Choosing bathroom taps, or any other taps for your home can be tricky to say the least! I have built two houses and am no considering a third self build. But compared to 15 years ago, I am surrounded by so many choices and styles.
My research is summarised below:
TAP DESIGN:
Operationally, Tap design consists of three variables:
? The number of holes that need to be in the washbasin/bath/bidet or wall.
? The number of valves directing the flow of water.
? The number of faucets( spouts) from which water flows.( ie, single or mixer)
When choosing your taps, you will need to bear in mind the environment/location where the taps will be installed, and the d?cor/ambiance required in each room.
TAP STYLES AND FINISHES
As mentioned previously, we are spoiled for choice, as there is an array of contemporary taps, modern taps (classic), and designer taps, and traditional taps. As well as the design we then often have a choice of colour.
Various finishes are available, that are enamelled or metal plated. Most taps are made from brass, enabling a good quality finish to be applied. A number of finishes available in matt or high gloss including chrome polished brass, silk steel, nickel and antique gold. Technology has enabled cheap bath taps to be available at reasonable quality.
The top end of the market designs are made from solid stainless steel, with either a high polished shine or alternatively brushed to create a low sheen finish. The benefit of these is that as a result of being manufactured in stainless steel, they are much harder wearing than their cheaper alternatives, and will also maintain their polish/sheen for much longer.
The problem in making a good choice is the balance between budget and desire! A low budget can drive you toward choosing a poorer quality product, resulting in the plated finish wearing out sooner rather than later. Stay in the property for any length of time? Are you choosing and fitting cheap bath taps to a rental property? So do you plan to these are important decisions.
IS THERE ENOUGH WATER PRESSURE FOR YOUR BATHROOM TAPS?
There is nothing worse than not having enough pressure to delivery the correct flow of water, to your bath taps, and especially to the shower.
So before choosing your tap, you need to establish what level of pressure that you have in your bathroom. The reason for this is that many bath taps require high pressure to operate correctly.
At what pressure is the water delivered to your bathroom? The rising mains pressure is usually around 2.0 bars, which is satisfactory, but it is unlikely that this is supplied direct. So you must ensure that your water pressure for both hot and cold taps is above 1.0 bar if you choose and install high pressure taps. If your water pressure is below this, then you have to choose a low pressure tap to operate properly.
Now the hot water from your heating system (boiler) should be at high pressure if you have one of the following:
? A combination boiler that is supplied by mains water and heats the hot water as you use it.
? A gravity fed system with a pump that increases water pressure to more than 1.0 bar
? A pressurised (unvented) heating system, where the mains cold water directly supplies all cold taps but also feeds direct to the hot water cylinder, thereby maintaining high pressure.
A general guide line is that single lever mixer taps require high pressure, whereas pillar taps and two handled taps that control water flow (fillers), can operate on low pressure.
If in any doubt about your water pressure levels, either contact your boiler service engineer, or discuss it with a proprietary 'taps' supplier.You can find them locally or use Google to search on the internet.
Whether you are looking for modern taps, designer taps, or cheap bath taps, check out locally what is available, but its is then worth looking on the internet for suppliers who may offer a much more competitive price. There are good deals available!
Author Resource:
Bob Snowzell writes for Designer Taps Direct who specialise in Designer Taps a wide range of modern taps
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