When doing kitchen renovations or if you just need to replace your kitchen faucet, nowadays you have a number of types to choose from. Besides all the different types of brands, there are now many different variations of functionality to choose from.
Dual tap faucet
Dual tap faucets are probably the oldest style around. There are two taps to turn – a cold water tap and a hot water tap. To get a mixture of cold and hot you must turn each tap on to mix to the desired warmth. The faucet is generally either a straight arm or a deeply curved arm meant to be able to fill large pots, etc.
Single tap faucet
Faucets with a single tap have only one tap lever which can be manipulated in one direction or the other to make the water warmer or colder. The tap usually has a handle which you must push up to make the water flow. Usually pushing to the left makes the water warmer and pushing to the right makes the water colder. Again, the faucet itself can be straight armed or have a pronounced arc to facilitate large items under it.
Single tap faucet with a Separate Pull-out Spray Nozzle
Some faucet systems have a single tap mechanism faucet and the kit comes with a separate nozzle that sits in a separate spot on the sink. The nozzle can be pulled up and out (it has a flexible metal or nylon hose connecting it to the water source) in order to spray the sink down or spray a desired item. The hose generally sprays the same temperature water as the tap is running.
Single lever faucet with pull out capabilities
A newer type of faucet is a single lever where the faucet section actually pulls out (connected by a flexible metal or nylon hose) in order to spray the entire sink or item. This type eliminates the need to have 2 separate tap heads but has the capability of reaching further than the normal arch of a tap.
Lever/handle types
For both single and double styles of handles, there are various mechanisms. The most common is a single lever at the top of the tap which can be moved up to turn on, and left and right to change the temperature. Another style is a small single lever on the side or base which can be manipulated for hot or cold. When there are two handles, the handles can be turn knobs or levers.
Soap Dispenser
Many styles come with a soap dispenser device. The soap is held in a container located underneath the sink. Above the sink there is a dispenser nozzle which can be pumped to dispense soap. The dispenser matches the color and style of the system.
If you regularly deal with large items in the sink, a high arcing faucet is ideal. The choice of dual vs. single taps really comes down to a matter of preference. Many people prefer the ease of one hand adjusting with a single lever tap. Price variation can reflect both quality and styling. Look for warranty information.