Bathroom Faucet Installation Types: Single Handle, Vessel, Centerset, Widespread & Bridge

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Bathroom Faucet Installation Types: Single Handle, Vessel, Centerset, Widespread & Bridge

When buying bathroom faucets, there are two main decisions you have to make:

Whether your faucet will be installed on the wall or on the sink. I have a specific article on this, which I recommend you read first.
The installation type, which basically means the number of holes and handles. As some types exist for both wall-mounted and deck-mounted faucets, I won’t consider wall-mounted faucets as a category in this article.

The installation type is an important decision because it determines the holes you’ll need to provide on your sink or countertop (for deck-mounted faucets), or the plumbing setting on the wall (for wall-mounted faucets).

Also, the types look quite different from each other. So this decision will also have a big impact on the look of your bathroom.

So let’s see the differences between the 5 main types.

Page Contents:

Bathroom single handle faucets

This type, as the name suggests, has only one handle, so it doesn’t use much space of your sink. This single handle controls both volume and temperature of water.

Bathroom single hole faucets are easy to install and provide a more precise volume and temperature control.

Bathroom deck-mounted single handle faucets — **Deck-mounted** single handle faucets have only one hole and the handle on top of the faucet.

Bathroom vanity countertop and wall-mounted single handle faucets — **Wall-mounted** single handle faucets usually have a handle by the side of the faucet.

Bathroom sink vessel faucets

Vessel sink faucets are deck-mounted with a single hole. They are higher than the single handle faucets so as to be paired with a drop-in or vessel sink.

This is the only type of deck-mounted faucet that work for vessel sinks, except the sink models that have the holes for the faucets installed on top of them.

For wall-mounted faucets, any type is fine, since you can decide the height it will be installed.

Bathroom vessel sink and deck-mounted vessel faucet — *If your vessel sink doesn’t have room for the faucet on top of it, you’ll need a vessel sink faucet or any type of wall-mounted faucet.*

Bathroom countertop with two vessel sinks and widespread deck-mounted faucets — *If your vessel sink has room and holes for the faucet on top of it, you’ll need a deck-mounted faucet type that works for that number of holes.* Project by Carina Korman

Bathroom centerset faucets

Centerset faucets are versitile, because they can be installed on sinks with one, two or three holes.

The spout and the handles are mounted on a deckplate.

Bathroom faucet installation types - centerset

Bathroom widespread faucets

This type of faucet has separate spout and handles.

Each one is mounted on a different hole. So you must provide 3 holes on the sink or countertop (for deck-mounted faucets) or 3 water points on the wall (for wall-mounted faucets).

It’s also known as non-deckplate faucet.

Bathroom deck-mounted widespread faucet — **Deck-mounted** widespread faucet

bathroom wall-mounted widespread faucet — **Wall-mounted** widespread faucet

Bathroom bridge faucets

With widespread handles but only two holes, bridge faucets connect the levers and the spout above the sink, instead of doing it underneath.

It’s usually more expensive than other types. Cause it’s a single piece that includes all parts and still mixes the cold and the hot water, all in steel covered with chrome or other material.

Black bridge faucets, mirror frames, lighting fixtures and window frames make a modern bathroom combined with concrete countertop and white walls.

Which type is better for you?

As we saw on the photos, except for the centerset faucets, all installation types can be used for a stylish bathroom. If you already have your countertop and sink and just want to change your faucet, it will be easier to keep the same type. Then you don’t have to adapt the holes.

If you’re building a new bathroom or doing a full renovation, you can choose any type you like. Just make sure to use the right sink for the type you choose. Then you can go ahead and pick the one you find more aesthetic and fits in your budget.