All About Kitchen Faucets

Learn the various types of faucets and determine which one best fits your kitchen

By Kathryn Keep

Photo by iStockphoto.com

Kitchen faucets do more than just provide water. They are part of your kitchen's style and come in a variety of colors, metals and shapes. Your choice in kitchen faucets depends not only on style, but on how many holes are in your kitchen sink or countertop.

Single-Handle Kitchen Faucets

Single-handle faucets have one handle to adjust water temperature and are ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant due to their relative ease of operation. They may or may not have a side sprayer. This type of faucet needs at least one countertop hole for installation.

Two-Handle Kitchen Faucets

A two-handle kitchen faucet uses separate handles for hot and cold water, which allows for greater control. The style is generally traditional. At least three holes are needed for a two-handle faucet.

Pull-Out Spray Kitchen Faucets

A pull-out spray or integral kitchen faucet has a built-in sprayer that pulls out of the faucet, and a button switches the flow from standard to spray. It lends a more contemporary look to the kitchen. Depending on the configuration of the handle and any accessories, this type of faucet needs one or more holes for installation.

Wall-Mount Faucets

A wall-mount faucet mounts on the wall above the sink or counter so it does not require any countertop holes, but your water supply must extend above the sink or counter. This type of faucet is good for an antique-style kitchen.

Pot-Filler Faucets

Pot-filler faucets are cold-water-only faucets that mount on the wall behind the stove or a nearby countertop. They are made to fill pots already on the stove and can be any number of different styles, with one or two handles.

Bar Sink Faucets

Bar sink faucets are specially designed to be smaller for prep sinks on kitchen islands and bars. For style continuity, a bar sink faucet should match the style of the regular kitchen faucet. They can use from one to three holes.