Choosing Perfect Bathroom Faucets
Email To Friend | share this article | Posted by Dean on February 1st in Bathroom Remodel.
Most quality faucets are made from brass and are sold in several finishes, from powder-coated enamel to gold plating. Parts may be either machine made or cast in molds, but the cast process is considered superior. Another popular option is plastic.
Faucet Finishes
Look for a long-lasting, low-maintenance finish to complement your decor. You have a lot of choices, though chrome and brass are favored because they�re durable easy to maintain. Remember, brass requires a special protective coating to prevent it from tarnishing. Epoxy is easy to clean and comes in lots of colors; many manufacturers use a technology called PVD (physical vapor deposition) for their faucet finishes, making them Superman-tough.
Basic Faucet Styles
Faucets come in three basic styles, with variations on each:
Centerset faucets are the most common style and come in a two-handle style (each valve has a separate outflow) or single handle style (both hot and cold water feed through a single outflow).
Widespread faucets have both the hot and cold valves, as well as the spout, mounted separately. They are spread 8-20 inches apart, and tend to be more expensive than centerset faucets.
Mini-widespread faucets are a variation of the widespread but with a 4 inch center to center instead of 8 to 20 inches.
Tip from the Pros
Shop for quality. An inexpensive faucet may look as good as a more expensive one, but don’t be fooled�it won’t last long. Be skeptical when plastic is used on integral parts or lightweight washers control the flow of water instead of ceramic disks or replaceable cartridges. If you feel like comparing the cost future plumber�s bills that could result from a cheap faucet to the price of a quality faucet, you�ll end up all wet. The average cost of a faucet is $150 to $400-plus.