Bathroom faucets: design features and main advantages (23 photos)

The supply of plumbing equipment is huge. When buying a mixer, several parameters must be taken into account: control method, material, device mounting options, price.

Types of bath faucets

Two-valve - equipped with two handles for separate supply of hot and cold water. There are two types of bath faucet with shower: with rubber gasket and ceramic inserts. Each model has advantages and disadvantages.

When operating the crane axle box with rubber cuffs, it is necessary to do 2-4 turns to open / close the water. The device of the bathroom faucet is simple - the gasket is pressed against the valve seat inside the mixer and blocks the water.

Advantages of the device: gaskets are produced from different rubber, are cheap, easily change.

Disadvantages: short gasket life, to open / close the valve, it is necessary to scroll the valves several times, and after a while they lose their smoothness.

To control the crane box with ceramic inserts, it is enough to make a half-turn of the handle. The device of the bathroom faucet is simple - ceramic plates with holes, one of which is fixed on the rod, and the other in the axle box body. When moving the handle, the alignment / divergence of the holes in the ceramic plates occurs. Advantages: long service life, the ability to replace ceramic inserts, smooth running of parts.

Disadvantages: higher price, installation of a filter is recommended.

The single-lever bath mixer with shower allows you to smoothly adjust the water supply with one handle. Due to the features of the rotary structure, it is possible to simultaneously control the water pressure and control its temperature. Cranes are equipped with two types of mixers: ball and cartridge.

In ball rotary models, the main element is a metal ball having three holes. Advantages of the device: small wear during active use, reliable sealing, durability. Minus - salt deposits make it difficult for the crane to rotate during stagnation.

Cartridge models are equipped with special ceramic plates with holes. Advantages of the rotary model: ease of control (lighter than ball designs), durability.

Disadvantages: sensitivity to mechanical impurities in water, cost.

Thermostatic - allows you to supply water at a given temperature thanks to two adjustment knobs. One controls the pressure, and the other controls the temperature of the water. Advantage of the thermostatic mixer: comfortable operation (you can set the temperature once and then adjust only the water pressure), the arrangement of a special security system. The disadvantage of heat mixers is the high cost.

A cascade bath faucet is not distinguished by any special internal device, it can be controlled by a valve or cartridge. A distinctive feature is the width and shape of the spout.Thanks to them, tap water flows in the form of a waterfall. Advantages: increased throughput, the ability to be mounted on board the bathroom. Some designs have an additional hydromassage option.

Mixer installation methods

Several options for installing plumbing fixtures are popular. There are two types of faucets for the bathroom:

• open (hinged) - mounting support are the ends of the pipes to which the device is screwed. The crane body is located in an open space;
• hidden (mortise) - the device is located in a wall niche, only the spout and control elements remain visible.

Depending on the installation site, several groups of mixers can be distinguished: wall, floor, table.

Wall Mount

This is the most common option. It is easy to connect a shower head to such models. Advantages of shower faucets: a wide range, the possibility of hinged installation of the device with a long spout (about 30 cm), simple installation / replacement of a faucet.

The main requirement during installation is reliable vertical fixation of pipes. In a special niche, you can install the built-in mixer (two-fan, single-lever).

This installation method is not suitable for old brick houses, in which there may be partitions from gypsum blocks. If you install the built-in cascade mixer, then filling the bathtub with water in the form of a waterfall looks very impressive.

Bathroom faucet

This design is in the form of a shower column, which is fixed on the floor with a special mounting plate. Pipe risers can be located both on the same stand, and on different ones. Since the connection to cold / hot water is made below, the water supply system is laid horizontally in advance (in the screed).

The hidden arrangement of water systems in the floor is the main advantage. Such mixers are recommended for installation in large rooms. It is advisable to entrust the installation to a professional, since the cranes are expensive, and during installation it is still necessary to monitor the stability of the crane.

Desktop models

They are mounted to the bath bowl using fasteners. The mortise mixer on board the bath is suitable for installation on plumbing, which already has mounting holes. If there are no holes, then they must be drilled manually.

Mixers for acrylic bathtubs can be installed anywhere in the tank. Connection to plumbing systems is carried out under the bathtub using flexible hoses. Faucets for corner bathtubs or a Jacuzzi are installed mainly by the mortise method.

Selection of mixer housing material

The life of the equipment is determined not only by design features, but also by the quality of the housing and components. Moreover, manufacturers use both natural and artificial materials.

Plastic body cranes

Plastic case cranes are among the cheapest products. Since their appearance is not a guarantee of strength and or wear resistance, it is better to give preference to ABS plastic when purchasing a product. It refers to high-strength and environmentally friendly plumbing materials. Advantages of the product: ease of care, low cost, corrosion resistance.

Stainless Steel Bathroom Faucets

Stainless steel bathroom faucets can be considered classics. The universal model includes a long spout (about 30 cm). Such a faucet is installed in rooms where the bathtub and washbasin are located nearby. Advantages: strength, reliability, affordable price, easy maintenance, wide range of products (it is easy to choose a faucet for any interior). Chrome coating gives the product a beautiful shine. You can also choose a faucet with a matt finish. The disadvantages include: sensitivity to water (especially containing impurities harmful to the metal), do not use cleaning products with abrasive additives.

Bronze Bathroom Faucets

Bronze (an alloy of tin with copper) is also a traditional material for the manufacture of plumbing fixtures. More popular is the alloy in which at least 60% copper is present. For the production of high-quality devices, an alloy is used, where copper is about 80%.

To facilitate processing and give a matte surface a diverse decorative look, additives of silicon, zinc, manganese are introduced. Bronze bath faucets have the following advantages: long service life, durability, refined appearance, resistance to corrosion and chemical or mechanical influences. Disadvantages can be considered a high price, sensitivity to low-quality water. To prevent the surface from fading, the taps are rubbed with a special composition. Such products harmoniously support the Provence style and fit perfectly into classic interiors.

Brass Faucets

Mixers made of brass (an alloy of copper and zinc) somewhat resemble bronze products and are cheaper. Advantages of the material: resistance to corrosion and limescale, durability, high wear resistance. To enhance the strength of the product, the outside is coated with a layer of chromium. The disadvantage is the high price (compared with steel counterparts).

Manufacturers also offer separate models of mixers made of pure copper or silver. Such cranes can be attributed to the exclusive, distinguished by a high price. In production, special attention is paid to the decorative component. When buying a copper faucet, it is still necessary to take into account that after some period its surface is covered with a special coating - patina.

How to choose the right bathroom faucet with shower?

When purchasing plumbing, it is desirable to give preference to models that harmoniously combine design and functionality. Single-lever rotary models are easy to use, but they require preliminary purification of water from mechanical impurities. Double-lever cranes look pretty casual, but they work fine in hard water.

In small rooms where the washbasin is installed next to the bathroom, it is advisable to mount a faucet with a long spout, which will make it convenient to use any capacity.

For bathrooms, designed in the style of minimalism, hi-tech, it is better to select faucets of geometric shapes, trimmed with chrome. A cascading bathtub faucet with a waterfall effect blends seamlessly into a low-key environment.

The design of the classic style is exquisitely emphasized by two-valve mixers made of brass or bronze. Cranes covered with white ceramics look very stylish.

When buying a bath mixer with shower, it is advisable to purchase mounting parts from the same collection.

Rating of bathroom faucets

A lot of manufacturers make plumbing fixtures. As a rule, each company has a variety of budget models and exclusive ones.

Grohe is a German manufacturer associated with reliability and quality. All products are made from modern materials and have a 5 year quality guarantee. The company seeks to meet the needs of customers with different financial capabilities.

Оras - Finnish company directs maximum efforts to create high-tech devices. Plumbing equipment is able to: "remember" the temperature of the water, comfortable for residents; regulate the pressure of water, eliminate the possibility of skin burns.

Roca - a Spanish company produces luxury plumbing equipment. The latest development is a hybrid mixer operating in two modes (normal, electronically controlled).

In terms of the appearance of the faucet, it is difficult to judge its quality, so it is advisable to purchase bathroom equipment of well-known brands. The criteria for evaluating the merits of plumbing for each consumer are different and it would be wrong to give the palm to any one company.The best option is to get acquainted with the products of five or six well-known manufacturers, and only then make a choice.