How to choose a kitchen faucet

How to choose a faucet for the kitchen, which will not spray water on the floor, get dirty from fingerprints, will it make it easy to turn on / off the water and will last for many years? Follow our 6-step instructions to find out the answers to these and other questions.

Step 1. We choose the material

Most kitchen faucets are made of brass, but have different coverings.

• From brass.Brass mixers are the most common and popular, as they are durable, are not very influenced by the aquatic environment and are relatively inexpensive. Decorative processing of brass construction can be different - from chrome to enamel coating. The vast majority of cranes have a finish for polished chrome, satin nickel (stainless steel) or bronze. All these finishes are durable and retain their original appearance for many years. But still, some of them are more durable than others.
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• Chrome is the most durable coating. True, fingerprints, culinary spots, etc. pollution on it is very noticeable.
• Nickel has different finish variations. As a rule, it is marked with inscriptions "matte "satin" or "stainless steel". Nickel, in contrast to chromium, has a dull rather than glossy luster. It is durable, versatile and easy to clean.

• "Bronze mixers" acquire their brownish shade not as a result of metallization or chrome plating, but as a result of spraying, for example, epoxy or enamel. This coating is reliable, but it is less resistant to chips or scratches.

• Of silumin (alloy of aluminum and silicon).This option comes from China and Turkey, the most budgetary (from 300 rubles.), But also the most short-lived. Its service life is only six months or a year, then it will start to leak and break. Hot water has a particularly damaging effect on silumin. However, due to the low price, silumin mixers are an excellent option for giving or temporary housing.

Keep in mind that in the store you can find, for example, a brass mixer with details of silumin, so check the weight of the chosen model - ease should alert you.

• Of steel.Stainless steel mixers are less common, since they are more expensive than brass models. Otherwise, they are good and reliable: they do not rust, are resistant to water, easy to care for and environmentally friendly.
• From granite, stone, ceramics.As a rule, granite, ceramic and stone mixers are called brass / steel cranes with decorative (synthetic or natural) coating. They are good for combining perfectly with ceramic / stone sinks and countertops, as well as ease of care, because drops of water and stains from fingers on the matte surface are not noticeable. There are also disadvantages to this group: high price and fragility of the coating. For the most demanding buyers, some manufacturers offer mixers that are entirely made of stone / ceramics. True, they are expensive and require careful handling.

In brief, we will talk about another type of mixer -plastic. Such a crane is worth a penny, has a light weight and is not afraid of rust, or chemicals contained in the water. The only downside is the fragility and unsightly appearance. Buy a mixer is only for a summer residence or a rented apartment.

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Step 2. Choose the type of control

There are the following types of faucets for the kitchen:

• Two-valveThese are traditional mixers with two rotating valves on the sides of the spout. Today, they are less popular than single-lever valves due to less ease of operation. The fact is that to start up water and adjust its temperature, you have to use two hands. And two-valve mixers are somewhat more expensive. But they use water more economically (due to more precise adjustment of the water supply), they are easy to repair themselves and better fit in the classical interiors.

• Single-lever- their advantage is a more convenient one-shot control. This means that to adjust the intensity of the flow and the temperature of the water, you need to use only one hand, finger or... elbow. During cooking, this is often useful. The lever of single-lever mixers can be located on the top (with a low spout) or on the side (with a high spout).

What is the best mixer for a kitchen - two-valve or single-lever? In our opinion, the two-valve will be the ideal choice for interiors designed in classical style (including "country" like provance or country). In all other cases, it is preferable to use a single-lever design.

• With thermostat- in the market there are also electronic mixers with a thermostat. They are controlled through a special sensor, installed in the body of the mixer itself or in the shell shell. If you bring a hand to it, the water of that temperature which you will set beforehand will pour. The advantage of the electronic mixer is obvious - thanks to a thermostat, it saves water more economically. Cons: high cost and the need to bring your hand to the thermostat several times to draw water into a large pan.

Step 3. We understand the shut-off valves

The main difference between one and two lever mixers is that they have different shut-off valves (internal part responsible for closing and opening the water flow):

• Single-lever models are equipped with a so-called cartridge. It can be ceramic, ball or plastic. Ceramic valve is the most durable (service life - up to 10 years) and reliable. However, he is afraid of the solid particles contained in the water - because of them the ceramics gradually worn out and gives a leak. To avoid this, the system should be supplemented with filters, and this is additional expenditure and effort. The ball cartridge is less demanding and also good, but with time it starts to "stick especially if the mixer is rarely used. The plastic valve does not last long, but it is also quite inexpensive.
• The two-valve models have crane-axle boxes and a rubber gasket. It is the rubber gasket most often depends on the serviceability of the crane. It can be ceramic or rubber.

The ceramic sealant is more wear-resistant and "closes" the water almost immediately (just turn the valve 90 degrees). How, while standing in the store, determine which gasket is installed in this or that device? Just twist the valve in 1-2 turns - if it spins easily, then rubber seal, if with difficulty, then ceramic.

Step 4. Determine the optimal height and type of spout

A lot depends on the spill, for example, whether you can draw water into large pans, and whether it will be sprayed all over the floor and countertop. It can be high and low. What exactly is the height of the mixer spout is optimal, depends on the depth of the bowl of the shell.

High spout is suitable for bowls, the depth of which is 200-205 mm. If the depth of your bowl is 171-195 mm, a mixer with both high and low head spout is suitable for such a sink.

Another important point - the nozzle of the mixer should be located just above the center of the bowl. If you place it closer to the inner wall, there is a risk that water will accumulate behind the sink. If the spout is too close to the edge of the countertop, the water will spray to the floor.

• By the way, about the mixer for a two-section sink - it must necessarily have a pivot spout, allowing to divert and direct a stream of water to one or another bowl. And for a conventional kitchen sink, the wide angle of the spout will only be a plus.

Step 5. We estimate additional functions

So, with the basic characteristics we figured out, now let's think about "bonuses". Here are some additional options that a modern kitchen faucet can have:

• Drinking water supply (without additional small crane).Today, many kitchen models are equipped with a built-in filtration system that allows you to supply clean drinking water, even without installing special equipment and an additional mini-crane. As a rule, any filtration system is suitable for such mixers.

• Retractable spout.The mixer, which has a retractable flexible spout, ends with a shower head - this is really a useful option in any kitchen. After all, it allows you to fill pots and other containers that are not in a sink, but somewhere in the work area, which is very convenient. Flexible remote hose facilitates and cares for the washing. The length of the hose, as a rule, is 70-80 cm.

By the way, semi-professional mixers with a spring are very similar to appliances with a pull-out spout, but the difference is that the spout with the spring is completely flexible and switches more easily to the "shower head". In addition, the "semi-professionals" have a special swivel holder for the watering can.

Step 6. Appearance

Finally, a couple of design tips:

1. To the duet "mixer + sink" was compatible not only in color, but also in terms of material, and looked beautiful, it is best to choose these components of the wash from a single series.
2. The mixers also have styles. Here are some tips on how to fit a plumber in the interior:

• For a modern kitchen, say, in the style of high-tech, a laconic, geometric-shaped single-lever device with chromium or a mixer with a thermostat is suitable.

• For classical kitchens (in the style of Provence, classic, cheby chic, country), a bronze, copper or gold two-ventilated mixer is suitable.

• For the Scandinavian interior - in the decoration under the stone or in the color of stainless steel.

1. How to choose the color of the mixer? In addition to the color of the sink, the color of the pens on the facade of the kitchen, the color of the facades of household appliances or just any nearest accents that are available in the interior is important. They should be oriented.

1. For a round shell it is necessary to choose a mixer with a round spout as in the photo below. For a square wash, a model with a L-shaped spout is suitable.

1. The most universal color of the mixer - with a coating for matt stainless steel.

And a few more tips

• Keep in mind that the price of kitchen mixers is greatly influenced not only by materials and functional characteristics, but also by design. Often, the same designs differing only in appearance can have a price difference of several thousand rubles.
• The average price for a really high-quality and functional mixer for the kitchen is from 3000 to 5000 rubles.
• Buy only in serious construction stores or online stores that have already established a positive reputation.
• Choose products of well-established brands. Remember - the miser pays twice. However, only a high price is not yet a guarantee of product quality and a sign of its long operational qualities.
• Always check the mixer for weight - the heavier it is, the more reliable.
• Pay attention to the availability of instructions, warranties, recommendations for care and operation.

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