Basin Taps Buying Guide
Buying a new basin tap can add a stylish upgrade to your bathroom without having to change the larger items. With innovative designs and features that help keep your basin clean are perfect for those busy bathrooms. There are plenty of styles to choose from, so you’ll have no problem choosing the perfect design to compliment your bathroom. Our buying guide will tell you everything you need to know when choosing your basin tap.
Choosing the Right Spout
The key is to choose a tap with the right size spout for your basin to make your life as easy as possible. You need to think about the depth of your basin. Will you have enough space to wash your hands? Are there any shelves above the basin that will prevent you from leaning over? How far from the edge of your basin is the spout?
A shorter spout will work well for smaller basins and you may require a spout that extends no further than the plug hole. A tall spout is ideal if you require plenty of basin space to shave or wash your hands, whereas low spouts are great for small, tight spaces like a cloakroom toilet.
Types of Taps
There are a limitless amount of options depending on your style of basin. Here is some information on the different styles of taps to help you understand how they can benefit you.
Pillar Taps
You’re sure to find the right pillar tap to suit your basin with the range of pillars to choose from. Nearly all pillar taps come as a pair, so you’ll need two separate holes for the tap, one for hot water and one for cold water. Pillar taps are a great match for both contemporary and traditional bathrooms as you can choose between a sleek lever or classic cross handles.
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Wall Mounted Taps
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Basin Mixer Taps
Good water pressure and one tap hole are the main features that basin mixer taps require. This tap combines your hot and cold water to flow through one spout, allowing you to control the temperature of the water with your lever to achieve that perfect temperature. Your mixer tap can be used by a single lever handle, or two handles on either side of the spout. There are different water pressures required for your mixer tap to function depending on the tap. This can be found in the specification section on our product pages.
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Choosing the Perfect Finish
Chrome finishes are the most popular choice for basin taps because they suit a wide range of basins and most bathroom styles. Once you have chosen your chrome finish tap, it will be easy for you to choose a basin for a completed look in your bathroom.
Gold-effect finishes are ideal for a period-style feel in your home. This is because it is intended to recreate the traditional look of brass, but has been modernised with a shine finish.
How to install your taps
We recommend that a professional plumber installs your new taps, however, all of our taps arrive with instructions on how to install them. So, if you feel like doing a bit of DIY, enjoy our instruction manual for an easy set up.
If you’re looking for more advice, check out our tips and tricks on how to install your pillar, wall mounted and mixer taps.
FAQ's
Which are the best basin taps?
The Mixer Taps tend to be the most popular choice as many basins are manufactured to have one tap hole. Some people enjoy being able to control the temperature of the water with one lever. However, it is purely down to personal preference, and the style of bathroom you have chosen.
Are basin taps a standard size?
The size of taps does not refer to how big the taps are themselves, but the way the tap fits onto the pipes. Most UK taps are a standard size and you should be able to swap your old taps for your new ones, unless you have fixtures that have been imported, or have really old pipe fittings.
Do all taps fit all basins?
You need to take into consideration what type of tap will best suit your basin, as not all taps fit all basins. For example, if you have a small basin with a tall mixer tap, when you run the water it will splash everywhere.
Is it easy to change basin taps?
Swapping your old basin tap for your new one can be a simple task if you read the instruction manual and follow the steps. Of course, when water is involved things can take a wrong turn. Read our help and advice guide on how to install pillar, wall mounted and basin taps.