To choose the right faucet for the bathroom, it’s not enough just to go to the outlet and listen to the recommendations of the seller. Only thoroughly having studied the structural characteristics of the device, the principle of its elements, the advantages and disadvantages of the product, you can make a competent choice.
Species, their pros and cons
According to design features, taps in the bathroom are divided into several types.
Wall mounted
The wall-mounted device is made with two control options:
- 2-valve;
- lever.
Wall mounted mixer on pre-prepared wiring, which is hidden in the wall or in specialized boxes. The distance between the incoming trunk of the device, as a rule, is standard, however, sometimes there may be exceptions, and in the set with the device go special adapters.
Advantages of wall-mounted appliances.
- Saving usable area.
- Universality. There are no such bathrooms where such a method of installation will not be possible. It is standard.
- Manifold. Manufacturers offer a huge selection. Design, coloring, list of features - there are almost no limits.
- Saving. There is no need to put different devices for sinks and baths - the only wall is enough.
- Ease of installation. For any plumber, installing a wall mounted faucet is a common process.
Disadvantages.
- Combination both for washing and bath does not always look beautiful.
- Work in two positions and the constant transfer from one place to another shortens the life of the device.
- Leaks. Damage to communications passing through the wall is very difficult to repair, and sometimes even detect.
Recessed
Another way is a mixer built into the wall. This is the same wall device only with hidden installation elements: outside, it has only a lever for adjusting the water, a faucet and a shower head (its hose is also hidden in the wall). A more modern and aesthetic type of mixer.
Advantages of the built-in device:
- long service life;
- reliability;
- good design;
- small size;
- excludes splashing of water.
The main disadvantage is the complexity of the installation and the limited access to the device necessary for its maintenance.
Mortise
This installation method involves fixing the mixer directly to the side of the sink or bathtub, which already has ready-made holes (if not, you can do it yourself). Eyeliner hides behind a decorative overlay or bathtub body.
Advantages of mortise products.
- Saves usable space around the bathtub.
- Aesthetics. There are no unnecessary elements, the shower hose is hidden behind the side of the bath.
- Practicality and ease of management.
- Quality manufacturing materials.
Along with the advantages, there are several disadvantages:
- equipment is expensive;
- no free access to hidden components;
- short service life of a flexible hose (due to constant bends);
- it is inconvenient to draw water into a bucket or other container.
The best materials
When arranging a bathroom, you should pay attention not only to the principle of operation, design and method of fixing the mixer. Be sure to check with the seller of what material it is made of.
- Stainless steel is the most practical and most sought after option. The steel device is durable, durable, affordable, looks great in any style of room.
- Bronze or brass have a longer service life, look spectacular, but also more expensive.
- Ceramics attracts with various designs, curious shapes. The disadvantages include fragility and high cost.
- Silumin - the cheapest and most short-lived material. The life of the device of any design is 1-2 years.
If you need a reliable mixer that functions clearly and reliably - take a brass or steel one.
How to decide on the design?
One of the important purposes of the bathroom is relaxation. And to relax and enjoy, resting in a bath with foam is more pleasant if the design in the room is pleasing to the eye. Therefore, mixers and sanitary equipment should be considered not only in terms of strength and practicality, but also as style-forming components. Today, faucets are symbolically divided into 2 large groups: universal and designer (copyright).
Universal samples will fit for a modest design. All are made of available materials and chrome plated. The spraying has a silver color and can be shiny (with a mirror surface) or matte. There are cases that the case and flywheels are not silver, but black, white or with gilding.
The only design element on universal samples is a pointer to cold and hot water on valve heads. These are multi-colored overlays, inlaid, calligraphic text.
Universal devices do not differ in the non-standard configuration of the gander, valve heads (flywheels) or control lever. 2 types are in demand:
- with smooth, streamlined contours and a round hole on the gander;
- more geometrically correct configuration with a spout not in the form of a cylinder, but having several faces.
Copyright designs are designed for design, designed in a specific style.
For retrostyles, massive faucets made of brass without gloss are relevant, with two handwheels and a high spout of circular cross section. Similarly, faucets made of brass and bronze in their natural colors are suitable for interiors tending to antiquity and naturalness (ethno, country, provence).For champions of classics, with its abundance of chic materials and accessories, plumbing fixtures with a gold coating will work flawlessly. Moreover, the configuration of the crane can be anything you like, including a cascading gander of a flat appearance or cast heavy products.
Fans of minimalism will choose plumbing equipment for secret installation. These faucets have a modern look, simple but non-trivial configuration, reflecting spraying, few elements and no decoration. The chrome-plated gloss is in perfect harmony with glass, steel and monochrome minimalist bathroom finishes.
Manufacturers
The following companies work in the Russian market.
Hansgrohe
The German level of quality has been a worldwide standard for many years. The Hansgrohe trademark has long been on the Russian market, and its products are in demand. The main direction of the company is the creation of appliances for small bathrooms. Almost all samples have small dimensions, comfortable and high-quality fastening, design in a minimalist style.
The product range is impressive. It is mainly produced from chrome-plated brass, it has a 5-year warranty, however, it really works much longer. The only negative is the high cost of products.
Grohe
The trademark from Germany has enterprises all over the world, and everywhere its products are in demand. The warranty for Grohe mixers is very impressive - 10 years. The company focuses on the performance and ergonomics of products.
The assortment kit contains modifications of all types of construction and fixation. A feature of Grohe appliances is reduced water consumption without changing the normal spray. Fixing systems are simple and comfortable, even a layman can cope with them. As production material, brass is practiced, individual elements can be made of aluminum-based alloys. The price fork is quite extensive, you can find both relatively inexpensive copies, and the most prestigious, of the expensive rulers. But in general, the products are very expensive.
Kludi
The devices of this German company meet the highest standards. In addition to reliability and functionality, they are distinguished by design, a combination of traditional forms and innovative and innovative solutions. The lion's share of the products is equipped with aerators made of plastic, which makes it possible to reduce deposits of dirt, adjust the angle of the water jet, and reduce water costs.
Production material - stainless steel, coated with chrome, there are samples in black and white colors. The disadvantage of the product, as with the above brands is the high cost.
Jacob delafon
This French brand is among the global manufacturers of sanitary products, and its products are valued not only for reliability and quality level, but also for sophisticated design. Moreover, the price of products is very moderate in contrast to German brands, the model line allows you to choose a device even with a small budget. The warranty is 5 years, although sometimes the most affordable modifications work 2 times longer.
Oras
Finnish sanitary equipment and accessories are considered ideal in terms of price - quality. Owing to this, Oras products are highly demanded in our market. In the products of this brand, you will discover both high quality, and beautiful design, and an extensive selection of modifications for any of the available styles.
To create mixers, brass and ABS plastic are used, which makes it possible to reduce the cost of products without compromising operating parameters. Plastic has good strength characteristics and is resistant to alkalis; therefore, these products do not need special care. There is one drawback - the color fades.
Roca
Spanish plumbing equipment is represented on the Russian market by Roca. Her products are of excellent quality and affordable, and the faucet style is considered a characteristic feature of the brand. In addition to typical devices of a traditional configuration, the buyer is offered a whole line of modifications in different directions: modern, high-tech, avant-garde and others.
As a material for production, brass and chrome are practiced. A negative point: the overly complicated design of some samples reduces the comfort and utility of their use.
Fantasy
Italian devices are considered to be prestigious products with perfect technical parameters. They are distinguished by design weighed down to particulars, multifunctionality, and structural strength. Fantini guarantees a 10-year service life even when using low-quality water.
When creating faucets, mainly brass and chrome are practiced; a number of prestigious collections include bronze models. An extensive assortment allows you to choose samples for the bathroom with any quadrature. The disadvantage is the high cost.
Geberit
Swiss devices - it is durability, performance and practicality. Geberit is on the list of well-known manufacturers of sanitary products, its products are always in demand.
Faucets stand out for their extremely comfortable design, aesthetic appearance, and a variety of styles. The price range is very extensive, however, when compared with Finnish and Spanish products, the price of products is higher. For the production of brass, spraying - chrome.
Vidima
Mixers from Bulgaria stand out at the lowest cost with excellent quality. They are comfortable in operation, quite reliable, have a simple system of fasteners. Warranty - 3 years, all products comply with European standards. In the production of mixers used electroplating, due to which the surface acquires an original shine, and this is one of the characteristic features of Vidima products.
To create faucets, brass is practiced, spraying - chrome and nickel. Some elements are made of benign plastic.
Ravak
Products of the Czech brand Ravak stand out for their durability and comfort in everyday life. Faucets have a modern design, a simple locking system, as well as an extensive price fork.
Devices are made of brass, spraying - chrome. The range covers all modifications of mixers, an impressive selection of modifications with one lever and two flywheels, each of which is equipped with an aerator. All products comply with European standards, which is confirmed by quality certificates.
What else to look for when choosing?
Of course, we all understand that the goal of the seller, including the most truthful, is to sell the goods. In this regard, one should listen to the specialists of the non-party - plumbers.
They recommend taking such a special list of criteria for checking plumbing products with you to a retail outlet.
- At the manufacturer excellent reputation. A genuine product is often branded to distinguish it from fakes.
- Case - brass or bronze, massive and strong. At worst, stainless steel.
- Device price - from 4000 rubles and more. Cheaper will be necessarily made in China.
- Shower / Spout Switch Cartridge. The eccentric breaks up quite quickly and flows, and the spherical distributor is one with the body of the device, and it is unsuitable for repair.
- Ceramic plates, not rubber gaskets.
- Presence of aerator on spout nozzle. This saves water and guarantees optimal pressure.
- Threaded shower head in order to be able to exchange it for another nozzle (massage or a good jet) and / or various modes of water supply.
- Protective spraying from chrome or enamel.
- Convenient gander: it can be turned to the wall so that it does not interfere with the reception of the bathroom, a container of various volumes fits under it.
When at least 6 out of 9 points coincided, this is the optimal mixer that will last a long time and without interruption.
On the secrets of choosing bathroom faucets, see below.