The kitchen faucet (or kitchen tap) is the most tested piece of equipment in a home. We open and close it daily for everything, and the continuous contact with water wears out its parts. Therefore, it is worth investing in a product that not only matches your aesthetics but also withstands the test of time. In this guide, you will learn all the details you need to pay attention to for a proper selection.

What features should you pay attention to?

Usable space under the faucet

The usable space under the faucet (combined with the depth of our sink) determines how easy it is to wash dishes and perform other daily activities. This space depends on the length and shape of the spout, which starts from the base of the faucet and extends to the point where the water comes out. For greater comfort, prefer a tall faucet, which in most cases has a hollow spout or a G-shaped spout, allowing large dishes and trays to fit underneath. However, be careful not to install a tall faucet in a small or shallow sink, as there is a risk of water splashing out.

Spout Type

The practicality of a faucet is significantly increased when the spout is flexible, and this can be achieved in various ways.

• In faucets with a showerhead, the end of the spout has, in addition to the regular water flow, a flow from multiple small holes and with greater pressure. This function is often used for washing vegetables.

• In pull-out faucets, the end of the spout comes out of the faucet, allowing you to move it throughout the sink. It is particularly useful if you want to wash large dishes or clean your sink thoroughly. In many cases, this function is combined with a shower flow.

Skroutz tip: In this type of faucets, it is important for the cabinet under the sink to be empty so that the counterweight that brings the end of the spout back to its position can move freely.

• In foldable faucets, the spout moves without detaching from the base. It is usually made of rubber and can take the shape you desire without needing to hold it in place, like in pull-out faucets. However, it may not cover the entire surface of the sink like the latter. Here, you can also find a combination with a shower flow.

However, you should know that in all the above faucets, flexibility comes at a cost! Apart from the additional cost, remember that moving parts in faucets are usually more vulnerable than fixed parts, so they may need to be replaced over time.

Installation Point

The most classic kitchen faucets are deck-mounted faucets, which are installed in a hole created on the countertop or sink. If the countertop is not made of a hard material, such as marble or synthetic granite, then the installation should be done on the sink. If you are replacing an existing faucet, don't worry if the faucet you have chosen fits the hole left by the old one. The dimensions are standard and are followed by all manufacturers.

Skroutz tip: Check that the spout will reach the right point (near or above the sink trap) and that the water control mechanism does not hit the wall during use.

The second option is wall-mounted faucets that are installed on the wall above the sink. They were more common in the past, but you can still find such models on the market if you want to replace your existing faucet and your pipes are in the wall. Here you will often come across faucets that require two holes for their installation.

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Skroutz tip: Often in faucets with two holes (but also in those with one sometimes), the hot and cold water control is done with two separate mechanisms on the right and left of the faucet. It is better to prefer those with a central mechanism for greater convenience. You will find them on the market under the term [mixer faucets][13].

Other Features

For cases where there is a window above the sink and its opening is obstructed by the faucet, you can choose a [retractable faucet][14]. In this case, the base is a thin ring that is placed above the hole in the sink and the spout can be lowered downwards, thus freeing up the space occupied by the faucet when needed.

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Also, if the water quality in your area is very low, you can buy a [filter faucet][16]. Such a faucet has two outlets, one for transferring water from the water supply network and one for filtered water. However, if you want to keep your current faucet, you can adapt a [faucet water filter][17] on top of it.

![enter image description here][18]

So... which kitchen faucet should I choose?

A tall countertop faucet will give you more comfort, but choose a height that matches the dimensions of your sink so that the result is practical. If you want to spend a little more, choose a faucet with a flexible spout. If you have limited space or the water in your area is of low quality, try a retractable or filter faucet. In any case, start your search from [here][19]!

Please find below the translation of the guide for an e-commerce site in the category 'Kitchen Faucets':