Black shower faucets: pros and cons, varieties, choice

A faucet is a plumbing fixture that helps you quickly get your desired water temperature by mixing a hot stream with a cold one.

This bathroom device redirects water not only to the spout of the tap, but also to the shower head. Traditionally, they are made with white gates and a brilliant spout, however, a variety of styles in the repair of apartments and interesting design solutions gave rise to new faucets in an elegant black color.

Black faucet is a bold move in the design of the bathroom, but you need to beat it correctly. This color of plumbing is suitable for hi-tech, loft, harmoniously fit even into the interior of the classic style in the case of black and white room design. Often, such faucets are design, therefore, more expensive when compared with similar models of the usual white color.

Black color is beautifully combined with gold, white and red. Combination with other colors blur the effect.

A relatively small selection of models complicates the task of designing a bathtub with such a mixer.

Matte models look the most stylish and easier to care for. The matte surface is obtained by applying enamel. Each speck and drop is visible on black, so black mixers are not suitable for water with a high content of lime.

Mixers are different, each type has its own characteristics:

• for a thermowave shower - adjusts the contrast of hot and cold water;
• classic with two taps - the flow of cold and hot flow is separately regulated;
• single lever - mixes cold and hot water as quickly as possible;
• thermostatic with built-in check valve - one handle changes the force of the water pressure, the second - changes the temperature regime;
• touch - with a sensor for automatic water supply, temperature level adjustment, jet illumination;
• without spout - exclusively for shower head.

By type of mount:

• installed in the shower;
• flush mounting (on the wall only crane boxes are visible);
• embedded in the edge of the bath;
• classic wall;
• floor (if the bath is far from the wall);
• Installing in a bidet.

Mixers are made from the following materials:

• steel with brass - premium class, original design, huge service life;
• bronze with brass - stylish, with water-repellent properties;
• alloy steel - beautiful, but quickly contaminated;
• aluminum with silicon - cheap mixers with a short service life and a plain appearance.

According to the type of switching mechanism, the following mixers are distinguished:

• ball - durable, but not repairable;
• cartridge - long-lasting due to easy change of cartridges, with a different breakdown, you will have to throw it away;
• eccentric - often fail, but are easily repaired.

If you need to equip two or more bathrooms, it is recommended to buy faucets in the same style. If the faucet is one on the bathroom and the sink, it is better to choose models with a long swivel head.

A stylish and neat look of the product must certainly be combined with good functionality.

In any mixer, even the most expensive, it is necessary to periodically change the sealing rings and locking devices. The frequency of replacement depends on the composition of the water.

When choosing, you should find out which cartridges or crane boxes are delivered in the model you like and buy 1-2 in stock. This is especially true for designer models that produce in small batches; how to find components in a few years will be impossible. It is better to choose expensive models with the availability of warranty service.

Not always a high price is an indicator of good quality, a well-developed company can transfer production to China, as a result of which quality will deteriorate. In addition, unscrupulous marketers often sell cheap models at inflated prices.

The most practical and durable models with rubber gaskets. Ceramic taps often fail, therefore, in addition to them, the installation of a stationary filter is necessary.

The mixer should be heavy in weight - this means that inside the high-quality brass components, the watering can, on the contrary, should be as light as possible.

The most reliable are German, Swiss and Russian mixers.

See how to choose a durable mixer.