Why Do You Need A Good Faucet?
Unfortunately, when it comes to faucets, looks are not everything. A leaking faucet or one that poorly fits the sink is not something you can write away. You will need to change the faucet if it is unsuitable for your home. How, then, can you identify a high-quality faucet?
Check The Type Of Material
The type of material influences the faucets’ durability. Faucets are primarily made of metals and their alloys. Most high-end faucets are made of copper, brass, and alloys.
Copper is considered the best material for faucets. The alloys strengthen the copper, increasing the durability, corrosion resistance, and strength of the faucet. Unfortunately, this comes at a price.
Stainless steel is commonly used in faucets because it is readily available, durable, easy to clean, and has strong corrosion resistance. It is also affordable.
When checking the material of faucets, it is important to look at the type of material against the price. Stainless steel faucets are cheaper, so the price shouldn’t be surprising. However, if you find copper or brass faucets at a price lower than expected, this should be a red flag.
Check other outlets to find out the average price of faucets made of copper and their alloys. If the price quoted is too low, chances are the copper alloy is of poor quality, which will affect the faucet’s durability.
Type Of Finishes and Their Suitability
When looking at the finishes, you need to consider the type of faucet. For example, kitchen faucets should not have copper finishes because copper easily stains when it comes into contact with oils, grease, and other dirt.
Faucets with a chrome finish do not rust easily and are easy to maintain. When faced with the option of a chrome finish or copper finish for your kitchen faucet, the best is the chrome finish.
Fortunately, most kitchen faucets have a suitable finish. Check the faucet to make sure the metal is fully covered to avoid corrosion.
Best Finishes For Bathroom Faucets
The following are some of the popular bathroom faucet finishes, their advantages, and disadvantages.
Type Of Finish | Pros | Cons |
Polished Chrome | -Cheap -suits most bathroom decor -corrosion-resistant | -Retains fingerprints and watermarks |
Polished Nickel | -Easy to clean -More attractive than chrome -Durable | -Costs more than chrome and nickel finishes -shows fingerprints and water stains |
Brushed Nickel/Satin Nickel | -Easy to clean -Available in different styles -Inexpensive -Matches with other finishes -Doesn’t show water stains and fingerprints | -Looks off when paired with stainless steel -Finish loses its shine with time -Ruins easily when cleaned with abrasive cleansers |
Polished Stainless Steel | -Cheap -Corrosion-resistant -Pairs well with other bathroom accessories | -Shows water spots and fingerprints -Scratches easily |
Polished Brass | -Durable -Corrosion-resistant -Easy to clean -Easily matches other bathroom fixtures | -Expensive -shows fingerprints and water stains |
The faucet material is just as important as its finishing. Most finishes help prevent corrosion and to improve the appeal of the faucet in toilets. However, the material guarantees the strength and durability of the faucet. Ask as much as you can about the faucet you want to buy so that you can make an informed decision.