You’ve probably landed here on this section of my site because you’re not quite clear on what the difference is between pull-down and pull-out faucets. Or maybe you’re just trying to decide which one you would prefer in your kitchen.
I understand how frustrating this can be. Manufacturers throw a lot of terminology at you and they don’t always do a good job of explaining what they mean. That’s why I decided that adding an information page about these two faucet types would be the best place to start. You’ll get more out of my reviews if you’ve got a good understanding of these two terms.
Similarities and Differences
It’s no accident that these two terms sound so similar – the two faucet types have a lot in common with each other. All pull-down and pull-out models include spray hoses that are tucked neatly away inside of the spout while you’re not using them.
Pull-down faucets in general have taller spouts, which is an important thing to know especially if there is a limited amount of space directly above your kitchen sink. The spray hose itself is usually (though not always) quite short, because it’s meant to be used only by pulling it down inside the sink.
A pull-out faucet generally has a shorter spout that incorporates a spray head, but it features a much longer hose that you can move in lots of different directions. If you have pots and pans on the countertop for instance that you’d like to fill, you can use a pull-out faucet to do so.
If this feature is important to you, pull-out faucets are probably a better choice because they offer more flexibility. They’re also handy if you’ve got a double sink.
Pull-Out Faucets: Advantages and Disadvantages
First, here’s what pull-out type faucets have to offer.
- As I said earlier, these have longer hoses that you can use in a variety of ways, such as filling big pots and pans that are not in or next to the sink.
- If there isn’t much space above or around the sink, I’d suggest a pull-out faucet for you, since they have much shorter spouts as a rule.
- There isn’t as much splash-back if you use a pull-out model, because of the added flexibility of its spray head.
And here are some of the disadvantages
- This is not a great design for filling tall objects like pitchers
- If your hands are big, these may be inconvenient to use. Be sure to get a grip that comfortably fits into your hand.
Pull Down Faucets: Advantages and Disadvantages
Once again, let’s have the good news first.
- Pull-down models tend to offer a greater variety of spraying options compared to pull-out, making it easier to fill or rinse.
- Some people find this design more ergonomic, as using the hose requires just one simple downward motion.
- The hose is less prone to kinks because you won’t be moving it in a variety of directions
- A pull-down model works really well if you have a deep kitchen sink.
And the potential drawbacks:
- It’s important to keep in mind how much space is above your kitchen sink. These faucets feature quite tall spouts.
- In some models, the spout height can lower the water pressure.
Overall
The choice is completely yours of course, but I hope that I have managed to shed some light on this subject for you.