How to choose a mixer tap: kitchen, bath and shower
A mixer tap is where cold and hot water “meet” every day. If you choose only by design, you risk a short spout for a deep sink, a bath mixer in the kitchen, or a built-in model with no body in the wall. This guide teaches you to choose a mixer tap step by step.
Step 1 — where the mixer will live
| Place | What to look for on the card | What not to confuse |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen sink | Spout length/height, swivel spout, often longer supplies | A bath mixer “because it’s also chrome” |
| Bathroom basin | More compact spout, often fixed or shorter | A kitchen “long spout” on a narrow basin |
| Bath / shower | Bath↔shower diverter, shower outlet, thermostat (if needed) | A plain basin mixer without a diverter |
Details on place: kitchen or bath mixer. On mounting type: built-in or deck-mounted.
Step 2 — deck-mounted or built-in
Deck-mounted stands on the basin rim / bath rim / on the wall as a visible body. Installation is simpler in a typical renovation.
Built-in hides the mechanism in the wall; only the plate and handle remain outside. You need space in the wall, the correct body and precise depth. If there is no built-in block in the wall, “built-in design” is not a purchase — it is a project.
Step 3 — spout and cartridge
Spout length (mm) decides whether water falls in the centre of the basin or on the rim. Spout height — whether a pot fits under it. The cartridge (ceramic disc) is the “heart”: temperature feel and longevity depend on it. Full explanation: what spout and cartridge mean.
Step 4 — what to check in the kit
- Supply hoses (length and thread) — often separate, e.g. Tucai supply F1/2–M10×1, 35 cm.
- Eccentrics for wall bath/shower connection — Remer eccentric 1/2×3/4.
- Aerator (tip with mesh) — can be replaced separately if it clogs.
Practical examples in the Inventars range
Kitchen. Shorter spout: Jika Lyra Smart 143 mm, Jika Lyra 143 mm. Longer spout for a deeper zone: Jika Talas Trendy 210 mm, Jika Lyra Smart 210 mm, Jika Talas kitchen. Premium reference: Hansgrohe Logis 160.
Bathroom basin. Jika Talas basin mixer, Jika Cubix 90, Jika Lyra for basin.
Bath / shower. Jika Talas bath mixer, Jika Talas Trendy for bath, Jika Talas Trendy for shower, Jika Lyra for shower.
How to compare two cards in 5 minutes
- Place: kitchen / basin / bath / shower — must match.
- Mounting: deck-mounted vs built-in.
- Spout mm — against your basin depth.
- Kit: whether supplies are included.
- Service: whether cartridge/aerator can be bought separately later.
Typical mistakes
- Buying a “pretty” built-in without wall preparation.
- Taking a bath mixer for the kitchen “because it’s cheaper”.
- Ignoring spout mm and then getting angry that water hits the rim.
- Forgetting that supplies and eccentrics may be separate — budget for them.
What’s next
If you replace an old deck-mounted unit: how to replace a mixer. If water “jumps” in temperature: how to adjust temperature. Full plumbing map: plumbing guide. Range: Mixer taps.
Reviews
Be the first to review this article.
Write a review