to check its position and how well it works before deciding to buy it.
Moreover, some of these kitchen faucets come with adjustable temperature control functions, which means you have to turn its lever manually to get cold or hot water. On the other hand, some motion sensor faucets have pre-set temperature control.
If you are planning to splurge on a motion detector faucet, it’s recommended to stay far away from cheap kitchen faucets.
Here are some of the most noteworthy advantages and disadvantages of installing a kitchen faucet with motion sensors.
Pro: It is extremely convenient. You can simply turn on the water with by hovering your hand over it
Con: These types of faucets are usually very expensive. Also, you have to hire a professional for the kitchen faucet installation
Pro: Motion sensor faucets can make your kitchen look sleek and stylish
Con: Repairing these faucets can be a little tricky
So, which of these faucets will you be buying for your kitchen sink? Don’t forget to write to us at blog@zameen.com.
Meanwhile, make sure to check out our comprehensive guide on choosing the right type of tiles for your kitchen. You may also want to take a look at our tutorials on installing a tile backsplash and painting your kitchen cabinets for some DIY inspiration.
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