| Most home owners are going to at some stage or | | | | scratched and dinged over time. One material that is |
| another be faced with the prospect of having to buy | | | | even stronger than chrome is physical vapor |
| a new faucet for their shower or bath. Because this | | | | deposition, or PVD. This material is, however, very |
| is something that does not happen regularly, we tend | | | | expensive. |
| to be nervous about making the wrong decision, but | | | | There are four main types of faucets... |
| rest assured it is not a difficult process. The first | | | | Compression Valve - This is the original faucet design, |
| thing you need to decide when purchasing a new | | | | and is the most popular of the four as well as being |
| faucet for your shower is whether you want two | | | | the least expensive. The stem of the faucet is held in |
| handles or one. The easiest solution is to go with the | | | | place with a washer, and when the faucet is turned |
| same setup that you have now, however if you are | | | | on, the stem is lowered and raised, allowing water to |
| installing a new bath, you have more options available | | | | pass through. |
| to you. Having two handles (one for hot water, and | | | | Ball Valve - This type of faucet benefits from having |
| one for cold), gives you a lot more control over | | | | no washers, which means that it is much lower |
| water temperature, but some people prefer the | | | | maintenance than a compression valve. It is designed |
| stylish look of the single handled faucets. | | | | with a ball inside the stem that has slots in it. It's |
| The most popular style of handle is the cross shaped | | | | these slots that control the flow of water as the |
| one, closely followed by the wing levers. As far as | | | | faucet handle is turned. |
| material is concerned, chrome is not only the most | | | | Cartridge - These faucets have a movable cartridge |
| popular choice, but also one of the strongest | | | | installed in the stem that controls the flow of water. |
| available. If longevity is what you are after, then a | | | | Usually these faucet handles are lifted up and down, |
| chrome faucet and handles are definitely the way to | | | | unlike the other designs where the handle is twisted. |
| go. Some people like the look and feel of enamel or | | | | Because there are less moving parts involved with |
| epoxy, and while these materials can indeed look | | | | this style of faucet, there is less chance of it |
| great in the right bathroom, they are likely to get | | | | breaking down. |