A bridge faucet provides timeless attraction to any kitchen. Be taught all about this basic fixture design and if it could possibly be the right addition to your house.
Once I was planning our kitchen renovation, I knew I used to be designing my dream kitchen. I made certain to decide on items that have been basic, timeless, and that I knew I’d love for years to return.
I wished every bit to work arduous and look lovely doing it. Luckily, in the case of taps there was an ideal answer.
The bridge faucet is the final word instance of type meets operate. Not solely is the model lovely, however it’s a powerhouse within the day-to-day work of any kitchen.
I’ve an unlacquered brass faucet in my kitchen in our St. Louis house, and I simply put in one in our lake kitchen, too!
For our extra conventional house, I selected a design with delicate curves and conventional strains to match the extra basic, conventional model of the area.
On the lake, I wished one thing that was equally timeless however a contact extra fashionable, consistent with the Fashionable Coastal model of our cottage.
I’m past thrilled with my faucet selections for each of our properties. Hold studying to see if a bridge faucet could possibly be the right match in your area, too! And don’t skip the small print on our Quartz Counter tops in the event you’re countertop choices.
What Is a Bridge Faucet?
A bridge faucet has two handles – one for warm water and one for chilly – which can be joined by a horizontal connector pipe. The pipe is uncovered above the countertop somewhat than beneath it. It kinds a “bridge” between the cold and warm water strains.
The tap spout connects up and off the middle of this bridge piece. In some designs, the tap intersects the bridge and goes via its personal gap into the sink. For that reason, the sort of faucet can have both 2- or 3-hole set up.
My kitchen faucet was a 2-hole set up. You’ll be able to see that the spout connects to the bridge, nevertheless it doesn’t go all the best way to the marble countertop. I like the clear look that it provides beneath the bridge. Be aware that I even have an identical hand sprayer that required its personal gap.
One other attention-grabbing a part of the design is {that a} bridge faucet is a single piece, somewhat than a number of particular person items. Common taps could have two separate handles plus a faucet, every with its personal gap.
Since a bridge faucet is all one piece, it instructions consideration wherever it’s used. It’s an actual showstopper!
Historical past of Bridge Kitchen Taps
In fact, the thought of a taps isn’t something new. Historical Romans used lead pipes to conduct plumbing for his or her non-public baths and public bathe homes.
The earliest taps had two spouts – one for warm water water and one for chilly. In 1937, Al Moen invented the one stream faucet, the place the cold and warm water might combine and are available out of a faucet collectively at a most popular temperature. Moen taps are nonetheless a preferred alternative right now, greater than 80 years later!
Bridge taps could also be well-liked now, however there isn’t something “stylish” about them. They’re a basic design that dates again to the flip of the twentieth century. They’ve a timeless high quality that makes them excellent for conventional kinds.
With their recognition, nonetheless, bridge taps have advanced to suit into any design model. In fact, they are going to all the time be at house in conventional, farmhouse, or cottage kitchens.
Nevertheless, now you could find smooth, streamlined designs that look gorgeous in fashionable and modern kitchens. It doesn’t matter what your aesthetic, there’s a bridge kitchen faucet to enrich it.
Execs
There are such a lot of causes to contemplate including a bridge kitchen faucet to your house. Listed here are just some of them:
- Number of choices – There are numerous kinds to select from, in any end and to match any aesthetic. Plus they arrive in a variety of costs, relying on the design, end, and additional options you select.
- Counter area – The all-in-one design means the sort of faucet can typically be narrower total. That leaves extra room to the aspect for a built-in hand sprayer or cleaning soap dispenser – or only a fairly vase of flowers!
- One half as a substitute of a number of – Little question about it, these taps make an announcement. Their stable design has a timeless high quality to it that appears so lovely.
- Temperature management – By controlling the cold and warm water strains individually, you can also make small changes to get precisely the temperature you need.
- Additional top – Having the cross pipe uncovered over the countertop (somewhat than beneath it) means further clearance in your faucet spout. A number of extra inches are a gamechanger whenever you’re washing massive pots or filling tall pitchers.
- No deck plate – For the reason that strains are linked by the bridge, there’s no want for a deck plate to relaxation on the countertop. Seeing the countertop provides a clear, recent look.
Cons
Each determination comes with a flip aspect. Listed here are another facets to contemplate earlier than making your alternative:
- Operation – Bridge taps aren’t arduous to function, however they do require a bit extra effort than single-handle taps. They require you to make use of each palms directly (or one hand adjusting one deal with at a time). This takes some getting used to in the event you’ve been accustomed to the benefit of a single deal with.
- Area constraints – Facet to aspect these taps can save countertop area. Nevertheless, due to their further top they could be a bit cosy in kitchens with low hanging cupboards or cabinets above the sink. Be sure to measure your top clearance fastidiously earlier than buying.
The place to Use a Bridge Kitchen Faucet
The brief reply is anyplace! There’s a bridge faucet for any kitchen, irrespective of the age or model.
Sometimes, bridge taps have been regarded as extra conventional in model. It’s straightforward to see why. Their basic form and stylish strains have a easy, timeless attraction.
For that reason, they give the impression of being proper at house in conventional house design – basic French nation, Victorian, Colonial, Tudor, farmhouse, cottage, and extra. They typically have fluted particulars and curved spouts that lend themselves to conventional kinds.
Nevertheless, now it’s straightforward to discover a bridge faucet to swimsuit any house aesthetic. The essential concept is identical – two handles linked by a bridge – however the form and design range.
In fact, you may nonetheless discover beautiful, conventional kinds. However you may as well discover easy, straight strains or smooth, streamlined designs for all the things from Cape Cod and Craftsman to fashionable and modern.
Set up
Relying on the tap you purchase, you’ll want two or three holes – one for the recent water, one for the chilly water, and presumably one for the tap spout. Should you’re buying a brand new sink, you may select one to match your faucet.
Should you’re matching an present sink, measure fastidiously to verify your bridge faucet will match the present holes.
Take note of any equipment it’s your decision, similar to a cleaning soap dispenser, hand sprayer, or consuming faucet. Every of these will want its personal gap, so plan accordingly.
Additionally, in case your faucet doesn’t include the equipment you need, be certain to buy them to match.
In case your counter area is proscribed, or in the event you identical to the look, bridge taps will be wall mounted. This implies they’re mounted on the wall over the sink as a substitute of on the sting of the sink or countertop.
Wall mounted taps have a better splash potential than countertop taps in the event that they’re not correctly measured or if their water stream isn’t angled correctly.
Additionally they require plumbing and valve work behind the wall. It’s greatest to plan prematurely for a wall-mounted bridge faucet or to depart the set up to the professionals.
Prices
Like with any fixture, the fee varies by high quality, materials, design, operate, and additional options like pull-down sprayer and touchless spray.
On common, count on to pay $400 to $700 for a good-quality bridge faucet. Don’t be tempted to pay lower than $150 for one, though technically you could find one for much less. Any bridge kitchen faucet for a lot much less is probably going not constructed in a vogue that’s befitting long-term use!
They will value as a lot as $2,000 or extra for title model fashions with fashionable options and high-end design with supplies like unlacquered brass. Purchase what you’re keen on, however keep in mind that greater value doesn’t essentially imply higher high quality.
Suggestions
Should you suppose a bridge faucet could also be excellent in your kitchen, listed here are some ideas of what to search for as you seek for the right one:
- High quality & sturdiness – On the subject of taps, seems to be aren’t all the things. In fact, you wish to love what you see, however you additionally want one thing that may stand as much as a variety of each day use.
- Measure twice – Measure not solely how far aside the holes are, but additionally how a lot overhead area you could have and the way excessive you need the spout. It could not look like an enormous deal, however these taps look greatest after they have room to shine.
- High quality end – It’s okay to like present developments, but additionally search for metals that might be straightforward to scrub and preserve. Matte black seems to be nice however it’s going to present water spots. Brass is gorgeous, however remember that it’s going to patina – that’s a part of its pure magnificence.
- Ceramic valves – Taps with ceramic valves are topic to fewer leaks and drips. That’s essential in any kitchen.
- Price – Greater value doesn’t essentially imply greater high quality, however you continue to shouldn’t purchase the most affordable choice you could find. Plan on spending at the least $150 for a good bridge faucet, and that’s on the low finish of the spectrum.
Regularly Requested Questions
Take into account manufacturers similar to Rohl, Perrin & Rowe and Newport Brass for prime finish taps that may match proper into your luxurious kitchen.
There are three primary kinds of taps – single-handle, center-set, and widespread. Wall-mount and bridge taps are rising in popularity, however typically require particular fittings and plumbing.
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Chesterfield
Newport Brass Chesterfield Kitchen Faucet with Sidespray (as seen in our St. Louis kitchen)
Georgian Period
Perrin and Rowe Georgian Period Bridge Faucet (as seen in our lake kitchen)
What do you suppose? Would a bridge faucet improve your kitchen design aesthetic?