What is the difference between cheap and expensive kitchen faucets?

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What is the difference between cheap and expensive faucets?

The difference between cheap and expensive faucets goes beyond the initial cost and can impact both the faucet's performance and its long-term durability. Here are some key distinctions to consider:

1. Material Quality:

   • Cheap Faucets: Inexpensive faucets are often made from lower-grade materials such as plastic or lightweight metals. These materials are more prone to corrosion, wear, and damage over time.
   • Expensive Faucets: High-end faucets are typically constructed from premium materials like solid brass or stainless steel. These materials are more resistant to corrosion and are less likely to deteriorate.

2. Finish Quality:

   • Cheap Faucets: Lower-priced faucets may have a lower-quality finish that can wear off or discolor relatively quickly.
   • Expensive Faucets: High-end faucets often feature a high-quality finish, such as chrome, brushed nickel, or even gold plating. These finishes are not only more durable but also provide a more luxurious appearance.

3. Design and Aesthetics:

   • Cheap Faucets: Basic designs and limited aesthetic options are common in budget faucets.
   • Expensive Faucets: High-end faucets offer a wider range of styles, finishes, and design features. They often have intricate detailing and a more sophisticated appearance.

4. Functionality and Features:

   • Cheap Faucets: Budget faucets may have basic functionality with limited features. They may lack advanced options like pull-out sprayers or touchless operation.
   • Expensive Faucets: Premium faucets often come with advanced features such as touchless sensors, adjustable water flow, and multiple spray patterns. These features can enhance convenience and functionality.

5. Valve Technology:

   • Cheap Faucets: Inexpensive faucets may use lower-quality valves that are more prone to leaks and drips.
   • Expensive Faucets: High-end faucets typically incorporate superior valve technology, such as ceramic disc cartridges, which provide better control over water flow and are less likely to develop leaks.

6. Warranty and Support:

   • Cheap Faucets: Budget faucets often come with limited warranties and may lack comprehensive customer support.
   • Expensive Faucets: High-quality faucets from reputable brands often come with longer warranties and better customer support, which can provide peace of mind and assistance if issues arise.

7. Durability:

   • Cheap Faucets: Lower-priced faucets are more likely to wear out and require replacement sooner, which can result in higher long-term costs.
   • Expensive Faucets: High-quality faucets are designed to be durable and can last for many years, potentially saving money over time.

It's important to note that the price of a faucet does not always correlate perfectly with quality. Some mid-range faucets can offer a good balance between quality and affordability. When choosing a faucet, consider your budget, intended use, and personal preferences. Reading reviews and researching reputable brands can help you make an informed decision to find the right faucet for your needs.

Just like any other product on the market, not all faucets are made the same. Some faucets boast high price points and fancy finishes while other brands offer low pricing and smart package design. How do you know if you are getting a quality product? Good question. Over the years we have heard many questions concerning the faucet quality and its price point.

When you think of quality faucets, what's the first image that comes to mind? Many of us tend to think of the big brand names we see and hear across digital media channels, Moen, Delta, Kohler...etc. If you were to walk into a showroom or home improvement store today, you will find these familiar brands while also discovering some brand names you haven't heard of before. We would say to not be wary of a brand you haven't heard of before.

So the main question remains - should you be wary of a less expensive faucet? Not necessarily, just be sure to do your homework on the brand and how the faucet was made.

These

3 checkpoints

are a great place to start. 

1. Material (how it's made)

2. Weight (is it lightweight?)

3. Cartridge (look for a ceramic disc cartridge)

Be sure to check at the bottom of this article for your free download of this quick checklist.

One of the main responses we hear in the industry is people feel "you aren't getting the quality" for a faucet that is priced less than others. Understanding where and how the faucet is made is the best way to determine if this seemingly low price point is to be of concern for the overall quality and lifetime use of the faucet.

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Let's dive into the first checkpoint, the faucet material.

1st Checkpoint = Material

There are many quality manufacturers around the globe. Some specialize in finishes, others produce quality solid brass craftsmanship and some make lightweight zinc material faucets.

• How the faucet is made is probably the most important point when it comes to the overall quality of the faucet. Cheaper faucets will use different metals in production, usually zinc. These faucets may warp, break or even snap over time. There's a reason brands use brass or stainless. Solid brass fixtures tend to be heavier and cost a bit more. Lighter-weight faucets tend to be less expensive. Stay away from zinc or plastic materials, these faucets will not stand up over time. 

  
  

  
  

• Be on the lookout for "polished finish" wording used. You want the material to be solid brass and then a plated finish to get a true chrome, brushed nickel, or other finish. A polished steel finish will be yellower than an actual chrome finish.  
  
  

• Try to find out the manufactures of the faucet. Make sure that it passes industry standards. 

2nd Checkpoint = Weight

To pair along with what we just discussed about the material, a quality faucet will most likely be significantly heavier when held in your hand. This is due to solid brass or stainless steel manufacturing. Now it's not "weight for the sake of weight." Zinc or plastic faucets are lightweight in comparision. 

3rd Checkpoint = Cartridge

Ok, so what is a cartridge? A cartridge is the working part of a faucet, controlling the quantity of water flowing through the faucet, adjusts the temperature, and turns the water on and off. Having a quality, reliable cartridge is key to extending the life of the faucet and ensuring its reliable use over many many years.

Okay, so what should I look for with a faucet's cartridge? For starters, check to see it's a ceramic disc cartridge, this can usually be found on the faucet's spec page or manufacturer's website. Some of the brand names to look for are:

• Kerox (made in Hungary)

• Fluhs (made in Germany)

• Sedal (made in Spain)

• Geann (made in Taiwan)

So should you be wary of a less expesive faucet? Not necessarily, just be sure to do  your homework. Be sure to remember the three checkpoints: 

• material 

• weight

• cartridge 

As promised, here's your free download.

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