Franke LB9200 Hot and Cold Water Point of Use Faucet - Chrome Review
They say the devil is in the details, especially when it comes to kitchen decor. If you’re looking for a way to add a flourishing touch to your painstaking kitchen renovations, the Franke LB9200 Hot and Cold Water Point of Use – Chrome Faucet could be what you need.
Elegant and attractive in design, the Franke LB9200 follows in the Classic Logik line of faucets from Franke. To learn more about this Swiss manufacturer of high end kitchen faucets, sinks and water filtration systems, read the full Franke LB9200 Hot and Cold Water Point of Use Faucet – Chrome review below.
Amazon Rating: 3.8 / 5 Stars
Features:
- Dimensions: 7.5 x 2.2 x 9.5 inches
- Weight: 7 Pounds
- Deck Mount Installation
- Material: Polished Chrome
- Spout Height: 9.5 inches
- Spout Reach: 5.25 inches
- 2 Handles
Franke LB9200 Point of Use Faucet Review (Full)
Description
The Franke LB9200 is a chrome hot and cold filtered water filtration faucet for use with under-the-sink water filtration systems. Its elegant design and polished chrome finish will give any kitchen an enhanced appeal, while delivering hot or cold filtered water for use on demand.
Installation
Engineered for DIY installation, the LB9200 includes a silicon hose for hot water and a rubber hose for cold. Fittings are also provided for both the hot and cold tubes. Once the hoses are secured to your undersink filtration unit, the faucet can easily be mounted onto any standard sink deck. An instruction manual is included, but you can also go online to download the pdf version.
Faucet Spout
With its slender 9.5 inch spout and 5.25 reach, the chrome faucet is made with state of the art technology to ensure a seamless flow of water from your filtration unit to your sink. Your filtered water will flow free and uncontaminated
Two Faucet Handles
Two long, slender spigots for hot and cold allow for ease and convenience. Their narrow design looks great and the lever motion makes turning water on and off much easier than conventional handles that need to be turned.
Drawbacks
- Previous users of the LB9200 have noted in their review of the faucet a leaking problem with the rubber hosing. Depending on the temperature and level of use, the silicone latex hose that connects to the hot water may deteriorate, causing leaks in the tubing.
About Franke
Franke of Switzerland is one of the world’s foremost kitchen sink manufacturers, with state of the art production facilities that use premium grade materials for residential kitchens. Established since the 1930’s they are currently the largest stainless steel sink manufacturer in the world.
Choosing The Right Type of Kitchen Faucet
It can be difficult trying to determine which brand of kitchen faucet will work for you. With so many brands offering very similar features and designs, it’s easy to get stuck with a choice you may regret later.
To complete your dream kitchen all you need to do is some research, but don’t rush the process. There are 5 basic types, each with pros and cons of their own to consider. Besides look and decor, functionality and space are also factors that will impact your choice of kitchen faucets.
1. Pull-Down Faucet
Featuring a gooseneck design, a pull-down faucet is distinguished from other types by its elongated faucet length and reach. They also include a snakehead extension that allows for an extended reach and additional handling power so you can direct water where you need.
As you can guess, the handle on a pull-down faucet operates like a lever. Pulling the handle down towards you releases the water, and returning it to the upright position closes the faucet.
A pull-down is a great option for heavy duty cleaning. If you regularly clean large pots, pans, skillets, grills, and other kitchen cooking ware, a pull-down faucet will help keep your counters free of splash and give you more control of the water direction.
Pros
- Prevents splashing
- Uses water economically
- Flexible snakehead allows for better handling
- Elegant design options
Cons
- Not suitable for hollow sinks
- Snakehead can only be pulled in downward motion, limiting reach
2. Pull-Out Faucet
A pull-out kitchen faucet utilizes a pull-out faucet that is detachable for extended reach. The snakehead nozzle can be maneuvered for rinsing purposes, or remain attached for heavy duty sink cleaning.
Best suited for small, hollow sinks, they tend to cause a lot of splash because of their showerhead nozzle design, but you can find so many styles of pull-out kitchen faucets because of their popularity.
Pros
- Flexible, detachable head allows for better handling
- Simple pull-down handle conserves water use
- Great for small and hollow kitchen sinks (eg condo, studio apt)
Cons
- Showerhead nozzle design can cause a lot of splatter when in use
3. Single Handle Faucet
Simple to use and straightforward to install, a single handle faucet is an economic choice suitable for hollow or deep kitchen sinks. There is a single, very short spout and a single lever handle to control water flow and temperature.
While there are a few different configurations, most brands of single handle faucets are barely distinguishable from each other in style. You’ll find them in kitchens as well as bathrooms.
Pros
- Straightforward to use and install
- Popular design with different configurations
- Less costly than other types of faucets to repair
Cons
- Doesn’t switch temperatures readily due to internal configuration (disk, cartridge, ball, ceramic)
4. Double-Handle Faucet
Often found in utility sinks, a double handle faucet offers dedicated handles for hot and cold, providing a faster switch between temperatures than your standard single handle faucet. There are two types of handles available for controlling water flow:
- Compression handles that require tightening to close or dispense water
- Cartridge handle that can be shifted up or down to close dispense water
Cylinder designs, gooseneck and ball shaped designs are the three most common design styles you’ll find in choosing a double handle faucet.
Pros
- Adjusts temperature more readily than single handle faucet
- Two handles for added convenience
- Many styles to choose from
- Best suited for a wide range of sinks, including utility sinks and shallow sinks
Cons
- More costly than other types of faucets
- Repairing damaged parts may be required over time, adding to the cost of maintenance
5. Hands-Free Faucet
Utilizing motion-sensor technology, hands-free faucets feature the latest in innovation and are quickly replacing conventional types of faucets in many commercial applications. No levers are required to activate the water flow.
To use a hands-free faucet you simply move your hand or any object across the motion-sensor, and the water is dispensed. If there’s no motion, the water stops, conserving water use and reducing waste significantly.
Pros
- More efficient water use, less waste than traditional faucets
- No handles needed to control water flow
Cons
- More expensive than other types due to complex technology
- Sensitive motion technology can be costly to repair
5 Types of Kitchen Faucets By Material
Besides the design and configuration of your kitchen faucet, the material construction is another important factor to consider when choosing the right one for you.
Generally, there are 5 different materials that kitchen faucets are made of, regardless of brand or manufacturer. Although every manufacturer will offer varying grades of quality, you can at least learn what types of materials offer the most durability.
Stainless Steel
- Most common type of material found in the construction of kitchen sinks and faucets.
- Scratches easily but resists corrosion better than bronze or copper.
- Easy to maintain and polish.Look for brands that feature 304 stainless steel, the best quality for kitchen faucets.
Copper
- Elegant look, dark tone for a classic kitchen appeal.
- Needs frequent polishing and is prone to rust.
Bronze
- Great for adding that rustic antique look to your kitchen.
- Requires polishing to remain in good condition.
- Highly durable, but rust can appear over time because bronze is an alloy of copper.
Zinc
- A mixture of zinc and aluminum alloy.
- Often found in silver finishes.
- Is highly rust resistant
Plastic
- Less costly than metallic faucets.
- Prone to chipping
- Should be BPA-free to avoid contamination
Final Thoughts…
A kitchen faucet may be a minor detail, but the wrong one can add unnecessary frustration to an otherwise pleasant decor. If you’ve spent valuable time and money on a remodelling project, it’s worth the time to research your options.
Whether you choose the Franke LB9200 or decide to keep looking, this kitchen faucet review will at least get you started in the right direction. Happy online hunting!
