| Compatibility is an important factor. Pay special mind | | | | combine the spout and valves on a single basin unit. |
| to how the faucet needs to be installed to see if it | | | | The difference between the three lies in the fact |
| will work with your sink type. Other than that, the | | | | that the handles and spout are distanced farther |
| choice really depends on design preferences and cost | | | | apart on the widespread faucet than they are with |
| bracket. You've got various styles and finishes to | | | | the other two examples. With widespread faucets, |
| choose from. Finishes alone come in combinations of | | | | the handles and spout appear to be separate units. |
| chrome, brass, enamel, ceramic, gold, pewter, nickel, | | | | Centerset faucets are a smaller version of this |
| bronze, and many others. In addition to the choices in | | | | prototype, with the handles and spout located closer |
| faucet style and finish, handles can be shaped like | | | | together. The minispread faucet falls somewhere in |
| everything from crosses to wheels. Because of this | | | | between. With the size options on these popular |
| range in possibilities, the faucet can cost you | | | | models, it's easy to scale up or down depending on |
| anywhere from $25 to $2000 and beyond. | | | | the size of your sink. |
| That said, you may get some comfort in the fact | | | | Unlike the centerset, widespread, or minispread |
| that the faucet you select will ultimately come from | | | | faucets, single hole faucets require one-hole |
| one of the following general categories. As you | | | | installation basins. They consist of a single mixing |
| become familiar with what's available, the process can | | | | handle attached to the spout. Basin faucets, on the |
| become more fun than tricky. | | | | other hand, vary from single handle models to hot |
| Widespread, centerset, and minispread faucets share | | | | and cold water handles located on separate sides of |
| the same basic structure but vary in size. Each has | | | | the sink, each attached to their own spout. Finally, |
| separate handles for hot and cold water, with a | | | | wall mounted handles are set above the counter or |
| spout located between them. More importantly, all | | | | freestanding basin and require a long spout with an |
| three models require three-hole installation basins and | | | | extended reach. |