Bathroom Taps and Accessories

The world of sink taps is continually changing, presenting newer shapes, styles, colours, and accessories.

Popular finishes include brushed chrome, polished chrome, nickel, polished or antiqued brass, soft pewter, elegant gold plate, and jazzy enamelled epoxy. For durability and low maintenance, polished chrome with a high nickel content is still the best available choice. You can choose wonderful faucets in bold modern or antique styling, coordinate with tub fittings, or pick the same handles for all fixtures in the room.

Nowadays, you can buy taps/ faucets with digital temperature read-outs, scald-proof models, and spouts that stop the flow when your hand is removed.

Sink taps are available with single, centre-set, or spread-fit controls. A single-control fitting has a combined faucet and lever/knob that controls the water flow and temperature. A centre-set control has separate hot and cold water controls and a faucet, all mounted on a base or escutcheon. A spread-fit control also has different hot and cold water controls and an independently mounted faucet. A few companies sell pop-up or plug stoppers along with the faucet and water controls.

When making the final decision, ask yourself two questions:

• How well would you be able to work the controls with soaped-up hands?
• How easy would it be to clean or maintain the installation?

Whatever style you choose, most bathroom professionals concur that you get what you pay for. Solid-brass workings, though pricey, are considered the most durable. Ceramic-disk and plastic-disk valve designs are usually easier to maintain than older washer schemes.

While most taps are sink-mounted, other installations require either wall-mounted or deck-mounted fittings. When you select your sink, ensure that any holes in it will match the type of faucet you plan to buy, as well as any additional accessories.

Bathroom Accessories

The presence of accessories in the bathroom contributes significantly to the overall designl; hence, they should not be taken lightly. Whatever type of accessory you consider, it is important for it to be able to withstand the humidity of the room. Ideally, these accessories should complement the bathroom décor and fit naturally into the scheme without overwhelming the room. Before choosing accessories, determine who will be using the bathroom the most. For example, it wouldn’t be a good idea to have fragile items in a child’s bathroom. In all cases, the bathroom must be safe and practical. While playing a decorative role, the first purpose accessories have is to respond to a specific need. This is the case for such items as the toothbrush holder, the soap holder, the wastebasket, the shower curtain, bath towels, etc.

Next >> Lighting

1. Introduction
2. Decoration Trends
3. Getting Started – Planning
4. Professional Help
5. The Focal Point of Bathrooms: Showers and Bathtubs
6. Bathtubs
7. Whirlpools and Saunas
8. Flooring
9. Decorating the Bathroom
10. Bathroom Taps and Accessories
11. Lighting
12. Heating & Ventilation
    

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