Perhaps you’ve admired a graceful antique brass kitchen faucet in a friend’s kitchen, or you were attracted by the back-country chic or steampunk appearance of a satin bronze spigot with a steamboat style turn handle, but you might not know that there are practical reasons for selecting brass for your kitchen faucet.
A brass body, which is the faucet and the controls, is heavier than its counterparts, and will require less maintenance and is likely to last longer. If you are used to lesser faucets, you will find that an antique brass kitchen faucet – even a replica – that is truly solid brass will come at a heart-stopping price, starting at around $250 for a brass replica from your local hardware. Some of the better brass faucets, such as Moen, can run up into the thousands. The good news with the high-end products is that they are usually backed by excellent warranties and superb customer service.
If you find a brass faucet at a lower price, be sure to check the construction description. Many faucets – brass and chrome – are simply a finish applied over a zinc core. While these are reasonably serviceable, once the finish is worn or scratched, the faucet is likely to corrode. This will cause it to require a replacement in a few years.
Canny shoppers can sometimes find the faucet they are seeking online or even at an estate sale. Or, if you are more concerned with the appearance of the item, you can find elegant, designer faucets at a reasonable price by browsing Pinterest. In the final analysis, it comes down to considering your goal for brass fittings. If you are going for appearance, or your budget is limited, a replica might be the way to go. If you want the faucet to last the lifetime of the kitchen and you have the money to spend, then you might want to consider investing in one of the higher end, solid brass fixtures.
