The New Bathroom Faucets

Bathroom faucets are not just for function anymore. Of course, function is the first concern when purchasing a faucet, but today there are so many styles and finishes to choose from it is a regular smorgasbord.

Bathroom faucet function
 

When selecting a bathroom faucet, don't choose the bottom of the line to save a few dollars. The valves are an important part of a faucet and choosing solid brass or brass base metal valves will save you aggravation and leaks.

Many of today's faucet also feature waterless valves. Those with ceramic disc or the cartridge models are much less prone to leaking and will last longer.

Bathroom faucet style
 

When you consider style for your bathroom faucet, you should also coordinate with your bathtub and shower fixtures in order to get a complete and coordinating look in your bathroom.

There are a multitude of styles from vintage looks to very sleek and contemporary looks in bathroom faucets. You will find bathroom faucets offered in single handle lever units, separate hot and cold handles if you prefer, and various types of spouts including the high rise or goose neck that was once only seen in the kitchen.

The high rise spout can make shampooing much easier, but if you choose this option make sure the basin is deep enough to avoid splashing.

Bathroom faucet finishes
 

There is a bathroom faucet finish to suit any taste. Traditionally polished chrome has been the most popular. While this gleaming finish can be attractive, it requires more upkeep because of water spotting.

Brushed finishes such as brushed chrome or brushed nickel offer less gleam, but nevertheless are very attractive, stylish and far easier to keep up especially in a busy household.

There are also many rubbed finishes that add to the styling and give more of a vintage look. Copper and even black faucets are now available.

Choosing the right bathroom faucet for an existing sink
 

If you are not starting fresh with a new sink as well as new faucets, then you need to match up your faucet with your sink.

If the faucets install directly to the sink, then you need to determine if the existing sink is set up for single hole, minispread, widespread or centerset faucets, so you can match up to the existing holes.

Centerset faucets are where the handles and spout are mounted to a single base. Minispread and widespread faucets are where each element of the faucet assembly is individually installed onto the sink. And the single-hole is self explanatory.

More information on bathroom faucets and selecting new vanities and sinks

History Of Faucets

Plumbing systems have already existed during ancient times. In fact, at around 1700 BC, The Minoan Palace of Knossos in Crete first featured a terra cotta-based piping that provided water for faucets, as well as faucets made of marble, gold and silver. During the Roman period, personal bathrooms and lead pipes have already existed (1000 BC - 476 AD). Rome's public baths were already equipped with silver faucets along with fixtures made of gold and marble.

Since then, public systems have changed, including faucets. For many decades, faucets had two handles - one for hot water, and the other for cold water. In 1937, however, this design changed, and this change was initiated by a college student named Al Moen. One fine day in 1937, he turned the faucet handle to wash his hands but scalded them since the water came too hot. This gave him the idea of designing a single-handle faucet.

Between 1940 and 1945, he designed various kinds of faucets: from a double-valve faucet to a cylindrical design, and finally he sold his first single handle mixing faucet in the latter part of 1947. By 1959, his design was used in a million homes in the United States and sold in around 55 countries all over the world. Today, single-handle faucets are popular and can be found in about 50% of American homes.

Aside from single-handed faucets, Al Moen also came up with other inventions in his lifetime, which included the replaceable cartridge (to eliminate washers in the faucets), push-button shower valve diverter, screen aerator, flow control aerator, pressure balancing shower valves and swivel spray. Aside from Al Moen, Landis Perry was also involved in doing innovative faucet designs. In 1945, he designed his first faucet ball valve which aimed at providing a combined blending control and volume with an effective means for sealing valve elements. This design was patented in 1952 and was first introduced in 1954 by Delta faucets (who bought the patent beforehand). Four years henceforth, their sales topped a whooping $1 million.

About two decades later, Wolvering Brass patented the ceramic disk for water control. Unlike rubber-based cartridges, ceramic discs are lapped and polished in such a way that their flatness is only measured in light bands. Ceramic disks tend to last a lot longer than cartridges since they have high wear resistance and are able to provide a more accurate control. These disks are widely used today.

More recent innovations in faucets include built-in cartridges used to reducing the level of lead, cysts and chlorine, built-in pull out sprays, electronic faucets as well as those designed for disabled people. Electronic faucets were introduced in the early 1980's for hygienic and water conservation purposes, and come with infrared beams that detect motion. When a person happens to put his hand underneath the faucet, the infrared beam is disrupted, and this disruption triggers the water to run. In addition, battery-operated electronic faucets have also been distributed. More developments will surely come in and improve the lives of many homeowners.

Please visit kitchen renovation expert Art Copper's websites at Stainless Steel Triple Bowl Sinks and Stainless Steel Undermount Bar Sinks

Chicago Faucet: The Beauty Is in the Brass

Chicago faucet was introduced in 1901 and since then its name has epitomized quality and craftsmanship with the combination of engineering, finest material and quality workmanship that leads to a quality product. It makes new innovation products that make new force in the world of commercial plumbing. The company is the leader in supplying fittings for the commercial, laboratory, food service, safety equipment and residential markets. It has broad variety like Lavatory faucets, Chicago kitchen faucets and Chicago commercial faucets.

In the kitchen, Chicago Faucets is known as the professional's choice, and it is easy to see why. These stylish brass faucets are extremely durable and versatile; meant to stand the test of time. The finishing stands for high quality plating and good finishing and the Chicago faucet spouts and handle are interchangeable that leads to flexibility for the customer to use the product continuously. It offers single handle faucet, desk mount, wall mount, cucina faucets, Danze faucets and Franz Viegener faucets. The single handled faucet is provided with metal lever handle, ceramic mixing cartridge, integral water hammer-prevented and chrome finishing. Marathom Deck mounted with or without spray type is also available. Wall mounted faucets has double-jointed swing spout with H-adjustment arm and G-adjustment arm with adjustment. The double handled swing hot and cold porcelain lever handles is provided with chrome finishing.

The commercial Chicago faucet includes pot filler faucets, metering faucets, service link faucets, lab faucets, urinal valves and electronic faucets. The poll filler faucets are used for restaurants with wall and spout shut-off valves and it is extended 22" from wall. The metering valve saves valuable resource, time and money and field configurable to metering to adjustable distance and time. The lab faucets used in industry with single and two ball valves along with air, gas and liquid index button. Cusina faucet offer single handle, double handle, filter, gourmet faucets for the kitchen and bar. Caliope series faucet is a single controlled kitchen faucet with swivel cast brass spout and gooseneck that rotate at any direction. These are only a few examples of the functionality and versatility you will get with your Chicago faucet.

To purchase these fine faucets, visit a retailer or specialty shop near you. Often, visiting the company web site will offer you a location checker to help you conveniently find a location near you. In addition, many online merchants offer these fine, stylish, brass faucets for sale as well. Nothing beast the trendy looks of these fine brass faucets, except for many the customer service you get with one. Convenience. Style. Sophistication. What more could you ask for.

Whether it is commercial or residential purpose, Chicago Faucets complements your excellent choice with its long-lasting quality. In addition, these stylish and trendy faucets are an affordable solution for your faucet needs. The Chicago Company prides itself in a job well done and in bringing you, the consumer, and simply the best product for your money. Not because you are looking for an inexpensive faucet, but because you are looking for the best faucet available - no matter the cost.

Phil has been working as a repairman for more than 7 years. He has plenty of experience in repairing homes, especially in bathrooms since that is where he started his career. He is focused on water conservation, since the bathroom is the number one place of water consumption in the home. Visit http://www.3falk.com to learn more about conserving water and shower faucets.

The Faucet: A Deciding Factor

 

In the design of your new kitchen, the faucet can be one of the largest, most critical aspects of it all. In many cases, you will find that a beautiful one can be the completion of a beautiful kitchen. But how should you decide and what should you look for in the ones that you consider? If you walk into any home improvement store, you are likely to find many to choose from. It can become overwhelming even.

Even though it can be somewhat difficult for you to find the faucet that you know is perfect this is only because you have so many choices. It works well to look at several key points when choosing the right one.

• First, look at the metals used. For most, stainless steel is the best choice because of its ability to stay clean and to resist rusting. But, it is not your only option. For example, you may want to think about options such as copper as well. This can make a grand statement!

• And, that is the next thing to consider. Do you want the faucet to make a statement about your tastes or be simplistic? Do you want it to stand out or to simply fit in? Consider options that fit these needs.

• You should also consider the style and design of the element as well. For some, necessity is all that matters. Even so, you can have a great looking choice that is quite functional.

• The bottom line, though, is that you should choose the one that fits your needs the very best. It should feel right, look right and be what you want it to be.

The faucet that you choose can show your personality and style, or not. It can be whatever you want it to be as long as you love it!

for more information please see http://www.faucet-deals.co.uk