The term MIXER TAP in this guide refers to Single Lever Tapware. CONVENTIONAL TAPWARE (3 piece tapware) is covered in the article “CHOOSING TAPWARE”.
MIXER TYPES
BASIN MIXERS are a compact mixer used on vanity basins. They have a short spout which is generally angled toward the centre of the bowl. Some basin mixers are available with a gooseneck spout.
TOWER VESSEL MIXERS are used for counter or vessel basins. As these basins sit high on the benchtop, the mixer for these need to have an extended body so the spout will clear the basin.
SINK MIXERS are used for kitchen sinks and for laundry tubs. They have a high spout to enable pots to be put under them to be washed, and the spouts will swivel to give full use of the sink. Some sink mixers are available with gooseneck spouts and some are available with pull out veggie sprays.
VEGIE SPRAY SINK MIXERS have a handpiece attached to a flexible hose that pulls out from the neck of the mixer. The handpiece generally will have 2 spray functions, however, many minimalist designs will only have a single spray. They are available as conventional, pillar or gooseneck style mixers.
SHOWER/ BATH MIXERS are used in a shower or over a bath. The mixer has a body which is installed in the wall cavity, and is operated by a lever to control the flow of water to the shower rose or bath spout. Shower mixers can also be used over a basin to create a more minimalist look. Shower mixers have a body which needs to be installed into the wall cavity, and is one of the first things your plumber is going to need to install. It must be installed before sheeting the wall takes place.
SHOWER DIVERTER MIXERS are used in the situation where a shower is installed over a bath. Shower diverter mixers are similar to a shower mixer but they have a button which operates a valve in the mixer body to divert the water from a shower rose to a bath spout. Like shower mixers, Shower Diverter mixers have a body which needs to be installed into the wall cavity.
BIDET MIXERS are similar to basin mixers but they have an adjustable nozzle.
LAUNDRY MIXERS are similar to sink mixers but have a slightly higher spout so buckets can be easily placed under them. They will also swivel to give full use of the tub.
FLOOR MOUNTED BATH MIXERS are used with freestanding baths that are placed away from a wall where a standard shower/ bath mixer and spout can't be used.
HANDLE STYLES
SOLID LEVER handles with their contemporary styling are a very versatile handle. They are able to be used to create a classic, contemporary or modern bathroom. There are many handle designs that come as solid levers.
LOOP LEVER handles are very similar to solid levers except they have an open loop in the handle. Loop handles can assist in holding the handle, and operating the mixer.
PIN LEVER handles create a modern, minimalist look to the bathroom. Pin handles can be round or square.
CUBE LEVER is basically a pin lever handle without the pin. They create a very modern minimalist look.
MIXER SHAPE
The shape of the mixer refers to the overall shape of the tap pillar and spout.
ROUND MIXERS are the most popular. They make up the majority of mixer styles available. Used for Traditional, Contemporary and modern designs they work very well with any bathroom style.
OVAL MIXERS are becoming increasingly more popular. Oval mixers are suitable for contemporary or modern bathroom design.
SQUARE MIXERS are also very popular. Square mixers are used extensively for modern bathroom design.
They can also be a combination of these.
BODY STYLE
The body of the mixer refers to the stem of the mixer. Bodies can either be conventional or pillar style.
CONVENTIONAL STYLE bodies will have the neck of the mixer protrude from low down on the body and extend up at about 45 degrees.
PILLAR STYLE bodies will have a long body with the neck protruding higher up the body and extend out 90 degrees.
NECK STYLES
Some Sink and basin mixers will have a high-rise, gooseneck style spout. There are 3 types of high-rise spouts available.
GOOSENECK spouts are the traditional rounded shape.
TICK NECK spouts angle down like an inverted tick.
SQUARE NECK spouts extend out at 90 degrees from the body.
POPULAR BRANDS OF BATHROOM MIXERS
Follow the links to Australia's most popular brands of bathroom mixers.
Abey
Astivita
Bastow
Brewers
Brodware
Caroma
Centique
Dorf
FM Mattsson
Gessi
Grohe
Hansa
Irwell
KWC
Methven
Millenium Tapware
Newform
Novelli
Paco Jaanson
Phoenix Tapware
Ram Taps
Southcape
Zuchetti