BC Bathroom Faucets

Archive for the ‘Finishes and Types’ Category

Bathroom faucets are classified by the type of valve that controls the water flow when you turn the faucet on and off.

There are four main types of faucets in use:

* Compression valves use a rubber washer at the base of the valve that compresses against a valve seat to shut off the water flow. They’re prone to leaking because the rubber grinds against the valve seat as it is compressed, causing the rubber to wear and eventually not seal completely.
* Ball valves use a plastic or metal ball that rotates in place to seal the valve and stop the flow of water. They are designed to be nearly maintenance free, but plastic ball valves will eventually wear out and need to be replaced.
* Cartridge valves contain all the moving parts of the valve within a cartridge that that holds rubber o-rings. A cartridge valve faucet is very reliable, and if something does go wring, repairing it is a matter of replacing the cartridge.
* Ceramic disk faucets are the fourth type of faucet. Unlike the other faucet valve types, each of which use rubber washers or o-rings to seal the valve when it is closed, ceramic disk faucets use two ceramic disks that are polished to perfect flatness as a seal.

Ceramic disk bathroom faucets are generally considered to be the most desirable option when choosing a bathroom faucet, though they are also the most expensive. They are found in most mid-range to high-end faucets and are chosen because they are virtually maintenance free. The most common cause of a leaky ceramic disk faucet is dirt or grit around the moving parts, and is easily repaired by removing the disk cartridge and cleaning around it.

The ceramic disk faucet was patented in the early 1970s by Wolvering Brass. Originally used in high end European faucet models, they’ve become the standard for use and are now available from American Standard, Kohler, Price Pfister and many other American bathroom faucet manufacturers. A ceramic disk bathroom faucet is designed to last a lifetime, and the price reflects that – most ceramic faucets are in the mid to upper price ranges, starting at about $200. If the ceramic disks should become scored so that the seal is no longer watertight, the entire ceramic disk cartridge must be replaced for a cost of $20-$30.

If you have to replace your tub’s faucet, why not use the opportunity to do a little redecorating?

You could even shop for a new sink faucet at the same time to keep the style in your restroom flawlessly beautiful. Hey, even if nothing is broken and you are just looking for a change in the look and feel of your bathroom, the faucets can make a huge difference.

There are three different types of bath faucets, which are –

1. Free Standing
2. Wall Mounted
3. Deck Mounted

Free standing faucets are mounted to the floor, and all of the piping is exposed. This can give your restroom an old-fashioned, country feel. The wall and deck mounted faucets are mounted in a way that only the faucet itself is exposed. This seems to be more popular among designers and homeowners, especially parents who don’t want their children around the piping.

Once you choose which type of faucet you like the best, it is time to shop for style. You can shop for a new bath faucet, shower unit, and sink faucet at the same time. This will keep everything matched, decorative, and streamline styling.

There is such a large variety of decorative styles to choose from, you will certainly find something (and maybe more) that suits your taste. You could go for something elegant, or trendy, or modern, or industrial, or very unique. You could even find something that shows off your love for a certain animal or thing!

The varieties of decorative, stylish faucets for your tub are practically endless. Enjoy shopping for your favorite, and enjoy your restroom after with a soothing bath. Light some candles, add some bubbles, read your favorite book, and get comfortable. Relax with your newly decorated restroom and show off to your friends and family!

For many buyers, a faucet decision primarily rests on how it will fit in with the rest of the bathroom decor.

Normally, the faucet matches the handles in terms of make and model for a professional look. However, if the exact model is no longer available, the next best choice is a metal that matches the existing handles or faucet(s). Therefore, if the handles are brass, chances are the best aesthetic choice would be a brass faucet as well.

Regarding appearance, brass is a bright gold, chrome is bright silver, and pewter or brushed nickel is dull silver. Buyers sometimes prefer to blend their décor so that warm colored cabinetry uses the warmer hued brass, while modern white bathroom owners may opt for the cooler shade of chrome. Occasionally a buyer will find a model that mixes both brass and stainless for a design that complements all decors.

Cleaning the two most popular plumbing fixture choices is fairly easy: Wiping chrome or brass faucets with a soft cotton rag and a little soap adequately cleans film. However, abrasive cleansers or rags may mar the finishes, as well as any product with ammonia or bleach. An occasional application of aerosol furniture polish or appliance wax is also recommended. If chrome has become green from corrosion, it cannot be repaired and must be replaced. To remove spots of tarnish or corrosion from brass, a metal cleaner is required. Hard water deposits can be safely removed from both metals with a 50/50 mix of vinegar to water.

There are many other metals for plumbing fixtures, and some require additional maintenance. Pewter, stainless steel, bronze, ceramic, antique gold, antique brass, antique pewter, polished copper, black nickel and enameled plastic faucets are available as well. However, their feasibility should be investigated prior to purchase.

Regarding value, chrome ranks the highest, being the most durable and affordable. However, along with brass, its shiny surface is the most attractive when shiny. If a faucet’s expected use is such that water spots and fingerprints will become a distraction, it may be best to choose a finish with a “brushed” or aged appearance. In any event, it is necessary to discuss all issues with a professional plumbing vendor, as he/she is also the expert when determining the many factors outside the realm of fixture metal décor.

Bathroom faucets are available in a wide range of finishes and styles so that you can suit your faucets to the style of your bathroom.

Perhaps the single most common finish for bathroom faucets is chrome, that bright, shiny silver that is so hard to keep spotlessly brilliant. If you’re looking for something a little different, a little sophisticated, a little playful or just a little more in keeping with your bathroom’s style, there are many other options available for bathroom faucet finishes.

When choosing a finish for your bathroom faucet, you’ll want to consider both appearance and maintenance. To help you, here’s how the most common faucet finishes for the bathroom stack up.

Polished Chrome
The most common of all bathroom faucet finishes, chrome is also the most affordable. The look is sleek, cool and shiny, and it can stay that way for years thanks to triple chrome plating and state of the art finish sealants. Chrome is typically corrosion and tarnish resistant. All you need to keep your polished chrome bathroom faucet looking new is a soft cloth and cleaner.

Polished Brass
Coming in a close second in popularity, brass is both more expensive and more difficult to maintain than chrome. Over time, brass will tarnish even with frequent polishing. This tendency is offset by relatively recent technology in PVD (physical vapor deposition) finishes, which actually make the finish a part of the metal.

Colored Epoxy, Enamel and Powder Coating
Thanks to PVD finishing, your bathroom faucet can be finished with a non-metallic finish that exactly matches your sink, or a color in your tiles or.. the possibilities are endless. The most popular powder coat and epoxy color finishes are black, white, biscuit and glacier white. Maintenance is as easy as frequent cleaning to keep the surface looking its best.

Vintage Finishes – Copper, Stainless Steel, Nickel, Pewter
For a vintage bathroom, you might consider one of the vintage style finishes in copper, stainless, nickel, pewter or bronze. PVD technology eliminates most of the corrosion and tarnish problems that once made these a difficult choice.

To help give your bathroom a unified look, most designers suggest that you buy all your bathroom faucets and fixtures from the same line by the same manufacturer. That will eliminate the chance of subtle variances of color and texture spoiling the look of your new bathroom.

What kind of designer are you? Contemporary, traditional, colonial, high-tech, southwestern or something in between? Whatever your style there is a bathroom faucet that fill fit right in.

Contemporary or modern design is usually sleek with hidden or simple, modest hardware. Consider a chrome finish with a plain lever handle if you are designer with a contemporary style.

Colonial style highlights classic architectural elements and is characterized by use of columns, more ornamentation and symmetry. Faucets that fit well with this style are usually spread set with two handles and very decorative handles. Crystal handles are just one of the new additions to colonial style bathrooms.

Country designs usually include simple wood tones and ceramic fixtures. Look for a bathroom faucet with ceramic handles, either plain or hand painted to accent the color theme in the bathroom. If you utilize gold in your country design, choose a faucet in gold tones, otherwise stick with brass.

High-tech areas are known for their stainless steel and chrome with black accents. The perfect faucet for this style is motion activated, like those you’d find in commercial buildings. If you are looking for a manually operated faucet for your high tech bathroom, look for one in chrome with simple black accents.

Log homes call for romantic, rustic features. Choose a brushed nickel or chrome or other satin finish for the faucet and painted or wooden handles.

Mediterranean style bathrooms are colorful, airy and full of ceramic tile flooring. If you have a single hole faucet, choose one in a brushed or oil rubbed bronze with an abstract, rounded look and short handle. If you have a spread set faucet, choose one with the same finish and either rounded metal handles or ceramic handles painted to look like terra cotta.

Southwestern homes are becoming more popular and for good reason – with so many colors in the typical southwest design, it’s easy to piece together. Look for distressed bronze or brushed nickel finishes and simple lines for a southwest appearance.

Unique faucet offerings currently include:

* Animal shaped handles and spouts (think miniature fish statues)
* Single hole faucets made to resemble bamboo (great for an Asian- or spa-style bathroom)
* Joy stick handle faucets for the true techy
* And wall mount faucets, great for homes with limited counter space