A consumer report that was published recently showed that when buying a new bathroom only 6% of people chose taps first which shows just how rarely we consider tap design and what a huge difference it can make in the overall appearance of a new bathroom. Design and quality were shown to be the greatest influencers. So initially, let’s talk about design. The first question is whether to go for traditional or contemporary with the latter being the most ‘in’ trend at the moment. For example eau-couture.uk provides designs that can range from very angular geometric shapes to more natural organic shapes with softer flow lines although personal tastes and preference pay a big part here.
Quality on the other hand is a much harder factor to measure. How can you identify whether a tap is good quality? Well weight plays a huge part and can be a useful initial guide towards the product quality. Lighter taps usually indicate a low quality casing and should generally be avoided whilst the heavier ones indicate premium casing made of material such as solid brass. Most modern mixer taps can also be judged on valves, whether they’re made from ceramic or other high quality material and whether they’re silent when operated. Always make sure you premium mixer comes with some aerators which is a device that adds air to water flow and ensures a uniformed stream with minimum splashback. Taps can also come in a range of styles and designs but ultimately fall into two main categories: the traditional pillar tap and the separated hot/cold taps. These have been out of date for quite some time and choosing a mixer option that allows the hot and cold water streams to come out through one spout. Finally on style, one of the latest design trends is to have taps mounted on the wall which is a little harder to install but look utterly unique when completed.
