What is a Widespread Faucet? Should You Get One?

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Researching faucets to find the right one for your bathroom or kitchen is a total headache. You used to just drive to Home Depot, look around, and pick the one that your wife liked the look of.

There are way too many different types of bathroom faucets: 4 inch or 8 inch, centerset vs widespread, single hole or three hole, deck mount or wall mount, etc. Then you’ve gotta figure out what faucet brand you want, what kind of finish, and what your budget is.

In this article, I’ll help you figure out what a widespread faucet is and whether it’s the right fit for your bathroom.

When we renovated our master bathroom we put in two widespread faucets and we absolutely love them. We’ll tell you the pros and cons of widespread faucets based on our experience.

What is a Widespread Faucet?

Widespread faucets are a type of faucet where the spout and two handles come come with separate handles. They are not connected and they are not mounted onto a base plate. Widespread faucets come with a wider faucet spread than 4 inch centerset faucets.

If you measure the distance between the middle of each faucet handle, it will normally be 8 inches, but that distance is adjustable. Some really big bathroom sinks or vanities might have up to a 16 inch spread.

Widespread faucets are one of the most popular types of bathroom faucets. The wide design makes it great for larger bathrooms and spacious vanities. If you’re going for a high end look or a modern aesthetic, this is the right faucet for you.

What’s the Difference Between a Centerset and Widespread Faucet?

We’ve put together a full guide on centerset vs widespread faucets (also known as 4 inch vs 8 inch faucets). A centerset faucet comes with the handles 4 inches apart if you measure from the middle of one handle to the other.

That same measurement on a widespread faucet is going to be wider – normally 8 inches like our faucet above.

This is an incredibly important measurement if you’re replacing an existing faucet. 4 inch and 8 inch faucets are not compatible with each other. You’ll also want to make sure you measure your faucet hole sizes as well.

Pros and Cons of a Widespread Faucet

Widespread faucets are one of the most popular types of bathroom faucets. There are some pros and cons of widespread faucets you should know before you get one.

Pros

• Modern design – My wife and I love the modern and sleek design that widespread faucets offer.
• Great for large bathrooms – The wider faucet spread makes them perfect for larger sinks or vanities.
• Adjustable – The handles and spout come separately so you can decide how far apart you want them. 8 inches is standard, but you can make them tighter and do 6 inches. You can also make it wider and go for 12 or even 16 inches.
• Extremely popular – If you’re looking for a widespread faucet then you’re in luck. For most faucet brands, this is one of the most common products which means you’ll have lots of styles and designs to choose from. 

Cons

• More difficult installation – Unlike centerset faucets, widespread faucets don’t use a deck plate meaning they can be fairly tricky to install. There are three separate parts that each have to be installed in perfect alignment with each other.
• More expensive – Widespread faucets are a bit more intricate and are typically 50% more expensive than centerset faucets.

A widespread faucet is the perfect size if you have a larger bathroom or sink. They are easily one of the most eye-catching faucets out there.

Common Questions about 8 Inch Widespread Faucets

Final Verdict: Is a Widespread Faucet Right for you?

Widespread faucets are one of the most common types of bathroom faucets.

If you’re redesigning a master bathroom, luxury home, or just want to go with a sleek and modern aesthetic, I highly recommend getting a widespread faucet. They’re beautiful and will increase the value of your bathroom or kitchen.