How to Select The Right Tap?
Are you ready to give your bathroom the perfect finishing touch with a set of beautiful new taps but not sure how to go about ordering them? Here is the complete guide to ordering a tap, so you're not left wondering what to do next!
Choose Your Design
Knowing the overall look and feel that you're aiming to create in your bathroom we can help you narrow down the designs to choose from. Along with the visual appeal of the taps you should also consider specifications to ensure they meet the needs of your bathroom. For example, it's no use ordering a tap that is suited to high pressure systems if you have low pressure.
Measurements are another thing to take into consideration, as is the place where the taps are to be installed. Ordering a freestanding tap is useless if you need to mount your tap to the basin itself. Jot down the basic specifications you need and then match those needs back to the tap designs you're leaning towards. If you've only viewed the taps online, it would be worth a trip to a store to see them up close to be sure they're what you want. You can also visit us at our showroom in Leicester. If that isn't possible, then the good work you put into choosing a reputable supplier like us will mean you can simply exchange the tap for something else if the ones you decide on prove unsuitable. Make your final decision and prepare to place your order.
Basin Taps
As should be expected, there are a number of unique taps to enjoy. One of the first considerations is the existing decor in the bathroom. As a rule, the finish of the basin faucet should match other items such as shower heads, towel racks, and interior doorknobs. This will add a sense of uniformity to your bathroom. Secondly (and a bit more challenging) is the style you will choose. More modern taps will exhibit a subdued appearance; placing more emphasis upon the basin. If you are trying to achieve a modern appeal, this could be the best option. Victorian-style fixtures are becoming increasingly popular and will help to provide the area with a sense of warmth that may be difficult with more contemporary designs.
Basin Mixer Taps
As the world of plumbing has evolved and changed over time, the age of separate taps for hot water and cold water has come and gone. Basin mixers are - essentially - two taps in one. One spout allows for water of all temperatures to flow out into your basin.
The use of a single spout for both hot and cold water allows for easier temperature control than when using two - making it much safer for the vulnerable, such as children and the elderly. Such a feature also allows for a far more elegant appearance - looking stylish and modern with a smoother, more streamlined flow. A mixer also frees up more space on the limited surface of a basin aiding in easier cleaning and maintaining.
When it comes to purchasing, these faucets are the more economical choice, as the quality of the product far outshines anything that has come before it - with the amount of water less than that coming from two individual taps. They vary widely in size and shape - making it easier to find one that best suits your basin and, essentially, your home. Given the wide range to choose from, it may be difficult to select a basin mixer tap on your own.
Bath Taps
Gone are the days when all taps had a cross-shaped handle you twist to turn on. There are all kinds of different levers and handles available which you push, turn or lift. For most people the choice is cosmetic, but if you have problems with dexterity, you may find some taps easier to use than others. With so many styles available at Bathrooms 365 there is bound to be one that feels right for you.
Position
Most bath taps are mounted on the edge of your bathtub. You need to ensure that the ones you choose are compatible with the holes for mounting on your chosen bath. These are usually at the end of the bath but maybe at the side according to your preference. Bathrooms 365 have bath faucets suitable for all tubs as well as some other options you may like to consider. For a retro look, freestanding, standpipe style would complement a roll topped bath. If you would like a more modern bathroom experience, wall mounted versions may be appropriate and would give your bathroom a sleek and stylish look.
Mixer or Pillar taps?
All taps have a hot and cold flow, but some mix the flows within the body itself so the water comes out at the temperature you have selected. One of the benefits of mixer taps is that you do not need to have the flow coming purely from the hot tap making it safer for young children. Pillar taps give a separate hot and cold flow enabling hot and cold to be run separately if desired.
Bath Shower Mixer Taps
One of the easiest ways to transform your bathroom is simply to fit new taps. Basins and baths suddenly take on a whole new look, and your existing fittings can be updated into a style to suit the rest of your property. Of course, the trick is to buy the right product. The obvious choice for tubs is the bath shower mixer taps that function both as bath filler and as a shower. Even in bathrooms where a separate shower enclosure is fitted, there is still an advantage in having an additional over-bath shower with a detachable showerhead.
The traditional bath shower mixer fits into the pre-formed tap holes found in most tubs and consists of a pair of taps, usually with "X" shaped handles and the shower head resting in a cradle above the taps. This general layout is common to many such models, but nowadays it is possible to get single lever operated taps or stylish end-placed ones in all kinds of styles. Of course, if the fitting of this faucet is just part of a major refurbishment, or a new-build, a completely different style of bath may be chosen, in which case a wall-mounted bath shower mixer may be preferable. Whatever your needs, we have the ideal fittings.
Can I fit it myself?
On the face of it, fitting taps does not sound too difficult. It is, after all, just a case of turning-off the water supplies and undoing a few nuts. Well, it can be extremely difficult. Many an enthusiastic DIYer has embarked on this relatively straightforward project, only to run into all kinds of problems. The main issues are with unfastening the old fittings. Access is always difficult and old fittings can often be almost impossible to remove. So the advice is unless you are sure about your abilities, this is a job best left to the professionals.
Bath Filler Taps
There are different types of bath fillers available in the market. They come in three basin fitting styles.
Deck mounted: inset in your bath surface.
Wall mounted: inset in the wall adjacent to your bath
Pillar: freestanding and inset on the bathroom floor.
Design - Are you a traditionalist or modernistic at heart? In all three fitting styles, you have a wide range of designs to suit your requirement, from traditional through to modern to downright eclectic! If you're a traditionalist at heart, you might consider a crosshead or lever design bath filler, reminiscent of the elegance of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, perhaps with a telephone style shower handset.
Or your tastes may run to the sleek, contemporary feel; preferring slick tubular curves or the sharp square lines of a waterfall tap to provide a minimalistic edge - ideal for design purists looking for on-trend bathroom styling.
What Else Do I need to Know?
Other options to consider are how hot, and cold water will be provided. Do you prefer separate pillar taps or a mixer? Standard or thermostatic mixer taps can be safer for families with young children or the elderly as the temperature can be set to a safe level when filling the bath. Will you need a shower handset to accompany the brassware? Consider too what kind of installation will be required, as this can be important, especially when looking at timescale and cost of installation work.
Kitchen Taps
Most homeowners are looking for two things within a tap. Although its design is important, reliability and control are obvious concerns. We stock a wide variety of hot and cold water pairs. Not only are these able to provide water at the desired temperature, but they reflect symmetric appeal that is designed to accentuate the counter space. Still, you need to take into account the ambience of the kitchen itself. Minimalist designs should likewise choose taps that reflect this quality. If you wish to provide your kitchen with a warmer appeal, the chosen faucet will often reflect darker hues of brass or copper. Finally, the fixture in question should never be so big as to overpower the sink underneath. Below are few points, which you need to consider, before purchasing a new tap.
What type of mechanism will save the most water?
How difficult would the installation be?
How can I select the best tap for a modern kitchen?
By taking the guesswork out of the equation, you will be able to make the most appropriate decision. This will save you both time and money. Also, let us not forget that physically viewing a tap is essential in helping you to determine which sizes, colours, and designs are the best options.
Sensor Taps
Sensor taps, also known as automatic taps, turn the flow of water on and off independently, using a sensor to determine when a person’s hands are held under it. They are most often found in public bathrooms but can be useful in the home as well, especially for the disabled or elderly who may have trouble turning a regular tap on and off.
How it Works?
A sensor tap isn’t a very complex piece of technology. Through the use of an infrared light sensor, the faucet can “see” when hands are in proximity. The sensor then triggers a solenoid valve, which is closed most of the time, and opens only when triggered. When the valve is open, water flows out: either until it senses that the hands have been removed, or for a predetermined number of seconds, measured by the timer. Most sensor taps are battery powered.
Why Public Bathrooms Need Sensor Taps?
Automatic taps do so much for public bathrooms. High traffic bathrooms may see dozens or even hundreds of people passing through each day, and a sensor version offers a big hygiene advantage. When you can wash your hands without first touching the faucet, a major potential contamination area is removed, and the chances of spreading harmful bacteria are greatly reduced. A good sensor tap can also significantly cut down on water usage per use, which adds up to large savings on water and electricity bills. These can also save you from an overflowing sink. Whether it’s an accident or vandalism, a clogged sink and running tap can quickly cause major flooding and water damage. Automatic taps will shut themselves off long before the sink overflows.
How to Select The Right One?
No-touch taps come in a wide range of shapes and sizes though they all share the same basic functionality. Choosing sensor taps for your home or business will largely be a question of personal taste and budget. The style tends toward modern and minimalist, which suits many corporate environments. You’ll need to decide whether you want your automatic taps to run on mains or battery power, and choose one that is compatible with your high or low-pressure water system.
Bidet Mixer Taps
To put it simply, a bidet is just a low-slung sink. With the use of gentle jets of water (and sometimes air) a bidet makes it easy to cleanse intimate areas after using the toilet. The spa-like nature of a bidet makes it a welcome addition to almost any space, and it can also be used to wash feet or any other part of the body.
Once you’ve chosen your ideal bidet, you’ll need to consider the associated accessories; particularly (and most importantly) the bidet mixer taps.
What are bidet mixer taps?
Getting the water temperature just right is crucial when bathing sensitive areas, and a bidet mixer tap helps you achieve the perfect balance of hot and cold water. The best version is responsive and easy to use, allowing you to adjust the temperature with a touch. These taps are available in many styles, so you can choose the aesthetic which best matches your decor.
Bib Taps
The first thing to consider when buying bib taps is water pressure. These are designed to withstand pressure up to a certain point, so it’s important to check the one you are buying is right for your system. Next is the style. Do you want faucets that use one nozzle for both hot and cold water or two? A minimalist look would perhaps suit a monobloc or dual-flow that features a single spout. You should also consider the type of handle, with some easier to turn than others such as the handwheel type. Lastly, the material is an important consideration. Brass taps are seen as a traditional option that would fit well with certain style choices while chrome would be ideal for a mix of the modern and the vintage.