Choosing a faucet is tricky. The variety of styles, materials and finishes-and prices-can be overwhelming. You'll probably live with your new faucet a long time, so you might as well love it. Here are 4 things to consider before getting in the checkout line.

Looks aren’t everything

Most people choose a faucet based on looks alone. And that’s a mistake. Looks are important, but you can usually get the look you want without compromising on convenience and long-term dependability. For advice on those practical considerations, we talked with faucet designers, manufacturers, retailers and plumbers. Here’s what we learned.

Watch the spout height and reach

Faucet spouts vary a lot in height and reach, and most of the time you can just choose the look you like best. But if you have a shelf above the sink, a tall spout may not fit. With a three-bowl kitchen sink, a spout with a short reach may not extend to all the bowls. A bath faucet with a short reach might cause you to slop water behind the spout when you wash your hands.

Choose ceramic valves

If you want to avoid having a faucet that drips, get one with ceramic valves. Other types of valves are usually drip-free for years, but they can’t match the long-term reliability of ceramic. Faucets with ceramic valves cost about the same as other faucets.

Some finishes are tougher than others

Chrome is the most durable finish and the easiest to keep clean-that's why it's always been the favorite for commercial kitchens and public bathrooms. If your faucet gets heavy use, it's your best bet for long-term toughness.

Nickel finishes are usually labeled "brushed", "satin" or "stainless steel" and have a dull shine. They're durable but prone to fingerprints and water spots, so they're harder to keep clean. But some have a coating that reduces stains and smudges.

Bronze faucets have a brownish tone and are often called "oiled" or "rubbed" bronze. But the surface is a coating (such as epoxy) rather than metal. This coating is tough stuff.

Choosing a faucet is tricky. The variety of styles, materials and finishes-and prices-can be overwhelming. You'll probably live with your new faucet a long time, so you might as well love it. Here are 4 things to consider before getting in the checkout line.

Looks aren’t everything

Most people choose a faucet based on looks alone. And that’s a mistake. Looks are important, but you can usually get the look you want without compromising on convenience and long-term dependability. For advice on those practical considerations, we talked with faucet designers, manufacturers, retailers and plumbers. Here’s what we learned.

Watch the spout height and reach

Faucet spouts vary a lot in height and reach, and most of the time you can just choose the look you like best. But if you have a shelf above the sink, a tall spout may not fit. With a three-bowl kitchen sink, a spout with a short reach may not extend to all the bowls. A bath faucet with a short reach might cause you to slop water behind the spout when you wash your hands.

Choose ceramic valves

If you want to avoid having a faucet that drips, get one with ceramic valves. Other types of valves are usually drip-free for years, but they can’t match the long-term reliability of ceramic. Faucets with ceramic valves cost about the same as other faucets.

Some finishes are tougher than others

Chrome is the most durable finish and the easiest to keep clean-that's why it's always been the favorite for commercial kitchens and public bathrooms. If your faucet gets heavy use, it's your best bet for long-term toughness.

Nickel finishes are usually labeled "brushed", "satin" or "stainless steel" and have a dull shine. They're durable but prone to fingerprints and water spots, so they're harder to keep clean. But some have a coating that reduces stains and smudges.

Bronze faucets have a brownish tone and are often called "oiled" or "rubbed" bronze. But the surface is a coating (such as epoxy) rather than metal. This coating is tough stuff.

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