A faucet is the most used plumbing device in the most used room in any household, that is the kitchen. A kitchen space is incomplete without an attached sink with a faucet.
The faucets are essential to complete a kitchen space. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that a faucet is one of the most concerning parts of the plumbing design.
And with every different kitchen comes a fitting faucet that is perfect for the user and the kitchen. Even though the usage of any faucet is almost the same, the design differs, and the change matters to the user, no matter how small the change may be.
Are kitchen faucets universal?
The kitchen faucets do not come in any universal size or type. Even though it is very common for any kitchen to have a faucet, the design and setting of the faucet may vary. The different design of the faucet depends on the settings, structure, and choice of the user as per their requirement.
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The function of the faucets differ from each other, as do the design. This heavily depends on several things such as the convenience, structure, costing, and most obviously, the user. There are no single specific design is set for this plumbing essential. Every different design is equally important, and the functionality of the kitchen faucet is always the main concern.
As there is no standard specified for the design and shape of a kitchen faucet, many concerns arise with the setting of the device. While choosing the perfect fitting faucet, many aspects should be properly thought out.
- There is no standard size for any faucet as it changes with the setting of the kitchen design.
- But if there is no specification of the size, the plumbing goes for 1 3/8″ (1.375 Inches or 34.925 mm) in diameter.
- The size and the holes of each faucet varies from design to design.
There are many types of faucets as well, which means there are more variation in the basic measurements of the faucets. Each faucet is designed for different purposes. For example, a faucet with a larger sink coverage allows more cleaning space. And a faucet with a smaller sink looks more sophisticated.
The spread of the faucets also differ where a widespread faucet is more useful yet requires more space; a mid-spread faucet has become more popular as it is more convenient.
The shape and size of the faucets depend on the ease of use and convenience of the user. The design should be selected very carefully as the plumbing device is very much important, and changing it is a tiring and time-consuming work.
Are all kitchen faucet holes the same size?
The standard size of any faucet hole is set at the size of 1-3/8 inches, while some faucet holes are of 1-1/2 inches. The mentioned size is used in case of no specification.
The make and model of the faucet matter the most in terms of size and measurements. Sometimes the size of the faucet holes varies according to the room it is to be set in. But be it a bathroom faucet hole or a kitchen faucet, the measurement revolves around 1-3/8 inches.
The measurements are set according to the thickness of the decks as well. Too thick decks fail to provide room for basins or sink heads.
The size is changeable, and it is very common to specify the size according to the use and coverage of the room. The design of the room sometimes requires a certain sized faucet setting.
Can you put a one hole faucet in a three-hole sink?
A one-hole faucet can be set in a three-hole sink easily, and this design has gained much popularity over the period. It may seem as a hassle as the conversion seems time-consuming. But the transformation is definitely worth it in terms of looks and design.
There are many designs of this style currently in the market due to the popularity. The deck plates of most faucets now a day’s comes with the system to cover the rest of the holes while keeping a single faucet hole open for work.
The three-hole sinks seem very outdated compared to the designs of the new age setting of the kitchens. And let’s admit the fact that an antique kitchen faucet is not aesthetically pleasing to the eyes.
You can also match your faucet with the cabinet hardware or your sink finish color. A new faucet will give the kitchen a new look, and shopping for essentials can be therapeutic, and while no one wants to admit it, we love new things in our house don’t we!
How do I choose a kitchen faucet size?
Even though there is a standard set of measurements of the kitchen faucet setting, sometimes it’s necessary to customize the size of the faucet for comfort and convenience. A faucet too big or too small can affect the look and setting of the kitchen setup, as well as the usefulness of the user.
A faucet too big could be bothersome to maintain while very unappealing to eyes. And while a small faucet remains very much hidden to the eyes, it is very uncomfortable to use.
The size of any kitchen appliance matters most for the frequent user of the device. And as the faucet is something that is bound to be used almost every day, the measurements of the faucet is obviously a very crucial decision.
How do you measure a faucet for the kitchen sink?
There are many things to consider when one has the need to specify the measurements of the faucet. The points of considerations are
Height
First and foremost, the height of the faucet should be set according to the comfort of the user. The height is measured from the base of the sink to the highest point of the main faucet.
Height to Spout
The height of the spout determines the clearance and coverage space under the main faucet to clean the utensils. The height of the spout should be set according to the items that might be cleaned under the faucet. To be on the safe side, it should be set at a comfortable height to wash bigger pots and utensils.
Arc
The arc relates to the height of the curve and spout above the sink space, and they can be either high-arc or low-arc. High-arcs are preferable as it gives more coverage for cleaning larger pots and pans while a low-arc faucet has less washing space. On the other hand, a low-arc faucet does not attract too much attention compared to the high-arc faucet. The arc size is a very important decision, and the pros and cons should b weighed according to the user’s choice and comfort.
What kind of faucet do I have?
The model and type of the kitchen faucet are usually written on the faucet skin but sometimes it can be very vague.
Some faucets have very distinct features that differentiate it from the others. And sometimes, there are many specific indications of a certain faucet.
As with every other device, there are some tricks to identify the type of any faucet. They can be-
- The logo of a faucet is the easiest indicator. Sometimes the logo is big and right in the face of the faucet. But sometimes, the small size of the logo can be hard to find.
- The model number is another easy giveaway. Once you find the model number, enter it in any search engine and find the detailed description of the faucet model and type.
- The splines on the broach indicate the manufacturing information of the faucet as different manufacturers use different numbers for the splines.
- The length of the stem is also a good indicator to find the brand or manufacturing company of any faucet.
- The shape of the broach differ from type to type of faucets as well.
- If you are a professional, the broach gauge is a more easy and much more convenient tool to use.
Are the kitchen faucet aerators universal?
The kitchen faucet aerators come in many distinct sizes, and these are chosen according to the size of the faucet. The standard size of an aerator is roughly 15/16″.
The aerators are measured by the size of coins and dimes for a better understanding of the customers.
There are two sizes when it comes to faucet aerators.
- regular (usually 15/16” Male or 55/64” Female)
- junior (usually 13/16” Male or 3/4” Female).
The basic trick is to get a regular-sized aerator if the faucet is near the size of a nickel. For a faucet smaller than a nickel, say a dime, the junior-sized faucet should be considered.
Are the kitchen faucet heads universal?
There is no standard kitchen faucet head. The shape, size, and design of the faucet head come with the different types of faucets.
Different types of faucets have different types of heads. For example, a pull-out faucet has a longer and more flexible head compared to the pull-down faucet.
The faucet heads are easily changeable, though. And it is a very common practice to do so. There are many types of faucet heads available in the market. The changing process is easy enough for a DIY.
Sometimes the type of the head is based on what the user requires from the faucet. The head sometimes helps control the over flow of water while making small bubbles.
With different kitchen comes a different design of plumbing that is entirely different than any other. So, it is only natural for faucets to differ in the shape, size, and design. The individuality of any kitchen lies in its plumbing devices as well.