How To Choose The Right Bathroom Fixtures For Your Home

Bathroom taps are essential, they can be functional and visually stunning, and they can make or ruin a bathroom design. There are thousands of tap designs available, which can lead to taps that are not suitable.

Our experts have created a checklist of five points to help you find the right taps. Our experts will help you avoid common pitfalls, so your new taps can complement your bathroom and work well for many years.

1. KNOW YOUR WATER PRESSURE

It is important to choose taps that are compatible with your home's water pressure. This will ensure that water flows freely. A gravity-fed system is low pressure. A combination boiler system is medium to high. Most single-lever mixers, wall-mounted taps, and floor standing taps require high water pressure in order to work effectively. Taps with two handles or pillar taps can function well with low water pressure.

Low-pressure taps will work well in high-pressure systems. However, high-pressure taps in low-pressure systems will cause slow water flow, which means it takes longer to fill a basin or take longer to fill up a bath. You should always ensure that the tap you choose is compatible with your water system. Otherwise, you might have to wait for your bath to fill up for at least half an hour.

2. CHECK THE TAP HOLLES
The type of tap you choose will depend on the type of sanitary ware you use. Your taps will need to match the number of tap holes in your basin, bath, or bidet.

Basins
Bathroom sinks usually come with one, two, or three predrilled tap holes. Modern basins will likely have one tap hole that can accommodate a mono-mixer tap. Traditional basins will likely have two tap holes to accommodate separate hot and cold water pillar taps. A three-tap hole basin can accommodate hot and cold handles, as well as a separate water spout.

Bathtubs

Standard acrylic baths do not have tap holes. Your installer can drill the tap holes for you. You can't drill holes in stone resin, cast iron, or steel baths. If there aren't, you will need to choose a separate floor-standing or wall-mounted tap.

Bidets

Bidet taps can be purchased easily as most bidets have only one tap hole.

3. CHOOSE THE STYLE

Your bathroom's overall appearance is affected by the style of tap you choose. In some cases, taps that are beautiful can even become focal points. You can easily replace old taps to transform your bathroom. Make sure you select taps that complement each other visually. There's nothing worse than a bathroom with mismatched taps.

Traditional
Taps with traditional features will capture the spirit of yesteryear. Traditional pillar tap basins and baths with elegant bath mixers are timeless in their elegance.

Contemporary
Contemporary taps have minimalist designs, geometric styling, and clean lines for a cutting-edge look. Modern features include touch-sensitive operation and waterfall spouts.

4. WHAT IS IT MADE FROM?

There are many aspects that will indicate superior construction quality if you want a tap that lasts.

Solid brass
Solid brass taps are the best choice as they are highly resistant to corrosion. Although recycled brass is the most common, there are also models that are made from pure "virgin". This metal is free of impurities, so the water won't taste strange like regular bathroom taps.

Ceramic discs
Ceramic disc taps, rather than rubber washers, are more durable and resistant to wear and tear. Ceramic disc taps only require a quarter turn to switch from off to on, which makes them much easier to use.

5. THE PERFECT FINISH

Now that we've seen the inside of the tap let's now look at the outside. Another important aspect of bathroom design is the finish of taps.

Chrome

Chrome is the most common finish for bathroom taps. The vast majority of taps available on the market are chrome-plated. Chrome-plated taps resist corrosion and scratches, and their shiny, reflective finish makes them easy to clean. This gives them a modern, clean look.

Gold

Although gold taps are a classic choice for period bathrooms, they have a reputation of peeling and tarnishing due to the fact that the gold finish was not plated but dipped. A growing number of taps now feature "Antique Gold", a lighter and shinier chrome gold that has been dipped. If you're looking to replace an old tap with one made of antique gold, be aware of the difference in colour between Antique Gold and the new Antique Gold.

Nickel

Nickel is another popular finish that is growing in popularity. It is used to give taps a high-end finish. Nickel finishes combine strength and durability with a lustrous, light gunmetal appearance. However, they also come at a premium price.