Which brand of taps do you use?

I'm after recommendations for bathroom mixers (shower and sink). Happy to pay more for quality and some people have told me to look at Ram, Methven, Hansa, Grohe. Who's installed taps from these brands, and are they long-lasting?

 

Grohe used in my bathroom. My builder recommended it.

 

Enware anti-vandal fittings with ceramic discs.

 

@Scott No Mates - I checked out their website - do you happen to know of online stockists for Enware? Didn't have much luck with my google-fu tonight.

 

@mouseburger You will have to go to trades suppliers only. Their commercial products but good.

 

Have also used Grohe and couldn't be happier. Also happy with Dorf and Caroma which were Aussie made not sure now. I avoid the cheap no name stuff from Bunnings/Masters. The cheapest I go is Caroma/Dorf.

 

Methven and hansa are top notch.

Avoid the Bunnings garbage they aren't reliable I had a $50 kitchen mixer in IP it rusted through in 12 months

 

+1 on this. I have used Dorf which was great and now I have Grohe which is also fantastic and really good quality.

I bought a whole lot of Grohe tapware on Gumtree from a lady who changed her mind on her taps mid renovation. Her poor decision making ended up being my gain, and for 20% of the RRP!

They are gems when you can find them.

vtt

 

I use Methven - can't complain. Nice and sturdy and look good.

Don't mess around with cheap plumbing components. Some of that cheap stuff from China is rubbish - will end up costing more in the long run when you continually call out a plumber.

Cheers

Jamie

 

Agree with what Jamie said. I've been cautioned by plumbers that the cheap and nasty stuff (such as from Bunnings) costs a bomb in callouts.

 

is this for IP or PPOR as they are pretty expensive Grohe

 

I have swapped all existing taps over to Ram ceramic disc by swapping the tap spindle out , and as scott I have fitted anti vandal as I find loose caps annoying. I think the Ram brand are owned by tradelink or licenced to them.
If you head down this path beware there are many configurations in regard to 1/4 turn 3/4 turn etc.Also Contra type where the direction the tap turns is opposite each other or from the centre away from you rather than the usual lefty loosey.

 

Thanks for the tips, all. This is for my PPOR and I ended up getting Hansa mixers for the bath and shower and a Rams for the bathroom sink. Never met anyone who didn't have complaints about the Bunnings crap. I don't know much about fixtures but the cheapies always feel flimsier than the better stuff. Better to pay bit extra for quality now rather than spending extra money later trying to fix things - and end up spending what the good stuff would've cost anyway!

 

Is it still a concern if we buy those good brands fr okm bunnings. The reason I use bunnings is to just see, feel and buy. Also can easily return if it's wrong or I didn't like it..

 

@San2018 - bunnies just has a limited range from Methven, I found that Methven customer service was great regardless of where I purchased.

 

I've had good luck with cheap Bunnings ceramic disc taps which I installed in my kitchen.

They cost $44 two years ago and still going strong today. My only complaint is that they are noisy when on. One thing worse than noisy neighbours is noisy taps....