this post was submitted on 18 Dec 2024
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At one point in my life I designed bathrooms and kitchens. I've sold thousands of faucets. Here's a few points on regular retail faucets in the US.
Expensive faucets, you are paying for the design (Grohe), or for quality parts (Kohler).
Cheap faucets are made with cheap parts and are often old designs from major brands. These knock-offs are sold under store brand names usually (Aquasource/Lowes, Glacier Bay/Home Depot) and are made of cheap plastic. Avoid these unless you plan on replacing (rentals).
If you buy Grohe, don't buy a US made model. Another company paid to use the name and 'style' in the US but the interior parts are cheap plastic bits and some things are modified to reduce the cost of manufacturing. Not worth the extra money they charge.
For most people I recommend sticking to the big names. Moen, Delta, Kohler, etc. They come with good warranties and parts are available everywhere.
You can still find really neat old faucets and repair them. Chicago, Price Pfister, Eljer had some good stuff back in the day and you can get new parts from Danco.
I was searching the band VOLA when I came across the faucet brand that makes very expensive but very repairable, and that compelled me to finally ask. I've replaced a few faucets over the years that were at the end of their life, but the last one took to a plumbing supply to get what looked like an obvious replacement part and they said it's some home depot brand that doesn't make them.
Thanks for the info, I've never thought to buy old since over only ever replaced cheap and only faucets, but when it comes time to work on my kitchen I'll check out the brands you mentioned.
Thank you for the great reply. I know your modern brand recommendations, but the reconditions for older brands is a great idea I'll have to look into.
For anyone that has contractor grade faucets, if you ever get to handle a higher end faucet, or even a lot of the commercial fixtures and compare them to the cheap stuff, it should be night and day.
I replaced my faucets before attempting to sell my house and used ok stuff to modernize, but they're still low end. I ended up not moving, and I treat them nice so they're doing ok.
But they all have plastic internals, the weight is much less, the parts wobble more, and the finish isn't holding up as well as I'd expect of a premium faucet. Even when right out the box, they aren't as nice as a decades old name brand faucet.
They're made to meet a price point. While they will get you the look (potentially) of a high end faucet, it won't hold up like one with better fit and finish, and if it does need repair, your chances of getting the part is likely much better.
Do you want a buy it for life faucet? Or do you need one to last a couple years? Spend accordingly. There's a market for both, and people need to determine which product is right for them.