It is difficult to overestimate the importance of the faucet for the kitchen. Every day, it passes tens of liters of water, ensuring clean dishes and a normal cooking process. A kitchen faucet is used several times more than any other in the house. Therefore, his choice should be approached especially carefully.
Types of cranes
Modern industry is trying to make the sink faucet in the kitchen not only convenient, but also functional. Therefore, at the moment there are several varieties of taps for the type of adjustment and water supply, which have their advantages and disadvantages.
Known since the middle of the last century, the valve mixer has proven its durability and reliability. Despite this, it has a number of disadvantages. Firstly, the difficulty of accurately adjusting the temperature of the water. It takes some time to do this. Secondly, more often in the kitchen of the hostess one hand is occupied. She cannot open both gates at once.
These inconveniences are solved in the second type of cranes - single lever. They are popularly called ball. The water supply mechanism is based on the fact that when you turn the lever up to the left or right, you can get either warm, or cold, or hot water. It is very simple to use. The design allows you to open the water even with one finger.
The non-contact kitchen faucet is the most modern. There are no levers or valves on it, and the water supply begins after bringing the hand to the sensor. It is very comfortable. And water is saved much better. That's just such a pleasure is quite expensive.
Spout Options
The second important point that you should pay attention to when choosing a faucet for the kitchen is the shape and characteristics of the spout. The ideal option is when water flows quietly into the center of the sink. To do this, you must correctly select the height of the crane. There is a rule: the deeper the sink, the lower the spout.
But here it is necessary to show some caution. Too high a faucet-mixer for the kitchen will spray water, which will hit the bottom of the sink. And too low will not allow you to wash large dishes and draw water into it.
For a sink with two sinks, it makes sense to choose a retractable spout. The length of the tube varies from 60 to 120 cm. This allows you to not only wash dishes conveniently, but also to pour water in containers on the stove or even on the floor near the sink.
Additional nozzles
You can hardly find spouts without nozzles. Almost every crane is equipped with an aerator. This device has several functions. Firstly, it enriches water with bubbles, making its flow softer. It also creates the appearance of a large jet, which helps to save. Secondly, the aerator mesh performs the function of a simple filter, on which fine impurities present in water are deposited.
Spouts with a shower are much less common in the kitchen. This nozzle splits the stream of water into several jets, from which they fall more gently and do not damage delicate foods such as herbs or tender vegetables and fruits.
Materials
If you do not know how to choose a faucet for the kitchen in accordance with its parameters, you can seek help from a specialist in any plumbing store. Among other things, he will tell that mixers are made from different materials. They can be divided into metals, ceramics and plastic.
Of the metal alloys, silumin is considered the most popular - silicon and aluminum. It is inexpensive, but has an average degree of strength and resistance to damage. It lends itself well to coating with other materials, which gives a large field for decorative effects.
Copper and brass are more reliable, but they are also much more expensive. In addition, they are used without coating, which gives them a certain charm of antiquity.
Ceramic faucet for kitchen is well established . It is beautiful and more durable than metal because it is not susceptible to corrosion. At the same time, such a mixer is very afraid of mechanical damage. If you treat it carefully, then such a crane will last longer than all other options.
The cheapest and most unreliable is a plastic mixer. It can be met quite rarely, not only because it has low performance, but also because of the rapid loss of its presentation in the store.
The best option is a combined faucet for the kitchen. Using different materials, the manufacturer strengthens the positive characteristics, neutralizing the negative. For example, a metal faucet with a ceramic insert in the middle will not rust and will not break if a pan hits it.
Types of coverage
Metal taps are often coated with a decorative layer, which allows you to choose a mixer for the sink in accordance with its design. Nickel-plated taps are most commonly found. They have a beautiful metallic luster, but are contraindicated in people prone to allergies. For them, the best choice would be chrome plating. But such faucets cost a little more.
Gilding has a certain aristocratic appearance, but not suitable for every interior. While enamel has a significantly larger decorative range. At the same time, this coating has a tendency to crack and crumble over time.
Design features
People who are tormented by the question of how to choose a faucet for the kitchen, it is important to know that modern plumbing is rich in varieties of design styles. In the store there are old models, as if they came to us from the 50-60s of the last century, and futuristic metal, plastic and glass products.
When choosing a faucet, pay attention to the general style of the kitchen and the availability of additional accessories. If the kitchen furniture has chrome-plated handles, and the sink has a beautiful metallic luster, then the gold faucet here will be completely inappropriate.
A faucet of futuristic design in a rustic kitchen will also look ugly . Therefore, if you need to replace a kitchen faucet, take the same or a very similar model. If you are fundamentally changing the whole concept of design, then show the photo of your kitchen to a specialist, and he will advise several options that are suitable for you.
Top manufacturers
As you know, it’s better to buy a kitchen faucet from reputable manufacturers. In our market, these are mainly European firms.
Everyone knows Italian plumbing. It is not only durable, but also has a modern design. The only drawback is the high cost of the models, which makes them inaccessible to the ordinary consumer.
A little cheaper, but not worse in quality - Lithuanian, Bulgarian or Hungarian faucets. These manufacturers do not have overpayments for brand promotion. Therefore, their products are a good alternative to expensive elite cranes.
Domestic manufacturers also have considerable experience in the production of sanitary ware for the kitchen. Their cranes are much cheaper due to the lack of customs duties. Quality is not always worse, since many foreign firms based on our factories open their production using the same technologies as in their homeland.
China: Pros and Cons
As in other industries, Chinese manufacturers are also represented in our plumbing market. And it is worth noting that the kitchen faucet from this country is not always an outright counterfeit. There are also quite worthy specimens.
The problem is that only specialists can distinguish a good Chinese crane from a bad one. Unfortunately, not every store consultants tell the truth. Therefore, it makes sense to buy a Chinese faucet either at a trusted outlet, or with a familiar plumber.
In fairness, it is worth saying that even the best Chinese faucets will last a couple of years less than the budget European mixer. It is not always justified to save on the fact that over time it will not even be possible to repair, but will have to be changed. Therefore, it still makes sense to abandon Chinese products, although they are cheaper.
Care Features
The kitchen is the face of the hostess. Therefore, there must always be perfect cleanliness. Surfaces to be monitored include a kitchen faucet. It is polluted no less than everything else.
The first rule is no abrasives. Any material from which the mixers are made is afraid of scratches. Therefore, use only soft rags and cleaning products. The same vinegar with water perfectly removes any dirt.
Secondly, carefully read the instructions for both plumbing and household chemicals. This will prevent damage and stains from the use of unsuitable detergents.