Basin Mixer Taps

Guide to Basin Mixer Taps

Welcome to ukBathrooms' buyer’s guide to basin mixer taps.

This buyer's guide gives you the full rundown on mixer taps, the different varieties available, the leading manufacturers and how you can purchase them from ukBathrooms.

When planning your new bathroom, it may sound strange to advise that you pick the taps first. Surely selecting the bath, the sink and the separate shower unit is more important? Aesthetically you'd be correct, but if you set out with one type of tap in mind and want to change it just after the bath or the sink is installed, that could mean extra time, money and frustration, because adjusting the plumbing to the new type of tap may not be as straightforward as you might think.

If you're reading this buyer's guide, you may have already chosen the type of bathroom basin you would like. If you've made your choice, now it's all about opting for the tap that goes best with your selection.

Basin mixer taps at ukBathrooms

At ukBathrooms, we've got an amazing range of basin mixer taps to choose from. This guide is all about explaining the choices you have and the variations. We'll also be showcasing some of the top products from leading suppliers including Hansgrohe, Grohe, Crosswater, Burlington, Imperial and Dornbracht.

Basin mixer taps variations

There's lots of different options for you to choose from. Let's run down some of the main features on offer. 

1. How the taps are mounted

Most standard mounted taps are attached directly to the basin. Tap holes are normally pre drilled or pre formed in the basin, in some cases mostly with German basins, the tap holes are half cast out on the underside and your plumber “taps out” the holes as required, any half proficient plumber should be familiar with this procedure when installing European items. 

Wall mounted taps are considered by many in the industry as the more contemporary style of basin mixer tap. They’re screwed on to your bathroom wall with all the plumbing hidden behind the tiles. It looks very stylish and is supremely easy to clean. 

2. What is the style of the tap?

Traditional basin mixer taps are reminiscent of earlier bathroom designs, going back to Victorian, Regency or Edwardian aesthetics. They are characterised by generous curves, ornate handles and the occasional juxtaposition of porcelain with stylish, reflective chrome.

Contemporary basin mixer taps have an elegance and minimalism that remind you of a look that can both incorporate the spirit of the white heat of technology from the 1960s to futuristic, contemporary sleek lines and flat handles.

3. Tap holes

One hole basin mixer taps, sometimes referred to as monobloc mixer taps, have their controls and their spout together on one unit. The variety of styles of one hole basin mixer taps is very wide. Here's an example of a traditional style - the Burlington Birkenhead Monobloc Basin Mixer Tap - and here’s a contemporary example - the Crosswater Essence Mini Basin Monobloc.

Two hole basin mixer taps are your standard one hot and one cold tap, more traditional but always a guaranteed style classic with plenty of choice. Click here to see a Burlington Birkenhead H Type Basin 2 Hole Mixer Tap.

Three hole basin mixer taps have two separate controls (one hot, one cold) and the spout in between. Very elegant and simple to use.

4. Waste

With waste means that your basin mixer tap has a control that can lift the plug up in the sink to let any standing or running water escape into the plughole. 

Without waste basin mixer taps have no control. With these, you need to purchase a separate basin waste.

5. Let's go digital

Digital basin mixer taps feature full thermostatic controls to save energy, and ensure safe temperature limits. These digital units are operated completely electronically with many featuring wireless controls.

Non-digital basin mixer taps are referred to as standard. The market for standard units is currently much larger than the one for digital. That said, given the growth in our sales of digital units, it would not surprise us to see mass-market acceptance for digital some time in the not too distant future.

6. What are the sizes available to you?

Standard size basin mixer taps are designed for normal bathroom installations in houses and offices. Easy to use and incredibly familiar, there's a great choice available for you here at ukBathrooms for your new bathroom at home.

Mini mixers are for really small rooms in the home where space is at a premium - for example, a wash basin for a downstairs toilet. Big on style, small on space - check out this Tavistock Blaze Basin Mixer Tap as a great example.

Tall taps are great for countertops. The height of these tall taps is striking. Combined with their great looks, it adds an extra depth to the style you're setting out to achieve. Check out this Hansgrohe Focus Tall Basin Tap - it's one of the range of tall taps available at ukBathrooms.

Great Basin Mixer Tap Manufacturers at ukBathrooms

Bathroom pioneers since 1901, Hansgrohe's quality and heritage shines through in the beauty, reliability and ergonomics of its product range. Renowned for high-class workmanship, Hansgrohe's design ethos is "form and content from a single source - clever minds, powerful concepts and new forms". ukBathrooms currently stock 62 sensational taps and mixers from Hansgrohe - click here to check out the entire range.

Hansgrohe have recently recruited famed designer Philippe Starck to their ranks. Together, they’ve recently launched his Axor Stark Range.

Burlington, based in London, takes its inspiration from 19th century British design. They have brought to the market a stunning and complete collection of traditional-style bathroom products. Their range features four eras - classic, contemporary, Victorian and Edwardian. Burlington's taps and mixers perfectly mesh their aesthetic ethos with the latest in cutting-edge technology. There are 110+ taps & mixers currently available at ukBathroom.

Crosswater is also available here at ukBathrooms. Established in 1998, chairman David Hance speaks of his company with pride, stating "Crosswater’s offering is second to none. We offer a complete bathroom solution." Kelly Hoppen has recently launched her Zero Range through Crosswater. Noted for their distinctive style encompassing the simply elegant to the truly extraordinary, begin your voyage of discovering into Crosswater's range by clicking here.

Roper Rhodes, established over 30 years ago and based in the historical city of Bath, describes their products as "functional, stylish and seamlessly put together...in a wide variety of colours, materials and finishes". Buy everything Roper Rhodes from ukBathrooms at the very best prices. To see just how stylish their basin mixer taps are, check out our listings page by clicking here.

Since their mission started in the early 1980s, Bristan has grown to become the biggest showers and taps company in the UK. They estimate that one in five UK homes has a Bristan shower or tap fitted. Their products are designed by their own in-house specialist team to the very highest of quality standards. 

German bathrooms giant, Grohe, whose motto is "Pure Freude An Wasser" ("The Joy Of Water" in English), has been responsible for countless new design-driven, award-winning and innovative bathroom fittings. The Grohe team cast, electroplate, assemble, sand and finish their own products meaning they're in complete control of quality at all points. Their focus is on classic aesthetics remodelled in a contemporary style - you can see this for yourself by clicking here to go to ukBathroom's Grohe range.

"Style and quality for kitchens and bathrooms - Francis Pegler offers both in abundance - design excellence across a range of price points." Pegler products offer no compromise in quality and have a firm focus on energy efficiency. Pegler were one of the first manufacturers in the UK to gain BS5750 certification for Quality Assurance and they've since been awarded the prestigious BS EN ISO 9001:2000. Click here to see the Pegler basin tap mixers in stock at ukBathrooms - a superb mix of traditional and contemporary.

Make sure you visit Keuco's basin tap mixers selection at ukBathrooms. Keuco's mission statement for their customers is to provide products of "elegant design, enduring quality and functional durability". Their designers have a passion for aesthetics and possess an extraordinary attention to detail. Everything is precision engineered so that the style and flair of the product is matched by the ingenuity of the design and assembly. Click here to see Keuco's range at ukBathrooms.

We're passionate about bathrooms. We’re all about making you feel bright, refreshed & energised in the morning. In the evening, help you relax and unwind. Quality is never an issue we compromise on when supplying you with the perfect bathroom, whatever the amount of space you have.