High Arc Vs. Low Arc Kitchen Faucets

A kitchen faucet is an eye-appealing decorative element in a kitchen design. Modern kitchen faucets come in both high-arc and low-arc designs to accommodate your desired sink preference. If you wash large pans or oversized dishes in your sink, a high-arc faucet is more suitable to your needs. A low-arc faucet design is a good choice if you have a separate sink sprayer you can use for large pans.

If you frequently wash large pans or stacks of dishes in your sink, a high-arc faucet, also known as a high-neck or a gooseneck faucet, gives you more room to wash. Select a high-arc faucet if you often cook with oversized pots. Choose a gooseneck faucet that swivels if you want to increase your cleaning circumference and wash or fill pots on both sides of your sink. According to KitchenWorldInc.com, high-arc faucets generally start at 6 inches in neck height, but most are 8 to 10 inches high.

Choose a low-arc faucet if you prefer a standard design. A low-arc faucet is less likely to spray water on your countertops since the spray is closer to your sink basin. Opt for a low-neck faucet if you have a sink sprayer that you can use for tall pots and pans. Kitchen World states that a low-arc standard faucet spout is generally 3 to 5 inches high.

For the most modern sink design, opt for a high-arc faucet. The curvature and additional height provide drama and visual interest in a sink design. Select a high-arc faucet in brushed nickel, satin nickel or stainless steel to complement your contemporary design. Avoid low-arc faucets with separate handles if you want to ensure that your kitchen has a modern design.

Install a faucet that complements the size of your sink. The goal for a faucet is to direct water to the middle of the sink area. Choose a low-arc faucet if you have a small sink, so the water flow won't overpower the sink. Opt for a high-arc faucet for a large sink; otherwise a small low-arc faucet could visually get lost on a large sink.