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Selecting a Kitchen Faucet
Features:
Kitchen faucets come in many styles, finishes, shapes, and sizes.
Options include sprayers, matching soap dispensers, hot water
dispensers, and escutcheons/ deckplates. Each of these options requires
a separate mounting hole. The most important thing to know before buying
a kitchen faucet is knowing the type of sink that the faucet will be
used with:
- The style of sink it’s being used on – size the faucet to
complement the sink, not overwhelm it
- Does it have the right number of mounting holes?
- Does your sink have 3 or 4 mounting holes - determine the space
between the holes?
- Is the spout long enough to reach the center of the bowl?
- Are you matching the sink color?
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Do you have extra mounting holes for desired accessories: soap
and/or lotion dispenser, sprayer, hot water dispenser, etc.?
Finish Options
There are many finish options available to suit any décor.Some
options are; chrome, polished brass, chrome/brass, brushed nickel,
satin nickel, French gold, brushed chrome, oil rubbed bronze,
weathered copper, French bronze, pewter, white, almond, biscuit,
satine, platinum and more.
One of the most important things to remember about finishes is that
each manufacturer’s finishing process is different, and the color
will vary slightly. To ensure that all the faucets and accessories
match, buy them from the same manufacturer. Most manufacturers have
made choosing easy by offering beautiful collections of kitchen
accessories such as, soap dispensers, cutting boards and bottom grid
racks.

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Faucets
with a built-in water filtration system
This style of faucet looks like a regular kitchen
faucet but with one important difference –
It’s a highly efficient water-filtering faucet.
It provides sparkling-clear, delicious tasting,
quality water direct from the tap - for a tenth of
the cost of bottled water. They are usually
available in the same style and finish as your
regular kitchen faucets. |
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For the most durable faucet, go with a solid brass base
material and a ceramic disk valve. You can choose from
hundreds of styles and dozens of finishes.
Faucet Valve Mechanisms
The valve is the heart of the faucet and controls the
volume of water. There are four types of faucet valves:
Compression faucets have been in use the longest
and are the least expensive type. When the handle is
turned, it raises or lowers a stem. At the base of the
stem, a washer or seal opens or closes the water's
passageway, and they always have two controls.
Cartridge or washerless faucets have a hollow,
plastic-and-brass cartridge insert that seals against the
inside of the faucet body with O-rings. These faucets are
more reliable and provide better value than compression
faucets.
Ball faucets have a single lever that operates a
rotating slotted metal ball. The ball's slots line-up with
cold and hot water inlet seats in the faucet body to
regulate the amount of incoming water allowed to reach the
mixing spout.
Ceramic disc faucets have two fire-hardened ceramic
discs: an upper disc that moves and a fixed lower disc.
The two discs move against each other in a shearing
action, blocking water or allowing it to pass through. The
seal between the two discs is watertight because they are
polished to near-perfect flatness.
Most of today’s faucets feature cartridge, ball or
ceramic disc valve design. These valves are designed for
long care-free, drip-free dependability. For the most
durable faucet, go with a solid brass base material and a
ceramic disk valve. You can choose from hundreds of styles
and dozens of finishes. |
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Care and Cleaning
Please refer to our Care & Cleaning page in the Help
Center for information.
Repair and Warranty
Some faucets come with a lifetime warranty for parts and
finishes to be free from defects in material and
workmanship under normal installation, use and service.
However, we recommend using a professional plumber for all
installation and repair. For complete details of the
individual manufacturer’s warranty policy, please click
on the “warranty information” link on the product
page. This includes the length of warranty, exclusions and
incidents that may void the warranty.If you have any
questions regarding warranty information, please contact
our customer assistance specialists at Hdfor@aol.com
Kitchen
Sinks
Today's kitchen sinks have become central workstations
that can be customized to meet each family’s exact
needs. More than simply a practical necessity –
household sinks now offer more design appeal, softer
lines, and a greater variety of finishes. Even laundry
room sinks now have design appeal.
From the chic homes in Paris and Milan , to the stylized
lofts above Manhattan and landmark moderns in the hills of
Hollywood , one thing remains constant - great design. And
when it comes to gathering and entertaining with friends
and family, the kitchen continues to become the integral
element of architecture that demands style, function and
durability. The kitchen sink is its core. We have some
ideas that will make your life easier, with great sinks
that are as hardworking as they are good-looking.
How do you choose the perfect sink for you and your
family? Size, width, depth. There are undermount,
self-rimming, farmhouse, integral with the countertop
style, and dual-level sinks. Extra large, extra deep, single,
double,
triple
and corner bowl styles and specialty
sinks; such as copper, granite, stone, farmhouse, and
more.
When it comes time for meal prep or washing dishes, use
one sink for wash, one for rinsing dishes or vegetables.
There are sinks with removable bowls that you can take to
the table and bus all the dishes in one trip, and some
sinks have remote access drains, installed along the rim,
which lets you drain the sink without reaching into dirty
dishwater. Some manufacturers offer a selection of fully
integrated accessories to make your new sink even more
serviceable, such as dish
drainers, sink racks, and custom
colanders and cutting boards.
You may find that one large, deep basin gives you more
room than the common equal-size, double-bowl sink
arrangement for rinsing large pots, plates, and platters
before loading them into the dishwasher. You may choose a
style that offers a low profile double sink that features
half the height of conventional dividers. A second,
smaller sink could be placed in an island or bar area for
preparing vegetables or mixing drinks.
The placement of the drain-bowl is also important. There
are center-drain models and rear-positioned drain models.
Rear-positioned drain models offer more usable
under-cabinet storage space. |
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| Kitchen Sink Styles |
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Self-Rimming sinks are the
most common option. The edges of self-rimming
sinks lap the countertop. Please ensure it
has the proper installation holes for your faucet.
And don’t forget additional holes for
accessories such as, soap dispenser, instant hot
water dispenser, filtered water faucet etc.
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Undermount sinks attach
below the countertop and offer the advantages of
easy cleanup because there are no rims to wipe
crumbs over. There is a visually smooth transition
between the counters and the sink. These
undermount sinks are generally made of stainless
steel although other materials such as Corian and
enameled cast iron are available. Undermount sinks
make the perfect addition to today’s high end
granite, soapstone and/or corian countertops.
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Bar
/ Prep Sinks - The ultimate “must
have” for entertaining and busy kitchens. For a
completely coordinated kitchen, match your kitchen
sink with a bar/prep sink which can be installed
in an island or entertainment room. Prep sinks and
their faucets can be matched to coordinate with
the main kitchen sink and faucet.
Materials
There are great choices of materials to suit every
taste and décor. Kitchen sinks are made from
enameled cast iron, porcelain on steel, vitreous
china, natural stone, and stainless steel and
more. To keep all sinks looking fresh and new, and
eliminate dents and scratches, place a protective
mat or custom rack on the bottom of the sink
basin.
Stainless
Steel Sinks – – the neutral color for
the kitchen and the most popular style of sink.
Stainless steel works in both traditional and
contemporary kitchens and they’ll complement
your decor long after trendy colors are out of
style. Some have integrated counter tops &
larger, deeper bowls. Though it may scratch,
it’s easy to clean with a household cleanser and
soft towel; and the thicker gauge models are very
durable. The thickness of a stainless steel sink
is measured in terms of its gauge. The higher the
gauge – the thinner the steel. Most stainless
steel sinks are manufactured from 18 or 20 gauge
steel with a chrome nickel content, which make
them very solid. They won’t chip, nick, crack or
rust, stain or fade. The sanitary surface is just
one reason healthcare facilities use them.
Finishes include a mirrored finish which is shiny
and brushed or satin stainless which is less
likely to show scratches. There are also some
sinks that are a combination – satin bowl and
mirrored rim. Most stainless steel sinks are
undercoated with a sound deadening material to
reduce noise, inhibit condensation and provide for
better heat retention.
Enameled Cast Iron Sinks are a solid cast
iron base layered with a deep enamel surface.
These sinks are extremely heavy and resist almost
any type of structural damage. These long-lasting
sinks are a little more difficult to install (due
to their weight). They do however provide for good
heat retention and are quieter than other types of
sinks.
Americast Sinks are a remarkable
alternative that's more durable, weighs half as
much, and is easier to install than traditional
cast iron sinks. It’s insulation properties
allow it to retain heat longer and emits less
sound. Americast is American Standard's patented
process that bonds the high-quality porcelain
enamel surface with an enameling grade metal and a
molded reinforcement material backing. This
strengthens the sink for normal use and the smooth
surface is very appealing. Damage could occur if a
heavy object is accidentally dropped into the
sink. If damage should occur, it can be repaired
with a special filler/repair agent that is color
matched to your sink, and dries to a shine.
Vitreous China & Fireclay Sinks are a
ceramic-based material with baked on porcelain;
best recognized for its smooth and glossy finish.
This type of sink is often referred to as a county
or French country style. The material is
impervious to water, very durable and is available
in almost any color, including hand-painted and
sculptured designs. Damage could occur if a heavy
object is accidentally dropped into the sink. It
is easy to clean and is germ-resistant.
Manmade Materials – Some of our kitchen
sinks are made from Swanstone, also called
Engineered Stone, which is an authentic solid
surface. Color and texture run all the way through
and cannot wear away. Choose from a wide variety
of easy-to-clean colors for your kitchen and bath.
Products include kitchen sinks, bath and shower
walls, shower floors, vanity tops and bowls. And,
products made of Swanstone are covered by a
limited lifetime warranty.
Copper Sinks – This style of sink adds
uniqueness to the kitchen. Most copper sinks are
crafted from the finest quality copper. This
super-thick copper is hand-hammered, and formed
into a work of art that adds a touch of class to
any kitchen. Copper sinks have a living finish,
their patina ages and improves over time,
therefore it resists stains and other
discoloration. They are also the healthier choice
because bacteria cannot grow on copper. You can
choose from a natural “weathered” copper or
dark bronze for a warm dark look. They are offered
in “natural” or polished and finished in satin
nickel. Most copper sinks are heavy because of
their extra-thick casting process. This enables a
lifetime of use while absorbing noise and repels
dings and scratches.
Care and Cleaning
Please refer to our Care & Cleaning page in
the Help Center for information.
Repair and Warranty
Some sinks come with a limited warranty for parts
and finishes to be free from defects in material
and workmanship under normal installation, use and
service. However, we recommend using a
professional plumber for all installation and
repair. For complete details of the individual
manufacturer’s warranty policy, please click on
the “warranty information” link on the product
page. This includes the length of warranty,
exclusions and incidents that may void the
warranty. If you have any questions regarding
warranty information, please contact our customer
assistance specialists at
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