How to choose a faucet for bathroom, kitchen, shower and sink

Not only cold, but also hot water supply is the undoubted advantage of living in urban environments. However, the quality standards are such that in pure form hot water has a very high temperature, and in order to cool it and mix it with a portion of cold water, a mixer is used - a special device that allows to precisely meter water and regulate pressure and temperature. Modern faucets are multifunctional devices characterized by high quality and aesthetic appearance, and all that the customer needs is to find the optimal model.

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1. Top Mixer Manufacturers
2. Types of faucets
3. Mixer selection options
4. Which mixer to choose
5. How much is a mixer

The best manufacturers of mixers. Which company to choose?

Like any other type of sanitary equipment, mixers are produced by a great number of manufacturers, starting with inexpensive Chinese models and ending with high-quality products of famous European manufacturers. When choosing a bathroom or kitchen faucet, preference should be given to products of those manufacturers whose name is on the hearing:

1. Jacob Delafon

2. Lemark

3. Hans grohe

4. WasserKRAFT

Types of faucets

Single Capture Mixers

The most simple to use devices that allow you to accurately measure the water pressure and its temperature. The controlling element is a knob, by rotating it left and right, the temperature of the supplied water is regulated, and pressing up or down increases or vice versa, reduces jet power.

Virtues

• Ease of use and installation;

• A huge variety of models and design solutions;

• It is possible to change the power of a pressure, without changing at the same time temperature;

• Sensitive adjustment of the temperature of the water supplied;

disadvantages

• Demanding on water quality - may require the installation of a cleaning system;

Valve mixers

Classical models, in which the temperature and the power of the head are regulated by means of two valves, for hot and cold water, respectively. The simplest valve mixers have a traditional design with a silicone or rubber washer, more advanced are equipped with special ceramic plates with slots through which water is supplied. The latter are good because the installation in extreme positions does not require a large number of revolutions of the valve.

Virtues

• Convenient, reliable and durable;

• Unpretentious in operation and work without problems even with water of dubious quality;

• A large variety of styles of performance and aesthetic appearance;

disadvantages

• The need for regular maintenance, replacement of rubber gaskets and ceramic washers;

• Modern models are quite expensive;

Thermostatic faucets

Devices, the key "chip" which is to maintain the desired water temperature in all conditions.When the water flow rate changes, such devices automatically adjust the pressure of the second flow in order to compensate for the temperature change. Due to their design features, there are two different types: classical, mechanical and more advanced, electronically controlled. Another feature of this class of devices is the ability to set the minimum and maximum water temperature - regardless of the specific settings, burn or fall under the ice jet will not work.

Virtues

• Constant water temperature;

• Spectacular appearance;

• Reliable and unpretentious;

• Safe to use;

• Very economical;

disadvantages

• The ability to work only when there is hot and cold water;

• High price;

Touch Control Faucets

The most modern and advanced devices. As such, there are no controls in them - the water supply is carried out by raising a hand to a special infrared sensor that is powered by batteries. Water temperature adjustment is carried out by a compact mechanism mounted on the side panel of the device.

Virtues

• Compact, stylish and easy to use;

• High water saving;

• Do not have mechanical elements that can fail;

disadvantages

• High price;

• Not quite suitable for conditions in which constant adjustment of water temperature is necessary;

Mixer selection options

In order to choose the right mixer, which will provide maximum functionality and will serve faithfully for more than one year, it is necessary to pay attention to many different characteristics.

The method of installation of the mixer for the sink

A parameter that has a huge impact on the possibility of operation in a particular room. So, the best for the kitchen faucet, which is mounted directly in the sink, and the water supply is carried out using flexible corrugated hoses. Conversely, when it comes to the bathroom faucet, many prefer faucets mounted directly on the wall and equipped with a shower head;

Liner method

As noted above, all mixers can be divided into two conditional categories. The first is a hard eyeliner: it is used for wall mounting of the mixer. The second type is a flexible connection with the use of flexible metal hoses or a corrugated pipe. It is used in hard-to-reach places and in places where it is impossible to bend a thick metal water pipe.

Valve Type

Regardless of the design of the mixer, installed shut-off valves can be assigned to several types. Classic rubber and leather valves are used in two-valve mixers, and multi-plate ceramic check valves can also be found there. The mechanism, presented as a cartridge, is used in one-stop mixers, as well as in modern sensory and thermostatic devices. It can be based on both traditional ball and innovative ceramic locking element, which has a much lower noise level.

Coating type

Nowadays you can find mixers made of stainless steel and non-ferrous metals - copper, brass, chrome. Powder metal devices - silumin are also widely used. Chroming or gilding is widely used as a decorative coating, and recently coatings that imitate natural stone, marble, and other similar materials have become popular.

Which mixer to choose

1. For the kitchen sink, the classic one-capture mixer will probably be the best option. Manage them - easy, you can even turn on the water with your elbow.The height and removal of the “spout” entirely depend on the size and depth of the installed sink - it is more convenient to operate low models, up to 15 centimeters in height, with small sinks, while 30 cm mixers work better with more capacious sinks;

2. Fans of innovative technology will surely like thermostatic mixers, as well as devices with touch controls. It is best to install them above the sink in the bathroom, this is where they fully reveal their functionality;

3. When choosing a bathroom faucet, it is best to give preference to two-valve models equipped with a shower head. The removal of the “spout” of such a mixer depends on the dimensions of the installed bath;

4. If tap water will be used not only for household needs, but also for drinking, a mixer that allows the installation of a filter should be preferred.

How much does a mixer cost?

1. The cost of modern single-jug mixers with a ceramic cartridge currently fluctuates at the level of 5-7 thousand rubles;

2. High-quality double-lever mixers with a ceramic cartridge and a shower head cost a little more, about 10-15 thousand rubles;

3. Advanced models equipped with an aerator, a built-in filter and many other useful functions, the main control of which is a joystick, are distinguished by a relatively high price - about 18-20 thousand rubles;

In the following articles, our experts tell how to choose a towel warmersecrets shell selection for bathroom, features tile selection for toilet and bath and main criteria choosing a quality bath.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.