We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Different Types of Faucet Handles?

By J. Schuessler
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 22,973
Share

The most common types of faucet handles are lever handles, blade handles and cross handles. The type of handle that a faucet can accommodate is somewhat dependent on the type of faucet itself. Some faucets are by nature double-handled in design, while others are made to be used with a single handle. In addition to aesthetics, the ergonomics of the handle’s design will have an impact on the ease with which the faucet can be turned on and off.

Lever faucet handles come in single and double-handled varieties, and therefore can be used with just about any faucet. In their double-handle form, lever handles generally consist of a metal bar that extends at a right angle from the handle stem, forming a small lever that allows the user to regulate the amount of hot and cold water by turning the left and right handles, respectively. Double lever handles are usually found on compression faucets, as well as some cartridge faucets.

Another style of lever handle is the single lever handle, found on single-handle cartridge faucets as well as on ball faucets and disc faucets. In fact, because of the way in which these latter two faucets operate, they nearly always utilize a lever handle. This type of handle can be manipulated up and down to adjust water flow and left and right to control temperature.

Blade faucet handles are similar in design to lever handles but have a tapered shape, similar to the flat blade of a butter knife. Some blade handles are long and elegant in appearance. These handles are designed to be easily manipulated, so that the user can turn the water on or off with a gentle pull or push of the handle. Blade handles also can be shorter, similar to lever handles, but with a flat, wing-like gripping area, as opposed to an extended bar. Blade handles, being a double-handled design, are seen on compression and double-handle cartridge faucets.

Cross faucet handles consist of a cross-shaped — or X-shaped, depending on how it is viewed — piece of metal or porcelain attached to the handle stem, allowing the user to use a twisting motion to turn the handles rather than a push/pull or levering action. Cross handles are nearly always a double-handle design and therefore are usually seen on compression and cartridge faucets. Like the other faucet handle styles, cross handles might be large or small and simple or ornate in design.

No one style of faucet handle is right for everyone, and some people might be more particular about the specific style of faucet handles than others are. The number of handles, ergonomics and aesthetics are all factors that contribute to differentiating between handles. Depending on personal preferences, one might find any or all of these types of faucet handles to be a good fit.

Share
HomeQuestionsAnswered is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.homequestionsanswered.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-faucet-handles.htm
Copy this link
HomeQuestionsAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

HomeQuestionsAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.