Stepping into the shower after a busy day is one of life’s most simple pleasures. However, the recipe for success begins long before you even turn the shower tap on and lather up with your favourite soap.
Choosing the right shower tap is the key to elevating your shower game, from both a functional and aesthetic point of view. There are several essential factors when purchasing tapware for your shower - don’t worry, we’ll walk you through it.
1. Understanding your setup
Before you even begin to ponder ‘chrome, or antique gold?’, it’s critical to understand what kind of setup you’re working with, so you can find a compatible tap. Here’s some of the most common types we see.
Mixer showers
These typically blend hot and cold water, with just one handle available for the user. Twisting the mixer to the left will increase the heat, whereas a turn in the opposite direction will cool things down.
Electric showers
This kind of shower will heat the water independently of a boiler or hot water tank. Some electric setups have their own taps, so make sure you find one that is compatible.
Power showers
As the name suggests, this shower comes with a lot of power (read, water pressure). This requires a strong flow of hot and cold water, so the taps need to be capable of delivering a higher than usual pressure. Fortunately, taps designed for this purpose are usually labelled as such.
Thermostatic showers
Designed to deliver a smooth showering experience, thermostatic showers have built-in temperature controls that maintain a constant water temperature (even if someone else in the house is using hot water at the same time).
If you’re not quite sure which system you’re dealing with, our knowledgeable team of staff are always available to help guide you in the right direction. It’s our mission to make buying tapware in Melbourne and online as smooth as possible.
- Style and Design
Now that we understand the needs of our shower, it’s time for the fun part – style and design! The tap you choose should not only be functional, but also pair well with the overall aesthetic of the bathroom. Fortunately, no matter what design style you’re after, there’s a tap to match. We suggest matching the taps with the whole bathroom. For example, an elective, vintage inspired shower would look beautiful with an antique gold tap, and a newly built modern bathroom would compliment a minimalist looking piece.
- Water efficiency
Now more than ever, we’re considering the environmental impact of our actions. Look for taps that are designed to be water-efficient. Aerators are a built-in feature of some taps, which incorporate air with water to reduce the amount of water waste, while still maintaining good water pressure. If this is a consideration for your next build or reno, we also suggest opting for a water-saving shower head that can further reduce water usage without compromising your shower experience.
- Functionality
If you’ve got access to one of our Melbourne showrooms, we highly suggest testing the functionality in person before making your choice. Purchasing tapware in Melbourne and online can be confusing, so make use of our showrooms and helpful staff.
- Set a budget
It should come as no surprise that there’s a tap for every price point. Setting a budget before you shop will help you narrow down the seemingly endless amounts of choices.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help
The team at Bathware Direct are experts at what they do, utilise that! No question too big or small, don’t be afraid to ask the team for help.
Finding the right shower tap involves some careful consideration. With our tips, and expansive range of tapware in Melbourne and online, we’re more than confident we’ll find a perfect solution for you. Bathware Direct has a wide range of imported and Australian tapware to choose from, that tick off all of the above (and more).