Here is my handle…here is my spout
By Never teh BrideThe nice thing about buying a house is that you own everything in it. Conversely, the bad thing about buying a house is that you own everything in it. Right now, I own counter tops that are made of some sort of material that absorbs stains as a matter of course and a sink that is slowly falling into the cabinet underneath. For this, I can thank the previous owners and their half-assed approach to DIY home repair.
Speaking of that sink, I’m loosely in the market for a shiny new one…and I can’t imagine buying the sink itself without buying a new faucet set to go with it. Curious to see what I’m considering? Read on for pics and what for me are incomprehensible stats.
The Polished Brass Single Handle Kitchen Faucet with Spiral Handle and Sprayer:
-3-Hole Installation -1/2″ IPS Inlets -11-7/16″ Spout Height -6-1/2″ Aerator Clearance -9-15/16″ Spout Reach -3″ Maximum Deck Thickness -Ceramic Disc Cartridge -Spiral handle with porcelain index button
Oil Rubbed Bronze Single Handle Kitchen Faucet with Pump Handle and Sprayer:
-2-Hole Installation -1/2″ IPS Inlets -11-1/6″ Spout Reach -6-1/8″ Aerator Clearance -9-15/16″ Spout Reach -3″ Maximum Deck Thickness -Ceramic Disc Cartridge -Pump Handle with porcelain index button -Matching Spray
Chrome Widespread Kitchen Faucet with Metal Crosses and Sprayer:
- 4-Hole Installation -1/2″ IPS Inlet -10-3/4″ Spout Height -7-5/16″ Aerator Clearance -9-1/2″ Spout Reach -2″ Maximum Deck Thickness -1/4 Turn Ceramic Cartridge -Metal Cross Handles with French and English porcelain index buttons -Matching Spray
What do the stats actually mean? I haven’t gotten that far into my research yet…for now, I’m spending my time looking at pretty pictures and thinking about which faucets will look best in my own kitchen. Isn’t that the best part of home repair? I certainly think so!
The next step will be to learn about IPS inlets and that sort of thing, so I know what I’m talking about when installation time rolls around. I’ll share whatever I find out, of course, so stay tuned, and feel free to post a link to your own dream kitchen accessories in the comments.
December 31st, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Go for something with a single handle. It’s much easier to use. And consider one that elevates so you can put large pots under it!
January 1st, 2008 at 9:05 am
IPS outlets are the size of the supply lines (the pipe thingies that bring water to the faucet) This is industry standard so don’t sweat the small stuff. The spout length is important because you want to make sure the spout will reach both sinks if you go for an offset installation or a large bowl small bowl sink. Aerator clearance is letting you know how high the spout is from the faucet deck (countertop) so if you have really big pots you can make sure they can go into the sink and still have the faucet clear the top. Deck thickness is really important if you are using granite or concrete countertops. If the faucet threads (pipe thingies again) aren’t long enough to go thru the countertop, then whoops! won’t fit! Lastly, definitely go with ceramic discs. They last longer and are less maintenance than other faucets. As for sink choice, what kind of countertop? If you are getting a stainless sink, make sure it is at least 18 gauge (lower number better sink, i.e. 22 gauge is junk!)
January 1st, 2008 at 11:32 am
Thanks for the tip, Momghee!
And wow, Jennie, I certainly appreciate the crash course in faucet stats! I feel like I could go to the closest kitchen hardware outlet and not make a fool of myself. Woo!
January 1st, 2008 at 5:27 pm
No problem! I’m a kitchen and bath designer…
January 4th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
My biggest sink tip is: go with an extra deep sink. I have a 10 inch deep stainless undermount sink - with great insulation. Everyone who sees it and uses it LOVES it. My mom had to get one once she used mine. If you happen to put a dish (or five) in the sink temporarly you don’t see it. Also, fewer jets of water up and out when deflected by a spoon.
I found it amazing that you can have those things overnighted to you if you happen to, you know, not remember to pre-order it and they are coming with the countertops the next morning and have to have the sink to measure. Just a tip.
January 4th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
If you get a sink with sections make sure you get one section big enough so you can wash your largest pot. One reason we replaced the sink that came with our house was the previous owners put in a very high end sink that had two sections neither which was big enough for our cookware to fit well when we washed dishes.