| A durable and stylish kitchen faucet or bath | | | | 5. Know that there are four kinds of faucets.a. |
| faucet blends together function and aesthetics. | | | | The compression valve: |
| The well made faucet makes life a lot easier. | | | | The compression valve uses rubber washers. The |
| Excellent valve mechanism and more durable | | | | compression valve type of faucet will eventually |
| finishes boost longevity and looks. | | | | leak but they are typically easy to repair.b. The |
| Here are six steps in choosing the right faucet for | | | | ball valves: |
| you: | | | | The ball valve controls the flow and temperature |
| 1. Two-handle designs, generally goes for as low | | | | of the water by using a steel ball. The ball valves |
| as $50, allows you to regulate the temperature | | | | are washerless and easy to maintain because of |
| more accurately. Having independent control for | | | | this. Replacing a ball valve is readily affordable and |
| the hot and cold water makes adjusting the | | | | easy to do.c. The ceramic disk |
| temperature easier. | | | | The ceramic disk is virtually a maintenance free |
| The single handle faucets also known as | | | | water faucet. It is guaranteed not to wear out |
| post-mount, generally goes for $75 to $200, | | | | but is obviously much more expensive than the |
| operate from side-mounted lever or a | | | | ball valve or compression valve.d. The cartridge |
| top-mounted knob. Most single-handle faucets | | | | faucet |
| have pullout spouts. | | | | Much like the ceramic disk, the cartridge faucet |
| The cross-shaped design and large wing levers | | | | usually does not need any maintenance. Just like |
| are the more popular designs. However, most | | | | the ceramic disk, it has a hefty price tag. |
| faucets have different handles that can be | | | | Regardless of the type of faucet you choose. |
| attached to a faucet body for a customized look. | | | | Always check the warranty and the finish. |
| 2. If the style of the faucet is important, begin | | | | 6. You may opt for filtering faucets, costing $200 |
| your choosing with the type of finish. The most | | | | plus, to bring in purified water. Several filters are |
| affordable finish for a faucet is a chrome finish. | | | | placed under the sink while others are fitted inside |
| Usually priced around $60. The chrome-finish has a | | | | the spout. To set the maximum water |
| long warranty on scratches. | | | | temperature, an anti-scald faucet can be used. An |
| The more colorful enamel coatings generally will | | | | electronic faucet with an infrared sensor is also |
| cost you from $20 to $200 more, and are more | | | | available. They save on water and allow for |
| susceptible to scratches and chipping. Add 25 to | | | | cleaner handles. |
| 40 percent more to the price of coated faucets | | | | In general, you don't need to hand over your hard |
| for stainless steel faucets. | | | | earned money to pay for good quality. Most |
| 3. A PVD (physical vapor deposition) finish is | | | | faucets have the same basic parts and |
| better than usual plated finishes but add $150 to | | | | sometimes even the same finish across several |
| $750 more in costs. The PVD finish is done by | | | | price lines. |
| vaporizing the metal and glazing it with a | | | | To have a streamlined, urban look, choose a |
| scratch-resistant and non-tarnishing film. | | | | faucet that is mounted on the wall, this is often |
| Look at brushed chrome, oil-rubbed bronze and | | | | used with vanity bowls. |
| satin nickel for a rustic appeal. The brushed finish | | | | Be sure that your faucet connection matches |
| and satin finish cleverly hides scratches. | | | | your sink holes. If they don't match, you'll have to |
| 4. There are more to spouts aside from the | | | | provide more drill holes or cover the unused holes |
| standard straight faucets. There are high-arching | | | | using an escutcheon plate. |
| goose-like spouts, great for filling pots. A pull-out | | | | All faucets in general carry at least one year |
| faucet can get you anywhere in a sink with | | | | warranties. Even the low-end models carry at |
| three-bowls. You can go from a spray mode to a | | | | least one year of warranty. Many faucets carry a |
| stream mode with a touch. There are also | | | | warranty by the manufacturer that is more than |
| restaurant-type models for those extra long | | | | one year. |
| hoses. | | | | Good luck choosing the perfect faucet for you. |