You want to know which mixer tap to choose for a kitchen? You don’t know what the criteria are for choosing a kitchen faucet?
This article is made for you!
With all the different mixer taps kitchen faucets available on the market, it’s easy to get lost and it’s important to provide the main selection criteria to consider when making your purchase.
So in this article we will see:
- Choosing a mixer tap or a single-lever mixer
- All the possible features of a faucet
- Choosing the right material for your water faucet
- The different styles of faucets
- Mixer tap: the different spouts
- Recognizing a quality faucet
Let's go, here we go!
Kitchen faucet: mixer tap or mixer?
There are 2 types of kitchen faucets: mixer tap or kitchen mixer tap, which you need to know to make the right choice of kitchen faucet.
Both have their own characteristics, which we will present to you here.
The mixer tap
The mixer tap is the standard faucet, with which you can easily adjust the water temperature and the flow with a single lever.
The temperature is generally adjusted from left to right and the water flow from top to bottom.
It is the simplest model to use and the one found in almost every home.
The mixer
The mixer is the traditional faucet, with 2 handles, which are used to adjust the cold and hot water. By activating these two handles simultaneously, you can adjust the temperature and flow.
The main advantage of this type of faucet is that it is very trendy for a vintage/antique decoration.
The different possible features of a mixer tap
A mixer tap can have different features depending on the models.
Swivel spout
If you own two sinks, you need a tap with a swivel spout to be able to wash your 2 sinks. 1 fixed spout will not be enough in this case.
You will also need to choose the height of your spout, which must be measured depending on the depth of the sink.
Mixer tap with a spray head
Another very practical type of mixer tap is the mixer tap with a spray head. It is now present in many homes, and for good reason, it is very practical to wash the dishes or clean food.
The sink spray head also has several operating modes, like a classic spout or a shower spray for example.
Folding faucet
If your faucet is located in front of your window, a folding faucet is the best solution for you. The foldable and unfoldable faucet is very practical because it has a neck that can tilt. Thus, you can open your window without any problem.
Mixer with aerator
The aerator is a small piece that is attached to the end of the mixer or the tap. This piece allows for a steady flow of water by mixing air into the water, thus limiting the amount of water used.
→ This way, you save water!
Materials of your kitchen faucet
The choice of material of your kitchen faucet is obviously something important.
You must choose the material of your mixer based on themaintenance.
We advise you here to choose it in stainless steel or in chrome, which are much more easy to maintain and more durable only faucets with colored finishes.
Then, there is also the design which is taken into account. You need to find a faucet that matches the your home's decoration.
There are many materials available to meet your needs, such as copper or brass, which are very trendy materials but require more maintenance.
Mixers for a kitchen: the different styles
Finally, we need to talk about the different faucet styles.
Generally, there are 2 types of design: modern design and vintage design.
The contemporary faucet has been very trendy in recent years, with the arrival of kitchens in minimalist style.
We therefore recommend choosing a faucet in stainless steel, brushed steel, shiny chrome, or others, all with clean lines to be a true decorative element in your modern kitchen.
The vintage faucets, on the other hand, are often connected to a natural stone or ceramic sink. Therefore, finishes in bronze, copper, or brass should be favored so that they can match well with the rest of your vintage kitchen.
Types of spouts for your faucet
The choice of spout of your faucet is also something essential for the design of your mixer tap:
- Seamless spout : spout and faucet body are one for a design model
- High spout : U-shaped or C-shaped
- Angled spout : angles with rounded shapes
- Gooseneck spout : long spout that dips into the sink
- Swivel spout : spout that can tilt (see above in the article)
There are obviously many other types of spouts.
Choosing a quality mixer tap
The price of a faucet can vary from one model to another, but that is not necessarily a guarantee of quality.
There are a few details to look at to ensure the quality of the mixer tap.
Quality certification
To verify the quality of a mixer tap, make sure it bears the NF logo, which certifies the quality of its manufacture as well as product performance.
ACS Marking
The ACS marking is proof that the kitchen mixer tap has been officially approved by the Directorate General of Health.
E.A.U Ranking
The E.A.U ranking certifies it good operation of your faucet, with:
- E: gives the flow rate in liters
- A: water flow noise level
- U: indicates the faucet's resistance level
This ranking is associated with the NF standard.
That's it for choosing your kitchen mixer tap!
That's it, the article is now finished!
You now know more about the different criteria to consider when choosing your mixer tap.
You have learned that product quality matters but also the design and daily use of your faucet are important to make the right choice.
