Whether you are replacing an old faucet with a new one or researching options for your new kitchen, you might come across a three-hole faucet. Three-hole faucets are often used in classic designs, however, vendors provide modern designs for three-hole faucets. This article answers questions that you might have about three-hole faucets.
What does 3 hole kitchen faucet mean?
Three hole kitchen faucet means that in order to install that particular faucet you need to have three holes in your kitchen countertop or a sink: one for the faucet itself, one for cold water, and one for hot water.
Three hole kitchen faucets are more common for classic kitchen designs and tend to be less practical than other options, simply because to regulate the water temperature you need to turn both of the handles.
You can not install a three-hole kitchen faucet if your countertop or sink has just one hole. On the other hand, if you had a three-hole faucet before and now you want to change it with a one-hole kitchen faucet, you can totally do so using faucet plates to cover up the leftover holes or use those holes for accessories, such as a sprayer or a soap dispenser.
Some of the three-hole kitchen faucets are designed with cover plates, while some of them are directly installed within the holes in the countertop or sink. If they are directly installed in the holes, then it is important that the distances between holes match the faucet dimensions.
Are three hole faucets standard size?
While the size of the holes is more or less standardized, they might still vary from supplier to supplier. However, products from the same supplier tend to have similar dimensions when it comes to hole diameters. For example, the majority of Delta Kitchen Faucets have hole sizes 1.31-1.5 inches. However, the distances between holes differ from model to model: some of the faucets are designed for holes apart from each other by 8 or 4 inches.
The distance between holes is measured always from center to center.
Can you replace a 3 hole faucet with a single one?
You can replace a three-hole faucet with a single one easily: You will use one hole for the spout, and the other holes can be covered with a faucet plate, hole covers, or can be used for accessories such as a soap dispenser or a sprayer.
Single hole faucets usually come with faucet deck plates, however, a plate can also be purchased separately. You can choose from different sizes of deck plates, depending on how far apart the existing holes are in your sink or countertop.
It is always better to choose the design that already includes a cover plate. The only consideration during switching a three-hole faucet with a single one is the size of the hole: if it does not fit with the purchased faucet, you need to make it wider.
Another option to cover up extra holes while changing three hole faucet with a single one is to use hole covers that can be purchased easily. Just keep in mind to match the finish material of the hole covers and the faucet itself.
Can you put a 2 hole faucet in a 3 hole sink?
You can put a 2 hole faucet in a three-hole sink or a three-hole countertop. There are three options to deal with the extra holes: you can use it for accessories, such as a soap dispenser, cover it with a faucet deck plate, or cover it with a kitchen faucet hole cover that matches either the sink or the faucet finish.
Can you put a three-hole faucet in a one-hole sink?
Unfortunately, installing a three-hole faucet in a one-hole sink is not possible, because it needs three holes: one for the spout, one for hot water, and one for cold water. There are some exceptions: if a three-hole faucet package consists of a spout that has an adjustable handle for water, and the rest of the holes are needed for accessories such as a soap dispenser or a sprayer, you can easily leave out the accessories and just install the faucet in the existing one hole.
Is a faucet deck plate necessary?
Faucet deck plate is not necessary and kitchen faucets can be installed with or without them. Deck plates are often used when installing a one-hole faucets on a sink or a countertop that has more holes. However, deck plate is not the only solution: you can easily cover the holes with a special hole cover that matches the faucet or the sink finish.
Why do some faucets have a deck plate?
Some faucets have a deck plate because they are installed on a sink or a countertop that has more holes than the faucet needs. For example, a one-hole faucet installed on a three-hole sink. However, deck plate is not the only solution: you can easily cover the holes with a special hole cover that matches the faucet or the sink finish.
