Automatic faucets always bring to mind public restrooms to my way of thinking. Why would you want something like that in your own home? YUCK!

But if you must, why not install the blow dryer too -- and complete the look?

Anyway, just my two cents.

I've been thinking about the same thing for a project we are doing next year and have been looking at the one in the link. It is very simple and the sensor is barely visible. These are spendy, but after looking at what is on the market, it is the simplest and most elegant. ....plus we are going for a rustic look and want to pair this with a stone sink from the same company (we get a discount for buying both).

If I could find an automatic blow dryer that was as elegant, I would buy that too! :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Automatic Faucet

I've had my Tapmaster in the kitchen for over 5 years. Can't imagine life without it! I have a second one awaiting installation in the new master bathroom.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tapmaster (Hands Free Water)

I would totally consider automatic faucets in my bathrooms. They are so practical.

I dont understand why they would be 'yuck'?

The Tapmaster looks cool! I never heard of it before. I'll try one in the master bath since you like it so much.

But for the main floor power bath, there are some beautiful designer automatic faucets as well as many nice classic styles.

I think they are a problem waiting to happen. What happens during a power failure? Do they have a battery back up? Also, can the water temp be adjusted? I have used them in public restrooms sometimes they work sometimes they don't.

The Tapmaster doesn't use electricity. It runs on water pressure. You do have to use the taps to change water temps. I've had a Tapmaster in the kitchen for over 5 years. It was hard for me to believe everyone (on the Kitchen forum) when the said you just really don't change the water temps as often as you might think you do. EVERYone that had one loved it so I took a chance and bought one. I can easily go all day without changing the water temps (or maybe once). It's SUCH a non-issue. Will it be more of an issue in the bathroom? I don't know. Even if I do adjust the water more in the bathroom than in the kitchen, all the Tapmaster benefits will still be a big plus :) When we remodel bath #2, it will be fitted with a Tapmaster too.
Monica

The lack of control over the temp bothers me, but that's my only real concern. I beleive most of the Lav models are battery powered, and the commercial units are intended for hundreds of on/off cycles a day-- should last for years in a home environment.

I'm a sucker for gadgets, but this is one that looks like it would be genuinely handy. It's sort of like motion detecting light switches, which I also love, and have in my bathroom. I occasionally walk into a hotel bath and pause a second, wondering why the silly lights don't turn themselves on...

Monica,
I checked the Tapmaster site but... do I understand correctly that you can set the temp and flow once (more or less) and then, from then on, just use the Tapmaster?

Also, how sensitive are the controls? We have 3 cats (2 are pretty "hefty"). Would I have to worry that they'll bump into the cabinet door or step on the control and we'll come home to a flooded house?

We're remodeling the MB and want a single-handle faucet for the sink, but the 2 handled faucets are prettier. We love the fact that with a single-handle, if your hands are dirty you can turn the water on with your wrist, elbow, or whatever part of you is clean. The tapmaster may solve this problem.

Thank you,
Arlene

Arlene, you can set the temp and flow once or as often as you want and then use the toe kick to turn the flow on and off OR you can "lock" the toe kick by pressing down on the top of it and then use your faucet/taps the normal way. I'm not sure if that answered your question or not. Hope it did. I find (for the kitchen) I have the flow set to med and water temp about the same. Rarely do I change either. I know that seems hard to imagine. I doubted it too but too many were sooo passionate about the Tapmaster and the idea was soooo appealing, I gave it a try :) Now I'm (impatiently) awaiting the installation of my second Tapmaster.
I can only speak for the toekick model (what most people buy) and no, the cats will be a problem. If one did press against it hard enough for the water to turn on, the flow will instantly stop as soon as the pressure is released.
Two nights ago I was using a peppermint exfoliation treatment on my hands. Couldn't turn on the water without making a mess of the handles. Hummmm, THIS, I thought to myself, is an excellent example of one of the many benefits of hands free water :) I went to the kitchen to rinse off my hands (g)
The Tapmaster also conserves water usage. That was the least of my concerns when I bought my first one over 5 years ago. Now water conservation is more important issue to me. If I could only get DH to turn off the water while he's brushing his teeth!
Monica