Bathroom Faucet Buying Guide
When replacing your bathroom faucet, find out what type you currently have installed so you'll know which new one to get. Faucets are available in a wide range of prices and styles, ranging from highly affordable plastic models to high-end brass units. Whatever your budget and style preferences, you'll find what you're looking for with our Bathroom Faucet Buying Guide.
Choose Your Perfect Faucet
Modern bathroom faucets come in so many different materials, sizes, and styles, it's almost like getting your own custom-made model — for a fraction of the price.Whether it's one hole or three, plastic or brushed nickel, or deck plate or vessel sink, we've got plenty of faucets to choose from both online and in-store.Find yours today.
Faucet Types
Not all faucets work with every sink basin. Standard faucet drillings can be one of several kinds: widespread, centre set (mini-widespread), single lever (with or without cover plate), or wall-mounted.
Widespread Faucet Sets
These have a spout with separate hot and cold water handles, with all pieces appearing to be separate. Widespread faucets are available from six inches to 16 in. drillings (three-hole pre-drilled installation basins).
Centre Set Faucets
Also known as mini-widespread, this type is made for four in. pre-drilled with three-hole installation basins. They combine a spout and valves on a single base unit. A centre set faucet may have a single handle mixing lever or two handles mounted onto a six in. plate.
Single Hole Faucets
Single hole faucets have a spout and a single mixing handle all in one for single-handed control. Single lever faucets require one-hole drill installation basins. Some brands of single lever faucets have an optional six in. cover plate for pre-drilled four in. drill installations.
Wall-Mounted Faucets
This faucet type is available for above-the-counter and freestanding basins that require a long spout for extended reach. Wall-mounted faucets require a separate wall-mounted valve and drain for installation. Make sure the spout is long enough for adequate basin clearance.
Handle Styles
Handle styles are available in various finishes to complement your sink and faucet. Before choosing one, think about who will be using your bathroom and match the two. Choose from lever handles, cross handles, or motion-activated handles.
Lever Handles
The best universal design for children and older adults to grip and turn, lever handles are available in many decorative styles.
Cross Handles
The handles are t-shaped for easy gripping and are available in different finishes to coordinate with the room's décor.
Motion-Activated Handles
Some brands have interchangeable colored temperature control handles. These faucets are easy to use — adjust the temperature and place your hands under the spout to activate the water flow.
Faucet Construction
Every type of faucet has an inner valve that controls the flow of water through the spout. The valve quality, with or without a washer, determines the reliability and durability of the faucet. The best choices are faucets with solid brass, brass-based metal, or corrosion-resistant workings.
Faucets With A Washer
Compression-valve faucets are the most common types of faucets on the market. The faucet works by a stem that rises and falls to open and close the water's passageway.
Washerless Faucets
- Cartridge Faucets: Use rubber O-rings inside a cylindrical cartridge to control the flow of water. These faucets are very reliable, especially if equipped with a brass cartridge.
- Ball Faucets: Have a rotating metal/plastic ball that regulates the amount of incoming water. With only one moving part, the likelihood of a malfunction is greatly reduced. A plastic ball will eventually wear out, but a metal ball is designed to last a lifetime.
- Ceramic-Disc Faucets: Are nearly maintenance-free. A ceramic-disc faucet has two ceramic discs that move against each other in a shearing action, blocking water or allowing it to pass through. The seal is watertight because the discs are nearly flat.
The colour, or finish, should coordinate with the rest of the fixtures and accessories in your bathroom. Some faucet sets come with a combination of finishes to draw more attention to their distinct styling. For example, a faucet with a brass and chrome combination finish creates a fresh but sophisticated look in any bathroom.
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