Choose Your Type of Valve and Other Plumbing Supplies

Although both are intended to provide you with water, mixer taps and mixers differ in terms of design and operation. The modern mixer (thermostatic or not) offers safe and economical options. The more classic mixer taps are old-fashioned and sophisticated at the same time. There are many styles that suit your project, beyond the technical aspect.

The criteria for choosing your taps

Mixers are more interesting from a functional point of view. You can maneuver them with one hand, make some savings, the mixing is done rapidly... However, the final choice is often determined by the style of your bathroom:

The mixer provides a contemporary look and design. Mixers are the best recommendation if you want an old-style or traditional bathroom.

If your choice depends mainly on the copper pipe price, you should remember that you should not go for the cheapest pieces of plumbing supplies. You will save much more money on a product you can use several times a day for several years rather than one you are constantly having problems with.

Mixers

Practical and economical, they are really convenient.

Operation 

The recent models of mixers are characterized by a single control for hot and cold water. This lever is used to adjust the temperature (left) and flow (from top to bottom). All you need to do is practice and this setting can be done even with one hand only. The desired temperature is achieved faster, which saves water and energy.

The ceramic cartridge 

Most mixers are equipped with ceramic cartridge inserts. The flow control and hot/cold mixing are done through two stacked ceramic discs. The ceramic discs, which are very resistant and insensitive to calcium, are a longevity assurance for valves.

Thermostatic mixing valves

A controller regulates the flow and another adjusts the temperature according to the degree sought. Protective and economical, the two are also safe and comfortable at a temperature preset at 38 C. Similarly to conventional mixing, the thermostatic mixing valve also has many advantages:
The immediate and automatic correction of variations

The protection of children against the risk of burns

Automatic shutdown if required

The styles of sink faucets

Here are three different styles of valves to suit your project:

Classic contemporary  retro

Small valve models for the sink

Large valve models for the washbasin

Water savings

The average flow of a sink faucet is 12 L per minute. Thanks to the various water-saving systems, it is very easy to reduce that flow by half.

Systems for the sink

The dual lock mixers: the lever encounters a first resistance at mid-height. This allows you to select the flow according to your needs.

The mixer equipped with an aerator (green foam): the aerator reduces the flow while maintaining the pressure (i.e. comfort). The amount of water is reduced by half, but the air supply is maintained at the original parameters.

Systems for the shower and bath

The thermostat: the stop on the handle (shower version) automatically limits the flow to 50% of the original amount. Choose a mechanical thermostatic mixing valve: the temperature you set allows you to avoid waste (a mechanical mixer reduces the waste from 8 l to 2 l at 38 ° C).

The eco stop shower head: you can cut the flow in the shower while maintaining the desired temperature