Difference Between Top and Bottom Mounted Faucets

Characteristics

• The way top-mounted and bottom-mounted faucets are attached to sinks contradicts what their names suggest. Top-mounted faucets are fastened with nuts and washers located beneath a sink. Bottom-mounted faucets are fastened on top of a sink with nuts and washers that are covered by the faucet spout and handles. One advantage of bottom-mounted models is that you don't have to crawl into a tight space under a sink to detach the faucet to replace it.

Centerset Faucets

• A centerset faucet is a common type of top-mounted faucet. Centerset models come as a single unit with the spout and handles mounted on a base, and they're often the type of faucet chosen for smaller sinks. The "center" in centerset refers to the amount of space between the centers of the outer sink holes through which the hoses run to connect a faucet to the water supply. Centerset faucets generally fit sinks with three holes for faucet attachments, and the space between the centers of the outermost holes measures about 4 inches.

Widespread Faucets

• Widespread faucets are typically bottom-mount models. Like centerset varieties, widespread faucets are hooked up to a water supply through three sink holes. However, the spaces between the centers of the outermost holes of widespread faucets are 6 inches apart or more. The spout and handles of widespread faucets usually connect to a sink separately, instead of as one unit. Widespread faucets can fit a larger variety of sinks since the spout and handles aren’t connected to a single base.

Considerations

• The hardware and finish of top-mounted and bottom-mounted faucets affects their ease of use and maintenance requirements. For example, single-handle knobs allow you to access hot and cold waterlines at the same time without having to turn separate knobs to do so. It's easier to keep porcelain handles looking clean, because they don't show soap scum and water spots as easily as chrome and other shiny finishes. Handles shaped like long levers are easier to grip and turn than round handles.