Your handy guide to buying bathroom taps
Refresh bathrooms instantly with new basin and bath taps
Enhance your bathroom experience with the addition of new taps, introducing a stylish detail that elevates both form and function.
Taps are a vital component of any bathroom, influencing both functionality and visual aesthetics. The myriad designs available in the market can be overwhelming, potentially resulting in the purchase of unsuitable taps.
Opting for taps with user-friendly features, easy-to-clean attributes, or those that contribute to the tap's longevity become an added advantage, especially in busy family bathrooms.
With a diverse array of styles and finishes available, finding taps that seamlessly complement other bathroom elements, including bathroom furniture and various accessories, can feel like a daunting process, but it doesn’t have to be.
To help you, the specialists at The Bath House Wigston have put together this useful guide to buying bathroom taps to assist you in navigating the choices on offer, such as selecting taps that align with the water pressure in your home, and ensuring that your new taps effortlessly harmonise with your bathroom's overall design.
High or Low Pressure?
Ensuring a satisfactory water flow from your taps is crucial, and this requires selecting taps that are compatible with the water pressure in your home. If your home operates on a gravity-fed system, it indicates low pressure, whereas a combination boiler system suggests medium to high pressure.
In general, single-lever mixers, floor-standing, and wall-mounted taps typically require high water pressure for optimal functionality. On the other hand, taps with two handles and pillar taps can efficiently operate with low pressure.
Using a low-pressure tap in a high-pressure system usually works well, but employing a high-pressure tap in a low-pressure system results in a sluggish water flow. This means it will take more time to fill a basin and even longer to fill a bath.
Always ensure that the chosen tap is suitable for your water system to avoid waiting extensively for your tub to fill when you're in need of a relaxing bath.
Select Your Style
The style of tap you select significantly influences the overall aesthetic of your bathroom. In some instances, aesthetically pleasing taps can serve as focal points. If you're looking to rejuvenate your existing bathroom suite, a simple method is to replace worn-out taps.
It's crucial to ensure that the chosen taps complement each other visually, as a bathroom with mismatched taps can be less appealing.
Traditional
To capture a sense of the past, opt for taps featuring classic elements like cross-head handles, intricate detailing, and Edwardian-style ceramic inserts. Traditional pillar taps for basins and ornate bath shower mixers for baths exude a timeless elegance that remains perpetually stylish.
Modern
For a more modern appearance, choose modern taps with minimalist designs, clean lines, and geometric styling. These taps often incorporate modern features such as waterfall spouts and touch-sensitive operation.
Choosing Your Bath Taps
Whether you're renovating an existing bath or adding a new one to your home, you might discover that it comes with one to four tap holes. It's essential to select taps that match the number of tap holes, a consideration to keep in mind when choosing a new bath. Most baths typically lack pre-drilled holes, allowing you the flexibility to choose any tap model that suits your style. However, it's advisable to check the product information when purchasing a new bath.
For baths with one tap hole
Modern baths often feature a single tap hole, specifically designed for a monobloc or single-lever tap. These taps, controlled by one or two handles, facilitate the filling of the bath through a single spout. This setup is an excellent choice for creating a sleek, contemporary look in your bathroom, offering the added advantage of easy operation.
If your bath has two tap holes
You have the option of selecting between pillar taps and mixer taps. Pillar taps provide independent control over the flow of hot and cold water through two separate taps with distinct spouts. This is a cost-effective choice, available in a variety of styles suitable for both modern bathrooms and period properties.
Mixer taps offer increased flexibility, coming in a wide range of styles and finishes, with or without a shower head attachment. While hot and cold water are controlled independently, they are mixed and delivered to the bath through a single spout. It's common for a diverter to be included, allowing you to redirect the water flow through an attached shower hose for added versatility in bathing and cleaning. If your bathroom already has a separate shower, opt for a discreet mixer tap without a shower hose.
Choosing Bathroom Tap Finishes
After examining the internal components of the tap, let's shift our focus to the external features. The tap's finish is a crucial consideration for both practicality and the overall design of the bathroom.
Chrome Taps
The most widely favored finish for bathroom taps is chrome, with the majority of taps on the market sporting this finish. Chrome-plated taps offer resistance to corrosion and scratches. Their shiny, reflective surface not only facilitates easy cleaning but also contributes to a sleek and modern aesthetic.
Brushed Brass Taps
Brass taps have consistently been a popular choice in period-style bathrooms, despite a reputation for peeling and tarnishing due to the gold finish being plated rather than dipped. When considering a like-for-like replacement, be mindful of the colour disparity between the older, darker brass and new brass taps.
Black Bathroom Taps
Black taps have become a contemporary and stylish choice for bathroom designs. While black finishes add a touch of sophistication and modernity, it's essential to consider the durability and maintenance aspects. Traditionally, black finishes may have been prone to scratches and wear. However, newer black taps often feature advanced finishes that enhance resilience and longevity. Some taps now come with a robust "Matte Black" finish, offering a sleek and elegant appearance while minimizing the risk of peeling or tarnishing. This modern approach to black taps provides a durable and attractive option for those looking to infuse their bathroom with a chic, on-trend aesthetic.
Bathroom Taps at thebathhousewigston.co.uk
At The Bath House Wigston, we offer an extensive selection of exquisite taps designed to cater to various budgets, ranging from affordable options to premium brands like Crosswater, Burlington, and Vado.
Our inventory boasts a wide array of basin, bath, and bidet taps, available in both traditional and contemporary styles. Whether you're looking for budget-friendly choices or high-end designs, The Bath House Wigston is your ultimate destination to discover the ideal taps for your bathroom.
Check out our Instagram for more inspirational bathroom design images @thebathhousewigston. Or view and save our bathroom swatch finishes Pin board on our bathrooms Pinterest page. You’ll find new bathroom inspo added all the time.
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