Deck-Mount or Wall-Mount Faucets
There are two different ways to mount a kitchen faucet: a deck mount and a wall mount. Deck-mount faucets attach to the countertop or rest on the sink. Deck-mount kitchen sink faucets are common. Wall-mount faucets attach through the wall and hang over the sink. If you’re replacing a deck-mount faucet, the number of holes on your sink is important for the correct configuration.
Kitchen Faucet Configurations
Kitchen faucets can be configured in several ways. Faucets that are one piece and have an integrated handle and spout only need one hole for the handle/spout. One-hole kitchen faucets with a single handle are user friendly and easy to clean around. Two-hole kitchen faucets may be a bridge-style design or a handle/faucet combination with room for a sprayer. Three-hole kitchen faucets are traditional faucets with hot and cold taps and a fourth hole for the sprayer.
Kitchen sink faucets usually come equipped with the sprayer feature. Additional options, like soap dispensers or integrated sprayers, create a different set of requirements. If you’re starting from scratch, choose the faucet before the sink, so you can buy a sink with the appropriate number of holes for your selection. Alternatively, holes can be drilled into the sink to accommodate the faucet.
Escutcheons, also called base plates or deck plates, are ornamental plates that cover additional holes and allow the installation of a one-hole faucet on a three-hole sink.
Faucet Types
Typically, kitchen sink faucets have either one handle that rotates directionally to change water temperature or two handles for mixing hot and cold water. These often include a sprayer that sits to the side.
There are a few types of these faucets, and some have pull-out or pull-down sprayers with spray and stream options. Hands-free faucets add convenience to the kitchen and can be touch- or motion-activated. These faucets come with controls for the temperature and volume of water, making them a safe choice for homes with children. Hands-free faucets work well with the universal design concept, which aims to make living spaces more accessible and accommodating for every level of physical ability.
Other faucet types include:
- High Arc: a faucet that’s higher than a standard faucet, usually 8 to 10 inches or more from the base of the counter to its highest point
- Low Arc: a faucet that’s low and sits close to the sink
- Pot Filler: a faucet that’s wall-mounted over the stove or cooktop, making it convenient to fill pots with water without transporting them from the sink to the stove
- Bridge: a faucet with a horizontal bar that connects the hot- and cold-water handles
- Swivel: a faucet that swivels 180 to 360 degrees, making it convenient for cleaning the entire sink
Sinks for Specialized Tasks
Before you choose your faucet, think about the ways you use your sink. Do you wash a lot of bulky pots and pans? Are you bathing a baby? A high-arc faucet might make your tasks more comfortable. If you have room in the kitchen, consider installing a bar prep faucet in a side sink. The double setup makes it one of the best kitchen faucets because of the ease of keeping meats and vegetables separate during meal preparation. Different types of kitchen faucets can have a big impact on the time and energy it takes to do daily household chores.
Faucet Finishes
If you prefer a cohesive look in your kitchen, check out our selection of top kitchen faucets in finishes that match common cabinet hardware. Chrome, nickel and bronze kitchen faucets are available at every price point.
You can also make a statement with a black kitchen faucet, add a touch of elegance with a gold kitchen faucet or create a traditional look with a brass kitchen faucet.
Make it easy to keep the finish looking great by shopping for fingerprint-resistant faucets and rust-resistant faucets.
Faucet Features
Look for options to make your kitchen faucet as useful and convenient as possible.
Built-in water filters make it easy to dispense filtered tap water. Keep volume and maintenance in mind to decide if a kitchen faucet with an in-faucet filter is the right filtering option for your family.
Smart-compatible features and available voice control features add extra convenience. You can find smart-compatible models that work with connected-home systems for easy control of your faucet. Many voice-controlled faucets let you use voice commands and a connected device like a smart speaker or home automation system to turn the water on and off, set the water temperature and dispense precise amounts of water.
Look for other features as well. Soap dispensers make it easy to keep kitchen counters clear of clutter. Hot-water dispensers are great for hot beverages and filling pots. A kitchen faucet with a sprayer lets you get excess grime off of your dishes and into the drain quickly and efficiently.
There are many types of faucets for kitchen use. Be sure to consider which features are important to you before choosing the right one for your kitchen.
Faucet Installation and Operation
There are two types of faucet installations: top mount and bottom mount. Top-mount faucets attach with screws through the bottom of the faucet piece from underneath the counter. Bottom-mount faucets attach with screws through the top of the faucet piece.
There are four types of faucet mechanisms: ball valve, ceramic disc, compression valve and cartridge. The type won’t affect your day-to-day use but will affect faucet repairs and maintenance down the road. Here's a quick rundown of considerations when selecting the right kitchen faucet for your home.
Ball Valve
This is the most affordable type of faucet mechanism, but they can be tricky. Ball valve faucets have many parts, so when they leak it can be difficult to ascertain what the problem is.
Ceramic Disc
Faucets with ceramic disks are more reliable and have newer technology than a ball valve faucet. They're the most common type of valve, but they can be more expensive than ball valve faucets. These faucets usually last a long time. If there's a maintenance issue, it's typically because the discs have eroded.
Compression Valve
Compression valve kitchen faucets are found in older homes or in water filtration faucets. These faucets are inexpensive, but they use older technology and are more prone to issues and leaks.
Cartridge Valve
Kitchen faucets with cartridge valves are a reliable choice. They're known for their durability. At times, these faucets can have issues with the cartridge seals or blockages due to hard water deposits. However, they're relatively easy to repair.
If you don’t have the time or skill needed to complete this project yourself, Lowe's has you covered with our sink and faucet installation service.