Four Bathroom Faucet Configurations - A Brief Overview

By Author: Jesse Whitehead
Total Articles: 130
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If you are considering replacing worn bathroom faucets, or updating your current faucets, you have a wide variety of choices. Before you go out and buy however, it is important that you first consider how you will mount the faucet. Do you intend to mount the new faucet directly on the sink, on the counter, or attach it to a wall? The type of faucet you choose will largely depend on what type of sink you currently have or intend to install.

Most bathroom faucets are available in four different configurations: Center Set, Single Hole, Wall Mount, or Wide Spread styles. Here is a brief overview of these four types of faucets.

1. Center set faucets, also known as "center spread" faucets, are commonly installed on smaller sinks because of their compact design. Center set faucets require three pre-drilled holes measuring about four inches apart. The handles and water spout are often connected on this type of faucet, or are placed very close together.

2. Single hole faucets, as implied by the name, are faucets designed for single hole installations. These faucets usually have a single handle, although ...
... some faucets have two handles attached. If you want to install this type of faucet but you already have two holes drilled from a previous installation, you may be able to mount a single hole faucet by using an escutcheon cover plate that neatly covers over the existing holes.

3. Wall mount faucets are widely used for vessel sinks, under the counter sinks, and wall mounted sinks that do not have drilled holes. Wall mounted faucets are attached to the wall in a location where the spout can reach beyond the edge of the sink or vessel. These faucets can be mounted at different heights above the sink for a very dramatic and unique look.

4. Wide spread faucets are used for sinks with three holes that are drilled from 8 or more inches apart, and for sinks with no drilled holes, but with counter space behind the sink where holes can be drilled. Wide spread faucets have a water spouts that are entirely separate from the hot and cold water handles. When installing a wide spread faucet on the counter top, it is important to consider how high the water spout needs to be. The spout must be high enough to reach over the sink's edge, and also leave enough room for putting hands under the spout to wash.

Finally, if you want a very specific type of faucet and haven't yet chosen a sink or vessel, you can select the faucet you want first, and then find a sink that will match the faucet. Within the four faucet types, there are numerous brands, styles, and finishes that are sure to fit within your specific needs and design criteria.
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