Types of Kitchen Faucets
From mounting types to spout styles, we've covered all the basics.
If you are looking for a new kitchen faucet but are unsure of where to begin, you're in the right place! In our guide below we provide information on installation options, types of kitchen faucets, features, and handle options.
Kitchen Faucet Installation Types
There are two types of kitchen faucet installation options: deck mounted and wall mounted.
If you are replacing a kitchen faucet, we recommend examining your sink area. If you already have a wall-mounted faucet set-up and no faucet holes on your kitchen counter, then a wall-mounted kitchen faucet will be the quickest and easiest to set up. If you have a kitchen counter with faucet holes pre-installed and ready for a faucet hookup, then you just need to choose a new deck-mounted faucet with the right size and number of corresponding installation holes to fit the space.
Below, we go into more detail about the two mounting types to choose from for your kitchen faucet so you can determine which one works best for your kitchen sink:
Deck Mounted: The most common mounting type, this style of kitchen faucet is attached to the counter (also known as the "sink deck") or the sink itself. If mounted on the counter, enough clearance is needed between the sink and the wall behind it to easily turn handles and ensure the spout portion pours into the sink.
When choosing a deck-mounted faucet, it’s important to consider the number of installation holes your sink already has and the number of installation pieces in your new faucet. Deck-mounted faucets can have either one, two, three, or four corresponding holes to match the number of faucet holes already installed into your countertop by the sink.
These faucet holes connect your faucet and the faucet's handle(s) to your sink's water supply. The more faucet holes, the more potential for options like a handheld sprayer, soap dispenser, freestanding faucet handles, and a freestanding faucet spout.
Wall Mounted: Typically paired with farmhouse sinks, this style of kitchen faucet is installed directly to the wall above your sink, freeing up counter space. Plumbing connections above the countertop are required for installation. However, a wall-mounted faucet can also be installed above your oven and be used as a pot filler.
Standard Kitchen Faucets: Standard kitchen faucets typically include an arched or curved spout with a handle to adjust the water temperature. They come in a variety of sizes, finishes, and features.
Pot Fillers: Designed to fill large cooking pots with water, these types of kitchen faucets are typically mounted on the wall behind the sink or on a wall above the stove. Pot-filler faucets typically require a different plumbing setup than standard kitchen faucets and one to two holes for installation.
Bridge Faucets: Typically only requiring two holes in your sink, wall, or countertop, this distinct-looking faucet has two handles with the spout suspended between them.
Bar Faucets: Due to its small size, this faucet is commonly placed in prep sinks or wet bars. Available in a variety of styles, bar faucets work with one- to four-hole configurations.
Water Dispensers: Water dispensers can be installed alongside your kitchen faucet, and are great for dispensing either boiling hot or cold drinking water easily and quickly. Many have a water heating tank, installed beneath the sink, that connects to the faucet and dispenses water hotter than a standard faucet can dispense.
Make washing dishes and filling drinking glasses a seamless, easy process by selecting a kitchen faucet spout with one or more of the following features:
Pull-Out/Pull-Down: Equipped with a flexible hose and retractable spray head, pull-out spouts are types of kitchen faucets that allow for easy mobility during rinsing and eliminate the need for a separate side spray. Pull-out spouts are ideal for small spaces. In contrast, pull-down spouts are types of kitchen faucets that have a high arc (or gooseneck) featuring a detachable spray head that extends directly down into the sink.
Swivel: Requiring a bit more space for clearance, swivel spouts are types of kitchen faucets that can be moved from side to side, allowing for better coverage of the sink.
Gooseneck/High Arc: The tall, arched necks of these spouts are not only gorgeous, but also great at cleaning larger pots and pans as these types of kitchen faucets hang above the sink and out of the way.
Touch-Activated: These tech-savvy faucets require a simple tap of the hand or wrist to turn on or shut off water flow.
Touchless: These cutting-edge spouts can be turned on and off with the wave of a hand, which helps keep your sink clean when your hands aren’t.
Additional Features to Consider
High Flow Rate: A high flow rate kitchen faucet allows for a higher volume of water to flow through it at a faster rate. These types of faucets are typically designed to provide a stronger stream of water, making it easier to fill pots and pans, rinse dishes, or clean vegetables and fruits. High flow rate kitchen faucets are often preferred for their convenience and efficiency in the kitchen.
Soap Dispenser-Included: Allows for easy hand or dish soap access through a container hidden beneath the counter's surface.
Side Spray-Included:
Deck Plate-Included: A deck plate is the perfect solution if the types of kitchen faucets you are installing has fewer installation pieces than the number of holes already drilled in your sink. They cover unused installation holes and allow almost any faucet to work in any sink.
Number of Handles: Both lever and knob/cross handle styles either come in configurations of one or two. One handle is a common option for standard, bar, or pot filler kitchen faucets where turning the handle in a specific direction dictates the water temperature that comes out of the faucet. Faucets with two handles allow you to control hot water with one and cold with the other. Bridge faucets usually have two handle configurations.
Handle Styles: Kitchen faucets typically have either lever handle styles or knob/cross handle styles. Lever handles are super easy to use with a quick turn of the handle inwards or downwards for faucets with a built-in lever handle. Knob/cross handle styles come in a variety of configurations for a more design-focused look that turns the faucet on or off by turning them left or right.
Tip!
It is important to find a faucet that is the right size. Read our how to measure for a new faucet guide to ensure that you choose the right one for your kitchen.
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