Bathroom Faucet Buying Guide

What is a Bathroom Faucet?

A bathroom faucet, also referred to as a lavatory faucet, is a valve for controlling the release of water into a bathroom sink. The bathroom faucet is also a key element in creating a unique and stylish design in the bathroom. Whether you’re looking for modern lines or traditional country style, there’s a bathroom faucet available to meet your individual tastes.

Selecting a Bathroom Faucet

There are three significant considerations when selecting a bathroom faucet. These include Mounting, Finish, and Handles.

Mounting

Mounting options will depend greatly on your individual installation scenario and design scheme.

Bathroom faucet mounting is first contingent upon the type of sink the faucet will serve. If you will be using a Self Rimming, Undermount, Pedestal, Console, or Wall Hung sink, you will want to examine the number of holes. This is the first indication of the type of faucet you’ll need. The bathroom faucets used for these types of sinks are widespread, centerset, mini widespread, or single hole. One other option for mounting is the wall mount faucet which is used for vessel sinks.

	Widespread bathroom faucets have a spout and independent hot and cold water handles. Most widespread faucets are able to accommodate installations where the pre-drilled sink holes are between 6" and 16".
	Centerset bathroom faucets are made for sinks with pre-drilled 4" three-hole installations. A centerset faucet has a spout and one handle or two handles. Centerset faucets are mounted with a base unit that covers the three sink holes.
	Mini Widespread bathroom faucets, like centerset faucets, are made for sinks with pre-drilled 4" three-hole installations. Mini widespread, however, are not mounted on a base unit. Mini widespreads, like widespreads, look as if they have a spout and independent hot and cold water handles.
	Single hole bathroom faucets have a combined spout and a handle. Some single hole faucets come with a cover plate for sinks with pre-drilled 4" three-hole installations, making them one handle centerset faucets. Some single hole faucets are made especially to accommodate vessel sinks.
	Wall-mounted bathroom faucets are available for a variety of needs. Typically, wall-mounted faucets are used for freestanding vessel sinks. It is important to ensure that the spout provides enough reach to clear the side of the sink. Also, wall-mounted faucets may require a separate wall-mount valve and drain.

Finish

Bathroom Faucets are available in the following finishes:

Antique Nickel	Black Iron	Brazen Bronze	Brushed Bronze	Brushed Chrome

Chrome	Chrome and Polished Brass	French Gold	Matte Chrome	Nickel

Oil Rubbed Bronze	Pearl Nickel	Platinum	Polished Brass	Polished Chrome and Polished Brass

Porcelain and Chrome	Satin Nickel	Satine	Venetian Bronze	Wrought Iron

Other Finishes (not pictured)
Blackened Bronze Bronze Brushed Nickel Chrome and Platinum Chrome and Porcelain	Chrome and Satin Nickel Classic Gold and Pebbled Cream Dark Bronze Diamond Gold	Hammered Nickel Nickel and Matte Black Platinum and Chrome Polished Chrome Satin	Satin Nickel and Chrome Satin Nickel and Polished Brass Satine and Ivory Satine and Polished Brass Stainless Steel

The variety of bathroom faucet finishes available makes it easy to find a coordinating finish for any bathroom design.

Handles

Bathroom faucet handles come in a variety of colors and finishes. It is important to consider how the handles will coordinate with the faucet spout and sink. The handle style is an important facet of the overall design for both form and function.

Standard Lever Handles	Porcelain Lever Handles	Standard Cross Handles	Porcelain Cross Handles

A more modern approach to handles is no handles at all. Automatic, AC or battery-powered, electronic faucets are also availble. There are many more unique handle options from which to choose to help make your bathroom faucet fit your individual taste.