How to choose a shower faucet
Choosing a good shower faucet is a rather difficult task and requires taking into account many factors. Naturally, it would be thoughtless to go and buy what comes to hand first. There are, of course, universal options. These include mixers that have three positions, but it would be better to understand the issue in more detail. This way you won’t get confused in all the variety of offers from manufacturers and choose the best option.
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Criteria for choosing shower mixers
It just so happens that faucets come complete with a shower stall. This is very convenient, as you don’t have to think about purchasing a device. But if the assembly will be carried out on your own or there is a need to replace the mixer, then you need to pay attention to the following:
- Installation method. This is a very important factor that directly affects the ease of use of the shower. In this case, the taste of a particular person is more important. The main thing is that the selected model matches its design with the installation elements of the rest of the system.
- Model. Here the main role is played by the buyer’s preferences and the thickness of his wallet.
- Functionality. Shower cabins that are sold nowadays have a huge list of different functions. There is a tropical shower, a cascade, a Charcot shower, and a massage. The problem is that each function is not supported by the cheapest equipment that needs to be additionally installed. As for the mixer, changes in it are reflected only by an additional outlet.
- Quality, material, manufacturer. All of the above parameters are strangely intertwined. Having purchased a product from a famous brand, we simultaneously receive a high-quality product made from good material.
Mixer materials
A very important parameter to consider when choosing a faucet is the material. Not only the duration of use, but also the appearance depends on it.
- Brass. This is a special alloy consisting of copper and zinc. This material is a leader in the plumbing market. It is elastic and quite durable. Excellent resistance to corrosion, temperature changes, and pressure. Parts made from this material are usually coated with a layer of chrome, copper or bronze, and enamel is applied somewhat less frequently. This coating makes the product more presentable.
- Stainless steel. Products made from this material have some of the best strength and wear resistance. True, many manufacturers make faucets almost identical in shape from this material. The excellent quality of the material has led to the filling of the market with various counterfeits of branded products.
- Bronze. Its characteristics are superior to products made of copper or brass, and the fact that bronze is a highly fluid material in a heated state makes it popular for smelting plumbing elements of a wide variety of shapes. Bronze is popular as a material for retro styles, as well as classic ones.
- Polymers. They are not so often used in the creation of plumbing products. This is usually the “sin” of Chinese manufacturers. Mixers based on this material are not expensive, but it is better not to buy them, since their service life is extremely short - no more than two to three years. No matter what the manufacturers say, the material is quite fragile, a device made from it quickly loses its original appearance. It is no longer possible to fix this.
Reference! Any of the listed materials is applicable not only in the manufacture of external elements, but is also used for internal parts. The most commonly used are brass and bronze.
Classification of mixers by functionality and design
The classification is based on the type of heating and water supply settings. There are three types of mixers:
- Mechanical type - the product is very simple. Given that the device cannot heat water, it requires both hot and cold water to function.
- Electric type - no hot water required. The device is capable of heating itself.
- Thermostatic type is controlled electronically. The device can be programmed to maintain a certain water temperature.
Mixer modes
Having a general purpose, mixers are available in a variety of types. When buying this or that product, you need to understand what the difference is, as well as which option is best suited for a particular type of cabin. If you buy a mixer with different modes, you should pay attention to the fact that everything depends on the capabilities of the shower. Also, think about which features will be used and which ones you don’t use at all.
Mixers are available in a variety of modifications. They exist with one position and up to five, and even more.It is logical that the price of the product depends on the number of modes:
- The simplest product in design is a mixer with one or two positions. These are installed exclusively in the cheapest cabins. If there is only one position, then it is possible to turn on a hand shower or an overhead shower. Dual mode allows you to simultaneously turn on the water in the hand shower and in the shower installed on the ceiling. The only thing a faucet like this can offer is good cleaning and nothing more. They are often used in country showers to cool off in the summer heat.
- Models with three positions are more common than others. In this case, it is possible to supply water to a hand shower, as well as to an overhead or tropical shower option. In addition, it is possible to use the hydromassage function. Water is supplied to nozzles located approximately opposite the lower back. This model is often purchased because it has good functionality at a relatively low price.
- Four-position faucets are similar to those with three positions, but add the ability to massage the feet. A good option to relax after work.
- If the device has five positions, then there is a large range of functions. But such models are not as popular, unlike simpler ones, since they are not very cheap.
Shower faucets operate on slightly different principles than faucets found in bathtubs or kitchen sinks. The main thing here is to make the right choice. It is better to take something that is created by a well-known manufacturer, which means it is of good quality. If you know exactly which functions you will never use, then there is no need to overpay for them.
Shower faucets with additional features
Once upon a time, faucets performed only one task, but they have long since outgrown this. In addition to the main function, they have acquired many additional “chips”.
The following models can be found in stores:
- With built-in heater. Internal thermostat allows you to heat water.
- Saving water consumption. This is usually the case with devices with one lever. They put a limiter on them. If the lever is raised above a certain angle, which allows for the flow of more than five liters of water per minute, some resistance occurs. If you need to increase the water pressure, you need to increase the angle of the lever.
- With temperature limiter. Such devices also have a thermostat, but its operating principle is somewhat different. It can limit the minimum or maximum temperature.
- With aerator. Allows air bubbles to be supplied along with water.
- With bottom valve. The faucet has a special lever that opens the drain plug.
- With water filter. Allows you to retain various impurities and large particles.
Popular manufacturers
Which mixer is better? A good question that is difficult to give a specific answer. Naturally, the product must be from a manufacturer whose products have stood the test of time. Most users prefer the following brands: Teka, Wasser Kraft, Oute, Hansa, Gessi, Ravak, Ganzer, Cezares, Zegor, Orange, Vitra, Calorie, Granfest, Timo, Florentina.
Equipment from many manufacturers in Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, Russia, Turkey and China is successfully used by many people. Experience has shown that these companies produce good equipment that is not afraid of hard water, resists rust and is characterized by long-term operation.Most manufacturers provide up to two years of warranty on their products.
