Choosing a Lavatory Faucet

There are simply too many lavatory faucet choices. It is therefore no surprise that some people just get too confused to make the right choice. How do you pick the right faucet for your lavatory? There are certain faucet traits that you can look into to help you make the decision.

Valve

Faucets have different mechanisms to help control the release and flow of water. The oldest and most common is the compression valve faucet. This is also the type that often needs a lot of maintenance. It contains a rubber washer to control water flow. Other alternatives would be the cartridge faucet which has an O ring and the ball faucet which has a ball and socket. The last type is the disc faucet which has discs instead of a washer. This is the most durable type and may not require frequent repair.

Mounting

Faucets can be mounted on the basin or on the wall. A wall-mounted lavatory faucet would be perfect if you have limited space and a small lavatory. Sink faucets for the bathroom however are more often mounted on the basin. You can have a widespread mount in which the spout and handles are attached to separate holes. You can also have a similar base where all three elements stand. One final option would be to have one handle and one spout attached together to one sink hole.

Handle

The most traditional style would be the cross style. There are now a wide selection of design variations of the cross type. You can also opt for the lever type of handle which is easy to grasp and turn. A third option would be the lever lift type which can be lifted up and down and turned to the left and right to mix water. There are also some state of the art faucets that do not need handles at all. You simply have to put your hand under them and sensors will turn on the water for you.

Style

The last but not the least in your consideration would be the style or appearance. Aside from differently designed handles, there are also different spouts to choose from. There are long spouts, curved spouts and those that stay low near the sink surface.

Aside from these considerations you also have the faucet finish to think about. Faucets these days no longer just come in brass and chrome. You can have finishes in nickel, iron, platinum, porcelain, ivory, steel and even gold.

There are just a lot to think about when you buy a lavatory faucet. The key is to go over the different faucet considerations and identify your preferences and needs.