Discover All You Need to Know About Different Types of Faucets for the Kitchen and Bathroom—and How to Pick the Best One for Your Unique Needs
Are you planning a kitchen or bathroom remodel this winter? Or has your Toronto luxury real estate agent suggested you do a few small upgrades before putting your home on the market? When most homeowners think about projects around the home, they usually focus on the big things like flooring, countertops, or painting. However, sometimes it’s the smallest details that have the biggest impact.
If you want to improve the most important rooms in your home, you should consider installing new faucets for ease of use and a boost in appearance. Here’s what every homeowner needs to know about choosing the perfect faucet.
Why Faucets Are Important
Do you want your home to compete with other houses on the Toronto luxury real estate market? Or do you want to take your home to the next level of aesthetics? Then you need to keep details in mind. Yes, your appliances, flooring, and countertops are the most visible parts of certain rooms, but little details like faucets are also important. Not only do the right type of faucets look better in your home, but they also function better and make tasks like washing dishes, cleaning, and self-care more convenient. If you plan on working with a Toronto real estate agent to put your home on the market or if you just want to up the wow factor of your home for the new year, here’s what you need to know about choosing the perfect faucet.
Types of Faucets
When it comes to home remodeling and faucets, the two most common types are kitchen and bathroom faucets. Though showerheads are sometimes also referred to as faucets, and you can have faucets in garages, basements, and workrooms, the kitchen and bathroom faucets are the most common. Here’s what you should know about each:
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Kitchen Faucets. Did you know that for every hour the average homeowner spends in the living room, they spend five hours in the kitchen? That means this room is often the most important in the house, and it needs to look stylish and be user-friendly. Installing a hands-free faucet has an extended reach, and one that has enhanced spraying features can transform your kitchen and make every job easier.
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Bathroom Faucets. The master bath is a place for rest and relaxation, while guest bathrooms are a showpiece to those who visit your home. Choosing the right option for each is key. Choices include one-handle, two-handle center set, widespread, and wall mount in a variety of finishes and styles.
Choosing the Best Faucet
A beautiful and functional faucet is a key component in Toronto real estate. When you go to a showroom or browse online, you’ll likely be overwhelmed by all the choices. However, knowing what’s important before you start shopping will help you narrow down options and make a smart decision.
Experts suggest spending around $65 for a bath faucet and more than $100 for a kitchen faucet. Here are some considerations to keep in mind when making your selections:
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Spout Reach and Height. This is all about the space where the faucet will be installed and what you’ll use it for. While tall spouts are handy, they may not fit if you have a shelf above your sink. Spout reach is also important, since those with a short reach may not extend where you need it to go and could result in water on the counters.
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Valve Material. No one wants a leaky faucet, and the best way to avoid this issue is to buy a faucet with ceramic valves. These cost about the same as other types of faucets but have much longer-term reliability.
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Look at the Finish. There are a variety of finishes to choose from when it comes to faucets. Pick one that matches nearby hardware like towel bars or cabinet handles, unless you plan on swapping out all the hardware in the room. If you do have a choice, most experts agree that chrome is the most durable and easy-to-maintain option.
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Count the Handles. Many bathrooms feature two-handle faucets, which can look classy. However, they’re not as practical as single-handle faucets and it’s easier to adjust water temps with the one-handle variety.
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Check the Weight. If a fitting is solid brass, it will be high quality and won’t corrode. This is especially important if you have hard water. However, some faucets will fool you by being finished with brass. To make sure it’s solid brass, pick it up. A solid brass faucet will be heavier than other options.
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Keep Style in Mind. Choosing a gorgeous faucet that doesn’t match the rest of your décor will take away from the room instead of adding to it. Is your kitchen or bath contemporary? Traditional? Do you have a unique aesthetic like shabby chic or farmhouse? Make sure you match the faucet to your other décor unless you plan on doing a full remodel.
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Choose the Right Mount. Most faucets can be mounted either on the wall, the sink, or the deck (directly to the countertop). Depending on the configuration of your space, you may not have much choice. If you can choose, understand the pros and cons of each. For example, wall-mounted faucets make clean-up easier, but they can freeze in the cold Toronto climate.
If you are working with a Bridle Path real estate agent this year to put your home on the market, or if you just want to increase the aesthetics of your home, consider replacing your faucets as one of your projects. If you need help listing your home alongside other Toronto real estate or if you’re ready to upgrade to a new home and aren’t yet working with an agent, reach out to Barry Cohen today. With more than 30 years of experience, Barry is the best Toronto real estate agent and can assist you in your real estate transaction.
