Which Bathroom Tap Should You Choose?

With a variety of different taps on the market, in varying shapes and sizes, it’s not unusual for homeowners to be left scratching their heads and wondering which bathroom tap to choose. Whether you’re simply replacing your bathroom taps, or installing an entirely new bathroom, taps should not be overlooked. You should consider water pressure, your bathroom’s style and even how eco-friendly they are.

In this tap buying guide, we’ll explain the different types of tap on offer, and everything you must consider before making a purchase, to help make your decision as easy and stress-free as possible.

Which bathroom tap should you choose?

From contemporary to traditional taps, matt black to silver chrome, the choices are endless. So, which tap is perfect for you and your needs? Showerstoyou.co.uk gives you the lowdown…

– Mixer taps

Mixer taps run water from hot and cold pipes, but water from the 2 pipes mixes together before pouring out of a single spout. This is one of the most popular tap options because it is far easier to achieve the correct temperature – perfect if you’re a bath lover. Some mixer taps also incorporate a bath and shower mixer too, which works the same way as a mixer tap.

This type of tap is perfect for families with small children as mixer taps ensure that water isn’t freezing cold or scalding hot. You may even want to consider the option of a thermostatic bath mixer tap, which ensures a consistent water temperature.

– Waterfall taps

Waterfall taps, also known as mono mixer taps, enable users to adjust the tap’s temperature by lever handles that can be moved left or right, or lifted upwards to control water flow. This is a modern edition of the standard mixer tap, and is often found in the majority of bathrooms today.

– Tall taps

Tall basin mixer taps have become increasingly popular over the years due to the rise in popularity of the counter-top basin. Their striking appearance and largely contemporary design are highly sought-after in modern homes, and are frequently complemented with freestanding bath taps too, over a freestanding roll top bath.

– Pillar taps

Pillar taps are one of the most common basin taps found in old-style properties. They consist of 2 separate taps, where one runs hot water, and the other runs cold water. 

– Wall mounted taps

In some modern bathrooms you may find wall-mounted taps that protrude over the bath or basin. Despite the fact this type of tap is highly stylish and luxurious, they can be challenging to install due to the pipes and plumbing being hidden behind the wall.

– Deck mounted taps 

Deck mounted taps are attached to the bath, basin, or the bathroom unit itself through drilled holes. They may be pillar taps coming through 2 separate taps (one hot and one cold), or through a single hole using a mono mixer style.

 

Things to consider before buying bathroom taps

Now that you know which types of taps you can buy, there are still a few things you should think about before making a purchase. Consider the following points:

– Test your home’s water pressure

Before buying any taps, you should check the water pressure in your home. This is important as some types of tap may not be 100% compatible with your plumbing and not work effectively, which is the last thing anyone wants after buying brand new taps. 

– Double check your tap holes

If you’re replacing your bathroom’s taps, check how many tap holes are on your basin or bath from the previous installation. We know this is obvious, but it is incredibly easy to overlook and get caught out!

If your basin has two tap holes, you will need two separate taps. If it has only one, you will need a mono basin mixer tap. However there are exceptions to the rule, such as bridge taps which feature a single body but require two tap holes in order to be installed correctly.

– Look out for ways to save water

Saving water is not only important for saving water and reducing water bills, so it is something you should definitely consider when looking for new taps. To save water in your bathroom, look for taps that feature ceramic disk technology – this means that one disk moves when you turn the handle, while the other remains in situ. Water will freely flow through the body of your tap when the disks are aligned with each other, and will stop when they are no longer in alignment. This technology ensures that your taps will not leak, unlike rubber washer designs that can leave you with dripping taps and can increase your water bills.

You may also want to consider purchasing tap inserts, which aim to control the amount of water that flows through your taps. They are designed to regulate the flow rate on taps to flow for around 5 litres per minute, compared to a standard 10 litre per minute flow rate, in order to reduce water usage.  

– Consider hiring a professional

Despite the fact that basin taps are fairly straightforward to fit yourself, it is highly advisable to call in the professionals to plumb in your bathroom taps – especially if you aren’t qualified or confident in your abilities. Afterall, this can avoid a catastrophe and forking out more money to fix any problems that arise. 

Consult websites like Checkatrade.com to find a qualified recommended professional in your local area.

– Ensure your bathroom taps match

It’s important to remember that your taps should match, in order to create a bathroom space that complements each other and looks a million dollars. For example, if you have a freestanding basin tap, consider purchasing a freestanding bath taps for a much neater look.

 

If you need any help with purchasing new bathroom taps for your bathroom, whether you’re simply replacing them or installing a new bathroom, we’re more than happy to advise you on the best taps to buy – get in touch with the team today.

 

Feature image credit: Dariusz Jarzabek / Shutterstock