How to Choose the Right Bathroom Taps

Although not that visible as the living room, the bathroom is one part of your home that you will use on a daily basis. So, it is really worth taking your time and try to find the right, most functional and appealing appliances. Whether you are renovating your whole bathroom, or you are simply refreshing some of the existing appliances, changing the bathroom tapware will make a lot of difference.  Although the look of the tap can play a huge role in the overall bathroom’s design and look, you should focus more on choosing a quality tap, one that can serve you for years to come.

Understand the Several Types of Bathroom Taps

Pillar Taps

The first thing you need to know about these types of taps is that they are mainly present in traditional style bathrooms. They can come in pairs which means that there are two taps, one for hot and the other for cold water. These taps can be operated by a rotating handle or lever which is quite convenient. The last thing you should know is that these taps require two holes in the basin.

Mixer taps

Mixture taps deliver a mixture of hot and cold water through a single spout. These popular types of bathroom tapware have separate water controls and allow you to choose between two-hole and three-hole mixer top. The two-hole is operated by a single control, while the three-hole mixer tap has a separate control for hot and cold water.

Monobloc Taps

The monobloc types of taps ate designed for basins with one tap hole. These taps feature single spout that delivers a mixture of hot and cold water and the water control is integrated into the body of the tap. Without a doubt, this is a space-saving tapware solution.

Consider the Many Taps Finishes

Chrome

If wanting a tap with a timeless finish, then you can never go wrong by choosing one with chrome finish. Present on the market for a long time, tapware with this finish are here to stay for a long time.

Brass/Gold

If you are a fan of the classic and traditional heritage style bathrooms, then you can choose a tapware with a brass or gold finish. Just make sure that you have chosen the right tapware model in order not to achieve the opposite effect.

Coated Finishes

Over the last few years, some of the most sought after finishes for bathroom taps are the brushed metallic-like nickel, rose gold and gunmetal. However, the finish that took the throne is the matt black finish. It looks modern and eye-catching, ideal for Scandinavian, contemporary and modern style bathrooms.

Choose the Right Size and Height

An essential thing to have in mind is choosing the right tapware size and height. Regardless of the style, model and finish, the chosen tap should be correctly positioned, so the water could land properly. So before making any decision, make sure to choose the right basin height and size.

Consider the WELS Rating

Another crucial thing you need to be aware of is that quality taps should be labelled with a WELS star rating. WELS stands for water efficiency labelling and standards which is a rating that shows how water-efficient a tap is. Generally, it ranges from one to six stars, and consequently, the more starts the tap has, the more water-efficient is the chosen tapware. Besides these stars, the WELS label also has a figure that can tell you the rate of water consumption, so you can see how much water the tapware can use. Handy, right?!

Don’t Forget Its Functionality and Ergonomics

Since taps are supposed to be used on a daily basis by several family members, it is paramount for you to choose a tap that looks and feels good when using it. The best way to test if a tap is ergonomic or not is by seeing and testing it in person. However, even if ordering online, you can still return it and replace it with another model. Just make sure not to damage the tap and its packaging.

Check the Water Pressure

Before making any purchase, you should check if the water pressure in your bathroom is sufficient for the chosen tap model. That is essential because every piece of brassware has different specifications, so making sure that the water pressure can meet the ones of the chosen model is paramount.

Think About the Maintenance

As we already mentioned, taps can come in different finishes, and the perfect one will depend mainly on your bathroom. However, out of all, it is the polished finishes that are the best. Polished brassware, in particular, is easy to keep clean and requires little maintenance, in comparison to matt finishes which are extremely difficult to keep them spotless and clean on a daily basis.