Kitchen faucets: types, sizes and choices

A kitchen faucet is almost the main element of plumbing in a room, which largely determines how convenient it will be to use a sink. Despite the fact that its replacement by itself may not be costly and not take up an excessive amount of time, any good owner will prefer to spend money on installing a convenient and reliable mechanism once instead of thinking about replacing or repairing it every few years.

Despite the apparent simplicity of such a device, modern kitchen faucets can have radically different operating principles and it’s impossible to say that at least one of the varieties is fundamentally better than the others. Your choice depends on how exactly you understand your own convenience, how much money you are willing to pay in order to achieve it. To help you navigate the variety of assortment, consider the most common types of water faucets.

This version of the water faucet was invented a very long time ago and is surely familiar to every person. The design in this case is extremely simple - as controls are used two separate valves for cold and hot water independently.

By adjusting the degree of moisture supply from each pipe, you find a balance that determines the strength of the total pressure and the temperature of the water. Its useful to note several key advantages of a mixer with separate taps, which still do not allow the "old man" to retire.

• Simplicity. The mechanism does not imply anything complicated in its design, and the simpler the product, the less there are parts that are ready to break. Even in the event of a breakdown, any skilled man can repair such a faucet, not necessarily a plumber, and this is very practical.
• Cheapness. Again, the lack of an impressive set of parts makes the standard two-valve mixer an inexpensive product that can be affordable for anyone. Those who want to save money without losing quality choose this option.
• Relative reliability. From time to time, even such a mixer requires maintenance, but in general, the new model does not fail for several years. In addition, the repair, as already mentioned, is quite simple and does not take much time.

The disadvantages are relatively few, but to some they may seem significant, namely:

• each time the water temperature will have to be adjusted again, since it directly depends on the degree of openness of each of the valves;
• in the kitchen, this often has to be done with dirty hands, which makes the valve handles soiled and requires additional care, for this reason in recent years two-valve taps have gradually disappeared from domestic kitchens, even if they remain popular in the same bathroom.

Two or three decades ago, single-lever mixers burst into domestic life for the first time, which immediately turned the humble post-Soviet man's idea of ​​how long it takes to set the temperature of the water.

This type of crane is also familiar to everyone - control in this case is carried out with the help of a single lever, which rotates in two planes: rising up and lowering down regulate the pressure force, while left and right turns set the temperature of the water in one motion, adjusting the proportions of the liquid from the cold and hot pipes. It is worth noting that single-lever mixers only look the same from the outside, but in reality their internal design may turn out to be different.

According to this criterion, they are divided into two main types.

• Ball valve It is based on a polished metal ball with three holes (two input and one output). Changing its position allows you to evenly control the temperature and pressure. A similar mechanism is very simple, but the gasket in contact with the ball on most of the surface, somewhat prevents smooth adjustment.
• Ceramic mixer adjusts the parameters of the exit stream thanks to carefully polished ceramic-metal plates, which ideally fit snugly against each other. Such a design is good in that it ensures maximum smoothness of rotation of the lever, but repair can be difficult - there are several types of replaceable cartridge plates, and some manufacturers even focus on non-standard parts that are difficult to replace.

In recent years, such a mixer is considered almost the best choice for the kitchen and the reasons for this are obvious.

• Stable water temperature. Cold and hot water in our houses flow separately only because they can’t organize their joint supply in any way. However, in most cases, a person does not need either one in its pure form - preference is given to a certain average temperature at which water can be considered warm. The old two-valve crane had to adjust it every time, but there wouldn’t be such a problem: if you set the lever to the correct position once, from now on you will only raise it and lower it.
• Independent regulation of temperature and pressure. In two-valve cranes, a change in one of these two parameters usually provokes a change at the same time and the second one or you have to turn the valves for a long time until a new ideal proportion is found. The single-lever mixer, which requires an increase or decrease in pressure, simultaneously enhances or reduces the flow of fluid from both connected pipes. Similarly, if temperature changes are necessary - increasing the dosage of water from one pipe, it automatically reduces its amount from another, but the total amount of liquid poured does not change.
• You can turn on the water with one motion of the hand. In the kitchen, this is very convenient, because with dirty hands you can often dirty the valves, adding tasks for the next cleaning. The lever can be opened and closed with any part of the hand or even with some foreign object, so that it will remain clean for a long time.

The following disadvantages are worth noting:

• a single lever mixer costs a little more than its twin-valve counterpart, especially if you want to buy a quality product;
• it’s better not to save on a purchase, since independent repair in this case turns out to be a more difficult task - at least you should have parts for replacement, but with standardization everything is much more complicated here;
• all the advantages associated with temperature stability and ease of adjustment are relevant only as long as the pressure in the pipes is stable and symmetrical, and the temperature of the water supplied by them does not change depending on any external factors.

The thermostatic mixer can be safely considered one of the newest design options, even to the present moment it has not become widespread. This is a kind of model, which not everyone had the opportunity to experience. In such a tap, the temperature and pressure of the water are regulated by different handles - in front of the jet force regulator is the handle of the thermostat itself.

The device of the latter resembles a wax thermostat of an automobile engine: the mechanism is a sealed capsule, inside which there is a substance. It melts and noticeably changes its volume depending on what is the temperature of the supplied water. Together with it, the capsule itself expands and contracts, and already it regulates the ratio of cold and hot water so that it matches the value that you selected with the handle.

The handle itself only affects the pressure inside the capsule, which affects the melting point of the wax inside.

The key advantage of such a crane is that it “does not trust” the stability of temperature and pressure, as is the case with a single lever mechanism, and each time it adjusts these parameters. In this case, in the event of a cold water shutdown, you will never be scalded - the design simply will not let boiling water flow, instantly blocking it. A “smart” device will not block water if it “notices” that warm water is supplied instead of hot, and cold, even if there is no hot water, is never blocked by a mixer.

note that the thermostatic mixer, unlike its more primitive counterparts, does not allow “entanglement” of inputs. In order for everything to work correctly, hot and cold water must enter the mixer from the very side as indicated in the instructions. For this reason, before buying, you should clearly find out which of the pipes fits the faucet on the left and which on the right.

All leading manufacturers understand that the wiring can be different and they release their popular models in two versions, so the consumer just needs not to be mistaken.

In recent years, electronics has acquired great importance for controlling a wide variety of devices and technologies, so it is not surprising that today even a kitchen faucet may require an electrical connection. Such an electrical appliance, depending on the model, may have many unexpected featuresthat may be useful in the kitchen.

They should be considered carefully.

• Contactless on and off. So far, such technology has not even been acquired in all public places where such a principle of operation is critical, but for those owners who value maximum comfort, this is not a reason to refuse new items. An optical or any other sensor reacts when you approach the sink and substitute something under the tap, and automatically turns on the water. A touch-sensitive unit with a motion sensor allows you not to dirty the control handle (it simply isn’t), and it also makes it possible to turn on the water even if both of your hands are busy. Among other things, it is impossible to forget to turn off such a mixer, it does not waste water in vain - as soon as the equipment “understands” that there is nothing in its area of ​​operation, it automatically turns off the water supply.
• Temperature debugging If the house water supply system is not able to supply water of a stable temperature, then a heated faucet will be very relevant. He will not make boiling water out of cold water, but in the kitchen you are unlikely to need it anyway, but with a fairly powerful device, you can not bring hot water to the kitchen at all. Among other things, the faucet always heats the water to a certain temperature that you set, and although it can take a few seconds, you could spend much more time on the daily adjustment of the valves.
• The ability to memorize several programs. The electronic device of some models does not shy away from simple programming. Unlike a single-lever tap, which can “remember” the proportions of water in a single setting, modern technology provides a much wider variety of actions. The device can be set both temperature and pressure - it will understand how to provide the required parameters in the conditions of each individual moment. In addition, to solve different kitchen problems, different temperatures and different pressures may be required - the unit will remember several presets at once, allowing you to drastically change all settings to those that are relevant right now with a flick of the hand.
• Decorativeness. This feature is inherent only to the most expensive models, and in the kitchen it is unlikely to find application - such delights are more appropriate for a bath or shower. Therefore, we only briefly mention that the electronic unit is able to highlight the jet in different colors, guided by the current temperature of the water, and also turn on the music in parallel with the opening of the tap.

It would seem that such advanced technologies should no longer have flaws, but they are there and it’s not only a high price, which, of course, seems excessive for most average consumers. These include the following:

• the increased complexity of the design leads to the fact that one or the other node will fail, so the cost of money and nerves for maintenance can greatly disappoint;
• not every plumber will undertake to repair your overseas miracle, shining in the process of working with all the colors of the rainbow;
• the operation of the mechanism depends on the supply of electrical energy, and when you turn off the latter, you will encounter an unusual situation when there is no water at the same time.

Such a device is most often another type of single lever mixer with all the advantages and disadvantages of this design. The fundamental difference is that there is a separate spout for the filter - it turns out that filtered water does not mix with tap water and vice versa.

Such a solution is very relevant for practical owners who have heard about the dangers of untreated tap water, but at the same time understand that it makes no sense to filter it for any needs. For example, for drinking, cooking and washing food, maximum purity of the water is desirable, and washing the dishes is possible with plain tap water. Such an approach is appropriate, since any filter becomes more polluted, the more dirty water you pass through it. Cleaning and replacement costs money, in addition, it costs time and effort, which is inconvenient, so many owners would like to make the procedure as rare as possible.

One of the most important factors in choosing a mixer is the parameters of its spout, since in many respects they determine the convenience of its use. You should choose not only for appearance - you should objectively evaluate the practicality of the model in the kitchen.

Swivel spout for the kitchen is a must, since this at least helps to restore order in the sink. When it is loaded with dishes, you should be able to redirect the stream so that water spray from the plates does not fly around the room.

Choosing the height of the spout, you should focus on all the same convenience: all dirty dishes should be placed under the tap, but when dropped from a great height, water will inevitably be sprayed.

There is a classification according to which spouts are low (up to 190 mm), medium (190-240 mm) and high (over 240 mm). The averaged indicator, taking into account the above criteria, seems most suitable, but if the mixer is bought separately from the sink, the depth of the latter should also be taken into account. The spout length should also be determined according to one's own needs. Both short and long taps are equally impractical, because in both cases the predominant part of the sink is not accessible to direct jets.

Experts also see a dilemma in whether to take a one-piece combination of a mixer and its spout or a prefabricated model. A holistic frame is much more durable, leaks are unlikely to be scary for him, and he is also convenient in terms of maintenance, but repair will be complicated if necessary.

The shape of the spout can be any - square, elbow or curved. This is purely a matter of aesthetics, unless you have chosen a folding or hinged version that can bend like a hose - then its stream can be sent to absolutely anywhere in the sink. This solution should be considered very practical.

The longevity of a kitchen faucet for washing and the simplicity of its maintenance depend largely on what the unit is made of. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not only the case that is worth evaluating - any part of the unit matters, and they are made from different materials. As a material for the case, various types of metals are almost always used.

Zinc, white in the context, usually weighs relatively little and is characterized by increased fragility, so this is the cheapest option, not considered a quality model. More widespread housing stainless steel and brass - at relatively low prices, these metals provide good strength and durability, and they look good.

Rare materials include copper and bronze, but the reason for their rarity is the opposite of that of zinc - these metals look noble and cost significantly more, so not everyone can afford it.

The best combination is a metal case and a ceramic-based fillingbut modern industry can offer a mixer made from almost anything. If you wish, you can find a plastic, silicone, ceramic or granite tap that will look original 99% of its counterparts, but any of these materials has less resistance to impact, so you need to be careful with them.

Whatever metal you choose (and this is the most likely choice), it is desirable that he be protected by something from the outside. Chrome coating is considered one of the most reliable in terms of long service life, but preference is not always given to that one, since the consumer does not have the opportunity to choose the color of the product, which also has the ability to be quickly covered with visible stains of dirt.

In an aesthetic sense, enamel is much better, which gives a choice of shades, but it is inferior in strength and may lose its original shade, and in the worst case, completely peel off. The best solution may be decoration of the mixer in bronze, since there pollution is not particularly noticeable, and care is extremely simple.

If you are trying to give the design of your own kitchen any outstanding stylistic features, you should be guided by the fact that the faucet must comply with general principles, otherwise it will spoil the overall impression of the room.

For most owners, it’s a mystery how to fit the tap into a particular style, therefore, we will give some useful tips.

• Classic and retro style. Let's be objective - mass water supply and large-scale industrial production of taps began not so long ago, since, say, seventy years have passed. Before that, faucets were a relative wonder - they, like plumbing, were only in the homes of relatively wealthy citizens, and they often ordered the production of such an assembly individually or bought it in a factory version, but still without current standardization. This allows us to draw two conclusions: that the classic faucet should not have a banal and too standard form, and that its rich appearance will play into the hands of the designer.

• Modern. Modernity in design is usually associated with design rigor - most details will be excluded if they play a purely aesthetic role, but practicality is of great importance. A faucet may look simple, it does not have to be expensive when you can belong to the production line, if only the interior looked holistic and unusual. At the same time, original design decisions are not prohibited, but keep in mind that in the kitchen a bright accent should be made after all not at the sink.

• Ethno and country. All these are the names of the same style, which takes on different features depending on the village of which country you are trying to portray. Interestingly, the variety of design options has almost no effect on the recommendations for the crane - in almost all cases it should look unusual and rare, be it Provence, African or Japanese.This requirement is caused by the fact that traditional culture is usually opposed to modernity, which means that the mixer should look like it has remained “from those times”.

We deliberately refuse to make a full rating with a distribution of places, because we understand that each consumer may have their own evaluation criteria, and each manufacturer may have more or less successful models. Nevertheless, there are several companies that deserve only flattering comments about their products.

Any plumber will tell you that the choice in favor of the taps of these brands is this is a fundamental contribution to the future, so it is worth getting to know them even before going to the store.

• Grohe, Hansa and Hansgrohe. Three German brands, necessarily included in any top, can be combined in one point, since the main thing for any German company is the highest quality of manufactured goods. These manufacturers simply do not know what marriage is, but they have a subtle sense of style. Sometimes they are blamed for the lack of attention to stylish retro models, but there is nothing more to complain about here - even a rather high price is justified.
• Geberit The Swiss are the same Germans with an avid scrupulousness and increased attention to the smallest details. This brand has become famous primarily due to technological mixers equipped with infrared sensors and able to save water.
• Oras. In Finland, too, they know how to make mixers, and it turns out that the local masters do it quite well. The Finns have long been present in the domestic market and are well known to the consumer due to the reliability and durability of their products, the confidence in which allows the manufacturer to give impressive guarantees. They criticize this brand except for the rather high prices for modern sensory products - what can you do, in Scandinavia the standard of living is higher.
• Vidima. Our consumer is already accustomed to what Europe and North America are doing high quality, but expensive, and China - cheap but short-lived. Do not think that a certain middle ground is an unattainable ideal: a Bulgarian company, located in the European Union, produces products that meet the best expectations and the highest standards. Since the local labor force is quite cheap, our compatriots may well buy such a crane.

So that the acquired plumbing does not disappoint, It is worth paying attention to several points.

• When choosing a mixer for height, focus on the depth of the sink. To accommodate a sufficient amount of dishes and the absence of splashes, the height of the spout is important in relation to the sink bottom, and not to its base, so when buying a sink and faucet separately, evaluate their compatibility from this point of view.
• If you do not use tap hot water, and use a water heater, the purchase of an electronic faucet with heated water seems unnecessary. In any case, both devices depend on electricity, so in most cases the functions will simply be duplicated, and you should not overpay.
• The mixer with the lever on a nose It may seem strange at first glance, but if your sink has a considerable width, it may not be convenient for a short person to reach for the lever, which is traditionally located at the base of the spout. In this case, it makes sense to meet the hostess and choose a model with control in the free access zone.
• When installing the sink under the window high spouts are not commonly used. It is assumed that you have a window so that during the execution of kitchen affairs you have the opportunity to admire the opening view, and a protruding crane will interfere with this.
• A professional plumber will never buy a product from his hands or in questionable stores. It is usually unrealistic to buy a quality mixer from a good manufacturer there, and even with a guarantee, but there is every chance to spend money on a low-quality fake.
• Not being a specialist in the world of faucets, take an interest in leading brands of such products - most likely, you will hear their names for the first time. Do not be too lazy to remember exactly how these names are written, because the Chinese do not sleep and love to pamper our compatriots with surprisingly cheap branded taps with a random typo in one letter.
• Make sure that the scope of delivery is complete. The same flow-through flexible hoses supplied in the kit often turn out to be too short for installation, and this can be an unpleasant surprise requiring a repeated trip to the store.

A quality product will last for many years, but it is important that it does not lose its original appearance, otherwise the need for replacement may arise unexpectedly early. As a rule, the majority of potential ingrained contaminants can be relatively easily removed if the problem is solved immediately after its occurrence - just wipe the tap soapy solution or vinegar, lemon juice or vodka.

The listed liquids are not applied to the stain itself, but first to the sponge, after achieving the desired result, rinse the case with warm water and carefully wipe dry with a soft cloth. Experts advise using a tap to wash filtered water only - thanks to this, you guarantee that during the washing process no new spots are put on the product.

In addition, crane care includes periodic gasket replacement and aerator cleaning - ignoring these requirements, you will notice a decrease in the productivity and quality of the mixer. In the case of simple designs in the form of a two-valve tap, you can usually cope with the tasks yourself without resorting to a plumber - disassembling and assembling turn out to be tasks on the shoulder for an average man who is not afraid to roll up his sleeves.

See how to choose a kitchen faucet in the video below.