Check the minimum pressure before you fall in love
Every tap has a minimum operating pressure, usually stated in bar. Many designer taps need 1.0 bar or more, which a gravity-fed system will never provide.
Low-pressure taps exist and work perfectly on tank-fed systems, but they are a specific product rather than a variant of any tap you like.
Combi and unvented systems are generally fine with anything, though very high flow taps can outrun a small combi when hot water is drawn elsewhere.
If you are unsure, we check pressure at survey. It takes two minutes and it prevents an expensive mistake.
Finishes compared
How each finish behaves in a real bathroom with hard water, which most of Berkshire and north Hampshire has.
| Finish | Price premium | Hard water marks | Scratch resistance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrome | Baseline | Shows spots, wipes off easily | Good | Cheapest to replace, matches everything |
| Brushed nickel | +15-30% | Hides marks well | Very good | Warmer tone, forgiving |
| Matt black | +20-40% | Shows limescale clearly | Varies by coating | Needs regular wiping in hard water |
| Brushed brass / gold | +40-80% | Hides marks well | Good on PVD | Insist on PVD, not lacquered |
| Gunmetal / anthracite | +40-80% | Moderate | Good on PVD | Hard to match across brands |
| Polished nickel | +50-90% | Shows spots | Good | Premium look, premium price |
PVD versus lacquer, and why it matters
PVD is a vapour-deposited coating that is bonded at a molecular level. It is extremely hard, resists scratching and does not peel.
Lacquered finishes are a coating over the top of the metal. In a hot, humid, frequently cleaned environment they eventually flake, and once they do the tap is finished.
The price gap between a lacquered brass tap and a PVD one is real but modest. In a bathroom, PVD is the version worth buying.
Any coloured finish is harder to match than chrome. If you are buying taps, shower valve, waste and towel rail across different brands, order samples or accept slight variation.
Tap types and what they suit
Mono basin mixer: one hole, one lever, the default for almost every modern basin. Simple and easy to service.
Three-hole basin set: two handles and a spout, suits traditional and period schemes but needs a basin drilled for three holes.
Tall mono mixer: for countertop basins that sit above the surface. Measure the basin height first, because a standard mixer will splash into the bowl edge.
Wall-mounted taps: beautiful, minimal, and require the valve bodies to be set in the wall at first fix. Absolutely a design decision, not a late change.
Bath filler versus bath shower mixer: the mixer adds a handset for rinsing, which most families want, at the cost of a slightly busier look.
Ordering details that hold jobs up
Basin tap hole count and diameter. A single-hole basin cannot take a three-hole set, and the standard hole is 35 mm.
Whether a waste is included. Many taps do not include one, and a click-clack or pop-up waste has to match the tap type.
Bath tap hole centres, usually 180 mm, which need to match the bath you have chosen.
Whether the shower valve is exposed or concealed, because the concealed version needs a wall recess formed before boarding.
We check all of this at survey and list it on the quote, so nothing arrives on day one that cannot be fitted.
Frequently asked questions
Are matt black taps hard to maintain?
In hard water areas they show limescale more visibly than chrome or brushed finishes. They look excellent if you wipe them down regularly, and less so if you do not.
What is the minimum pressure for bathroom taps?
It varies by product, commonly 0.5 to 1.0 bar. Gravity-fed systems often need specific low-pressure taps, which is why we check pressure before you order.
Is PVD worth paying for?
Yes, for any coloured or brass finish. Lacquered coatings eventually flake in a humid bathroom, and at that point the tap has to be replaced.
Can I mix finishes in one bathroom?
You can, and it works well when it is deliberate, for example brushed brass taps with a matt black frame shower screen. Accidental mixing across three brands rarely looks intentional.
Do you supply taps or should I buy my own?
Either. We can supply as part of a fixed quote, or fit yours provided everything including wastes is on site before we start.