A bridge faucet provides timeless allure to any kitchen. Be taught all about this basic fixture design and if it could possibly be the right addition to your property.
After I was planning our kitchen renovation, I knew I used to be designing my dream kitchen. I made positive to decide on items that have been basic, timeless, and that I knew I might love for years to come back.
I needed every bit to work onerous and look stunning doing it. Happily, in the case of taps there was an ideal resolution.
The bridge faucet is the final word instance of type meets perform. Not solely is the fashion stunning, 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 residence, and I simply put in one in our lake kitchen, too!
For our extra conventional residence, I selected a design with delicate curves and conventional traces to match the extra basic, conventional fashion of the house.
On the lake, I needed one thing that was equally timeless however a contact extra fashionable, in line with the Trendy Coastal fashion of our cottage.
I’m past thrilled with my faucet decisions for each of our properties. Hold studying to see if a bridge faucet could possibly be the right match to your house, too! And don’t skip the main points on our Quartz Counter tops should you’re countertop choices.
What Is a Bridge Faucet?
A bridge faucet has two handles – one for decent water and one for chilly – which are joined by a horizontal connector pipe. The pipe is uncovered above the countertop fairly than beneath it. It types a “bridge” between the cold and warm water traces.
The tap spout connects up and off the middle of this bridge piece. In some designs, the tap intersects the bridge and goes by means of 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 possibly can see that the spout connects to the bridge, however it doesn’t go all the way in which to the marble countertop. I really like the clear look that it provides beneath the bridge. Word 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, fairly than a number of particular person items. Common taps might 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
After all, the concept of a taps isn’t something new. Historic 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 decent water water and one for chilly. In 1937, Al Moen invented the only stream faucet, the place the cold and warm water may combine and are available out of a faucet collectively at a most well-liked temperature. Moen taps are nonetheless a well-liked alternative immediately, 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 types.
With their recognition, nonetheless, bridge taps have advanced to suit into any design fashion. After all, they’ll at all times be at residence in conventional, farmhouse, or cottage kitchens.
Nevertheless, now you will discover 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.
Professionals
There are such a lot of causes to think about including a bridge kitchen faucet to your property. Listed below are only a few of them:
- Number of choices – There are numerous types 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 house – The all-in-one design means the sort of faucet can typically be narrower general. That leaves extra room to the facet for a built-in hand sprayer or cleaning soap dispenser – or only a fairly vase of flowers!
- One half as an alternative of a number of – Little question about it, these taps make an announcement. Their strong design has a timeless high quality to it that appears so stunning.
- Temperature management – By controlling the cold and warm water traces individually, you may make small changes to get precisely the temperature you need.
- Additional top – Having the cross pipe uncovered over the countertop (fairly than beneath it) means further clearance to your faucet spout. A couple of extra inches are a gamechanger if you’re washing huge pots or filling tall pitchers.
- No deck plate – Because the traces are related by the bridge, there’s no want for a deck plate to relaxation on the countertop. Seeing the countertop provides a clear, contemporary look.
Cons
Each determination comes with a flip facet. Listed below are another facets to think about earlier than making your alternative:
- Operation – Bridge taps aren’t onerous to function, however they do require a bit extra effort than single-handle taps. They require you to make use of each arms directly (or one hand adjusting one deal with at a time). This takes some getting used to should you’ve been accustomed to the convenience of a single deal with.
- Area constraints – Facet to facet these taps can save countertop house. Nevertheless, due to their further top they could be a bit comfortable in kitchens with low hanging cupboards or cabinets above the sink. Ensure you measure your top clearance rigorously 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 fashion.
Usually, bridge taps have been regarded as extra conventional in fashion. It’s straightforward to see why. Their basic form and stylish traces have a easy, timeless allure.
For that reason, they give the impression of being proper at residence in conventional residence design – basic French nation, Victorian, Colonial, Tudor, farmhouse, cottage, and extra. They typically have fluted particulars and curved spouts that lend themselves to conventional types.
Nevertheless, now it’s straightforward to discover a bridge faucet to go well with any residence aesthetic. The fundamental thought is identical – two handles related by a bridge – however the form and design fluctuate.
After all, you possibly can nonetheless discover attractive, conventional types. However you can too discover easy, straight traces or smooth, streamlined designs for every part 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 new water, one for the chilly water, and probably one for the tap spout. For those who’re buying a brand new sink, you possibly can select one to match your faucet.
For those who’re matching an current sink, measure rigorously to verify your bridge faucet will match the prevailing holes.
Take note of any equipment it’s your decision, comparable 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 sure that to buy them to match.
In case your counter house is proscribed, or should you similar to the look, bridge taps could be wall mounted. This implies they’re mounted on the wall over the sink as an alternative 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 upfront 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, perform, 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 will discover 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 price 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 do not forget that greater price doesn’t essentially imply higher high quality.
Suggestions
For those who 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, appears aren’t every part. After all, you need to love what you see, however you additionally want one thing that can stand as much as quite a lot of every day use.
- Measure twice – Measure not solely how far aside the holes are, but in addition how a lot overhead house you may have and the way excessive you need the spout. It might not look like an enormous deal, however these taps look greatest once they have room to shine.
- High quality end – It’s okay to like present developments, but in addition search for metals that might be straightforward to wash and keep. Matte black appears nice however it’ll present water spots. Brass is gorgeous, however remember that it’ll 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 – Increased price doesn’t essentially imply greater high quality, however you continue to shouldn’t purchase the most affordable possibility you will discover. Plan on spending not less than $150 for a good bridge faucet, and that’s on the low finish of the spectrum.
Steadily Requested Questions
Think about manufacturers comparable to Rohl, Perrin & Rowe and Newport Brass for top finish taps that can match proper into your luxurious kitchen.
There are three fundamental types of taps – single-handle, center-set, and widespread. Wall-mount and bridge taps are gaining 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?
