By Deborah L. O'Mara
Like other commercial-style kitchen products, these faucets are making a definite migration from the commercial market to the residential arena. Perhaps your next project is a design for an avid cook or a specification for a large family who needs a unit that can stand up to abuse. That's where these types of faucets find a following: among consumers who want to make a bold statement, have a certain look in mind, or are designing a large, industrial-type open space.
According to John Cairo, vice president-commercial, Delta Faucet Co., commercial faucets can be used in residential applications based on an individual's needs. "If someone is a gourmet cook who entertains on a large scale and therefore needs preparation and clean up equipment to handle the job, then a commercial faucet may be the way to go," he says.
"With the open, merged kitchen and living areas, the kitchen faucet has become a decorative accessory," John advises. "Finding the correct model depends on your design preference and the features you require."
Making room for the commercial look
John says that urban, loft-type homes with an "industrial texture" may support the commercial faucet. "The [faucet's] large, oversized dimensions look tough but still have rounded edges that are easy to clean," he notes, adding that the next product wave will feature technology: smart faucets that turn on and off in ways that will thrill techies and gourmet home chefs.
"In general, there is no reason you can't use a commercial faucet in a residential kitchen," agrees Keith Kometer, director of product marketing for Kohler Faucets. "The one major drawback is that most don't have swivel spouts, typically a key feature in a kitchen faucet."
How the space is set up determines the choice of faucet as well. You definitely will need a large open space in order to have one of the very high-arc swivel and pullout commercial sprays that typically are found in restaurants. These fixtures would overwhelm standard ceiling heights or cramped spaces.
Another factor that limits applications of commercial faucets in home kitchens has been finish options, comments Les Petch, senior product manager, Kohler Kitchen Faucets. "The majority of commercial faucets are only offered in polished or brushed chrome," Les says.
However, commercial faucets offer one distinct advantage over their residential cousins: Some units come with interfaces that offer foot or knee control, a feature that is perfect for home chefs who may have trouble gripping a faucet handle because of arthritis or another disability.
| 
