Black shower faucets: pros and cons, varieties, choices

A faucet is a sanitary fixture that helps to quickly obtain the desired water temperature by mixing a hot stream with a cold stream.

This bathroom device redirects water not only to the faucet spout, but also to the shower head. Traditionally they are made with white valves and a shiny spout, but the variety of styles in apartment renovation and interesting design solutions have given rise to new faucets in an elegant black color.

The black faucet is a bold move in bathroom decoration, but it needs to be played up correctly. This color of plumbing is suitable for high-tech, loft styles, it will harmoniously fit even into the interior of the classic style in the case of black and white room decoration. Often, these mixers are designer faucets, therefore, more expensive when compared with similar models in the usual white color.

Black goes well with gold, white and red. Combination with other colors blurs the effect.

The relatively small selection of models complicates the task of decorating a bath with such a mixer.

Matte models look the most stylish and easier to clean. A matte surface is obtained by applying enamel. Every speck and droplet is visible on the black color, so black faucets are not suitable for water with a high lime content.

Mixers are different, each type has its own characteristics:

• for a thermo-wave shower - adjusts the contrast of hot and cold water;
• classic with two taps - cold and hot flow supply is separately regulated;
• single-lever - mixes cold and hot water as quickly as possible;
• thermostat with a built-in check valve - one handle changes the force of the water pressure, the other changes the temperature regime;
• touch - with an automatic water supply sensor, temperature level setting, jet illumination;
• without faucet spout - exclusively for the shower head.

By type of attachment:

• installed in the shower cabin;
• concealed installation (only crane axle boxes are visible on the wall);
• built into the edge of the bath;
• classic wall;
• outdoor (if the bath is far from the wall);
• installed in a bidet.

Mixers are made from the following materials:

• steel with brass - premium class, original design, huge service life;
• bronze with brass - stylish, water-repellent;
• alloy steel - beautiful, but quickly get dirty;
• aluminum with silicon - cheap faucets with a short service life and a nondescript look.

The following mixers are distinguished by the type of switching mechanism:

• ball - durable, but cannot be repaired;
• cartridge - durable due to easy replacement of cartridges, in case of another breakdown you will have to throw it away;
• eccentric - they often fail, but they can also be easily repaired.

If you need to equip two or more bathrooms, it is recommended to buy faucets in the same style. If there is only one mixer for the bathroom and sink, it is better to choose models with a long swivel hand shower.

The stylish and neat look of the product must certainly be combined with good functionality.

In any mixer, even the most expensive one, it is necessary to periodically change the O-rings and locking devices. The frequency of replacement depends on the composition of the water.

When choosing, you should find out which cartridges or crane axle boxes are supplied in the model you like and buy 1-2 in stock. This is especially true for designer models that are produced in small batches, as it will be impossible to find components in a few years. It is better to choose expensive models with warranty service.

A high price is not always an indicator of good quality; a well-promoted company can transfer production to China, as a result of which the quality will deteriorate. In addition, unscrupulous marketers often overpriced cheap models.

The most practical and durable models are with rubber gaskets. Ceramic taps often fail, therefore, in addition to them, a stationary filter must be installed.

The mixer should be heavy in weight - this means that there are high-quality brass components inside, the watering can, on the contrary, should be as light as possible.

The most reliable are German, Swiss and Russian mixers.

See below for how to choose a durable mixer.