Mixers "bronze": an original detail in the interior

Today, companies engaged in the production of plumbing equipment have in their assortment a huge selection of mixers made from the most advanced alloys and materials. One of the most sought-after options is the bronze-look faucet. The buyer can choose a suitable option for the kitchen or bath, for the bidet in the toilet and public places: showers in pools, saunas, beauty salons.

Bronze products have always been in demand for a reason. Bronze is a very durable material that is resistant to a humid environment and various impurities, without which not a single, even the highest quality plumbing system can do. A faucet made of this metal looks expensive and aesthetically pleasing. The color of bronze looks expensive and respectable. Such a mixer will be a real decoration both in the bathroom and in the kitchen.

The main feature of bronze plumbing is its uniqueness. Products from different manufacturers look completely different. Some specimens have a matte semi-antique surface with a barely noticeable greenish touch of antiquity - their appearance evokes a slight nostalgia for the last century of aristocracy.

Others shine like a brand new samovar and delight with their golden shine. Still others have a darker shade, reminiscent of chocolate. The variety of shapes and colors allows you to choose a mixer for any furniture and any style.

For the production of mixers, a variety of materials and various alloys are used. The most budget models are made from a special composition containing aluminum and silicon. However, aluminum is a very soft metal, so products made from it are not particularly durable.

Plastic has similar characteristics. It does not react at all to the presence of salts and other impurities in the composition of water, does not corrode, but is unstable to temperature extremes. Therefore, plastic mixers quickly deteriorate. Ceramic models also behave a little better. They are very attractive in appearance, but they are very fragile.

The most durable models are made directly from bronze. This alloy contains copper, tin and minor impurities of other components - phosphorus, zinc or lead. However, such plumbing belongs to the category of elite, so manufacturers often replace bronze with other materials - for example, brass. The mixer itself is cast from it, and on top it is covered with a layer of bronze using a special technology.

Thanks to this coating, products receive a number of advantages:

• aesthetic appearance, no different from a product made of bronze;
• more affordable price in comparison with the original;
• a special anti-corrosion coating protects the mixer from the aggressive effects of chemicals contained in cleaning compounds and tap water;
• brass is better than bronze, adapts to communications, therefore, the operational properties of such a device increase;
• modern casting methods make it possible to obtain a product without voids and other internal and external defects, and also make it possible to make the design more complex and interesting.

To enhance the appearance of the faucets, they are adorned with various decorative elements, for which a number of different materials are also used. Chrome and nickel are the leaders in this list. Also, faucet taps can be coated with a layer of enamel and even gilding.

There are the following types of mixer designs.

• Single lever models, in which the pressure and temperature of the water is regulated using one lever. This type of mixer is much easier to open and close. Raising and lowering the tap handle is much easier than turning the valves. And it is easier to install such a mixer than another model.
• Two-valve models, in which there are two separate taps for supplying cold and hot water. This is a classic model, in which the first mixers were made. They still have a lot of fans today, since it is believed that valve bronze mixers or analogs in bronze are the most economical in terms of water consumption.

• Contactless models Are new generation mixers. Such a device has a built-in sensor that reacts to movement. The crane turns on, as soon as you bring your hands to it, and turns off when the movement in the sensor's field of view stops. They are very hygienic and are very often installed in public places with high traffic of people - toilets of shopping centers, cafes or hotels.
• Thermostatic mixers are able to remember the pressure and temperature of the supplied water. They have two regulators: one is responsible for the pressure force, and with the help of the other, you can select the optimal water temperature. When installing the device, set the specified parameters, which will be reference. You can change the set parameters by pressing the button or using the switch.

• Cascade option. It is also called a waterfall: the water supply hole is wide and flat and looks like a natural waterfall. The bronze cascade looks very aesthetically pleasing. In addition to the unusual design of the spout, the color of the mixer is also beautiful. Bronze shimmers spectacularly and seems to be illuminated through a pouring stream. However, such beauty is somewhat more expensive than traditional designs, and the water consumption in this case is much higher.
• Designer mixers. They can have one of the above designs. And their main feature is that such mixers have a very unusual and unique appearance. They are produced in small batches or made in single copies.

By functionality, there are faucets for the kitchen, for the bathroom and for the bidet. The peculiarity of kitchen taps is that they usually have a long and high spout through which water is supplied. There are models with a height-adjustable spout mechanism so that you can place a tall pot or bucket under it. There are also products with a filter tap. This is especially convenient in a city apartment.

Bathroom faucets are installed in the shower, on the bathtub itself and (or) on the sink, if there is one. Plumbing for showers and bathrooms must have a shower hose and preferably a long spout. The design of such cranes is most often either valve or lever.

Not every mixer is suitable for a bidet.

There are several options for plumbing, designed specifically for him:

• with an aerator that allows you to change the direction of water flow;
• with hygienic shower;
• with thermostat;
• touch - it turns on when a person approaches;
• With internal water jet - for when water flows from under the rim of the bidet bowl.

Bidet taps can be mounted on the wall, on the floor, or directly on the toilet itself. There are also special models for hamams and baths. Since the atmosphere here is always humid and always hot, the plumbing needs to be especially durable, resistant to bacteria and high temperatures. Bronze faucets meet all these requirements, so they can often be found not only in hamams, but also in various spas, baths, saunas.

The choice of a bronze-colored faucet is often explained by the desire to keep the room in the same style. The design of plumbing depends on this. So, for example, if the bathroom is decorated in the style of strict English classics, it will be appropriate to put a valve tap of a strict design without any kind of decoration in it. The bronze faucet will also be appropriate in the antique interior of the kitchen-dining room. Only in this case is it worth taking a closer look at a more elegant model - for example, decorated with glass or crystal knobs on the tap or inlaid with rhinestones.

Since the hamam is an oriental invention, then the plumbing is required here as well. Most often, the same old and well-known classic with two taps for cold and hot water is used for it. In the Art Deco style, a mixer with a touch motion sensor would be appropriate.

In a high-tech bathroom, the bronze faucet will also find its use. This will require modern models with different "chips". The cascade option will fit perfectly in such a bathroom. In addition, there are models with an LED tap attachment. During washing, the LEDs illuminate the stream of water beautifully, which makes the simple hygiene procedure especially pleasant.

All manufacturers of plumbing equipment can be roughly divided into three groups. These are premium, European and economy class products. And almost every manufacturer has a product for all price categories. However, it is believed that the plumbing fixtures of European firms are more expensive than those of Russian and Chinese manufacturers.

It is believed that the highest quality sanitary ware is produced by Italian, Spanish and German companies. By purchasing products from European manufacturers, you can be sure that they are truly high-quality and functional. In addition, it often has an interesting design.

For example, a brand created by in Italy, - Boheme... Its main production facilities are located in Turkey. The Boheme catalog contains both classic models such as two-valve taps, and products with technical innovations such as infrared faucets with electronic sensors. They are made of brass, and tempered glass, crystal, ceramics, Swarovski crystals can be used as decorations. All this attracts rave reviews from customers and helps the company maintain a leading position in the market.

More budgetary options for mixers are available from Bulgarian and Czech manufacturers. Czech brand Zorg offers brass and steel bronze-plated mixers, which are in no way inferior in quality to their more expensive counterparts. Faucets for the kitchen 2 in 1 are in special demand. If necessary, with one swivel movement, the tap for running water can supply water from the filter.

To keep the bronzing coating from fading, it needs proper care.

There are several folk remedies to help keep it in its original form.

• Vinegar.It must be mixed with flour and salt and the resulting mixture is applied for 10 minutes on especially dirty places, then rinsed with cool water and wiped dry.
• Tomato paste. Apply tomato paste or juice to faded areas of plumbing and rinse off with cool water after 30-40 minutes. This method will help restore the original shine of the bronze.
• Linseed oil. Sometimes it is enough to rub the mixer with it in order to avoid a dull plaque on it.

For more information on mixers, see the next video.