Faucet Brands

Hi. I am new to this site, so forgive me if I do something wrong.

I am remodeling my bathroom and looking at faucets. There are so many brands out there! Looking for input on a quality faucet that I won't have to mortgage the house to buy. Any help would be appreciated.

Cheryl

 

Delta faucets are one of the brands recommended on this forum because replacement parts are readily available. I've replaced my kitchen faucet with a Delta and recently this Delta Lahara stainless steel bathroom faucet:

http://www.deltafaucet.com/bath/collection/lahara.html#axzz1bkLVfjjK

I think it has both "classical" and "contemporary" features. I've had it for a couple of months now and really like it. It replaced an American Standard one-handle faucet. Two handles is much better, much more functional, in my opinion.

 

While I personally prefer Delta, the other well known brands have their supporters. I think the important thing to realize is that the name brand fixtures you find in Big Box Stores often are of a lower quality than those in regular plumbing supply stores. Certainly they cost more, but usually the better quality pays off in the long term.

 

Moen is a good brand. You can always get repair parts free from 1-800-BUY-MOEN

 

I also prefer Delta over all others.

John

 

Now if you are not looking for a pretty faucet, but want something that will last a lifetime. Chicago Faucets make bulletproof faucets for nearly 100 years now. Their quaturn stem/cartridge has been the same design since 1916

 

I've had good luck with Price Pfister, Kohler, and Moen. Found replacement parts for all of them over the last few years (for my house and family), including some pretty old ones.

 

Thank you for all of the input. Yes, I looked at the Chicago Faucets website....not for me ...

Think I will make a trip to a couple of the plumbing supply stores are here. Thanks guys!

Cheryl

 

May I ask what was it about Chicago faucets that made them not for you? Was it the design, price or both?

Here are the most common ones I sell for homes.

Lav two handle

Two handle widespread lav under mount

Single Handle Lav

 

Not too long ago I replaced all the faucets in my home. I went with Danze faucets. They offered a lot of bang for the buck. They came highly recommended for a friend that owns a large plumbing supply house. Time will tell how they hold up. The brand has not been around all that long and I had second thoughts about the brand being made in China.

However they appear to be well built and have ceramic cartridges. From what I understand they make a lot of parts for most makers. Under the Danze brand they are supposed to use better stuff in their faucets.

One thing I noticed is that faucets from the big box stores are packed with cheap traps and other stuff like that. If I were you I would stay away from big box stores and shop with a plumbing supply house. My friend told me the pop up traps in the big box store stuff are junk. And while I was shopping for faucets.

Here comes a guy buying a new pop up assembly that he had to replace from one of the big box stores. My friend told me he sells a lot of new brass pop up traps. From what he mentioned they last about a year or so. One of the big box store scams to make more profit. They package the faucet with a cheap trap. It's buyer beware.

 

Agreed, not a lot in style at all. I do like the retro look myself. But what I really like is the quailty. And Hi there Terry good to see you around.

 

For Cheryl: you can see we have a unanimous non-agreeement on this question!! Everyone loves something,and everyone hates something!

I would suggest for sink faucets, the old adage that you get what you pay for works pretty well. A kitchen sink or bathroom sink is not exactly a lifetime investment. If what you buy doesn't pan out after a few years, the loss is not great. SO....buy the style and finish you like, in a price range you are comfortable with.

 

Being that Delta and other brands give lifetime warranties on function and finish, I think buying a faucet at a big box store at a lower price is kind of moot. I've called Delta Customer service for free replacement parts (also American Standard) and they did not ask me if I bought the faucet at the Big Box so they could send me a special lower quality part. I've found customer service at those 2 companies to be outstanding. I've bought faucets from supply houses, over the internet. I have also had good results with Moen, except for their cartridges that get very stiff to push down/pull up after a few years. But, a plumber needs to eliminate call backs after installation, and if the pros experience indicates that the big box items are inferior, I'm sure they're talking from experience. My personal experience with the 40 years I've been in my house is the only basis I have for what I feel. 3 bathrooms, 1 kitchen, each gone though 2 renovations. some people do renos as often as they change their socks

 

Ron, I really don't like the looks of the Chicago faucets. Too industrial looking for me. But I do thank you for your input.

Someone else on here mentioned Price Pfister...I was under the impression that brand was pretty much junk? I replaced my kitchen faucet ( 23 yr old Moen) about six years ago with a Price Pfister, which lasted all of 2 1/2 years. Replaced it with another Moen, which is working out fine. Which I bought at a big box store, I might add.

I guess I'm finding out that faucets are like everything else...too much to chose from, and everyone has a different opinion. Basically I guess what I need to know is....what brands to stay away from!

 

One of our oldest and most experienced members swears by Price Pfister. Another swears by Kohler. Others dislike BOTH of those! Within every brand, there is a range of quality....they would call it "good-better-best". A top of the line model may 'feel' more solid, doesn't really mean it will last longer

 

Thank you, Terry. Much appreciated.

Cheryl