A good quality bathroom faucet can add more sophistication to any bathroom. Your bathroom faucets should not be overlooked, as these can either enhance or deter the look for your sink, lavatory or bath. This article will show you the types, materials and finishes of bathroom faucets.

Types of Bathroom Faucets

There is more than one type of faucet. When choosing one, you should make sure they work with your sink basin. The good news is, there are standard models and drillings everywhere, so you have a lot of options.

Widespread faucet sets are great for temperature control. These come with two handles, one for hot water and the other for cold. A center set faucet put together valves and a spout on one base unit. This type of bathroom faucet can have just one handle mixing lever or double handles installed on a 6-inch plate. A single hole faucet has a spout and one mixing handle put together so it can be operated with just one hand. Finally, a wall-mounted faucet is a type of faucet that is basically installed into a wall. A wall-mounted faucet can be suitable for freestanding basins or those above the counter. It will need a longer spout for easy reach. It will also need a separate wall mount valve and drain.

Materials and Finishes

Most bathroom faucets are made of brass. However, their finishes are usually what makes them more distinct. The many different finishes available range from colorful enamel finishes to gold plating. Different methods are also used. Some parts may be pressed or cast in molds. These are some of the best methods used today.

Brass basically consists of zinc, copper and lead. Lead is not very good for the health, and very small amounts of this can leak into drinking water. However, all manufacturers are now required to use less than 8% lead in all brass faucets, so they are generally safe to use. There are satin, high-gloss and antique brass finishes available for you to choose from.

If you’re going to go with brass, a high-gloss one is best. This type of brass is low-maintenance due to the way it is processed. Therefore, you won’t have to clean and polish it every month. You can also ask for brass faucets that are scratch-resistant.

There are other popular finishes you might want to check out. Finishes include a mixture of chrome, enamel, brass, gold, ceramic, bronze, pewter and nickel. Popular ones are polished and brushed chrome, gold plating and powder-coated decorator colors. Powder-coated colors can come in gray, white, black, almond and red. Colors can also be combined, where the faucet body has a particular color and another has a complimentary one. These colors are often highly durable and can last as long as your faucet.

Usually, good quality comes with a price. This is because a good quality faucet will last you a lifetime, not to mention save you a lot of time cleaning and polishing. It doesn’t mean though you won’t find lower prices. You can find lots of great deals online. You’ll also be able to browse pictures, compare prices and read through customer reviews.

When buying a bathroom faucet, compatibility is key. You need to make sure it can be installed perfectly with the type of sink you have. Then you can think of style and design. You can make your budget a priority, but remember good quality goes a long way. Faucets can range from $30 to more than $1,000. So choose wisely and consider fitting/size, durability and style.