With ten years of my experience in the bathroom accessories manufacturing industries, I know tub products better than my palm. You may have researched a lot on which is going to be the best faucet for you? Does this faucet fit my tubs? and so on. Today, I will discuss different bathtub faucet types, their compatibility, and their characteristics.
Types of Bathtub Faucets
There are various types of bathtub faucets. Among them most popular types are-
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Freestanding Tub Faucet
The universal type of faucets. It stands freely and compatible with most of the bathtubs. Usually, these faucets are installed where drilled holes are not pre-installed. These faucets are highly flexible, and you can even use them outdoors to serve a wide range of purposes.
Most importantly, to install a freestanding tub faucet, you will need an underfloor water line. Freestanding tub faucets perfectly synchronize with pedestal bathtubs and freestanding bathtubs. Additionally, you can also install it on clawfoot tubs.
Deck Mounted Tub Faucet
Deck mounted tub faucets have an alias of rim-mounted faucets. Typically, pre-drilled holes are required to install these tub faucets. These faucets are fitted on the rim of your bathtub; actually, it requires a flat surface.
These faucets also accept underfloor water supply lines. If you don’t have underfloor access, you can use flexible water supply lines to connect the faucet to the tub.
Generally, deck-mounted bathtub faucets are compatible with freestanding, clawfoot, and drop-in bathtubs.
Wall Mount Tub Faucet
Wall riding faucets are the most classical type of tub faucets. It usually rides on the wall, provides deck uniformity and cleanliness.
Wall mount tub faucets are the perfect choice when you fall short of choosing the best faucet due to a lack of underfloor water supply lines. You can easily connect these types of faucets with behind the wall water supply lines.
These faucets are compatible with all types of bathtubs, but make a beautiful pair with alcove bathtubs. A notable point before buying a wall mounted tub faucet is to check the spout length. The spout length should be long enough to easily reachable from the wall up to the bathtub basin.
Roman Tub Faucet
These are deck mounted tub faucets. It has multiple handle options. Usually, coupled with drop-in bathtubs and straddling on the tub surround. These faucets need three holes to be drilled into the base of the bathtub.
Roman tub faucets are compatible with different types of bathtubs, especially clawfoot and drop-in types.
Bathtub Faucet Styles
Bathtub Faucets are of different types. Lets discuss the most popular amongst them which suits your tub the most.
Roman Faucets
These types of faucets are very stylish. Commonly these are tub mounted, placed on a corner of a tub. Roman faucets are very user-friendly and help in maintaining the cleanliness of the bathtub.
Waterfall Faucet
Waterfall faucets mimic the outlook of a waterfall in a bathroom. It has a wide spout, which evokes a natural and smooth effect. Waterfall faucets are available in different contemporary styles. The sleek look and traditional attire will amaze the users.
Vintage Faucets
These faucets give me a feeling that I am currently in the renowned Victorian era. Amazing shapes are perfect for bathroom renovation. You will love its showerheads, telephone shaped, and have a slight resemblance with corded telephones.
Bathtub Metals
Faucets are usually made of a wide range of metals. These metals get ample finishes; it becomes ready for the market. Finishing type includes hammered, brushed, and satin. The most widely used materials for bathtub faucets are chrome, brass, nickel, and zinc.
Chrome
Chrome is one of the most popular finishes for bathtub faucets. Chrome provides rust resistance, smart look, and higher durability. It can be used in both traditional and modern designs. The outstanding blue tones are really mesmerizing.
Brass
It comes with a superior finish. They are widely used in different types of tub faucets. Not only in bathtub faucets, it is also used in various types of bathroom faucets. The major con with brass polishing requires regular polishing to retain the sleek look for a longer time. It is resistant to rust and usually comes in all three varieties: hammered, brushed, and polished.
Nickel
Nickel coated faucets have a very lucrative price range than chrome polished faucets. Nickel can enhance durability and user experience. Brushed nickel is a popular choice for bathroom décor in recent years. Sales and demands have increased proportionally.
Zinc
You can buy polished zinc faucets at a meager price than chrome, brass, or nickel. Zinc polished faucets are not much popular as other types of faucets. There are some durability issues with zinc-coated faucets. It is recommended to choose from other types of faucets, if you can.
Rust resistance
To me, the essential service characteristics of a bathtub faucet is rust resistance. As I have mentioned earlier, faucets are available in different polishing materials, but all are not equally resistant to rust. The most important quality of a faucet is its durability, and durability solely depends on rust resistance. A premium quality faucet should rust resistant from both inside and outside.
Materials with heavier weight better known for long-lasting lifespan. There are two types of bathtub faucet valves usually found in faucets. Plastic valves are not sustainable than ceramic coil valves. So, while buying bathtub faucet, don’t overlook these critical technical issues.
Flow rate
Simply, the flow rate of a faucet means how much amount of water is passes per minute. A ¾ inches valve opening is considered high flow faucet, and it will give an output of 16 gallons per minute. The standard valve size is ½ inches. It gives 4-7 gallons of water per minute.
Spout Height and Reach
The bathtub spout height stands for the Height between the tub rim and faucet’s spout opening. The Standard is 4 to 8 inches. Too much Height can cause a splash.
Spout reach, on the other hand, stands for how long it takes to reach the rim of the tub. It really depends on your choice of the faucet and your tub.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article serves the purpose for you and what you were looking to know about faucets. A good faucet can enhance your shower experiences, and a good read can give you the right direction to choose the best faucet.