Faucets are a simple and integral component of every bathroom, kitchen, and household, in general. One might think that due to the similar structure of these plumbing fixtures, it is interchangeable with each other – but is it? This article will compare and determine the differences between the bathroom and kitchen faucets.
Table of Contents
6 Key Differences Between the Bathroom and Kitchen Faucet
We will run down the main difference between these two faucet types. As you will learn, the differences are pretty substantial and will give you a clear understanding of why each is designed for specific house areas.
Size
In general, the smallest bathroom faucet will always be slightly smaller than the smallest kitchen faucet. Also, a kitchen faucet will always have a larger center set compared to its bathroom-based counterpart. Specifically, the center set of a bathroom faucet will be around 4-inch long, while the kitchen faucet will sport an 8-inch extended version.
Additionally, the kitchen faucet model will feature numerous accessories such as a soap dispenser and hand sprayer – features not present in bathroom faucets.
Arc Design
The arc design or style of the faucet enhances its aesthetics and adds to certain functionalities that it can deliver. The difference between the arc design of a kitchen and bathroom faucet is that the latter is, once again, more significant. In addition, the larger arc design of kitchen faucets adds convenience with cooking pots and basins.
On the other hand, the smaller arc style of a bathroom faucet is so that it makes washing your hands and face easier. However, due to the small arc design of bathroom faucets, using them to clean items such as dishes is not very practical.
Variety
One interesting difference between bathroom and kitchen faucets is how the latter comes with more design options. The wealth of variety that kitchen faucets offer revolves around their overall functionality. Kitchen faucets need to be as versatile as possible as it is used for a handful of things, from washing hands to washing kitchen and dining utensils.
The bathroom faucet only needs to provide a comfortable and convenient way to wash hands and face.
Durability
As for durability, both the kitchen and bathroom faucets are pretty much on equal grounds. However, we give the bathroom faucet a slight nod as its design focuses on dependability and stability. A high-quality bathroom faucet will be made from top-tier material and will last for quite a long time without any issues.
This is not to say that the kitchen faucet falls short in durability. On the contrary, for a fixture that will be used day in and day out, even more than the bathroom faucet, the kitchen faucet is as durable as they come. The kitchen faucet focuses on extended use and won’t suffer from wear and tear quickly. It is just that kitchen faucets will also consider aesthetics which might hinder overall stability with some fancier and wilder designs.
Function
Overall, the kitchen faucet will always hold the lead in overall functionality. Kitchen faucets, especially the modern models, will be jam-packed with features designed around kitchen convenience. Some kitchen faucets even have articulated or movable faucet spouts. Compare that to the bathroom faucet, whose primary function is basically to wash your hands, and you will see why kitchen faucets win in this category.
Another modern feature added to the kitchen faucet is the ability to adjust water flow with ease. There is the manually adjusting the faucet’s level or valve to generate the preferred water flow. Still, newer ones specifically have levers that automatically adjust water flow from low, mid, to high. This feature is pretty handy for washing dishes.
Fortunately, the bathroom faucet is not as straightforward in regards to its features. The bathroom faucet will typically have threading of 3 to 4 inches, which means it is compatible with a wide variety of water hoses. Alas, that is pretty much the extent of the bathroom faucet’s functionality. The kitchen faucet is leagues beyond its bathroom counterpart in terms of its capabilities.
Water Supply Line
At first glance, the water supply line to the faucet might appear pretty straightforward. In a way, it is, but the way the bathroom and kitchen faucets connect to the supply line does have specific notable alterations. The primary and most visible difference is with the positioning of the water supply line. The supply line is attached to the faucet’s top section in bathroom faucets, while the kitchen faucet is attached at the bottom.
Connecting the supply line at the top makes it easier to hide the supply line underneath the wall. As for the kitchen faucet’s supply line is all visible if you look under the sink.
The other key difference between the positioning of these supply lines is admittedly somewhat subtle. Bathroom faucet supply lines are mostly made from copper, while kitchen faucet supply lines are mainly brass, but you can also use copper if you want. Additionally, since kitchen faucet water supply lines are accessible, you can switch the water flow on and off relatively easily.
Installation
Finally, another significant difference is with the installation process. Both bathroom and kitchen faucet installations are complicated and require expert hands to accomplish correctly. Bathroom faucet installation tends to be a bit more challenging, though, as you will likely need to install the plumbing system into the wall, which means additional construction time and cost.
As for kitchen faucets, since the plumbing system will be underneath the sink, it is considerably simpler and can even be done independently.
Are Bathroom and Kitchen Faucets Interchangeable?
One of the most common questions regarding these two faucets is whether you can use the bathroom faucet in the kitchen and vice versa. Well, technically, you can use a bathroom faucet in the kitchen and vice versa, but the question is if you should?
Based on the specifications of bathroom and kitchen faucets, our advice is to use each within their parameters. We do not recommend interchanging a bathroom and kitchen faucet as their features are not designed for use in different settings.
For example, bathroom faucets tend to be shorter (4-inches) than kitchen faucets (8-inches), which will severely hinder their reach when used in large kitchen sinks. There is also the fact that the plumbing system tends to differ between bathroom and kitchen settings widely.
If you use a kitchen faucet in the bathroom, some concerns come with this setup. For one, kitchen faucets tend to release higher water output. Can the bathroom drainage handle the increased water flow?
So, it would be best not to interchange bathroom and kitchen faucets as both utilize different specs that are mostly not compatible with each other.
Final Thoughts
All in all, the bathroom and kitchen faucets might appear similar but are quite different from each other once you get into the nitty-gritty of the details. Also, you should avoid using a tap specifically designed for the kitchen in the bathroom, as each plumbing system comes with different specifications. Hopefully, this article has shed some light on the critical differences between the two faucet types and given you a clearer understanding of the importance of sticking with the corresponding setup.