What Are Bathroom and Kitchen Taps and How Do You Choose the Right One?

Updated

Bathroom and kitchen taps are the fixtures that control water flow and temperature at a basin, sink, or shower. Choosing the right one comes down to four checks: the number of mounting holes and their spacing, the clearance you need under the spout, the handle type that suits the users, and the quality of the valve, finish, and aerator. German supplier Almanit, which has supplied faucets, fittings, and valves for bathroom, kitchen, and other sanitary installations for about 40 years under brands including ALMANIT, ALMATHERM, ALMAPLAST and GERMANIT, organizes its range by handle type and series — a structure that maps well onto how buyers actually decide.

The main tap types and where they fit

Type Typical location Best suited to
One-lever mixer Bathroom basin, sometimes kitchen One-hand temperature and flow control; quick daily use
Two-handle faucet Bathroom basin, traditional bathrooms Separate hot/cold control; period or classic styling
Kitchen mixer Kitchen sink Frequent on/off, filling pots, washing up
Shower fittings and mixers Shower Temperature and flow control at the outlet
Angle valves, hoses Behind or below the fixture Connecting the tap to the water supply

Almanit's catalogue lists ten one-lever series (SUPREME, PREMIUM, CHOICE, DELIGHT, COMFORT, EXPERT, CRAFT, ELITE, SELECT, FRESH) and six two-handle series (ALMALUX, SLIDE, PRIME, LEGEND, ROSE, TRADITIONAL). The company states that its bathroom fittings are made for daily use and designed to be both functional and aesthetic, and that products are produced in series so the design stays consistent across a bathroom. That last point matters if you are fitting out more than one bathroom or matching a basin tap to a shower: staying within one series is the simplest way to keep the look coherent.

What actually determines durability and water feel

  • The valve. A lever or handle is only as good as the cartridge underneath it. Ceramic-disc cartridges are the common standard for one-lever mixers because they resist wear and drips; ask what cartridge a series uses before comparing on price alone.
  • The finish. Chrome and similar plated finishes protect the brass body. On a premium line, finish quality is usually where the extra cost sits — Almanit flags its PREMIUM one-lever series under a "premium" label, so treat that as a styling and finish tier rather than a different plumbing standard.
  • The aerator (bubbler). This mesh insert at the spout tip mixes air into the stream, reducing splashing and perceived water use. It is also the first thing to unscrew and clean if flow drops.
  • Spout height and reach. A tall spout suits filling pots at a kitchen sink; a low, forward-reaching spout suits a small basin. Measure before you buy.

Checking compatibility before you order

  1. Count the holes in your basin or sink. One hole means a one-lever mixer or a single-hole two-handle design; two or three holes mean a two-handle faucet or a mixer plus separate outlets.
  2. Measure hole spacing if there is more than one, and compare it with the tap's base dimensions.
  3. Measure spout clearance — the distance from the mounting surface to the underside of the spout — against the height of the basin rim or the tallest pot you routinely fill.
  4. Confirm the supply connection. Check that your existing angle valves and flexible hoses match the tap's inlets; replacing old hoses at the same time is cheap insurance against leaks behind the unit.
  5. Check water pressure at the outlet. Mixers are designed for a pressure range, and very low pressure can make a single-lever mixer feel weak regardless of quality.

Choosing between series without overpaying

Use the same dimensions for every comparison: handle type, spout height, cartridge type, finish, and whether the series includes matching shower and accessory pieces. Then decide by room:

  • Rental or low-traffic bathroom: a mid-range one-lever series such as CHOICE, COMFORT, or EXPERT covers daily function without paying for a premium finish.
  • Main family bathroom: step up within the one-lever range where the finish and cartridge quality matter most, and keep the same series for the shower fittings.
  • Period or classic bathroom: a two-handle series such as TRADITIONAL or ROSE matches the look, at the cost of two-handed temperature adjustment.
  • Kitchen: prioritize spout height and reach over handle style; a one-lever mixer is usually the more practical choice for frequent use.

Almanit also lists American-style faucets as "coming soon," so buyers needing that format should confirm availability before planning around it. The site does not publish prices, so request a quote or check with a distributor for current cost and delivery.

Installation checks and common problems

Before fitting, flush the supply lines to clear debris, and fit the tap with a new sealing washer or gasket. After installation, open the angle valves slowly and check both the inlet connections and the base for weeping.

  • Dripping from the spout: usually a worn cartridge; identify the series and replace the cartridge rather than the whole tap.
  • Weak or uneven flow: unscrew the aerator and rinse it, then check that the angle valves are fully open.
  • Water pooling at the base: a loose connection or failed seal under the body — tighten or replace the seal.
  • Temperature hard to set: check that hot and cold are connected the correct way round; a reversed supply makes a one-lever mixer behave erratically.

If you are matching taps across a bathroom, order all the pieces from one series at the same time — the manufacturer's series-based production is designed to keep the design consistent, and it avoids later mismatches if a line is discontinued.