Things like plumbing and accessories for it are purchased for a long time, so you should not save on them. The load on the kitchen faucet is simply colossal, and a low-quality product made from cheap materials will quickly fail. After reading this article, you will no longer have a question - which kitchen faucet is better to choose ?!
Which model to choose?
Manufacturers offer three types of kitchen faucets:two-valve: the simplest design with two axle box cranes;
single lever: the most popular, one movement is enough to open the tap, the pressure is adjusted by moving the handle horizontally (water temperature) and vertically (pressure);
contactless: more expensive and economical; to supply water, you need to put your hand under the sensor (photocell); temperature is set in advance.
In our opinion, contactless models are more suitable for public areas or shower rooms. In the kitchen, the temperature of the supplied water is constantly required to be adjusted. For example, cold water is required to boil a kettle. But to rinse a greasy pan, it is better to use very hot water. Constantly changing the settings in a contactless mixer will be problematic.
The ideal option for the kitchen are single-lever faucets with the so-called "elbow" handle. In this case, the pressure can be easily adjusted in one motion, even with hands dirty during the cooking process.
Single Lever Mixer with Elbow Handle
Advice. If you have to change the faucet box (water supply device) every year, most likely it’s not the faucet itself, but the quality of the water. After installing the filter, this problem should disappear.
Gander height
When choosing a faucet, be sure to pay attention to the depth and size of the sink. If it is not too deep, it is better to opt for a faucet with a high body or spout (gander). Otherwise, washing large containers or collecting water in them will be problematic. However, it is also not worth installing a spout that is too high - a jet of water will break on the sink, splashing everything around.
Spout (gander) must be high enough
The most practical (but also more expensive) are models with retractable, flexible gooseneck or folding swivel mechanism. Pull-out or swivel mixers are simply indispensable in the presence of two or more sinks. But, if you decide to stop at one of these models, be sure to check how the spring wrapping around the spout will be cleansed of impurities. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers think through such a "trifle".
Mixer with flexible spout (gander)
Chrome, brass or nickel?
The strongest and most durable products are bronze with brass thread. The second place is occupied by less expensive products from brass(zinc and copper alloy). Ceramic products are more pleasant to the touch, but they have a very significant drawback - increased fragility, so only certain parts of mixers are made from ceramics. Handicraft products imitating famous brands are mostly made from low quality, fast rusting steel or even plastic.The best coating material is innovative steel optician. Chromium takes second place in terms of wear resistance. It blends perfectly with any decor, and also has antibacterial properties. The enamel coating also looks good, but it has a significant drawback - it quickly chipped off.
Enamel kitchen model
Budget models costing 3.0-4.5 thousand rubles.
All faucets can be divided into three categories: budget, luxury and premium products. Relatively inexpensive, but quite reliable and durable models include mixers of the following brands:Varion (Russia) with a 5-year warranty on all parts;
IDDIS (Russia): the manufacturer is so confident in their products that they provide a guarantee of up to 10 years;
IDDIS Brass Faucet with Ceramic Cartridge
Rain: a solid Chinese brand with a positive history; Warranty for products 2 years, for the body - 7 years;
Rain faucet with cast spout and ceramic bushings
FM Mattsson (Sweden): this not too well-known company has a series of fairly high-quality economy class products; warranty period up to 5 years;
RAF Rimini (Czech Republic): Ergonomically shaped products with good reach from the wall, 5 years warranty, 10 years free maintenance.
Advice. If the faucet passages are quickly overgrown with limescale due to hard water, opt for products with a large flow area (for example, faucets with a ball switch).
Luxury and premium faucets
In the catalog of these well-known manufacturers, there are also less expensive models. However, production is mainly focused on expensive luxury and premium products:W. Zorge: a high-tech German brand, a new level of sanitary ware, produced in modern and hi-tech styles;
Brass faucet W. Zorge with two-tone finish
Zimmer (Germany): high-strength environmentally friendly products manufactured using innovative technologies;
Hansgrohe: luxurious and stylish German products made in the style of minimalism;
Model Hansgrohe Talis C
Grohe (Germany): impressive design and high manufacturability;
Gessi: this relatively young Italian brand, thanks to the high technical characteristics of its products, has already managed to win its own place in the European market;
Visentin (Italy): high-quality products of various shapes;
Newform (Italy): this well-known company has been specializing in "high" fashion in the field of sanitary ware for 20 years;
Model Newform Marvel bronze
Delafon: French chic with excellent quality;
Rosa: reliable products from Spanish manufacturers.
