A bridge faucet provides timeless allure to any kitchen. Be taught all about this traditional fixture design and if it might be the proper addition to your own home.
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 had been traditional, timeless, and that I knew I’d love for years to come back.
I wished every bit to work laborious and look stunning doing it. Thankfully, with regards to taps there was an ideal resolution.
The bridge faucet is the last word instance of kind meets operate. Not solely is the model 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 dwelling, and I simply put in one in our lake kitchen, too!
For our extra conventional dwelling, I selected a design with refined curves and conventional traces to match the extra traditional, conventional model of the house.
On the lake, I wished one thing that was equally timeless however a contact extra trendy, in step with the Fashionable Coastal model of our cottage.
I’m past thrilled with my faucet decisions for each of our houses. Hold studying to see if a bridge faucet might be the proper match in your house, 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 decent water and one for chilly – which might be joined by a horizontal connector pipe. The pipe is uncovered above the countertop quite than beneath it. It kinds 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 its personal gap into the sink. Because of this, 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, but it surely doesn’t go all the way in which to the marble countertop. I like the clear look that it offers beneath the bridge. Word that I even have an identical hand sprayer that required its personal gap.
One other fascinating a part of the design is {that a} bridge faucet is a single piece, quite 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
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 popular temperature. Moen taps are nonetheless a well-liked selection as we speak, 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 recognition, nonetheless, bridge taps have advanced to suit into any design model. In fact, they are going to at all times be at dwelling in conventional, farmhouse, or cottage kitchens.
Nonetheless, now you will discover modern, streamlined designs that look beautiful in trendy and modern 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 think about including a bridge kitchen faucet to your own home. 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 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 a substitute of a number of – Little doubt about it, these taps make an announcement. Their stable design has a timeless high quality to it that appears so stunning.
- Temperature management – By controlling the cold and warm water traces individually, you can also make small changes to get precisely the temperature you need.
- Additional peak – Having the cross pipe uncovered over the countertop (quite than beneath it) means further clearance in your faucet spout. Just a few extra inches are a gamechanger whenever you’re washing large pots or filling tall pitchers.
- No deck plate – Because the traces are linked by the bridge, there’s no want for a deck plate to relaxation on the countertop. Seeing the countertop offers a clear, recent look.
Cons
Each determination comes with a flip facet. Listed here are another features to think about earlier than making your selection:
- Operation – Bridge taps aren’t laborious 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 in the event you’ve been accustomed to the convenience of a single deal with.
- Area constraints – Aspect to facet these taps can save countertop house. Nonetheless, due to their further peak they could be a bit cosy in kitchens with low hanging cupboards or cabinets above the sink. Be sure you measure your peak 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, regardless of the age or model.
Usually, bridge taps have been considered extra conventional in model. It’s straightforward to see why. Their traditional form and stylish traces have a easy, timeless allure.
Because of this, they give the impression of being proper at dwelling in conventional dwelling 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.
Nonetheless, now it’s straightforward to discover a bridge faucet to go well with any dwelling aesthetic. The fundamental concept is similar – 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 traces or modern, streamlined designs for every little thing from Cape Cod and Craftsman to trendy 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 may select one to match your faucet.
For those who’re matching an current sink, measure fastidiously to ensure your bridge faucet will match the prevailing holes.
Take note of any equipment you might have considered trying, 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, be sure to buy them to match.
In case your counter house is restricted, or in the event you similar 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.
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 price varies by high quality, materials, design, operate, 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, 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’ll 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’re keen on, however keep in mind that larger value doesn’t essentially imply higher high quality.
Ideas
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 proper one:
- High quality & sturdiness – In the case of taps, appears aren’t every little thing. In fact, you need to love what you see, however you additionally want one thing that can stand as much as numerous day by day use.
- Measure twice – Measure not solely how far aside the holes are, but in addition how a lot overhead house you have got and the way excessive you need the spout. It could not seem 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 might be straightforward to scrub and preserve. Matte black appears nice however it should 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 larger high quality, however you continue to shouldn’t purchase the most cost effective choice you will discover. Plan on spending no less than $150 for an honest bridge faucet, and that’s on the low finish of the spectrum.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
Think about manufacturers resembling Rohl, Perrin & Rowe and Newport Brass for top finish taps that can 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?