A kitchen faucet is a practical necessity in any kitchen, but it can also be an important design element. A lot of people underestimate how much a nice-looking faucet can add to their kitchen décor, and so they make the mistake of only thinking about the utilitarian side of kitchen faucets. There are many different styles and finishes available, such as chrome, brass, copper, bronze and stainless steel, so you’ll have to sort through lots of models before you decide which one is right for you.
Maybe you love the traditional look. In this case, you probably aren’t a big fan of some of the more contemporary designs. If you’ve decorated your kitchen in a rustic or traditional style, an ultra-modern faucet design is going to look out of place. It’s possible to have completely modern and up-to-date kitchen appliances and still maintain an antique style. In a kitchen like this, a copper faucet can be a good way to maintain the vintage look of the rest of the décor. You can get copper faucets in a variety of sizes and shapes, so you should have no trouble finding one to suit your taste.
Copper Faucet Types
You can find copper faucets in two main designs.
- Compression: These are the very traditional faucets with two handles: one each for cold and hot water. This is a familiar design using three holes for installation. A washer regulates the temperature and water pressure at the spout. These faucets are easy to use.
- Mixing: These combine up-to-date function with a classic look. The single-handled design allows you to control the flow and water temperature with just one hand. These faucets are user-friendly, durable and available in a variety of different styles and models.
Maintenance:
The single biggest issue with copper is patina. Exposure to moisture can cause a greenish substance to form on a copper surface, which is probably not the look you’re going for! To keep your copper faucet bright and shiny, you can give it a coat of lacquer or wax at regular intervals. You can also remove patina with a home-made cleaner composed of ¼ cup of ammonia and 1 tsp of salt. Leave this mixture on the faucet for about 30 minutes and rinse. Repeat this process until there are no green patches left. Apart from the patina issue, copper faucets aren’t hard to maintain. You just need to wash them on a regular basis with water and mild soap. If you spill anything acidic on your faucet, clean it up promptly. Acid can eat away at the wax or lacquer, causing more patina to build up.
Copper faucets generally cost more than most other finishes, but the extra cost is worth it. Copper faucets tend to be highly durable and long-lasting. Just do your research and make sure you’re buying from a trustworthy manufacturer, and you’ll avoid lots of headaches down the road.