Widespread Vs. Centerset Faucets: Which One Is Better?

Stacy Randall
by Stacy Randall

Selecting a faucet for your bathroom or kitchen sink is a very important functional choice. Whatever fixture you decide to install has to be easy to operate, properly sized, and stylish, as a plus. There are several types of faucet mounts available, with the two most commonly used being centerset and widespread faucets.

Centerset faucets usually have the spigot and handles built onto one central piece, sitting close together. Widespread faucets typically have the faucet arm and handles as separate pieces, each placed in its own sink or countertop hole. Centerset faucets are more ideal for small bathroom sinks, while widespread faucets are more flexible in placement.

There are pros and cons for each of these types of faucets regarding ease of function and installation. Additionally, cost and variety can play a large part in which choice is best for your home. Comparing these traits side by side will help guide the decision-making process toward what works best for your space.

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More About Centerset Faucets

A centerset faucet, as its name suggests, installs the entire faucet component at the sink’s center. The spout and valve spigots are typically set close together and attached to a center plate onto one unit. A mainstay in faucet fixtures, they usually measure four inches at the spigot handles, though some do measure six inches.

Also called mini-spread faucets, centerset faucets install into three-hole bases on sinks and countertops. Centerset faucets are most ideal for small washroom, drop-in, and pedestal sinks. They come in a variety of finishes and are also available in single-handle models.

More About Widespread Faucets

Widespread faucets, unlike their centerset counterparts, come as three separate pieces instead of a single unit. They are suitable for many types of sink installations and able to be set further apart than centerset faucets. They are ideal for undermount and larger sinks and can give a more separate illusion to the faucet components.

Because its functioning components are individual pieces, a widespread faucet is more open to more fashionable and specialized design features. If your dream faucet has a spigot shaped like a dragon’s head, it’s most likely a widespread faucet. Additionally, some widespread faucet designs include a base plate, giving a centerset look with widespread flexibility.

The individual pieces allow for installation that completely conceals the water connections under the sink. With these connections hidden, the fixtures offer the kitchen or bathroom sink a clean look. If high style and decor are a priority, widespread faucets have a considerable advantage.

Comparing Centerset And Widespread Faucets: Which Is Better?

To determine which faucet style is better, you need to familiarize yourself with the pros and cons of each. Both centerset and widespread faucets come with advantages and disadvantages.

This makes centerset faucets an optimum choice for some, while others would do better with a widespread model. So, deciding which one is best is all about figuring out which one is best for your particular needs.

Benefits Of Centerset Faucets

The centerset faucet functions well in many bathroom and kitchen setups. It is a ubiquitous sink fixture, and its popularity is unmatched. There are quite a few advantages to outfitting your sink with a centerset faucet.

Compact

Centerset faucets measure no more than six inches across, with the great majority measuring four inches across. This is a plus for smaller bathroom and washroom sinks where space is at a premium. Additionally, it is precisely measured to fit precut sink and countertop holes.

Easy To Install

The centerset faucet’s compact design encases all of its components into one single unit–faucet, handles, and base plate. This makes installation a breeze since you don’t have to hunt down each individual component. And because it’s precisely premeasured, you can quickly place and connect the faucet with little confusion.

Affordable

With the centerset faucet being so popular, getting one on even the smallest renovation budget is easy. The most bare-bones low arc faucet model can run as reasonably as $15, with higher arc models running $30. These faucets are often available in different metallic finishes and with one-handle and two-handle options.

Disadvantages Of Centerset Faucets

As efficient and effective centerset faucets are, there are some drawbacks to having one on your sink. Their features’ advantages are limited to specific spaces and types of sinks used. Plus, parts so close to each other can present unique challenges.

Size Limitations

Centerset faucets, while easily placed into most sink setups, are not suitable for more spread-out arrangements. The size limitations alone prevent their use in larger and more specialized sink placements like undermount sinks or corner mounts. Because centersets are one built-in unit, the fixtures cannot be spread out any further than the faucet’s construction.

Hard To Keep Clean

For all the convenience centerset faucets offer in installation, they can be challenging to maintain on a daily basis. Grime and limescale can get into the spigot and under the faucet handle, making cleanup challenging and awkward to reach. Not to mention, the immovable design creates a need for inventive “housekeeping gymnastics” to reach all the nooks and crannies.

Spartan And Utilitarian

For all the design and finish developments, the centerset faucet by nature is set to a specific, simple construction. The vast majority are low spigot layouts that, while great for filling sinks and washing hands, limit fitting larger items. The faucet designs are reasonably attractive but rarely qualify as highly fashionable.

Benefits Of Widespread Faucets

The widespread faucet fits into any setup scenario and especially works for nontraditional installations. Its spatial and aesthetic flexibility lends itself to a myriad of design possibilities. Installing a widespread faucet offers a number of benefits.

Adjustable

Widespread faucets can easily drop into standard 4-inch and 6-inch sink placements. But because of the separate components, you can mount widespread faucets on holes eight to sixteen inches apart. Additionally, they will work on corner mount sinks or as wall mount elements.

Easy To Clean

Unlike centerset faucets, widespread faucets allow room to completely reach around each part of its assembly. It’s so much easier to clean a separate piece efficiently and thoroughly than trying to reach between smaller spaces. Widespread faucets allow more access to each part, which makes cleaning go more quickly and much less involved.

More Variety

Widespread faucets have so many more design possibilities than centerset faucets. From metal finishes to themed shapes, the possibilities are endless for upscale and trendy faucet looks. Widespread faucets are the only design able to recreate old-fashioned hot and cold spigots, ideal for historically faithful restorations.

Easier To Repair Or Replace

If one component of a centerset faucet breaks, you’ll have to buy a new assembly and replace the entire thing. Since the components of a widespread faucet install separately, you may only need the faucet spout or handle. This single part will likely be cheaper and faster to replace than a whole new faucet.

Disadvantages Of Widespread Faucets

For all the flexibility widespread faucets offers, they do have some shortcomings. Their separate components open up a few more complications involving how and where you use them.

More Complicated to Install

Widespread faucets are harder to install–more components means a more complicated installation process. Each piece has to be properly spaced and individually connected. As a result, installation can take longer with a more considerable margin for error.

This can be especially time-consuming if your sink or countertop is not precut with holes. With a centerset faucet, you have some models that only need one hole. But widespread faucets require three holes for each faucet part, which takes more measuring and cutting time.

Take Up More Room

The very feature that makes widespread faucets so appealing can be its downfall for fixed or limited spaces. The individual components of a widespread faucet could be scaled too large to fit into a compact setting. Additionally, there may not be enough under space under the sink for the tubing and connections.

More Expensive

The flexibility of spacing and style comes at a cost: widespread faucets average twice the price of centerset faucets. The least expensive widespread faucet will run you about $40. If your home improvement budget is small or you need multiple fixtures, the costs might be prohibitive.


Related Questions

Do tall faucets splash more?

All faucets splash to some degree as the water travels from spout to sink. However, the higher a faucet’s arc, the greater likelihood for increased splashing. This is why high arc faucets typically feature flow-restricting aerators, or people pair them with deep basin sinks.


How much space should be between the backsplash and the faucet?

You should measure enough space so that the handles can fully turn and clear the back wall. To assure clearance, first measure from the back edge of the faucet where it meets the countertop. This distance should be a minimum of ¾ inches.Next, measure from the center of the faucet hole to the back wall. You should get a measurement of at least 2 inches. This allows ¼ inch of clearance for the faucet handles to clear the backsplash when fully opened.

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What’s The Verdict?

Both the centerset faucet and the widespread faucet have useful applications for bathroom and kitchen sinks. They each combine form and function and install in a number of different settings. Yet, one type has a slight edge over the other.

Widespread faucets offer more style options and specialized placements. However, centerset faucets are easy to install and inexpensive, with a number of stylish options. Given these comparisons, the centerset faucet is the clear overall winner.

Stacy Randall
Stacy Randall

Stacy Randall is a wife, mother, and freelance writer from NOLA that has always had a love for DIY projects, home organization, and making spaces beautiful. Together with her husband, she has been spending the last several years lovingly renovating her grandparent's former home, making it their own and learning a lot about life along the way.

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