The faucet in the kitchen is subjected to more stress than the faucet in the bathroom. In the process of cooking, housewives open and close the water many times. This leads to the need to further strengthen the design of the product. Today, there are many faucets on sale that meet high consumer requirements. To choose the best option, you need to know the features of the presented products, as well as what nuances you should pay attention to in the first place.
Ceramic kitchen faucets are very popular today. Expert advice will help you figure out what these products are, as well as how to choose them correctly.
Material features
Ceramic kitchen faucets are in high demand today. This is due to the characteristics of the material. When creating faucets, manufacturers use ceramics for the body, spout, and internal elements of the system.
Externally, the ceramic faucet looks very stylish. It is selected for various stylesinterior. However, when purchasing a similar kind of kitchen faucet, you should consider the type of sink. This primarily concerns the very material from which it is created. Also take into account its depth.
Crane boxes, which control the flow of water and are responsible for mixing it, can also be made of ceramics. Today it is a reliable, durable material. It can last for decades if properly handled. However, when choosing and operating mixers made of this material, a number of features must be taken into account.
Product requirements
When purchasing ceramic kitchen faucets in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Ufa and other cities of our country, it is necessary to take into account the conditions of their operation. In different regions, a different composition of water is determined. Hardness s alts, small dirt, pieces of rust can damage the device very quickly if a high-quality cleaning system is not provided. It is installed on the water supply.
Increased loads, a large number of opening and closing cycles lead to equipment wear much faster than in the bathroom. Therefore, the quality of every detail of the mixer must be given special attention. It is also necessary to study the internal elements of the mixer.
In addition to reliability, a kitchen faucet must have a user-friendly design. The faucet should be easy to open and close. This will allow you to cook food, wash dishes as comfortably as possible.
Advantages and disadvantages of ceramics
Kitchen faucets today are made fromvarious materials. Their body can be made of metal, plastic, silumin (aluminum-silicon alloy). There are also nickel-plated and chrome-plated products. Each one has a different cost and performance.
The ceramic case is characterized by its stylish appearance. There are sinks that are suitable only for such kitchen faucets. For example, a ceramic beige kitchen faucet matches perfectly with a sink of the same color. At the same time, it will be easier to choose a shade by purchasing a kitchen faucet of the same series complete with a sink. The appearance of such a tandem will be really stylish.
The cost of the presented products will be above average. However, the price of metal mixers will be higher. The only drawback of ceramic faucets is their fragility. On impact, a chip is easily formed. Therefore, during operation, it is necessary to exclude various mechanical effects on the body of the device.
Single lever design
Ceramic cartridge kitchen faucets are durable and long lasting when used with inlet filtration system. Similar internals are installed in both single-lever and two-valve designs.
When choosing a kitchen faucet today, in 80% of cases, the most convenient design options are preferred. These include all single-lever faucets. The handle of such a mixer helpsadjust temperature and water flow at the same time.
The ceramic cartridge inside consists of a mechanism through which cold and hot water flows. Such internal elements of mixers are designed for the number of opening and closing cycles, which reach 1 million times. If necessary, it can be removed from the mixer body and replaced. Moreover, even a person who does not have experience in conducting such operations will cope with such a task.
Two valve design
Ceramic cartridges are also installed in faucets with two valves. Only in this case there will be two such elements. One of them is set to supply cold water, and the other - to a hot stream.
In the kitchen, this design is not comfortable enough to use. When setting the temperature, a lot of water flows out. Therefore, these types of mixers are considered uneconomical. When the cartridges wear out, you will have to buy not one, but two removable elements at once.
However, if you choose between a rubber seal cartridge and a ceramic cartridge, the second option will be preferable. This is a more durable type of design that a similar kitchen faucet can have. Ceramic faucet box with proper operation will last long enough.
Features of cartridge operation
When choosing ceramic faucets for the kitchen, you need to familiarize yourself with the requirements for the operation of cartridges made of this material. This material is subject to mechanical stress. When the flow passes under pressure through the cartridge, it may containsmall solid particles of dirt.
Old metal pipes, increased water hardness in the region, as well as other micro-pollutions can leave scratches on the internal surfaces of the ceramic cartridge. Over time, their number will increase. Water will seep through them to the outside.
To prevent this from happening, a coarse filter is placed at the input. If increased rigidity is determined in the area, it is better to purchase a special system. It will remove from the flow not only solid particles of contaminants, but also various substances that are unhe althy for the body. This also contributes to a significant increase in the life of the device.
Spout
Ceramic kitchen faucet with faucet can have different heights and spout designs. The choice depends on the depth of washing, as well as the operational features of the equipment.
Low spout avoids splashing water. However, with the help of such a tap it becomes extremely inconvenient to wash deep dishes. A high spout avoids such a nuisance. But when water falls from a great height, it will splatter, creating wet puddles on the countertop.
To solve this problem, manufacturers began to produce ceramic and other kitchen faucets with a pull-out watering can. This design is similar to the shower in the bathroom. The retractable element reaches 1 m in length. At the same time, it can be left inside the body and the crane can be operatednormally. There are various modifications of such design solutions.
Appearance
When choosing a ceramic faucet, it is extremely important to correlate its appearance with the style of the entire interior. The design must be holistic. Therefore, you need to think through every little thing. It is important to evaluate the tandem of a kitchen faucet and a sink. For example, a white ceramic kitchen faucet is not suitable for a beige-colored granite sink, etc. It is better if the color of the faucet matches the shade of the sink.
In addition to color, the texture of the material is also taken into account. At the sink and faucet, this parameter must match. Therefore, many manufacturers produce a sink and a faucet under the same series.
If the kitchen is decorated, for example, in high-tech style, it is better to give preference to a laconic ceramic faucet with geometric shapes. If, during the design of the room, an interior such as Provence, Shabby, Country was chosen, you can purchase a two-valve faucet. However, ceramic faucets look best in the Scandinavian style of kitchen design.
Expert Tips
Quality ceramic kitchen faucets, reviews of which are presented in large quantities by users, are produced by companies such as Grohe, Hansgrohe, Roca, Jacob Delafon and many others. Experts do not recommend purchasing cheap devices of unknown brands. There is a high probability of their rapid breakdown.
In order for a ceramic faucet to serve for a long time, it is necessary to purchase such products only from trusted sellers with a good reputation. When buying, you must carefully inspect the mixer body. It should not have scratches or chips. The greater the weight of such a product, the better. Quality kitchen faucets will be quite heavy.
Also, experts in the field of kitchen mixing equipment are strongly advised to adhere to the rules of operation. Do not clean the kitchen faucet with abrasive cleaners. Ceramic faucets fail faster if they are tightly tightened when turned off. With care, the presented mixers will work for a long time and efficiently.
After considering equipment such as ceramic kitchen faucets, as well as their types and features, everyone can choose the best option for themselves.
