With the question of how to choose a faucet, any person who has a pipe with hot and cold water in the kitchen or in the bathroom faces. Cast iron valves with rubber valves are a thing of the past, for the correct choice of modern plumbing you need to have basic information about the design features of household appliances of all kinds.
Types of mixers
Leading firms produce plumbing from brass and stainless steel, choosing for finishing china, nickel, even precious metals. You can easily find mixers in the classical style, modern, interesting waterproof fittings of the most incredible fantastic kind, but you can not rely solely on design when choosing sanitary ware. Experienced masters all types of faucets for sinks are classified according to technical parameters and the principle of mixing water.
Single lever mixer
Considering different options, how to choose a mixer, people stop their choice on single-lever products. They are equipped with replaceable cartridges, made of ceramic or metal-ceramic parts, which serve as a sealant and a liquid pressure distributor. The single-lever mixer device is simple and reliable, but to improve durability it is better to equip your water supply system with reliable filters against sand, rust and dirt. For hard water, it is recommended to select mixers with large cartridges.
Two-valve mixers
If in the question of how to choose a mixer, young people prefer modern novelties, then the older generation traditionally chooses products of the usual design with two separate handles. The advantage of these devices is the simplest design, cheapness, easily replaced parts, the plumbing fits perfectly into the retro style. In a dispute, which mixers are now considered the best, two-valve cranes lose to their competitors. Crane-axleboxes wear out more quickly in hot water or a liquid with impurities, you can not make quick adjustments without using both hands.
Thermostatic Mixer
If you are interested in the question of how to choose the best shower faucet, then be sure to consider buying a device with a thermostat . It costs more than the usual analogues, but in the end you get incredible comfort and safety. Thermostatic mixer on the principle of operation resembles a car thermostat, which can accurately maintain the temperature of the liquid at the outlet. Old models came with the usual levers, but now the choice is wider, many new devices with electronic control and touch buttons.
The thermoelement reacts to the temperature of the medium and instantly changes the ratio of the flowing and incoming liquid. When the cold water flow stops abruptly, the thermostat completely closes the mixer. With a gradual decrease in pressure, the device tries to maintain the temperature in accordance with the specified mode. Choosing this mixer, you protect yourself and loved ones from the threat of a sudden burn.
Non-contact faucet
Secured people can solve the problem of choosing sanitary engineering, by purchasing modern faucets of contactless type for washbasins. To operate these devices is extremely convenient, the user once adjusts the head and temperature, and no longer does he need to turn the crane levers. The liquid itself begins to pour when the hands of a person hit the optical sensor, and it turns off if they are removed from the tap. In addition to comfort, owners receive substantial water savings and do not get dirty fingers dirty expensive plumbing.
Which mixer is best for the kitchen?
If you are seriously worried about the problem, which mixer for the kitchen is better to choose, then you need to make a list of all the advantages and disadvantages for each type of crane, compare the prices of the devices, consider the quality and type of their fastening to the wall or plumbing fixture. Be sure to pay attention to the convenience of operation, as is the spout in relation to the bowl.
How to choose a faucet in the kitchen:
- for any kitchen sink you need to purchase a mixer with a swivel spout,
- it is desirable to have a nozzle spout closer to the center of the bowl,
- New models with a flexible pull-out spout in the form of a shower head allow filling a volumetric tank without installing it inside the sink,
- Two-lever mixers made of bronze and copper can be chosen for classic cuisine,
- single-lever mixers and non-contact chrome devices are easier to fit into a modern interior,
- rounded spout looks better near a round bowl,
- For a square washbasin, purchase a tap with a L-shaped spout.
How to choose a bathroom faucet?
Solving the problem, which mixer to buy for the bathroom, have to deal with two types of devices - a faucet for the washstand and a shower or bathtub faucet. These plumbing fixtures are different in purpose and shape, require different types of fastening and connection, so they are often equipped with mixers of an apparently completely different design.
Which mixer to buy for a bath?
New bathroom is easier to complete, but when repairing you have to adapt to the realities, not every kind of mixer can be attached to old plumbing. Be sure to study the type of water supply, select the model of the crane taking into account the size and design of the room. Sometimes an expensive device of complex design does not look in the interior and creates difficulties in operation.
How to choose the right bathroom faucet:
- For the bathroom, you must buy a mixer with a pull-out flexible shower.
- Wall mixers are cheaper than built-in samples and are easier to install.
- Built-in sanitary ware look aesthetically pleasing, the kind of communications does not spoil the interior.
- In acrylic bathrooms it is easy to drill the installation holes, installing the mixer directly on the board, saving the owner of the apartment from damage to expensive tiles.
- In a small room you can use a common rotary mixer with a long spout for a nearby washbasin and bath.
- Rotary switch shower-spout is more reliable and comfortable cork devices.
- For bathing children it is convenient to use a thermostatic mixer with a fine temperature control.
How to choose a basin mixer?
Understanding the solution of the problem of how to choose the right mixer for the washbasin , it is necessary to take into account many nuances. You will have to study the dimensions of the shell, its depth and width, so as not to splash the floor during hygiene procedures. The washbasin mixer differs from the dishwasher by one important piece - the height of the spout. For this room comes a faucet with a small spout, so that it does not interfere with brushing your teeth or washing. If you need to fill a volumetric basin, you can do it directly in the bathroom or use a shower hose.
What material is the best mixer?
Just note that the mixer of silumin is extremely unreliable. With increasing pressure or during installation, they often crack, the lifetime of this crane rarely exceeds a couple of years. Consider them for purchase in the bathroom or the kitchen - the worst option. To make a rating, which mixers are now considered to be the best, you need to use devices from quality alloys.
From what it is better to buy mixers:
- Bronze and brass faucets - the most durable, are not afraid of mineral deposits. Shells of these metals are often nickel plated or chromed, giving them a modern look.
- Cranes made of stainless steel - cheaper than previous devices, practical, look modern, but inferior in durability.
- Ceramic mixers - stylish and beautiful, always stand out with original design. The disadvantages of ceramic devices - expensive and fragile, require careful attitude.
Which mixer should I choose?
Often we buy a beautiful device that serves less than a year, darkens, splits and falls apart. Having set a goal to acquire a durable and high-quality crane, you need to determine in advance for yourself which company to choose a mixer in the store. Well-known companies value their reputation, give a guarantee for the goods and produce a minimum amount of marriage.
Rating of manufacturers of faucets for the house:
- Grohe (Germany) - the widest range of models of different classes, chic design, quality control according to the EU standard at all stages of production.
- Hansgrohe Group (Germany-USA) - experience in the market for more than 100 years, production of mixers of any type of installation, wide price variety, 5-year warranty for devices and 3-year warranty for component parts.
- Gustavsberg (Sweden) - this company first began to apply color solutions in the production of sanitary ware for the house, in its design the Scandinavian simplicity is perfectly combined with high aesthetics.
- Wasser KRAFT (Germany) - elegant and stylish look of mixers of any model, smooth operation of the swing arm, reliability and durability, quality guarantee 5 years.
- Jacob Delafon (France) - beautiful design, handles are always convenient configuration, French mixers perfectly decorate the interior of the kitchen and bathroom, have a guarantee for a coating of stainless steel for 25 years.
- Oras (Finland) - mixers made of high-quality durable brass without the slightest admixture, all quality and environmental certificates meet the standards, the company is among the leaders in strength and durability of sanitary ware.