so, thinking of adding a new kitchen faucet - and will be stopping at a suggested plumber's showroom, but just wondering - they carry Moen, Koehler, and Gerber for residental applications, and seems they can order anywhere. Just wondering if there is a strong favorite among the lines or not, among end users.

And, of course, I want ORB - why do I never like a less expensive finish.

Franke

Moen is all around dependable middle of the road- good value for the $ but limited designs

Koehler is the fashion house of plumbing fixtures- lots of attractive products, excellent construction- but over priced IMO.

I recently re-did a bathroom and went with Delta- good construction like Moen with a greater variety of fixtures.

Basically just don't by the cheap brands or bottom line from namebrand manufacturers- the plating/metal finish is not good quality and you will have peeling and other finish problems.

Thanks - I forgot, they carry Delta too. I did love the look of a lot of the Koehler stock on the website, but it did seem a bit pricey. I have Delta in the bathrooms from the prior owner with absolutely no problems to date, and the Delta in the shower was an easy fix for the plumber when it started leaking (something about a cartridge replacement behind the control).

I appreciate the advice - will help when I've just falling in love with everything I see.

A lot of the faucets manufactured today are chrome-on-plastic and look as good as the far more expensive all-metal ones.

Spend the money on a real, all-metal version. It will last much, much longer.

2 years ago i bought a delta...pull out, brushed nickel...just over 200.00 i think. it was made in usa, and is a beautiful, great faucet..no problems. i think it came from the place next to trader joes...which is part of the plumbing supply place on roosevelt just east of 355.

it was called "saxony.."

Koehler's counting on your love .

You do have to live with it day to day and they are beautiful designs but some of the other guys have come a long way also in design.

Check Grohe as they have free replacement of any part that breaks.

You also might want to check online plumbing suppliers. I have used this company with excellent results.
online suppliers

Can't remember if it was Delta's "saxony" but I also got brushed nickel fixtures for the bath. Looks great and cleans up well.

Chicago. They last forever.

Franke Manor House....I hope to never buy another faucet again. To their credit...had continuous problems with an 8+ YEAR OLD faucet and they sent me a new one. Probably won't find that from too many manufacturers.

Hopefully not- 8+ years of continuous problems? Moen would have been better.

Well....3 or so. They were very nice.

Moen and Koehler guaranteed for life? Whatever that means?
IMHO Koehler is best.

Thanks so much for all the comments - all duly written down and going to be used to protect me from wandering into a supply house and just pointing at some gorgeous Koehler faucet and saying 'that one' - without asking some more questions and actually looking at the price.

I've got a set of pots and pans are that guaranteed for life too - not quite sure what that's supposed to mean either.