Bathroom Taps Buying Guide: Find the Right Fit for Your Sink, Bath, or Basin

Emerging bathroom trends show that the standard two handled faucets for hot and cold water is becoming a thing of the past. As styles evolve, a modern and well-designed bathroom can feel off-balance if it still features outdated taps. You might still appreciate these traditional faucets, but unless you're aiming for a vintage or classic bathroom style, they’re no longer the ideal choice.

So, how can you ensure the bathroom taps you select are the right fit for both your functional needs and visual appeal? In this bathroom taps buying guide we will discuss everything related to taps helping you understand how to choose the bathroom taps in the UK.  

How To Choose a Bathroom Tap

Buying a bathroom tap involves consideration of various factors that we have discussed here. Follow this step by step process to narrow down your choices and make perfect choices.

Understand Your Water Pressure

Water pressure is simply a measurement of how quickly the water flows through the taps. Bathroom taps in the UK are designed for either low or high-pressure systems. If water pressure is inadequate, it will take longer to fill up your sink or a bath, especially if you have a bathroom upstairs. Therefore, it is a crucial aspect to consider when buying a bathroom tap. 

Low Pressure: is typically common in older homes with a cold water tank for storage in the loft and a hot water cylinder. You will need a bathroom tap that is suitable for low pressure (0.2 bar or less).

High Pressure: on the other hand, is a common thing with combi boilers. There are a variety of tap options available that support 1.0 bar pressure or above. In case of any confusion, it is always a good idea to consult a plumber as installing a tap is not designed for the pressure in your bathroom will result in poor flow. 

Identify the Number of Tap Holes in Your Basin/Bath

Whether you are installing a basin tap or a bath tap, it is important to know the number of holes in your basin or bath. To determine, you must look for pre-drilled holes on the fixture. This will help you choose the right fit.

1. One Tap Hole:

For the single tap hole, your choice can be a monobloc mixer tap or a single lever tap. The monobloc mixer taps combine hot and cold water that flows out through a single spout. A single lever tap that uses a lever for the control of water flow.

2. Two Tap Hole:

In case there are two tap holes, you will have to install a pillar tap (separate hot and cold water taps). Some mixer taps are also designed to fit into two holes.

3. No Hole:  

If there are no holes, then your basin or bath is designed to work with wall mounted or freestanding taps. These often offer flexibility, allowing you to choose the spot or position ( for installation) according to your preference, provided the pipework can be concealed in the wall. 

 Choose the Tap Type

Basin taps and bath taps in the UK are available in various designs. Here we have discussed a few important bathroom taps 

Pillar Basin Taps: Characterized by their crosshead design, pillar taps are traditional style bathroom faucets that have separate hot and cold spouts. They are a classic option that is a preferred choice for standard bathrooms or where you want a user-friendly tap especially suitable for usage by children and the elderly. 

Monobloc Mixers:  Designed for a single tap hole basins or a countertop on the vanity units, these mixers have a sleek and minimalistic appearance. Modern monobloc mixer taps come in a variety of designs, such as open spout taps and waterfall taps. These single lever single spot taps are also available in small sizes suitable for smaller basins or smaller bathroom/cloakrooms. 

High Rise Basin Taps: Use of tall basin taps is becoming a trend in the UK. High-rise mixers are usually recommended to be used with a countertop where a higher spout is required. 

Wall-Mounted Basin Mixers:  The minimalist and modern basin mixer taps are mounted on the wall just above the basin. It may require alteration to the plumbing system to create a connection just above the basin if not already planned for it.

Cloakroom Taps

Cloakroom taps are not different from other basin or bath faucets, but they are smaller. These are suitable for a smaller basin with a similar projection as a standard basin. Royal Bathrooms range of cloakroom taps is the perfect choice for contemporary and traditional style cloakrooms.

Bath Taps 

Pillar Bath Taps: Pillar taps are similar to the already discussed basin pillar taps. These are two separate taps, each for either hot or cold water. There is no mixing of water to create a balanced temperature. 

Bath Filler: Mixing the hot and cold water is the main function of these taps. You usually have a single spout and a single lever to control the water mix and attain the required water temperature before it flows through the bathtub.  

Bath Shower Mixer: Sometimes you simply want something more than just a mixer bath tap. A showerhead attached to a bath filler offers a much better shower experience. You can simply choose a shower head for many simple tasks like washing hands or washing the pets or children. These shower mixers are available in many styles, such as deck-mounted and wall-mounted taps. 

Freestanding Bath Mixer: If you have a freestanding bathtub, then you will need a bath mixer that stands on the floor independently to provide water where it is intended.

Consider Style and Finish:

Think about your bathroom style. Is it traditional, modern, or minimalist? Your bathroom theme will help you choose the perfect match for the tap. Making a choice according to the type of aesthetic you want to create will further enhance the look of the space. 

Similarly, the finish of the bathroom taps has an impact on both aesthetics and durability. Most popular finishes include chrome, gold, brass, and black. 

Black Bathroom Taps 

Black is a trending colour. Its contrast with a white basin and a bathtub creates a high-end look. When installed at the right position, a black tap immediately attracts attention. That’s why many interior design experts consider the black taps a statement piece. You choose from a variety of styles available in both basin mixer taps and bath mixer taps.

Chrome Bathroom Taps

Chrome is inevitably one of the most popular bathroom tap finishes in the UK. They are considered to be more durable than painted taps. Additionally, the shiny finish reflects light throughout the bathroom, making even a small bathroom space larger and brighter. Other advantages include easy cleaning and resistance to corrosion, making it a perfect choice for busy bathrooms.

Gold Bathroom Taps

Gold taps are an emerging trend. They pair perfectly well with both light and dark tones.  Gold finishes are often a preferred choice to create a luxurious and high-end look. Their shiny surface reflects light beautifully, enhancing the overall look of the space. You can use them as a perfect focal point in the bathroom. 

Brass Bathroom Taps

Brass finish is timeless and often preferred in vintage inspired, traditional, and rustic bathrooms. Unlike other materials, brass is exceptionally durable and can withstand the rigors of daily use. The warm, golden tone gives your space a luxurious look and feel. The brushed brass works well when paired with natural materials such as wood or stone.

Valve Mechanisms 

The internal valve plays a crucial role in the performance of the tap. Therefore, you should consider it when selecting a bathroom tap. Most modern taps use a hard ceramic disc inside that controls water flow. These are highly durable, offering smooth handle movements and preventing drips.

On the other hand, traditional washer valves are the rubber washers that compress to stop the water flow. Technically, these are less reliable and may wear out quickly in comparison to ceramic disc valves. So, when buying a bathroom tap, you should look at the details of the working mechanism and prefer the one with ceramic disc technology. When selecting bathroom taps, the type of internal valve is a vital factor that affects performance and maintenance.

Water Efficiency

Environment-friendly bathrooms start with water-saving taps.  Always look for WRAS-approved taps that comply with the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme. While it is not legally required, it ensures the taps do not contaminate the water supply. In an eco eco-conscious household, you can consider aerated taps that mix air with water to maintain a strong flow while using less water overall. That means you will be able to conserve water without compromising on your bathroom experience. 

Budget 

Quality comes with a price, but you should not overspend your budget on those bathroom taps. Setting a reasonable budget aside will help you determine which bathroom taps you can buy.

Please Note: Price does not include bathroom tap installation costs. Brand, finish, material, and features are the important factors that have an impact on bathroom taps. 

Ending Thoughts

In this bathroom taps buying guide we have discussed all the details you may need to know when buying a tap. Remember, making the right choice is all about choosing the right size, style, and tap material within the budget. Most bathroom taps come with a lifetime warranty that will offer peace of mind knowing your investment is secure in case something goes wrong with your new basin or sink.