Bronze mixers: an original detail in the interior

Today, companies engaged in the production of sanitary equipment, have in their range a huge selection of mixers made from the most advanced alloys and materials. One of the most popular options is a bronze-colored mixer. The buyer can choose the appropriate option for the kitchen or bath, for a bidet in the toilet and public places: showers in pools, saunas, beauty salons.

Bronze products have always been in demand not by chance. Bronze is a very durable material that is resistant to a humid environment and various impurities, without which no one, even the highest quality plumbing system. A crane made of this metal looks expensive and aesthetically pleasing. The color of bronze looks expensive and respectable. This faucet will be a real decoration in the bathroom and in the kitchen.

The main feature of plumbing in bronze is its originality. Products from different manufacturers look completely different. Some specimens have a matte antiquated surface with a barely noticeable greenish bloom of antiquity - their appearance causes a slight nostalgia for the past century of aristocracy.

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

For the production of mixers used a variety of materials and various alloys of them. 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 faucets quickly become useless. The ceramic models 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 of it is covered with a layer of bronze using a special technology.

Due to this coating, the products receive a number of advantages:

• Aesthetic appearance, no different from the product made of bronze;
• more affordable compared to the original price;
• special anti-corrosion coating protects the mixer from the aggressive effects of chemical reagents contained in cleaning compositions and tap water;
• brass is better than bronze, adapts to communications, therefore, the operational properties of such a device are improved;
• modern methods of casting allow you to get the product without voids and other internal and external defects, and also make it possible to make the design more complex and interesting.

To improve the appearance of the mixers, they are decorated with various decorative elements, for which a number of different materials are also used. Chrome and nickel are in the lead in this list. Mixer taps can also be covered with a layer of enamel and even gilding.

There are the following types of designs mixers.

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

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

• Cascade option. It is also otherwise called the waterfall: the hole for the water supply is wide and flat and looks like a natural waterfall. Bronze cascade looks very aesthetic. In addition to the unusual design of the spout, the color of the mixer itself is also beautiful. Bronze is poured effectively and as if illuminated through a flowing stream. However, this beauty is somewhat more expensive than traditional structures, and the water consumption in this case is much higher.
• Designer faucets. They may have one of the above structures. 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.

According to the functionality distinguished faucets for the kitchen, bathroom and bidet. The peculiarity of kitchen faucets is that, as a rule, they have a long and high spout, through which water flows. There are models with a height-adjustable spout mechanism, so that you can put a high pot or bucket under it. Also, there are products with a crane for the filter.This is especially convenient in a city apartment.

The faucets in the bathroom are installed in the shower, on the bath itself and (or) on the sink, if any. Plumbing for shower and bathroom must have a hose for the shower and preferably a long spout. The design of such cranes is often either valve or lever.

Not every mixer fits the 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 those cases where water flows from under the rim of the bidet bowl.

Faucets can be attached to the bidet on the wall, on the floor or directly on the toilet itself. There are also special models for hamam and baths. Since there is always a humid atmosphere and it is always hot here, plumbing is needed to be especially durable, resistant to bacteria and high temperatures.Bronze mixers meet all these requirements, so they can often be found not only in the hamam, but also in various spas, baths, saunas.

The choice of a bronze color mixer is often explained by the desire to maintain the room in the same style. Plumbing design also depends on it. For example, if the bathroom is decorated in the style of strict English classics, it would be appropriate to put a valve of a strict design without any kind of decorations. Bronze faucet will be appropriate in the antique interior of the kitchen-dining room. Only in this case it is worth looking at a more elegant model - for example, decorated with glass or crystal caps on the faucet or inlaid with rhinestones.

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

In the bathroom, finished in high-tech style, the bronze mixer will also find its use. Here we need modern models with different "chips". It is just the way in this bathroom will fit the cascade version. In addition, there are models with LED nozzle on the crane. During washing, the LEDs beautifully highlight the stream of water, which makes a simple hygienic procedure especially pleasant.

All manufacturers of sanitary equipment can be divided into three groups. These are products of premium, European standard and economy class. And almost every manufacturer will find a product for all price categories. However, it is believed that European companies' plumbing equipment is more expensive than Russian and Chinese manufacturers.

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

For example, one of the European leaders in the production of mixers and accessories for them is considered to be a brand created in Italy, - Boheme. Its main production facilities are located in Turkey. The Boheme company catalog contains both classic models of the type of two-valve cranes, as well as products with technical innovations such as infrared mixers with electronic sensors. They are made of brass, and as decorations can be used tempered glass, crystal, ceramics, Swarovski crystals. All this causes enthusiastic customer reviews and helps the company to hold a leading position in the market.

Bulgarian and Czech manufacturers have more budgetary options for mixers. Czech brand Zorg It offers brass and steel mixers with bronze coating, which are not inferior in quality to more expensive counterparts. Kitchen faucets 2 in 1 are in special demand. If necessary, with a single turning movement, the tap for running water can supply water from the filter.

In order for the bronzing coating not to dim, it needs proper care.

There are several popular tools that help to maintain it in its original form.

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

How to choose a mixer, see the next video.