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