Kitchen faucets, laundry taps – what difference does it make? They’re all faucets, right? While this is true, manufacturers usually design and construct faucets differently based on their intended use. So, while you could technically use these faucets interchangeably, there are a few things to consider.
This article dives into the differences between the kitchen and laundry faucets (and whether they’re interchangeable), so stick around to learn more!
Key Points:
- Laundry faucets and kitchen faucets have different designs, spout reaches, and aerators.
- It is possible to use a laundry faucet in the kitchen, but the faucet’s compatibility with the sink should be considered.
- It is also possible to use a kitchen faucet in the laundry room, but the faucet’s compatibility with the sink should be taken into account.
What Is The Difference Between A Laundry Faucet And A Kitchen Faucet?
Although the kitchen and laundry faucets share an array of similarities, a few notable differences set them apart, including their design, spout reach, and aerators.
Design
The design is one of the most notable differences between a laundry and a kitchen faucet. While kitchen faucets usually feature a modern design and perks for ease of use, laundry faucets tend to be more utilitarian. The design of many utility faucets is similar, with a low-arc spout and two handles on either side.
Since laundry faucets don’t usually have mixing valves (like you’d find in a kitchen faucet), they need two handles. Instead, they feature compression valves that deliver hot and cold water from separate handles.
On the other hand, kitchen faucets come in all sorts of designs. The list goes on: high-arc, low-arc, pull-down, pull-out, sprayers, modern, traditional, single-handle, and double-handle. So, if you’re looking for a design element in your kitchen, the faucet is the perfect feature to branch out with.
Spout Reach
Although both of these faucets usually reach the middle of the sink, utility faucets tend to be comparatively longer. Since utility sinks are often larger than their kitchen comrade, they can have a more extended spout reach. This gives users plenty of room to complete various tasks, like scrubbing large cleaning buckets or bathing the family dog.
Kitchen faucets typically feature a spout that extends toward the middle of the sink, too. However, since kitchen sinks are not quite as wide as utility faucets, they might not offer a deep spout reach.
Aerator
The final difference between these two faucet varieties is their aerator. While kitchen faucets usually feature an aerator tucked at the end of the spout, utility faucets often have external hose threads. These threads make it easy to attach the garden hose to the spout for quick usage, so it’s a convenient addition.
A few kitchen faucets feature screw-on aerators that thread onto the end of the spout, but the aerator is more commonly tucked into the spout itself. Because of this, threading a garden hose onto a kitchen faucet isn’t usually an option. While you can buy attachments to connect your kitchen faucet and a garden hose, you’ll need the extra piece to make it possible. With utility faucets, it’s conveniently compatible.
Can you Use A Laundry Faucet In The Kitchen?
Perhaps you love the utilitarian look of a laundry faucet and want to put one in your kitchen. Lucky for you, it’s entirely doable! The only catch here is the number of holes in your kitchen sink deck. If you already have a laundry faucet and it has a different spread than your kitchen faucet, it might not work.
However, if you still need to buy the faucet or sink, ensure you buy options that are compatible with each other. Besides this, you shouldn’t have any issues using a laundry faucet in the kitchen. Remember – laundry faucets are more basic than their kitchen comrade, so you won’t find fancy features in them!
Can You Use A Kitchen Faucet In The Laundry Room?
Maybe you want the convenience of a kitchen faucet in your laundry room. After all, the pull-down spout designs make it much easier to rinse out your sink quickly. Or, the sensor function makes turning on the faucet without a free hand a breeze. So, will it work?
As you probably guessed, a kitchen faucet can work in the laundry room! Like the flipped option, there are a few things you need to consider, but beyond that, you can use them interchangeably.
In this particular scenario, you’ll need to consider the faucet’s spout reach. Since kitchen faucets tend to have a shallower spout reach (they’re usually designed for smaller sinks), they might not reach as far as you need them to. So, ensure the faucet’s spout extends to about halfway across the sink basin.
In addition, pay attention to the holes in your utility sink. In some cases, you might need to cover extra holes with an escutcheon, as many utility sinks feature three-hole cutouts. You can buy escutcheons in the same finish as your faucet from the same brand, as they usually offer matching escutcheons.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is The Difference Between A Laundry Sink And A Utility Sink?
You might hear the laundry room sink referred to as a few things, including “mud,” “wash,” or “utility” sink. While the name is different, they all mean the same thing.
Generally, these sinks are larger and deeper than kitchen sinks, which allows you to complete various tasks that would be difficult in the kitchen. So, bathing a small dog for a bath, soaking stained clothes, and doing other household chores are much more manageable in these sinks.