Faucet may not seem something that needs a lot of consideration. However, buying a faucet solely based on whether you like how it looks may affect a lot of more important things like water conservation, ease of use and maintenance.
This where you realize that choosing any sanitary ware and fittings for your bathroom, even something as small as faucet, requires a lot of thought. A faucet is the most frequently used fixture of a sink. The constant use can make a faucet malfunction, causing the continuous dripping of water. This is one of the main reasons why a faucet has to be durable first and yet aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
Here are the things that you have to remember to help you decide what kind of faucet is right for your loo.
1. The Holes
Different faucets have different hole patterns. Now, you need to determine the kind of pattern that will suit your sinks. If you need a separate handle for cold and hot water, the three hole faucet is perfect. While centerset faucets can come with one or two handles to control temperature and flow and are made for bathroom sinks with one opening. With the centerset, the spout and handles are on a single base. With a standard spread of 4”, this type of faucet is perfect for smaller sinks!
2. Style And Finish
Faucets may be a sanitary fitting that exist for its function but that doesn’t mean you can’t express you inclination towards modern or traditional look with it. If your bathroom leans more on the modern look, faucets with smooth sleek curves or geometric shapes with chrome and satin nickel finishes are great. But if you like to keep things traditional, cross handles, pewter finish faucet, as well as brushed nickel, antique bronze, polished brass, oil-rubbed bronze or antique copper faucet can help you achieve the look.
3. Water Conservation
Did you know that a faucet leaking 10 drips every minute wastes 526 gallons of water per year? Lack of water is the greatest challenge humanity faces in many parts of the world. It’s best to conserve water as much as we can before it’s too late. Check the faucet you plan on buying to see how much volume of water it will use in a minute. Spouts are either aerated or non-aerated. Because aerated spouts mix air with the water, the flow rate is lower than a non-aerated spout and less water is used. Touchless electronic faucets are also fantastic when it comes to saving water, because they automatically turn the water off when you move your hands away.
4. Built-In Water Filtration System
If you are the type of always get up in the middle of the night feeling thirsty and always have to walk all the way to the kitchen to drink, maybe it’s time you install faucet in your bathroom with built-in water filtration system. This doesn’t just allow you to drink clean water without going out of your room but it also allows you to refrain from buying more bottled water which isn’t just money-saving but also eco-friendly.
5. Ease Of Use
Before buying a faucet, consider who will be using it. If you have children or elderly family members, choose a single-handled kitchen faucet. This type allows the user to control the temperature as well as flow adjustment with just one lever, and it’s easy to grip and turn. Touch-sensitive faucets are terrific for ease of use. Whether they have single or double handles, the water flow can be switched on or off with a single touch along the outside of the faucet spout.
6. Valve
Compression valve, washer less and ball valves are the compression models that you can choose for your faucet. Choose a faucet that is based primarily on the valves used. Some valves are easy to maintain and are affordable. Some valves are harder to maintain and are expensive too. Choose a faucet that is not prone to rust and has an easy to maintain the finish with simple cleaning. Choose a finish that will help create an overall look of the area.