When carrying out a refurbishment or fitting a shower, it is possible that doubts arise regarding which is the best equipment choice. For this, the user must consider aspects such as comfort, the technology they want to have, as well as one of the most important features in most homes: the economic aspect.
For the shower, one of the decisions that causes many to have doubts is the bathroom taps selection, since there are different options which are influenced by the previous aspects.
Mixer versus thermostatic tap, which is better for my shower? We want to show you the advantages and disadvantages of both, and the cutting-edge design that we are known for.
Touch & Feel column
The thermostatic shower taps: what they are and what advantages they have
The thermostatic shower tap is a mixer that allows for the sought-after temperature to be selected, which remains constant, even when other taps are opened in the same house. How it works is simple, since only the sought-after temperature has to be selected with the handle, and in no time, the thermostatic cold and hot water cartridge are automatically mixed, reaching the selected temperature very quickly.
How a thermostatic shower or bath tap works?
Thermostatic taps have two controls, one used to adjust the flow rate easily and intuitively, and the other one for selecting the desired temperature manually.
One of the other features of these types of taps is their revitalising function. Regarding the concealed thermostatic taps with several water outlets, these ones can be combined with side jets which give the body the refreshing whirlpool treatment, or shower heads with several functions and waterfalls, such as: cascade, rain, jet or nebulizer. Therefore, people can enjoy completely different experiences and a shower focused on sensations.
Thermostatic shower tap advantages
Among the thermostatic shower taps advantages, we can see:
1. Temperature stability. This greatly determines the user's comfort, since it is nice to be able to reach the sought-after temperature from the beginning, as well as that temperature remaining unchanged throughout the use of the shower without having to be constantly regulating it.
2. Some of our thermostatic taps come with Noken Thermotrust technology. The ledge guarantees the body of the tap will stay cold, avoiding any potential burns.
Noken Thermotrust Pure Line thermostatic tap with Noken Thermotrust technology
2. Energy and water saving. Our cartridges have been designed to reach the desired temperature quickly and consistently. As a result, we are committed to greener taps that promote sustainability and avoid waste. Some of our thermostatic taps also feature the Noken Eco-Stop button, which limits the maximum water flow once the user reaches the mid-travel point of the handle, thus leading to water savings of up to 50%.
3. Safety. Bathroom safety is crucial for Porcelanosa Bathrooms. Therefore, our thermostatic taps include the SAFE STOP function, which blocks water at 38ºC to guarantee safety, especially for children. This system also cuts off the supply of hot water in case of an interruption to the cold water supply, therefore avoiding the risk of getting burned.
Urban thermostatic taps
The problem with thermostatic shower taps
- They're less intuitive than mixer taps: thermostatic taps have two controls - you can change the flow on one side and the temperature on the other. They're not as common as the former, which may be a drawback at first for certain users, such as the elderly.
- Thermostatic taps tend to come with a higher price tag than, for example, mixer taps. But it's worth considering they'll use less water in the long term and will last longer, making them a worthwhile investment over time.
TOUCH&FEEL bathroom taps
Shower mixer tap: an intuitive, reliable and durable option
Another option when deciding on the bathroom design is to opt for a mixer tap. This is the most common one in homes, and is instantly recognisable by users: with a single mixer, you can control both the water flow and temperature.
How a shower mixer tap works
A shower water line with a mixer tap contains cold on one side and hot on the other. The tap's internal valves open or close (or align for lukewarm water) with different outlets that allow the water to flow depending on whether the lever is turned to one side, to the other, or kept in the central position.
So for example, if the lever is turned on in the central position, water comes through both circuits, resulting in lukewarm water. As you move the position of the lever from one side to the other, you increase the amount of water coming through one circuit, and decrease the other, that way getting water at just the right temperature (colder or warmer).
In terms of turning the water flow on or off, you generally move the lever up to allow the water to flow, or keep it in the off position: the internal discs block the water flow.
Advantages of shower mixer taps
- One of the main advantages of mixer taps is that they're more like the traditional taps you find in most bathrooms. This means users will know exactly how to use this type of tap.
- As such, they're very intuitive to use: a simple twist of the lever is all you need to do to choose your preferred flow and temperature, with one gesture. Fast and simple.
- More hard-wearing: as we've mentioned before, one of the keys and advantage of shower mixer taps are ceramic discs that regulate the water flow. These discs are much more hard-wearing and require less maintenance than the parts in dual lever taps for example.
- Mixer taps usually come with a lower price tag than thermostatic taps.
ROUND bathroom taps
Drawbacks of shower mixer taps
Some of the considerations or drawbacks to keep in mind when using a mixer tap for a shower include:
- The flow of water may be affected by pressure variation when installing them. As a result, you may also experience some fluctuations in temperature, and may need to readjust them to your preferred temperature. With thermostatic taps, the system keeps both elements (flow and temperature) constant.
- The shower tap has to be turned to the desired position required for the desired water temperature. This means that if you turn it on in the central position when you just want cold water, you're wasting energy because the boiler will switch on.
- Higher water consumption: one of the main drawbacks of mixer taps is that most users turn on the tap at full capacity, when 50% of the flow would be more than sufficient for purposes such as hand-washing. The same often happens when using hot water.
- Less safe: they don't come with smart features such as Noken thermostatic taps' Noken Safe Stop function, a safety feature which stops water getting hotter than 38ºC (especially important for children), thus preventing potential burns.
