
Kitchen Tapware: Everything You Need To Know!
, by Zure Australia, 5 min reading time
, by Zure Australia, 5 min reading time
While designing a new kitchen or simply upgrading your existing one, it can be all too easy to overlook small little details like kitchen accessories and of course kitchen tap ware. With the array of options for kitchen taps at your disposal including eclectic styles like contemporary and traditional and finishes like black and chrome, we will forgive you for being a little too choosy.
Given the fact that it’s one of the main touch points in your home, it needs to be not just functional and durable but also stylish. But shouldn’t you conduct a thorough extensive research on kitchen taps before you go on to buy one? Where do you even begin? Before you drive around looking for kitchen tap ware in Australia, you need to look out for a couple of things. We are here to save the day by offering you a comprehensive and handy guide to kitchen taps in Australia!
Start with functions
First, you should chalk out the functions that you’ll use. Do you want to invest in a 3-in-1 tap that includes filtered cold water or will a simple hot and cold water tap ware will do? There are also 4-in-1 options with an added instant boiling water feature that may seem appealing and beneficial to you.
Let it sink: sink is important
Before you go for a new kitchen faucet, determine the shape, size and features of your sink first. Because it will inevitably determine how much reach the spout should have and where the faucet should be mounted. Measure the spout’s height because it should hit that sweet spot between being enough tall to clean your deepest pot and short enough to ensure the water doesn’t splash everywhere and make a mess when it hits the sink.
Kitchen Tapware Parts
Let’s take a look at the different tap ware parts so that the installation process seems easy and effortless to you!
What is a spout?
It is that part of the faucet that you’re likely to notice first. While it can be distinctive in its design, it’s also the part that delivers water from the body to the sink. There are a number of different kinds of spouts: straight, gooseneck, shepherd’s crook design and articulating spout. While you should bear in mind each of these style considerations because they pertain to specific functionalities, you should also determine how you’ll be utilising the spout in the kitchen.
The handle
It’s pretty simple to choose the handle because your choice is limited to one or two types. The single handle can be mounted on the front, beside it, on top of the spot or on either side of it. Of course it’s much easier to find your way around the single handle kitchen faucet instead of the two handle but its rustic, timeless charm is an irresistible part of its overall appeal.
Valve
The primary function of the valve is to control water temperature and flow. While some of them are made of plastic or metal, the best ones house a pair of ceramic discs that are rarely affected by hard water deposits and don’t leak. The valve is different from the body where the hot water mixes with the cold before passing through the aforementioned spout.
Mount
A deck mount which ensures the kitchen sink mixer tap is connected to the kitchen sink is the most common and favoured option. It’s also relatively simple to install. There’s another mount option that you may want to consider as well. It is when you attach the faucet to the wall instead of the sink. Why? Because it frees up a lot of countertop space and makes maintenance and cleanup hassle-free. However, for cold climates harbouring exterior walls it’s a futile attempt because pipes may freeze owing to the temperature conditions.
Best Kitchen tap materials
The most common kitchen tap ware materials would be: brass, stainless steel, plastic and zinc. Brass is durable, comes in a wide variety of finishes and models and is easy to cast making it the most popular choice. Solid stainless steel is also additionally a great choice but it’s a little more expensive than brass. However, it’s important to not confuse this with stainless steel finishes over brass because they are worlds apart. The least durable kitchen faucet options would be plastic and zinc taps. Even if they manage to replicate brass finishes in appearance and looks, they’re made from a different material which may not stand the test of time. How to tell them apart? Just pick them up! Brass is bulkier and heftier than plastic and zinc.
Kitchen faucet installation tips
If it’s a new faucet that you are installing, it should be a cakewalk! Just refer to the manufacturer’s instructions and keep a few basic tools handy and you’re good to go. However, if you are removing an old faucet, maybe you should consider using a hair dryer, heat gun or anything in the same category of tools to loosen rusted on nuts. Use a bin wrench or pliers to remove the nuts. If you have a granite or stone countertop you can skip the plumber’s putty. Most faucets come with an attached O-ring at the base requiring no sealant.
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