When it comes to plumbing, priority number one is always going to be having something that works. No matter if it be your water heater, faucet, toilet, garbage disposal, water softener or anything else, you’re going to want a quality product that can withstand the daily wear and tear, in addition to functioning properly without needing to constantly be repaired. That’s a no brainer, right? All in all, functionality should always be your top priority when investing in plumbing repairs or replacements!
However, there are also certain aspects where aesthetics and general appearance may play a role in the purchasing process. In terms of piping for water lines, drain lines and so on, experienced plumbers should possess the ability to install everything according to code and ensure it all looks professional as well. Nonetheless, in this week’s blog post, we’re going to be taking a look at the plumbing components that are more readily visible. These are what you’ll see on a daily basis and for the majority of homeowners, you’re going to want something that is aesthetically-pleasing and matches the overall theme you have established for the space. Whether that be in the kitchen, master bathroom or any of the secondary bathrooms, everyone is going to have their own personal preferences on this topic. Luckily, there are no shortage of options for many plumbing fixtures nowadays, so you’ll have little trouble finding something that fits perfectly.
With that all being said, we can confidently say that in many situations, aesthetics do matter in plumbing! Now let’s discuss a few examples of why that is the case!
Faucets & Sinks
Since the kitchen is such a central point in a home, it’s no surprise why kitchen remodeling has continued to be a popular topic of discussion for home improvement projects. As such, it’s easy to see why aesthetics could be a factor when deciding on a new sink and faucet. The same can be said about bathroom remodeling! In particular, I think many homeowners would agree that the appearance of the master bathroom could play a role in one’s home purchasing decision! So…what might this entail in terms of purchasing new faucets and/or sinks?
Matches Other Elements – First and foremost, you’re going to want a faucet and sink that meshes with the other elements in your kitchen or bathroom, particularly the countertops and backsplash. This is a great starting point.
Finish and Color – One of the best ways to ensure your faucet and sink match the other elements is to select the right faucet finish and sink color. In regard to faucet finishes, the particular finish that you select can impact things like the amount of cleaning required and even the purchase price. As for the sink, you’ll also want to consider how it will look right next to your current countertops. When you start browsing through potential options, you’ll notice there are a number of different colors to pick from, as well as different styles.
Type – While the finish/color will undoubtedly impact the components’ visual appearance, you’ll need to evaluate the different types of each to determine which makes the most sense for you. If you’re looking to save some costs on the replacement process, you may want to choose something that’s similar in layout to your existing faucet/sink. Nonetheless though, with each of these elements, there are a handful of variables to consider. With kitchen faucets in particular, you’ll notice there are a few added factors as well like the faucet’s height. In any case, with faucets, you’ll want to ask yourself questions like deciding between one handle vs two handle faucets and pull down vs pull out faucets, in addition to choosing if you want added features like hands-free capabilities or voice-activated options.
As for sinks, we’ll primarily highlight the kitchen options as there are a few options we wanted to discuss today. Each of these different types might be more or less attractive to a homeowner based on personal preference, but three popular possibilities to consider are undermount, top mount and farmhouse. Furthermore, you’ll need to decide if you want a single or dual basin sink too. Lastly, the type of material for the sink will also be something that comes into play since that can impact a particular sink’s durability and ability to hold up over time.
All in all, each of the factors listed above will have a visual component to them. With that being the case, it goes without saying that aesthetics do matter when purchasing a new faucet or sink!
Toilets
Speaking of plumbing fixtures that will likely be used on a daily basis, the toilet would be another perfect example for that! While you’ll likely put a little more thought into purchasing a new faucet or sink, would you agree that a new and modern toilet will look much better than a dated one? That alone should signal that aesthetics do matter a little bit when purchasing a new toilet! And truth be told, as long as it’s made by a reliable brand and is a quality product, you probably won’t have to spend much time comparing potential toilets to buy.
However, if you have some time to compare different options, there are a few visual characteristics that you may take into consideration. First there is the toilet’s color. While the majority of people will just go with the traditional white toilet, that’s not the only option available as you’ll also see toilets in different shades of gray or black. Another visual component would be whether the toilet is one-piece, two-piece or even wall hung. The difference between these is pretty straightforward. A one-piece toilet is just one piece, as everything is connected together. A two-piece toilet has a separate tank and bowl. Lastly, wall-mounted toilets definitely provide a unique look being directly attached to the wall, but also generally require a slightly more complicated installation.
As we wrap up this section, another feature that may sway your purchasing decision is the presence of smart features. While these don’t guarantee a difference in terms of physical appearance, you will notice that many of the smart toilets out there nowadays do have a modern look to them. If that is the aesthetic you’re striving for in your bathroom, then it may be worth it to check out those too!
Plumbing Fixture Installation Services in Kansas City
Here at Stine-Nichols Plumbing, installing new plumbing fixtures is something we do each and every week. Due to the everyday wear and tear that many plumbing fixtures experience and the fact that they aren’t built to last forever, this is simply an inevitable part of owning a home or managing a commercial facility! As mentioned in the opening paragraphs, functionality should always be your number one goal. Having plumbing fixtures that are reliable and durable will save you one less potential headache of having to deal with a plumbing issue.
Assuming everything checks out on the functionality component, your next priority item could very well be efficiency, brand or even physical appearance (as we discussed throughout this week’s blog post). Aesthetics might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about plumbing, but there’s no denying that it plays a role when you’re purchasing certain plumbing fixtures, such as faucets!
If you live in Kansas City or any of the surrounding cities and are looking to have some new plumbing fixtures installed, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (816) 348-3481. We can help steer you in the right direction of quality fixture brands worth considering and hopefully make the purchasing process a little easier!