| If you are planning to replace your bathroom | | | | faucet is hard plumbed into your wall and covered |
| faucet, I hope this article serves as a great | | | | up with dry wall or preferably a tile back splash. |
| resource or primer. I wrote it so you may select | | | | Often used with vessel sinks and retro styling. |
| the one | | | | Our advice... if you want this type of a faucet, call |
| - That you like and suits the theme of your | | | | a professional plumber to install after selecting the |
| bathroom | | | | one you want. |
| - That is correct for you sink | | | | 7. Vessel faucet: Used with vessel faucets and |
| The key factors to keep in mind are: | | | | easier to install than wall mounted faucets. They |
| - Price and how much of your bathroom DIY | | | | are usually single lever / single hole faucets |
| budget you can spare | | | | characterized tall spout. Make sure it reaches at |
| - Style - traditional, contemporary or transitional | | | | least 3 inches above the sink and sticks out |
| - Finish - Chrome, SS, BN, ORB, etc. | | | | almost to the middle of the sink. |
| - Material | | | | 8. Waterfall faucets: These are relatively newer |
| - and type. | | | | type of faucet and allow the water to cascade |
| The first thing to learn is the different types of | | | | down in a non-aerated flow. Usually made of |
| bath faucets and how to identify them. This is | | | | glass, they provide a unique contemporary look. |
| key because you can decide which one appeals to | | | | Make sure they are practical enough for you. |
| you and also which one you have currently. You | | | | Now that you can differentiate between the |
| will have to stay with the same size of faucet, | | | | types of faucets and can identify the one in your |
| unless you plan to change your sink too. So here | | | | bathroom. Lets read a bit about the materials |
| we go | | | | they are made off. These are usually Cast Brass, |
| | | | Zinc, and Plastic. |
| 1. The Single Lever/Single handle: These are easily | | | | Brass is the most expensive and probably the |
| identifiable with the single actuation handle that | | | | most durable. If you are going to use the faucet |
| controls the flow of the water as well as the | | | | for more than 15 years go for brass. Zinc faucets |
| temperature. They require only one hole drilled | | | | are the next most expensive and is also a great |
| into the sink and can hence fit into any sink that | | | | material. It is bit more susceptible to corrosion |
| has a center hole. Some single lever will have a 6" | | | | than brass, but should last at least 10-15 years. |
| trim plate to cover the holes drilled for 4" center | | | | The truth is once a faucet is installed it is difficult |
| set or widespread hole drillings. | | | | to differentiate between brass and zinc (the main |
| 2. The Center Set Faucet: This type of faucet | | | | difference being weight). Also keep in mind that |
| has its spout and handles mounted onto a 6 inch | | | | most faucets from reputable manufacturers have |
| trim plate in a neat compact design. It is great for | | | | to pass the same rigorous tests for lifecycle and |
| smaller basins that usually come with the holes | | | | also have to meet agency regulations (usually |
| pre-drilled. | | | | CSA. or CUPC). Further a lot of faucets are made |
| 3. Widespread: This is my favorite type of faucet | | | | with just zinc handles and a brass body or vice |
| as it gives industrial designers and engineers the | | | | versa to get the price down. |
| greatest flexibility while designing and hence the a | | | | Finally we have plastic faucets. Once again they |
| lot more variety for the end user. The hot handle, | | | | also have to go through rigorous testing and |
| cold handle= and spout are separate pieces and | | | | contrary to popular belief are pretty durable. Here |
| when mounted you can see the sink surface | | | | are my thoughts on durability, metal will perform |
| between them. The widespread faucet itself has | | | | better for the physical stresses of turning your |
| two sub varieties: | | | | faucet on/off, however plastic is definitely more |
| 4. - a. Mini: The three separate pieces are | | | | resistant to corrosion(i.e. it does not corrode). |
| mounted into three separately drilled holes. The | | | | With modern plastic faucets it is difficult to |
| distance between the hot and cold handle holes is | | | | differentiate because of the quality of metal |
| 4 inches | | | | finishes they plate plastics with, the giveaway is |
| 5. - b. Standard. Same as the above except the | | | | weight and the temperature (plastic will not be as |
| center to center distance of the hot and cold | | | | cool to the touch as metal). |
| holes is any where form 6 to 12 inches (typically | | | | After that all is left is too choose the |
| 8 inches). It also allows for the pieces to be | | | | finish(chrome, stainless, brush nickel, oil rubbed |
| arranged in a circular fashion to follow the shape | | | | bronze etc.) and style that matches your |
| of the sink. | | | | bathroom. Hope this helps, Happy shopping and |
| 6. Wall mounted: As the name suggests this | | | | renovating! |