6 Step Checklist To Buying Your Next Kitchen Faucet

As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. This is often true for today's faucets and fixtures as well. That said, there are many different price points for the variety of faucet brands you'll find in today's market. Some of the price differences are based upon the popularity of the brand. (After all, TV advertising doesn't come cheap.) Other price differences are based upon the features. A more highly engineered faucet with advanced features will obviously be more expensive. Finally, the price can be dictated by the quality. The more fine-tuned the craftsmanship in a faucet, the more expense was required to create the finished product.

With so many faucets out on the market, you will likely find brands that cover every range of feature, brand reputation and quality. Your goal is then to get the right mix for you. As most faucets are repeatedly turned on and off for years, you'll probably be interested in finding a faucet that is not only attractive in your home but is also durable enough to manage the daily wear and tear of your household. Knowing the rudimentary construction of a faucet will certainly help in aiding your buying decision. Visit your local showroom or faucet dealer and don't be afraid to ask questions. Ask about the valve. With a high-quality valve, water temperature doesn't fluctuate abruptly when adjusting from hot to cold. Also, a scaldguard or temperature-limit feature is something you might conside for single-control faucets. These faucets let you remove the handle to adjust the maximum water temperature of the faucet. This is really handy if you have young children as it will protect them from hot water burns.

New regulations in faucet manufacturing are now resulting in higher-quality faucets than ever before. All new faucets, for example, are now mandated to deliver no more than 2.5 gallons per minute, which aids in water conservation. Some even provide additional flow rate restrictors.

The following six considerations can provide you with a checklist list of 'must-haves' before you walk out of the store with your next kitchen faucet.

1. Smooth Handle Operation.
Test the faucet handles to see how smoothly they feel when turned on and off. There should be no hitches, scratching or grinding noises. Check the handles on a variety of faucets to get a basis of comparison. If the handle on the faucet you're interested in seems to bind or feel stiff in certain positions, they could be a problem. Move on to a different model or brand.

2. No Plastic parts.
Sometimes the cheapest product you buy is actually the most expensive. That's because you have to buy it twice! Don't make the mistake of buying faucets containing plastic parts. Plastic is great for Legos toys but has no place in commercial plumbing fixtures like your home's kitchen faucets. Look for faucets made from bras metal construction that feel heavy and solid.

3. Ceramic/Metal Cartridge.

A ceramic cartridge, ball or disk valve faucet is your best choice for high-quality, long-lasting construction. If this is not within your budget, stainless stell and brass are also good choices as they will last for many years. To find the kind of valve the faucet has, simply look at the faucet box. If the box doesn't indicate the composition of the cartridge, it could well indicate that it is constructed of inferior quality materials. Be wary if the composition of the cartridge is not indicated on the faucet box.

4. Ease-of-Cleaning.
Many of today's contemporary styles are smooth, sleek and have very high-quality finishes that are easier to clean.

5. Aim for Consistency.
You will probably want to keep a consistent look in your kitchen by selecting a kitchen fauceet that has the same type of finish as the other hardware in your kitchen. Premium kitchen faucets often have a brushed nickel finish. Chrome and stainless steel are also popular choices. Again, its all up to personal preference.

6. Warranty. Be sure to check the faucet warranty carefully. The best ones typically offer liftime protection against drips and leaks, and provide years of trouble-free service.

A kitchen faucet is a major component to your kitchen and can bring you and your family years of satisfaction. Over the past several years, such premium faucet brands like Grohe, Kohler, Delta, Pegasus and Danze have been producing faucets and fixtures that not only provide function, but are also considered by many to be works of art. Whichever brand you're considering, do your homework on the features, reputation and quality you need and you'll be sure to come out a winner.