Check out HansGrohe faucets. They are nicer than the Grohe line.

Sorry I don't have any suggestions for you but I sympathize. When I first bought my house, I redid the bathroom, put beautiful (pricey) tile in the shower and bought the fixtures at Home Depot. My house has very hot water and very high water pressure. This did not fare well for my HD fixtures. When I recently renovated, I changed the shower fixture and I went with Delta from a plumbing supply (instead of big box store). I recall that despite my inquiries and insistence on no plastic, there was a plastic component in the box (not sure what part). I went with Delta as their replacement parts are ready available.

Several of the high end faucets have very little plastic and more metal -- brass is what's used on the best brands. This includes Barber Wilsons, MGS Progetti (all stainless), Dornbracht, some of the KWC line and Kallista.

I'm not certain about brands like Waterstone and a few others but recently someone posted a link to a plumbing site which gives a detailed rundown on each faucet brand.

My KWC Systema pull down had a metal hose and metal docking apparatus.

These days, the high end choices can be budget busters, as we all know. A basic guideline to choosing and considerations, if you haven't seen it, is on the link.

Here is a link that might be useful: Making Sense of Kitchen Faucets

With the average kitchen remodel being good for only 5 years, plastic faucets do have a purpose.

Thank you!

So, it seems that some versions of Grohe are SS.

Also, Kohler claims that all their plastics are BPA-free and even free of other toxins commonly found in plastic.

Why is this so hard? :-(

I know alfi, and Kraus have some solid stainless faucets. Waterstone's contemporary suites are also available in solid stainless

rococogurl,

"recently someone posted a link to a plumbing site which gives a detailed rundown on each faucet brand."

do you have the link to that plumbing site? Is that the one you've posted - i just read the one you posted, it's helpful - thanks by the way

I think this was it:

Here is a link that might be useful: An Overview of Faucets

Found it! So did Iroll above so use that link -- took mine down. It's the same. I've not seen anything this detailed on brands though I disagree with their ratings on certain items I know. But overall, this can be useful in general. Thing is with the faucets that it's important to read/consider the specs for that exact faucet vs the brand in general because there are quality tiers in some brands and not in others.

This post was edited by rococogurl on Wed, May 8, 13 at 17:19

Eleena, I so totally understand your feelings because that is how I felt about my pulls and knobs. I decided on a faucet as soon as I saw it but I searched for at least four weeks solid for just the right hardware.I think my final choice is going to be Schaub casual elegance but I have to wait until I get the sample to ensure the finish will look good with my cabinets.

Do you know what style you want? As in do you want a pull out, a pull down or a regular faucet with a side spray? What is the price range you are shooting for? That will help to narrow your choices down. Since a faucet is something that gets used constantly you really want it to be something that functions well. I had already decided on my faucet when I read the post that iroll linked above but it may really help you with your decision. I remembered thinking that Chicago faucet sounded like a really well made brand. Good luck with your search!!!!

I am personally obsessed with the Kohler Sensate. But the Hansgrohe pull out I have with the plastic docking I'd love to replace.

If you are willing to splurge, KWC has several integral metal faucets with metal hoses and docking. I had the Systema pull down and it was fabulous. All metal. They are pricey but i shopped it and got a good buy. KWC gets very good reviews here.

Holly,

By now, I sort of know what I want. I want a pull-out, not pull-down, faucet, made in US or Europe. Something similar to KWC Livello. I just don't want to spend that kind of money - if I can help it.

Rococogurl,

PLEASE tell me how you got a good price on yours!

Iroll and Rococogurl,
thanks a bunch for the link!!!
agree with having to look at individual spec rather than generalization on the brand esp with proliferative brands like Kohler and Grohe - but your link is critical in informing me about the brand "Vigo" (a model of which is in my short list.... used to be... until i read this link LOL)

I too am considering the Kohler Sensate. I know it's a pull-down not pull-out :-(, and that the tubing inside is nylon not metal-braid, but there aren't that many choices if i want touchless (alternatives will be Delta, Moen, am i right?) - does anyone know of another touchless option that has a metal-braid hose (like the Hansgrohe hose?)

Brizo also has touch faucets. Not sure about hose material. I'd double check that always.

I don't have any special secret, just persistence. Likely this is what most people do but I google the faucet with the style number and then go through every single page of the search to see which seller has the best price. It's pretty tedious but it tells me what the discount range is, generally. Then I bing the same search. I always check on ebay as well (though those prices can be higher these days).

I make a list as I go, then call the likelies to see if the faucet is in stock and the price is correct. The last step saves aggravation because sometimes a site will put on a price to get the order but they haven't updated and cannot meet that price. If they don't have it in stock I move on.

I got $180 off my KWC because I found a seller that had the faucet I wanted in stock for a while. More savings if they are not in your state, at least for the moment. Good luck hunting.

This post was edited by rococogurl on Thu, May 9, 13 at 8:14

Good luck Eleena. You can find a good price by being persistent. When I found my hardware I went through page after page on google and found my hardware for about 25% less than the lowest price on the first page.

I am so anxious to see your final choice.

I just saw a lovely Brizo but it has a pull down rather than a pull out.

Here is a pic.

Kitchen remodels are only good for five years? I'm about four remodels behind.

Only good for five years???

I do not intend to renovate the kitchen before I sell this house in 15 years. That is why I spent top $ on it, LOL. Too bad for the next owners. :-)

Personally I think it is ridiculous that a remodel is only good for five years. This is a once and done deal for me. I will be 60 this year and I don't plan on ever doing a complete reno again.

TV decorators maybe redo their kitchens every 5 years. Not normal otherwise.

I loved that link! It's timely for us! We are doing a complete reno of our "final" house. We love it, and do not intend to remodel again in five years! That's crazy!

Our current home was purchased new 10 years ago. It still looks pretty much new, except for the front doors where the sun beats in, but we'll let the buyers renovate that!

Eleena - I started ogling the same faucet until I discovered the plastic head.
I went with a Waterstone = pricey but well made.

As far as the other discussion - I am with Holly-Kaye - I finished my remodel a year ago and hope it is good for over 20 years when I will look for a house without stairs...