The faucet in the kitchen is subjected to greater loads than the faucet in the bathroom. In the process of cooking, housewives open and close water many times. This leads to the need to further strengthen the design of the product. Today on sale are many faucets that meet high consumer requirements. To choose the best option, you need to know the features of the products presented, as well as what nuances should be paid attention to first.
Ceramic kitchen faucets are very popular today. Expert advice will help you figure out what these products are and how to choose them correctly.
Material Features
Ceramic kitchen faucets are in great demand today. This is due to the characteristics of the material. Creating faucets, manufacturers use ceramics for the body, spout, as well as internal elements of the system.
Externally, the ceramic mixer looks very stylish. It is selected for various interior styles. However, acquiring a similar variety of kitchen taps, the type of sink should be considered. This primarily concerns the material from which it is created. Also take into account its depth.
The axle boxes, which control the flow of water and are responsible for its mixing, can also be made of ceramics. Today it is a reliable, durable material. He is able to serve for several decades with proper handling. However, when choosing and operating mixers made of this material, a number of features must be taken into account.
Product Requirements
When purchasing ceramic kitchen faucets in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Ufa and other cities of our country, it is necessary to take into account the conditions of their operation. Different regions determine the different composition of water. Hardness salts, small impurities, pieces of rust can damage the device very quickly if you do not provide for a high-quality cleaning system. It is set to supply water.
Increased loads, a large number of opening and closing cycles lead to wear of equipment much faster than in the bathroom. Therefore, the quality of each part of the mixer must be given special attention. It is also necessary to study the internal elements of the mixer.
In addition to reliability, the kitchen faucet must have a convenient design. The mixer should be easy to open and close. This will allow you to cook, wash dishes as comfortably as possible.
Advantages and disadvantages of ceramics
Kitchen faucets today are made from various materials. Their case can be made of metal, plastic, silumin (an alloy of aluminum with silicon). Nickel and chrome products are also found. Each of them has a different cost and operational characteristics.
The ceramic case is characterized by its stylish appearance. There are sinks to which only similar kitchen taps will fit. For example, a ceramic beige kitchen faucet matches perfectly with a sink of the same color. At the same time, it will be easier to choose a shade by purchasing a kitchen faucet of the same series complete with a sink . The appearance of such a tandem will be really stylish.
The cost of the presented products will be above average. However, the price of metal mixers will be higher. The only drawback of ceramic taps is their fragility. On impact, a chip is easily formed. Therefore, during operation, it is necessary to exclude various mechanical influences on the device body.
Single lever design type
Kitchen faucets with a ceramic cartridge are durable and durable, provided they use an inlet filtration system. Similar internal elements are installed both in single-lever and in two-valve types of construction.
When choosing a kitchen faucet, today in 80% of cases they prefer the most convenient design options. These include all single lever cranes. The handle of such a mixer helps to simultaneously adjust the temperature and water flow.
The ceramic cartridge inside consists of a mechanism through which cold and hot streams of water pass. Such internal elements of the mixers are designed for the number of opening and closing cycles, which reach 1 million times. If necessary, it can be removed from the mixer housing and replaced. Moreover, even a person who does not have experience in conducting such operations will cope with this task.
Two-valve type of construction
Two-valve taps also include ceramic cartridges. Only in this case there will already be two such elements. One of them is set to supply cold water, and the other to a hot stream.
In the kitchen, such a design is not comfortable enough during operation. When setting the temperature, a lot of water flows out. Therefore, these types of mixers are considered uneconomical. When cartridges are worn out, you will have to buy not one, but two removable elements at once.
However, if you choose between a cartridge with a rubber gasket and a ceramic cartridge, the second option will be preferable. This is a more durable type of design that a similar kitchen faucet may have . Ceramic axle box with proper operation will last quite a long time.
Cartridge Operation Features
Choosing ceramic faucets for the kitchen , you need to familiarize yourself with the requirements for the operation of cartridges from this material. This material is subject to mechanical stress. When a stream passes under pressure through a cartridge, it may contain small solid particles of contaminants.
Old metal pipes, increased water hardness in the region, as well as other micro-pollution can leave scratches on the inner surfaces of the ceramic cartridge. Over time, their number will increase. Water will leak out through them.
To prevent this from happening, a coarse filter is placed at the input. If increased stiffness is determined in the area, it is better to purchase a special system. It will remove from the stream not only solid particles of impurities, but also various substances that are not useful for the body. It also contributes to a significant increase in the life of the device.
Spout
Ceramic kitchen faucet with faucet may have different heights and types of spout designs. The choice depends on the depth of the wash, as well as the operational characteristics of the equipment.
Low spout avoids splashing water. However, using such a tap it becomes extremely inconvenient to wash deep dishes. A high spout avoids such a nuisance. But when water falls from a great height, it will spray, creating wet puddles on the countertop.
To solve this problem, manufacturers began to produce ceramic and other kitchen faucets with a sliding watering can. This design is similar to a shower in the bathroom. Retractable element reaches 1 m in length. At the same time, it can be left inside the case and the crane can be operated as usual. There are various modifications of such structural solutions.
Appearance
When choosing a ceramic mixer, it is extremely important to correlate its appearance with the style of the entire interior. Design must be holistic. Therefore, you need to think through every little thing. It is important to appreciate the tandem of the kitchen faucet and sink. For example, a white ceramic kitchen faucet is not suitable for a granite sink in a beige shade, etc. It is better if the color of the tap matches the shade of the sink.
In addition to color, the texture of the material is also taken into account. For the sink and the mixer, this parameter must match. Therefore, many manufacturers produce a sink and faucet under one series.
If the kitchen is decorated, for example, in hi-tech style, it is better to give preference to a laconic ceramic mixer with geometric shapes. If, during the design of the room, an interior such as Provence, Shabby, Country was chosen, you can purchase a two-valve tap. However, ceramic faucets look best in the Scandinavian style of kitchen design.
Expert Advice
High-quality ceramic kitchen faucets, reviews of which are submitted in large quantities by users, are produced by companies such as Grohe, Hansgrohe, Roca, Jacob Delafon and many others. Experts do not recommend purchasing cheap devices of unknown brands. The probability of their quick breakdown is high.
In order for the ceramic mixer to last a long time, it is necessary to purchase such products only from trusted sellers with a good reputation. Upon purchase, you must carefully inspect the mixer body. It should not be scratched or chipped. The greater the weight of such a product, the better. Quality kitchen taps will be quite heavy.
Also, experts in the field of mixing equipment for the kitchen are strongly advised to adhere to the rules of operation. Do not wash the kitchen faucet with abrasive cleaners. Ceramic axle boxes fail faster if they are tightened when turned off. With a careful attitude, the faucets presented will work long and efficiently.
Having considered such equipment as ceramic kitchen faucets , as well as their types and features, everyone will be able to choose the best option for themselves.