In most apartments, the main consumer of water is the kitchen, because something is constantly being washed here: hands, vegetables and fruits, dishes and all kinds of utensils. On average, the faucet is opened and closed about 100 times a day, so it is obvious that it must be strong, reliable, durable, able to cope with such a load, and at the same time be combined with a sink in the kitchen and with the interior of the room.
There are many factors to consider when choosing tapware for your kitchen, and our tips will help you make the right purchase.
1. Which Mixer Design Should You Choose?
Today, all mixers, no matter how different they may be in appearance, can be divided into three main types, depending on their design:
- Two – valve, the classic version with two taps for supplying hot and cold water;
- Single-lever, when using one lever you can adjust both the water pressure and the temperature;
- Non-contact ones do not require direct contact, since they turn on only when hands are raised.
Single-lever mixers are considered the most popular today, because they are really convenient to use, and you can adjust the pressure and temperature of the water with just one little finger. With such a mixer, it will not take time to adjust the desired temperature, which means you will also save water. If necessary, you can stop the water supply instantly, simply by lowering the mixer, and not turning the taps.
Two-valve mixers today are much inferior to single-lever mixers in terms of convenience. They are usually used either by conservatives who are accustomed to such a device, or by those whose kitchen is made in a classic style, and a single-lever mixer simply will not fit into the overall interior.
Touchless or sensor tapware are the most convenient and economical option, but due to their price, they are not the most common in domestic kitchens. Water from such a mixer pours only when there is an object or a person’s hands in front of it. If you remove the object, the water will immediately stop pouring.
2. What Material to Choose the Mixer From?
Today on sale you can find mixers made of materials such as:
metals and alloys, incl. steel, nickel, bronze, brass;
- Ceramics;
- Granite;
- Plastic.
Tapware made of bronze or brass are considered the most durable – they are not affected by water, and they look expensive and luxurious.
Steel tapware are also a great material, as balanced as possible in terms of price and appearance.
To make it easier to care for the mixer, it is recommended to choose a chrome-plated surface type, rather than a shiny one: dried drops will not be so visible, and such mixers look more expensive.
3. Spout Size and Shape: Which One to Choose?
The outflow of the mixer is an important parameter for the kitchen, since the convenience of using the sink for washing dishes, vegetables, etc. directly depends on it. Here, the approach is fundamentally different from choosing a bathroom tapware.
It is important that the water jet is directed directly into the center of the sink, preventing splashing.
4. Side or Top Lever: Which Is More Convenient?
In this case, we are talking exclusively about single-lever models, in which the control lever can be located on the side or above the mixer. In principle, the location depends on the height of the spout. In most cases, a mixer with a high spout is complemented by a lever on the side, and with a low spout at the top. In terms of convenience, they are exactly the same, but still a lot depends on personal preference.
5. Where Should the Mixer Be Mounted?
Before choosing a mixer, do not forget to pay attention to the features of its attachment. So, it can be installed:
- On the kitchen countertop, and then a hole of a certain diameter is cut in it;
- On the wall;
- On the sink itself, if a hole is provided there.
Each mixer is adapted to a certain type of attachment, so this important parameter must be taken into account. If all the elements of the future kitchen are selected at once, then the task is simplified.
