A bridge faucet provides timeless appeal to any kitchen. Study all about this traditional fixture design and if it might be the right addition to your house.
After 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 traditional, timeless, and that I knew I’d love for years to return.
I needed every bit to work exhausting and look stunning doing it. Luckily, in terms of taps there was an ideal resolution.
The bridge faucet is the last word instance of kind meets perform. Not solely is the type 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 strains to match the extra traditional, conventional type of the area.
On the lake, I needed one thing that was equally timeless however a contact extra trendy, in step with the Fashionable Coastal type of our cottage.
I’m past thrilled with my faucet decisions for each of our properties. Maintain studying to see if a bridge faucet might be the right match to your area, too! And don’t skip the main points on our Quartz Counter tops when you’re taking a look at countertop choices.
What Is a Bridge Faucet?
A bridge faucet has two handles – one for decent water and one for chilly – which might be joined by a horizontal connector pipe. The pipe is uncovered above the countertop moderately 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 by way 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 may see that the spout connects to the bridge, but it surely doesn’t go all the best way to the marble countertop. I like the clear look that it provides beneath the bridge. Notice 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, moderately 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 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 might combine and are available out of a faucet collectively at a most well-liked temperature. Moen taps are nonetheless a preferred alternative at this time, greater than 80 years later!
Bridge taps could also be fashionable now, however there isn’t something “stylish” about them. They’re a traditional 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 reputation, nevertheless, bridge taps have developed to suit into any design type. In fact, they’ll at all times be at residence in conventional, farmhouse, or cottage kitchens.
Nevertheless, now you’ll find modern, streamlined designs that look gorgeous in trendy and up to date kitchens. It doesn’t matter what your aesthetic, there’s a bridge kitchen faucet to enhance it.
Professionals
There are such a lot of causes to contemplate including a bridge kitchen faucet to your house. Listed below are only a few 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 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 a press release. Their stable design has a timeless high quality to it that appears so stunning.
- 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 peak – Having the cross pipe uncovered over the countertop (moderately than beneath it) means additional clearance to your faucet spout. A couple of extra inches are a gamechanger while you’re washing massive pots or filling tall pitchers.
- No deck plate – Because the 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 resolution comes with a flip facet. Listed below are another features to contemplate earlier than making your alternative:
- Operation – Bridge taps aren’t exhausting to function, however they do require a bit extra effort than single-handle taps. They require you to make use of each arms without delay (or one hand adjusting one deal with at a time). This takes some getting used to when you’ve been accustomed to the convenience of a single deal with.
- House constraints – Facet to facet these taps can save countertop area. Nevertheless, due to their additional peak they could be a bit comfortable in kitchens with low hanging cupboards or cabinets above the sink. Be sure you measure your peak clearance rigorously earlier than buying.
The place to Use a Bridge Kitchen Faucet
The quick reply is wherever! There’s a bridge faucet for any kitchen, regardless of the age or type.
Usually, bridge taps have been considered extra conventional in type. It’s simple to see why. Their traditional form and chic strains have a easy, timeless appeal.
For that reason, they appear proper at residence in conventional residence design – traditional 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 simple to discover a bridge faucet to swimsuit any residence aesthetic. The fundamental thought is similar – two handles linked by a bridge – however the form and design range.
In fact, you’ll be able to nonetheless discover beautiful, conventional kinds. However you may as well discover easy, straight strains or modern, streamlined designs for every part from Cape Cod and Craftsman to trendy and up to date.
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 probably one for the tap spout. When you’re buying a brand new sink, you’ll be able to select one to match your faucet.
When you’re matching an current sink, measure rigorously to ensure your bridge faucet will match the prevailing holes.
Take note of any equipment it’s your decision, resembling 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, ensure to buy them to match.
In case your counter area is restricted, or when 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.
In addition 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, perform, and additional options like pull-down sprayer and touchless spray.
On common, anticipate to pay $400 to $700 for a good-quality bridge faucet. Don’t be tempted to pay lower than $150 for one, regardless that technically you’ll 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 identify model fashions with trendy options and high-end design with supplies like unlacquered brass. Purchase what you like, however keep in mind that larger value doesn’t essentially imply higher high quality.
Ideas
When you suppose a bridge faucet could also be excellent in your kitchen, listed below are some ideas of what to search for as you seek for the right one:
- High quality & sturdiness – On the subject of taps, seems aren’t every part. In fact, you need to love what you see, however you additionally want one thing that may stand as much as a number of every day use.
- Measure twice – Measure not solely how far aside the holes are, but in addition how a lot overhead area you’ve gotten and the way excessive you need the spout. It might not appear to be a giant 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 can be simple to scrub and preserve. Matte black seems nice however it’s going to present water spots. Brass is gorgeous, however bear in mind 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 a must have in any kitchen.
- Value – Greater value doesn’t essentially imply larger high quality, however you continue to shouldn’t purchase the most cost effective choice you’ll find. Plan on spending no less than $150 for a good bridge faucet, and that’s on the low finish of the spectrum.
Steadily Requested Questions
Think about manufacturers resembling Rohl, Perrin & Rowe and Newport Brass for top 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 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?