Moen Align Matte Black One-Handle Pulldown Kitchen Faucet

This is more expensive than the similar Kohler Spring Faucet but it has a cleaner, more modern look and, more important, the spray head extends making it much more versatile than the Kohler competitor which does not extend. It is sleek and not overpowering to the sink and counter nor too heavy for a reasonably sturdy stainless steel sink to support. The faucet hose has a braided cover for durability and the hose, with its own deck opening, operates smoothly; its operation is not interfered with by the water supply lines. The water pressure--especially in the spray--is lower than I would like (the Kohler, installed in the same location, has a much more powerful spray). That aside, this is a superior faucet. I have two questions; not exactly complaints. As plumbed, with the valve control in the normal position (vertical as pictured in the Moen literature) the hot water is on full. To get full cold water, the valve handle must be rotated forward to a horizontal position slightly over the sink. That means, in the normal position (vertical) if the water is accidentally turned on by pushing the control to the right, hot water will flow. I would prefer that cold water flow when the handle is vertical. This seems like an error and I question the reasoning for plumbing the faucet this way. I do understand that in front-back controls with the neutral position vertical. hot is normally back and cold forward. However, with this faucet neutral--50/50 mix--is at 45-degrees towards the sink. The other question involves the same valve control. The handle can be pushed back a few degrees past vertical. I do not understand why this is the case but it is intentional and described in the faucet specifications. I question the reason for this. Since the parts have straight, rather than radius, edges, when pushed to its stop, the handle looks wrong and needs to be pulled forward slightly to line up the edge of the handle with the complementary edge on the faucet. I wonder about the design decision. Both questions are minor but curious. Neither detracts from the overall operation and appearance of the faucet. This is a very good design; attractive and functional.

Purchased this faucet for my own kitchen. I am a professional kitchen designer and have used semi-professional style faucets in many projects. This one is a true pull down spray, so you don't have to wrestle with it like most if not all others of this style. We love it.