How to choose a quality kitchen faucet: degree of rotation

Do you dream that your kitchen is not only beautiful, but also functional? How to understand the wide range of models presented and choose the right mixer? Should you rely only on your taste? Perhaps it is better to consult a specialist? We will talk about this and other below.

Species variety of designs

The main types and design features of modern products:

With two valves - this is a "classic of the genre", when hot and cold water is supplied through two separate taps. Most often they are used by conservatives with established habits. They are considered the best option when heating water with gas water heaters. The taps are opened by handwheels made of metal, plastic or ceramics, and water is mixed in a special chamber in the center.

The valve is a crane-axle box with a rubber or ceramic gasket. The disadvantage of the first is rapid wear, the second is afraid of the ingress of abrasive particles. On the positive side, the axle boxes can be quickly replaced.

With one lever - it regulates both the water pressure and its temperature regime. Nowadays they are very popular as they are the most convenient to use. In order to open or shut off the water, it is enough to turn the handle, which is in a vertical position, to the left or to the right. It is very easy to regulate cold and hot water at the moment of mixing, using a lever in a horizontal plane.

By the type of indoor device, these mixers are divided into ball, with plates made of ceramics or extra strong plastic. The latter are most often produced in China and their quality, to put it mildly, is questionable.

Do not require contact touch - switching on occurs at the moment when hands are brought to the mixer. Sensors have not received proper distribution in home kitchens, since they are quite expensive, although their convenience and economy are undeniable.

Control is carried out by a touch panel that is sensitive to the lightest touch, and often by sensors configured for movement. A huge plus is that the water immediately stops pouring as soon as any hand manipulation under the spout head stops.

Distinctive features of the material of manufacture

The stores sell products of different types:

Metals and their alloys (including steel, nickel, bronze, brass). Bronze and brass have the greatest durability: water has little effect on them, and the appearance can be called luxurious.

Optimal the balance of price / quality is typical for steel products. It is better to choose the chrome option for ease of maintenance.

Advice! Immediately stop buying a silumin (aluminum + silicon) mixer, since this alloy is short-lived in operation. And the unusual lightness of the device gives it away.

Ceramic slightly inferior to metal ones. They are less durable, but will be a great addition to the kitchen interior.

Granite are very rare on the market, and they buy such products exclusively for sinks made of similar material.

Plastic not afraid of aggressive environments and corrosion, but too fragile (a suitable place for use is perhaps in the country).

Important!The most practical is "Symbiosis" of a metal body and ceramic internals.

Spout in shape and size: which one to choose?

This is a very important element that shapes the appearance and overall impression of the model. It must meet a number of requirements:

• Possess swivel properties and free movement in all directions, especially if the sink is multi-section.
• Optimal height for washing large items of kitchen utensils, so that it is convenient to draw water into it. It all depends on the volume and geometric shapes of the bowls in the sink (but without fanaticism - otherwise the water will be sprayed in different directions).

They are:

• low (no higher than 190 mm);
• medium (no higher than 240 mm);
• high (more than 240 mm).

Experts recommend choose medium ones, taking into account the design of the sink sink.

Technical features of connecting spouts with mixers:

• the cast is distinguished by increased strength, protecting the valve from leaking through the joints;
• more demanding in care, but prefabricated ones are very convenient when using;
• the functionality of the product is greatly improved by the sophisticated hinge device of the model from reliable manufacturers.

Variety of spout shapes satisfies the most demanding aesthetic taste: straight, rectangular, s-, z-, j- and u-shaped, etc.

Besides, spout can be flexiblewhen the shape and length are adjusted at the discretion of the hostess herself.

An added bonus is a diffuser for aerating the water and changing the spray cone from a regular shower to a flexible retractable shower.

Some housewives prefer mixers with multiple spouts. Depending on the situation, in this case, you can switch to a short or high "nose".

Advice! It is best to buy a sink complete with a mixer, because constructively it has already been selected by specialists specifically for this model.

Side arm versus top arm: which is more convenient?

If the spout is high, as a rule, the lever is placed in the lateral plane, low - in the upper one. From the point of view of convenience, there is not much difference. This is, rather, personal preference.

But practice has shown that lateral arrangement is still better, since it excludes the ingress of the detergent solution onto the surface of the mixer.

Mounting methods

They are different:

Directly on the countertop. It is unlikely that it will be possible to cope with such a mount on its own, only a master with a set of special tools can carefully cut through it.

Against the wall, which is quite difficult to do. To make everything look quite aesthetically pleasing, you will need additional decor using attachments or tiles.

Directly to the sink, where the corresponding slot should be. This is the easiest way to do this, but it is important that the products are produced by the same company to eliminate disharmony in color.

The purchase of a kitchen set will greatly facilitate the task.

Degree of rotation

The bigger it is, the better.. Then washing vegetables and fruits, as well as any dishes becomes very convenient. Modern budget models fully meet the required level of comfort, turning at least one hundred and forty degrees.

Expensive mixers show technical characteristics of the order of one hundred and eighty degrees and even three hundred and sixty, which is only suitable for a kitchen island.

Additional functions

In stores you can buy:

• With pull-out spout - works in two modes: normal and shower type due to the built-in retractable hose with a tip.
• With filter system and two spouts for purified water and ordinary water.
• With switching to "dishwasher" or "washing machine". This eliminates the need for additional communications.

It's important to know

You should buy a mixer from trusted suppliers and well-known manufacturers. Trying to save money can turn into operational problems for you.

Advice! When choosing, hold it in your hands to feel the weight of the product: the heavier, the higher the quality. Remember that unscrupulous firms often substitute ceramics and steel for cheap and light silumin.

Check if there is an instruction and warranty.

There are modified mixers with one tap, but with paired inlets, the water supply through which is regulated by levers (Lemark Villa).

Many have paid attention to the models with LED backlighting, the shade of which depends on the temperature of the water.

Verified manufacturers

The most popular in our market:

• Grohe, Hansa, Hansgrohe (Germany);
• Oras (Finland);
• Delafon (France);
• Damixa (Denmark);
• Gustavsberg (Sweden);
• Vidima (Bulgaria).

Among the well-proven domestic brands - "Aquaton", products of the Motovilikha sanitary plant, as well as "Santekhpribor" and "Sanmix".

Design solutions

For an original design of the kitchen, you can choose mixers in different colors, of various shapes, with large and small handwheels and levers.

However, for the sake of fashion trends, you should not sacrifice the convenience and functionality of the equipment. The main thing is an ergonomic combination with the kitchen interior.