If there’s one plumbing fixture where appearance plays a major role in the purchasing process, it has to be faucets! While we don’t often associate aesthetics with plumbing, the truth is there are a number of plumbing components that are readily visible and as such, physical appearance will be something that you consider when making upgrades around the house.
Given that selecting faucets will be impacted by a particular faucet’s appearance, we often discuss various qualities related to them here on our blog. A couple of frequent topics of discussion include the finish and brand. Unsurprisingly, these qualities can play a role in not only the durability of a faucet, but also the amount of cleaning/maintenance required along the way. Rather than focusing on a specific type of quality, this week’s blog post is going to focus on a few unique characteristics that you may or may not have considered the last time you purchased a faucet.
As always, if you live near the Kansas City area and need some help with any faucet-related project, our team of experienced plumbing technicians are always here to lend a hand! Simply give us a call at (816) 348-3481 and we would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Now…on to some unique characteristics to think about the next time you purchase a faucet!
Waterfall Bathroom Faucets
We’ve said this many times before, but there truly are a seemingly endless number of faucets to pick from. One unique style that we installed earlier this year in the Northland was a waterfall bathroom faucet. While bathroom faucets are generally rather cut and dry, that doesn’t mean there aren’t options out there for homeowners looking to add something a little more unique! And although waterfall faucets aren’t all that common as of right now, we could see this gradually turning into a trendy item.
If you’ve never seen a waterfall faucet before, it’s fairly easy to visualize how they work (also, if you take a peek at the thumbnail for this blog post, you’ll see the one that we referenced above). They generally have an exposed top of the spout, so you can see the water flowing out, which is definitely a neat feature the first time you see it in action! Additionally, while this certainly may vary depending on the faucet brand and other features, you can arguably make the case that there is less splashing with a waterfall faucet too. This is largely a result of the smooth flow and lighter pressure in which it falls into the sink.
The final point I would like to make in reference to waterfall faucets is the realization that this is still a relatively new product style. As such, we would expect some of the major brands to continue to expand on the various possibilities with these unique faucets. Nonetheless, there are certainly plenty of waterfall faucets currently on the market, including options with different finishes and styles (single-handle vs two-handle).
Get Creative with the Handles
When you think of faucet handle options, generally the first question that comes to mind is single-handle vs two-handle. In fact, we just mentioned that in the section above when we discussed the various waterfall faucets available. Having said that, the main reason for this section is the realization that you can definitely add a custom touch to just about every aspect of a faucet. The finish, material, brand, height and yes, the handles too! Blade and lever tend to be the most common handle types that you’ll come across, but that’s not the complete list. Cross handles certainly add a unique touch to a faucet and can be just what you need to match a modern aesthetic if that’s what you’re looking for. Another one to add to the list that may be a little tougher to find (compared to cross handles) would be a wheel handle. Without a doubt, these will definitely catch the attention of anyone that uses the faucet!
Long story short, getting creative with the style of the handle(s) for your faucet is undoubtedly an easy way to make your faucet unique.
Incorporate a Pot Filler Faucet into Your Kitchen
While most will initially think of the faucet for the kitchen sink or bathroom sink first, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any secondary faucets utilized in a house. For example, take a pot filler faucet that can be installed just above your stove. With many of the new products hitting the market, you’ll notice an increased emphasis on convenience (particularly with the smart fixtures). Nonetheless, when it comes to plumbing fixtures in the kitchen, anything that can make life a little easier when cooking is at least worth considering, right? After all, there’s a reason why voice-activated faucets are now available!
Anyways, while our third point on this blog post may be slightly different than the two mentioned above, it is a different type of faucet that certainly isn’t in every kitchen. The purpose of a pot filler faucet is pretty straightforward. By being located just above the stove, you no longer have to worry about carrying pots from the stove to the sink and vice versa. In addition, thanks to there being numerous pot filler faucets on the market, you’ll also be able to select a finish that matches your other plumbing fixtures in the kitchen to ensure everything maintains a seamless appearance.
Other Unique Characteristics
We covered a few different unique elements in the faucet world today, but the truth is there are plenty more that we didn’t even get into! In the “pot filler faucet” section, we briefly hinted at voice-activated faucets, which could certainly turn into a trendy idea as more homeowners look to upgrade their plumbing to smart fixtures. Adding a beverage faucet is another possibility, as you could include a second smaller faucet in the kitchen to be used solely for filling up water bottles, glasses of water, etc. Tie it in with a reliable filtration system (like you can do with this one from Kraus HERE) and you’ll have another useful tool in the kitchen. Lastly, we can’t ignore the vast amount of finishes to pick from. While a faucet finish in itself isn’t technically unique, some of the finishes that you don’t see as often are definitely unique! It may take a particular kitchen design to make some of the more unique faucet finishes work, but there’s definitely plenty of possibilities.
Faucet Installation and Repair Services in Kansas City
As you can likely imagine, faucets are a great example of a plumbing component that you want working on a consistent basis while also ensuring they maintain a professional appearance. Here at Stine-Nichols Plumbing, we completely understand that and our team of trained plumbing professionals possess the experience necessary to solve just about any faucet problem out there! Given that faucets receive their fair share of wear and tear over the years (particularly in commercial settings), it’s worth it to know the signs of a faucet that just needs a little work done to it and one that is in desperate need of replacing! Likewise, as evidenced throughout this blog post, there are several features/variables that you can choose to incorporate into your faucet to truly make it fit seamlessly into your bathroom or kitchen.
To learn more about the faucet services we provide throughout the Kansas City area, feel free to give us a call at (816) 348-3481 or fill out the form HERE. We look forward to hearing from you!