Your Guide to the Different Bathroom Faucets
When decorating the bathroom, your best bet is to consider all the essential items for it, your style and how to make them work together. There are numerous styles of basins, toilets, and shower screens, and a great variety of options that you can go for. So, you need to be aware of all of them in order to make the right choice.
We all know the importance of a good kitchen sink tap and similarly, bath taps are a valuable aspect of the bathroom design that can make a lot of difference. They need to be durable and chosen according to the space available, the style of the bathroom, and your specific needs. They can be found in various designs and materials, each with its benefits and drawbacks.
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What Are the Various Types of Bathroom Faucets?
Before choosing the ideal bath tap, you need to consider your budget and the preferred features. Think about how strong you want the water flow to be or what type of sink and bathtub you have. Many online stores have a wide range of quality bathroom sink faucets and bath taps that you can choose from.
Mixer Taps
These are probably the most popular type of tapware. They consist of one spout that delivers hot and cold water instead of having a tap for hot and a tap for cold water. This system allows for easier adjustment and control. Mixer taps can be controlled by lifting the handle and then turning left or right or a standard lever that turns one way for cold and the other way for hot. There are many different sizes and styles of bath mixers that you can get to fit your bathroom.
Bridge Taps
The bridge faucet comes as one unit of a spout and handles attached to it instead of having several separate parts. This means that it requires only one or two holes instead of three for installation. This type of faucet is usually mounted on the countertop, saves space, and it’s easier to clean around it.
Centre Set Faucet
This type has all of its elements in one place. They can be mounted onto one plate and usually have one handle on each side. Centre sets require three holes, have a shorter and smaller spout, and are the perfect choice for sinks or bathtubs where space is a problem.
Spread Set Faucet
These bathroom sink faucets consist of three separate parts which means that they need three holes. The faucet and the handles can be installed closer or wider, depending on the style of your sink and your personal preference. They offer plenty of designs but are harder to clean because they have more parts that need to be cleaned.
Deck Mount Taps
This type of taps for bath is installed on the countertop and not on the sink. They can have various types of designs for you to choose from. They are the perfect fit for bigger countertops and bathtubs that have larger space around them but aren’t close to a wall.
Roman Faucets
Roman taps are similar to deck mount taps in that they both are mounted onto the side of the bathtub. But while deck mount taps have a standard modern look, roman faucets have longer and arched spouts with two or even three handles on the sides. Their unique look will certainly be a beautiful addition to any bathroom.
Wall-Mounted Taps
These taps are mounted on the wall instead of the sink, countertop, or bathtub. This allows for easier change of sinks or tubs if necessary. Also, there will be a lot more space on the vanity than with the other types of taps and it’ll look more clean and uncluttered.
They can be used with different styles of sinks, like the vessel or inset ones. Attention should be paid to the depth of the sink and the height between the sink and the faucet because you don’t want water splashing all around. They can be operated by one or two handles.
Just like with the sinks, these taps are convenient and can be used with different designs of tubs, usually with freestanding or clawfoot bathtubs.
Freestanding Taps
Contemporary freestanding tubs and basins need appropriate taps. Freestanding faucets for tubs are attached to the floor, next to the tub. Those for above-the-counter vessel sinks have longer spouts than standard taps and go over the basin. They are installed into the vanity. Having these taps means that a lot of the spout is visible so you might want to consider how you will incorporate that into the bathroom design.
What Kind of Materials Are Used for Faucets?
Brass Faucets
Faucet bodies are usually made of brass because of its quality and resistance to corrosion. But manufacturers offer a great variety of finishes that you can choose for your faucet. Solid brass faucets are expensive but long-lasting and they can be polished or brushed which makes them suitable for many different styles. Because they’re made with copper, zinc, and sometimes other materials like aluminium, they don’t allow bacteria or mould growth.
Stainless Steel Faucets
There are different types of stainless steel produced, so if you’re going to buy a stainless steel tap make sure that it’s a good quality because steel tends to rust quickly. It has a shiny silver hue and if you choose a brushed finish, there will be no visible fingerprints. A strong stainless steel faucet is durable and won’t dent.
Zinc Faucets
Zinc is chosen because it’s more affordable than brass. It has a grey colour but can be finished with a different coating. It may need frequent replacements because it doesn’t last as long as brass or stainless steel but it’s a decent alternative if you’re on a budget.
Copper Faucets
Copper has that reddish colour that can look gorgeous. You just need to make sure that it complements the rest of the bathroom design. It’s resistant to bacteria and easy to maintain. It’s durable but it also might be a bit more expensive.
