- Why Purchase a Freestanding Faucet?
- Types of Freestanding Bathtub Faucets
- Freestanding Bathtub Faucet Finishes
- Quality
Ah, the luxury of a bath is simply beyond compare. You’ll need more than bath salts and oil for the most luxurious of soaks. Those are the software, and they come later. What you need first is hardware, like a freestanding bathtub faucet. This investment adds an elegant touch that exudes luxury before, during, and after your baths.
Why Purchase a Freestanding Faucet?
Freestanding bathtubs have made a splash in recent years, becoming popular in modern and traditional homes. Freestanding bathtub faucets do not touch the bathtub itself. Rather, they’re mounted close to it. As a result, there’s no hardware on the rim or deck of the bathtub.
While you could position your bathtub against a wall or opt for a tub-mounted faucet, the aesthetic of a freestanding bathtub faucet is hard to beat. Whether you like the industrial look of exposed (but finished beautifully) plumbing or want a sleek, modern silhouette, you’ll find a freestanding bathtub faucet that appeals to your sense of style.
Types of Freestanding Bathtub Faucets
Freestanding bathtub faucets are generally floor-mounted. The basic types of freestanding bathtub fillers include:
Single-handle freestanding bathtub faucets— As the name implies, one handle controls the flow of hot and cold water. This style is ideal for those who prefer a sleek, minimalist aesthetic in the bathroom.
Double-handle freestanding bathtub faucets—This style features two handles, one for hot water and the other for cold water. A two-handled freestanding tub faucet would look lovely on a more traditional freestanding tub, such as a clawfoot tub.
Source: http://www.houzz.com/projects/200301/free-standing-tub-filler-faucets
Freestanding bathtub faucets with a handheld shower wand — Want the option of showering or at least rinsing off occasionally? Consider a freestanding bathtub faucet with a handheld shower wand incorporated into the design. For example, the AT-04 freestanding bathtub faucet is an elegant addition to a modern freestanding bathtub — and it features a separate hand-held shower wand. The wand’s shape mimics the faucet itself, adding form and function to the bathing experience.
Freestanding Bathtub Faucet Finishes
Like other bathroom faucets, freestanding bathtub faucets are available in various finishes including:
- Brass — Brass bathtub faucets are durable and attractive. Available in polished or satin finishes, polished brass fixtures look nice in vintage bathrooms, while satin brass, which has a matte finish, looks lovely in modern bathrooms.
- Copper — Bold and beautiful copper bathroom faucets develop a patina over time, giving the room a sense of timelessness and character. Copper bathroom fixtures lend themselves to industrial, steampunk, or farmhouse-style rooms.
- Nickel—Darker than chrome but just as durable and easy to maintain, polished and brushed nickel finishes are attractive choices for freestanding bathtub faucets.
- Oil rubbed bronze — Darkly rich and easy to clean, oil rubbed bronze faucets are an attractive choice that makes a bold statement.
- Chrome — Inexpensive and shiny, what’s not to love about Chrome? Chrome freestanding bathtub faucets are gorgeous, and they go with virtually any style.
- Black — Black bathroom faucets are harder to come by than the more popular finishes such as chrome or nickel. However, they can be a stunning choice.
Flow Rates
The flow rate of your faucet is important as it controls the volume of water it releases every minute. This is measured by GPM or gallons per minute, and before purchasing your faucet, you want to check that the GPM is sustainable for your home. Remember that shower combinations, hand-shower combinations, and tub faucets will have differing GPM so it’s important to compare and contrast. On average, a sink faucet will have a flow rate between .5-2 gallons per minute. If you want more control, shop for an adjustable faucet to provide a better flow rate.
Control Options
Many faucets are equipped with voice control and remote access to improve bathroom functionality. These features can be synced with your thermostat and water heater to control the temperature of your water. So, before you reach home, you can run your faucet and ensure that it reaches optimal temperature when you arrive, saving you more time for bathing.
Quality
Choosing the perfect freestanding bathtub filler for your bathtub is a matter of personal taste. Some people will prefer a modern faucet with a handheld shower while others may want something more traditional looking with an oil-rubbed bronze finish. However, one common element that most will agree upon is quality.
Your freestanding bathtub faucet should be built to last with quality materials, expert workmanship, and a durable finish. Check each faucet’s warranty to ensure that you’re buying a quality product backed by the manufacturer.
While you may want to have your new freestanding bathtub faucet professionally installed by a plumber, you can also do it yourself. If you plan to install the faucet, check the manufacturer’s website to see if installation instructions are available.
Adding a freestanding bathtub filler to your large freestanding tub is an elegant choice that will bring joy for years to come. Choose a quality fixture and enjoy!
Sources:
- http://www.houzz.com/photos/42825086/Penhaglion-No97-Free-Standing-Tub-Filler-Satin-Black-Finish-traditional-bathtub-faucets
- http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/17686959/list/a-crash-course-in-bathroom-faucet-finishes
Eric is the founder and president of Badeloft USA. He has been the president of Badeloft’s US division for over ten years and oversees all marketing and branding aspects of Badeloftusa.com.
His expertise lies in small business development, sales, and home and bathroom industry trends and information.
Contact us with any business related inquiries.