If you are looking to redesign your kitchen or just upscale certain features, fixtures and fittings, including your kitchen taps, are a good place to start. Whether you have a traditional or modern kitchen, here at KitchenSolution.co.uk we have all the top UK suppliers ready for you to look at.
The range of kitchen taps in both modern and traditional styles is almost endless these days, and then once the style is chosen, then comes the colour! Most kitchen taps are made from brass, which is then enamelled or metal plated with gloss or a matt finish. At the more expensive end of the scale, some kitchen taps are made from solid stainless steel, which tend to be more hard wearing and in turn, last longer.
Design styles
A kitchen tap should be chosen for its perfect balance of design and function. It should enhance the work area and be effortless to use, even with greasy hands. Swivel spouts are preferential to fixed spouts. They can be moved out of the way when necessary and reach between the two bowls of a double sink.
For an architectural open-plan space, choose a single-lever mixer with refined lines to echo the purity of the room. For a traditional kitchen select a two-handle mixer. Keen cooks will appreciate pull-out rinsing sprays and mousseurs – both make light work of rinsing out pots.
Single-lever taps
Single-lever mixer taps enable you to control the water flow and temperature with one hand. Ceramic discs in the tap cartridge allow fingertip control of the water mix, leaving your other hand free to use the rinsing spray. Levers can either be mounted on the top or at the side of the tap body.
Two-handle taps
The classic styling of a two-handle taps allows them to adapt to any kitchen environment. Mounted in a single hole in the sink or the worktop, they feature individual levers or handles to control the hot and cold water supplies.
tap finishes
Stainless steel and chrome taps complement all style of kitchens. Sparkling chrome will add a highlight to the kitchen area and enhances the look of composite work surfaces and sinks. Stainless steel, a material known for its anti-bacterial qualities, gives a professional look.
What should I look for?
Look out for a solid metal tap body with ceramic discs in the cartridge for smooth easy-to-use actuation. A quality tap will last a lifetime so select a design with timeless appeal.
It is false economy to buy a cheap tap, as you will only have to replace it a few years time. If your budget is tight, try and save money elsewhere in the kitchen.
Choose a tap that comes with a guarantee – this shows that the manufacturer is confident that its products will deliver for years to come.
Before purchase, check that your water pressure is compatible with your choice of tap. For optimal performance, many taps require a minimum flow pressure of 1.0bar.