Massive Home Improvements

It’s really time to fix the faucet. The constant dripping noise is driving you crazy, not to mention the sleep it is depriving you of. Upon close inspection you discover it is not simply the washer causing the problem this time, but the whole thing needs replacing. A visit to Lowe’s or Home Depot causes total confusion as you stare opened eyed at the choice you are faced with. Help is seriously needed. How do you make the choice?

Stick With What You Know

The first thing you need to do is decide if you want to replace your bathroom faucet with the exact same style as before or go for something new. The easiest thing to do is to simply replace your faucet with one which is similar or identical in style. You can remove the bathroom sink faucet and bring it in to find a good match. Of course, if this is not possible then the complications set in and your task becomes much more involved. There are many different types of mounting for your faucet and you will need to be aware of what type yours is before simply going and purchasing the new fixture. This can often be the most difficult part of selecting your new faucet because, as usual, the one you really prefer will not necessarily work with the configuration of your sink.

Choose Your Type of Mounting

Common types of mounting include: widespread faucets that have individual hot and cold water handles; centerset faucets with one handle that controls both temperatures and covers the three holes that may be in your sink for mounting; mini-widespread which are the same as widespread faucets except positioned closer together; single-hole, similar to the centerset but filing in only one hole; and wall mounted, most commonly used for a bathtub faucet. Centerset and mini-widespread faucets are both designed for sinks with pre-drilled 4″ holes. Some single-hole faucets include covers that allow you to use them on a sink with 4″ pre-drilled holes. Needless to say if you have one of the other types, you would be best going for a replacement of the same kind.

Once you have determined what type of mount your sink has, your job of choosing a faucet comes down to aesthetics. Which finish best matches your bathroom? Look for something which will complement the look of the room. It is also good to know whether or not your current faucet is a classical design (rounded edges, flowery embellishments) or modern (sharp angles, geometric embellishments). On the other hand, sharper and geometric angles may be more appropriate for modern. bathroom designs.

Choosing the Finish

So you have chosen your new faucet and installation is on the horizon. But have you given any thought to the finish of your faucet? Bathroom fixtures come in a variety of finishes, from dull to shiny, chrome to wrought iron. Every finish has its good and bad points. Chrome and stainless steel are probably the most common of finishes but they scratch easily and water spots and fingerprints show up all too clearly. Brass is very attractive, but rusts. Brushed nickel has a nice flat finish, but is pricey and the plating eventually wears off. Know what choices are available too you before deciding on a finish.

There is also a wide array of choices open as to the style of handles for your faucets. But once again, choose something that will be a good match for your bathrooms decor. The only thing left now is to take your new faucet home and install it. And then enjoy the compliments you will get on this most basic of bathroom items.

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This entry was posted on Friday, August 8th, 2008 at 5:59 pm and is filed under Bathroom. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.