How to choose a bathroom faucet?

To choose the right bathroom faucet, it is not enough just to come to the point of sale and listen to the seller's recommendations. Only after thoroughly examining the design characteristics of the device, the principle of operation of its elements, the advantages and disadvantages of the product, you can make a smart choice.

By design, bathroom faucets are divided into several types.

The wall unit is manufactured with two control options:

• 2-valve;
• lever.

Wall mounted mixer on pre-prepared wiring, which is hidden in the wall or specialized boxes... The distance between the incoming lines of the device, as a rule, is standard, however, sometimes there may be exceptions, and the set with the device comes with special adapters.

The advantages of wall-mounted appliances.

• Saving useful area.
• Versatility. There are no bathrooms where this installation method cannot be implemented. It is standard.
• Manifold... Manufacturers offer a huge selection. Design, colors, list of possibilities - there are almost no limits.
• Saving. There is no need to put different appliances for the sink and bath - a single wall-mounted one is enough.
• Ease of installation. For any plumbing professional, wall-mounting a mixer tap is a common process.

Disadvantages.

• Combination at the same time for washing and for a bath does not always look beautiful.
• Working in two positions and 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 eliminate, and sometimes even detect.

Another way is a mixer built into the wall. This is the same wall-mounted appliance, only with flush-mounted elements: outside it has only a lever for adjusting the water, a tap 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;
• eliminates splashing water.

This installation method involves fixing the mixer directly on the side of the sink or bathtub, which already have ready-made holes (if not, you can do it yourself). The eyeliner is hidden behind a decorative strip or bath body.

The advantages of mortise products.

• Saving useful space around the bath.
• Aesthetics. There are no unnecessary elements, the shower hose is hidden behind the bath rim.
• Practicality and ease of management.
• Quality materials of manufacture.

Along with the advantages, there are several disadvantages:

• the equipment is expensive;
• there is no free access to hidden components;
• short service life of the flexible hose (due to constant kinks);
• it is inconvenient to collect water in a bucket or other container.

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 ask the seller what material it is made of.

• Stainless steel is the most practical and most demanded option. The steel device is strong, durable, affordable, looks great in any room style.
• Bronze or brass have a longer service life, look impressive, 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 service life of a device of any design is 1–2 years.

One of the most important uses of the bathroom is relaxation. And to relax and enjoy, resting in a bubble bath, it is more pleasant if the design in the room pleases the eye. Hence, faucets and sanitary fittings should be considered not only in terms of strength and practicality, but also as style-forming components... Today mixers are symbolically divided into 2 large groups: universal and designer (author's).

Universal patterns will fit in for a modest design. All of them are made from available materials and are chrome-plated. The coating has a silver color and can be shiny (with a mirror surface) or matte. There are times when the body and flywheels are not silver, but black, white or gilded.

Universal devices do not differ in a 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 in the gander;
• more geometrically correct configuration with a spout not in the form of a cylinder, but with several edges.

Author's samples are intended for decoration, sustained in a specific style.

For retro style, massive mixers made of brass without gloss, with two flywheels and a high round spout, are relevant. Likewise, faucets made of brass and bronze in their natural colors are suitable for interiors striving for antiquity and naturalness (ethno, country, provence).For champions of the classics, with its abundance of chic materials and accessories, plumbing fixtures with gold plating are perfect. Moreover, the configuration of the crane can be anything, including a cascade gander of a flat type or cast weighty products.

Fans of minimalism will choose plumbing equipment for hidden installation. These faucets have a modern look, simple but non-trivial configuration, reflective spraying, few elements and no decoration. The chrome-plated gloss harmonizes perfectly with glass, steel and monochrome bathroom finishes in a minimalist style.

The following companies operate on the Russian market.

The German quality level has been a worldwide benchmark for many years. The Hansgrohe brand has been on the Russian market for a long time, and its products are in demand. The main direction of the company is the creation of devices for small bathrooms. Almost all samples are small in size, comfortable and high-quality mount, minimalist design.

The range of products is impressive. It is made mainly of chrome-plated brass, has a 5-year warranty, however, it actually works much longer. The only negative is the high cost of products.

The brand from Germany has enterprises all over the world, and its products are in demand everywhere. Grohe faucets have a very impressive 10-year warranty. The company prioritizes the efficiency and ergonomics of products.

The assortment set contains modifications of all types of construction and fixation. A feature of Grohe devices is to reduce water consumption without changing the normal stream. Fixation systems are simple and comfortable, even a non-specialist can cope with them. Brass is used as a production material; individual elements can be made of aluminum-based alloys. The price bracket is quite extensive, you can find both relatively inexpensive copies and the most prestigious of the expensive lines. But in general, the products are very expensive.

The devices of this German company meet the highest standards. In addition to reliability and functionality, they stand out for their design, a combination of traditional forms and extraordinary and innovative solutions. The lion's share of products is equipped with plastic aerators, which makes it possible to reduce dirt deposits, adjust the angle of the water jet, and reduce water consumption.

This French brand is among the world's leading manufacturers of sanitary products, and its products are appreciated not only for the reliability and quality level, but also for the sophisticated design. Moreover, the price of the 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.

Finnish sanitary fittings and accessories are considered ideal in terms of price-quality ratio. As a result, Oras products are highly demanded in our market. In the products of this brand you will discover both high quality and excellent 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 deteriorating operating parameters. Plastic has good strength characteristics and resistance to alkalis; therefore, these products do not need special care. There is one drawback - the color fades.

Spanish sanitary fittings are presented on the Russian market by Roca. Its products are of excellent quality and reasonable in price, and the style of the faucets is considered a characteristic feature of the brand. In addition to standard devices of traditional configuration, the buyer is offered a whole line of modifications in different directions: modern, hi-tech, avant-garde and others.

Brass and chrome are used as materials for production. Negative point: the overly complicated design of some samples reduces the comfort and utility of their use.

Italian devices are ranked among the prestigious products with ideal technical parameters. They stand out for their weighted design, multifunctionality, and structural strength. Fantini guarantees a 10-year service life even when using low quality water.

Brass and chrome are mainly used in the creation of faucets; a number of prestigious collections include bronze models. The extensive range allows you to select samples for the bathroom with any square. The disadvantage is the high cost.

Swiss devices - it is strength, performance and practicality. Geberit is on the list of renowned manufacturers of sanitary products, and its products are always in demand.

The faucets are distinguished by their extremely comfortable design, aesthetic appearance, and a variety of styles. The price range is quite extensive, however, when compared with Finnish and Spanish products, the price of products is higher. For production, brass is used, spraying - chrome.

Mixers from Bulgaria stand out for their lowest cost and excellent quality. They are comfortable in operation, quite reliable, have an ingenious fastening system... Warranty - 3 years, all products comply with European standards. Used in the production of mixers electroplating, which gives the surface an original shine, and this is one of the characteristic features of Vidima products.

To create mixers, brass is practiced, spraying - chrome and nickel. Some elements are made of high-quality plastic.

Products of the Czech brand Ravak stand out for their durability and comfort in everyday life. The faucets have a modern design, a simple fixing system and an extensive price range.

Devices are made of brass, spraying - chrome. The range covers all mixer modifications, an impressive selection of single lever and two handwheel versions, each equipped with an aerator. All products comply with European standards, which is confirmed by quality certificates.

Of course, we all understand that the goal of the seller, including the most truthful one, is to sell the product. In this regard, one should listen to the specialists of the uninvolved party - plumbers.

They recommend taking such a special list of criteria for checking sanitary products with you to a trading establishment.

• At the manufacturer excellent reputation... A genuine product is often branded to distinguish it from counterfeits.
• Frame - brass or bronze, massive and strong. At worst, stainless steel.
• Device price - from 4000 rubles and more. Cheaper will be necessarily Chinese production.
• Shower / spout changeover cartridge... The eccentric valve loosens and flows rather quickly, and the spherical valve is one piece with the device body, and it is unsuitable for repair.
• Ceramic plates, not rubber gaskets.
• The presence of the aerator on the spout nozzle... This saves water and guarantees optimal flow.
• Shower head with carving, in order to be able to change it to another nozzle (massage or a good jet) and / or different modes of water supply.
• Protective sputtering from chrome or enamel.
• Convenient gander: it can be turned to the wall so that it does not interfere when taking a bath, containers of various sizes fit under it.

See below for the secrets of choosing bathroom faucets.