The faucets are one of the most important elements of a bathroom or a kitchen: it is used dozens of times a day, it must guarantee reliability for years and, at the same time, it significantly contributes to the overall aesthetics of the space. Choosing the right faucet is not just about selecting the most beautiful finish beautiful: it means evaluating materials, technologies, compatibility with the plumbing system and, increasingly often, the impact in terms of water and energy savings.
On this page we guide you through all the categories of our faucets, explaining technical features, practical advantages, and selection criteria for each home environment. You will also find a guide to finishes, a comparison between main technologies and a FAQ section with the most frequent questions from our customers.
What faucets include: categories and applications
The term faucets refers to all devices plumbing devices intended to control water flow and temperature in environments domestic and professional. Our offer covers four main macro-categories.
- Bathroom faucets โ mixers and faucets for sink, bidet, and bathtub
- Shower faucets โ columns, thermostatic mixers, shower sets
- Kitchen faucets โ kitchen mixers, faucets with pull-out spray
- Outdoor faucets โ garden taps, water columns
- Faucet accessories โ aerators, cartridges, replacement handles
- Community faucets โ touchless solutions for intensive use
- Design and luxury faucets โ high-end Made in Italy collections
- Water-saving faucets โ products with water saving certification
Each category meets specific installation, use, and style needs. In the in the following sections we analyze the most important choices, starting from the type of most purchased faucets: those for the bathroom.
Bathroom faucets: sink, bidet, and bathtub
The bathroom is the environment where faucets have the greatest impact on the daily experience. The correct choice of faucet for sink, bidet, and bathtub requires considering the bathroom's aesthetics, the type of installation, and the features of the plumbing system.
Basin faucets
basin faucets are available in three main configurations: single-lever (one lever for flow and temperature), two handles (separate hot and and cold) and touchless (infrared sensor). Single-lever faucets are the most common thanks to ease of use; two-handle models are chosen for classic or designer bathrooms; the touchless faucet is the ideal solution for the highest hygienic level.
For large countertop or freestanding basins, column faucets with a high spout (25โ35 cm) are often the mandatory choice. For projects of more refined designs, the wall-mounted faucet eliminates any accessory from the support surface, offering a minimalist result with great impact.
Bidet faucets
The bidet faucet is dimensionally similar to the basin faucet but almost always has always a swivel spout and a slightly reduced flow rate. In the choice, it is essential to match the finish and style to those of the basin faucet to achieve a coordinated bathroom. Many manufacturers offer complete bathroom faucet sets which include both the basin mixer and the bidet mixer, ensuring uniformity aesthetic.
Faucets for bathtubs and bath-shower combos
For the bathtub, there are three solutions: the bathtub set on the edge (montato sul bordo della vasca o sul piano di appoggio), il gruppo vasca a wall (with supply hidden in the wall) and the freestanding floor faucet, designed for bathtubs center-room. The latter is the most spectacular solution and requires a column floor-mounted supply with pipes embedded under the flooring.
Kitchen faucets: functionality and style
The kitchen faucet is among the most used in the home โ it is estimated an average of 30โ40 uses per day โ and must therefore combine durability, practicality, and design. The kitchen faucets in our selection are designed to withstand to intensive use without ever giving up aesthetics.
โฆ Did you know?
A kitchen faucet with a pull-out spray head can reach a swivel length of 70โ90 cm, making washing pots, vegetables, and sink shelves much easier. Models with 360ยฐ swivel adapt for double-bowl sinks with minimal effort.
The main types of kitchen faucets include: the mixer with fixed spout (classic, sturdy, ideal for standard use), the mixer with swivel spout (gooseneck rotating 120ยฐโ360ยฐ), the model with hand shower pull-out (the most versatile) and the two-function faucet with normal and with spray jet selectable from the same head. For designer kitchens, faucets in matte black or brushed brass are the finishes most requested at the moment.
Shower faucets: from columns to thermostatic mixers
The shower faucets have undergone a real transformation in recent years, becoming one of the central elements of the contemporary bathroom. The offer ranges from simple built-in single-lever mixers to complete shower columns with rain showerhead, side jets, and thermostatic faucets.
Thermostatic mixers for shower
The thermostatic mixer is the most advanced technology available for the shower. It maintains the set water temperature constant regardless of from pressure variations in the network (for example, when someone uses simultaneously another faucet or the toilet flush). Besides comfort, thermostatic faucets offer an important safety advantage: the 38ยฐC or 43ยฐC lock prevents burns accidental, making them the ideal choice for families with children or elderly.
Shower columns and sets
Shower columns integrate faucets, fixed showerhead top, the handheld shower and often also the side jets (hydromassage). They are available in wall-mounted or freestanding versions and represent the most complete for those who want to turn the shower into a wellness experience. Shower sets modular, instead, allow free combination of showerhead, hand shower, and arm hand shower holder, with greater design flexibility.
Faucet materials and finishes: a buying guide
The quality of a faucet product primarily depends on the material of the body: solid brass is the reference standard for quality faucets, thanks to their corrosion resistance, workability and compatibility with drinking water certified by the UNI EN 200 standard. Beware of products made of zinc alloy (zamak) or chrome-plated plastic: they have a lifespan significantly reduced usefulness.
| Finish | Appearance | Maintenance | Recommended style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polished chrome | Bright, reflective | Easy, limescale resistant | Modern, classic, neutral |
| Brushed chrome | Satin, less reflective | Hides fingerprints | Contemporary, minimal |
| Matte black | Dark, bold | Requires frequent cleaning | Industrial, design, contrast |
| Polished gold / brass | Warm, precious | Medium, beware of acids | Luxury, classic, art dรฉco |
| Brushed gold | Warm and soft | Good scratch resistance | Sophisticated contemporary |
| Matte white | Delicate, minimalist | Good, avoid abrasives | Nordic, Japandi, minimal |
Technologies in modern faucets: savings and innovation
Contemporary faucets integrate technologies capable of concretely improving quality of daily life and reduce the environmental impact of our home.
The low-flow aerators are perhaps the most accessible improvement and impactful: artificially mixing water with air, they produce a soft flow and substantial by reducing the actual flow rate by 50โ60% compared to traditional faucets. A kitchen faucet with a 5 l/min aerator saves about 8,000 liters of water per year compared to a traditional model of 12 l/min.
The touchless faucets with infrared sensor dispense water only when presence of hands, eliminating waste and ensuring the highest hygienic level. Increasingly adopted in residential settings, are battery powered (2โ3 years autonomy) or network via 220V/6V transformer. The thermostatic faucet, already mentioned for the shower, is also available for washbasin and bathtub: it offers precision of temperature to the degree, reducing waste from waiting for hot water desired.
How to choose the right faucet: 5 fundamental parameters
Choosing among hundreds of models can be complex. Here are the five key parameters main points to consider before every faucet purchase.
1. Compatibility with the washbasin or shower tray. Check the diameter of the installation hole (standard 35 mm), the center distance in case of three holes (generally 150 mm) and the minimum necessary height between the countertop and the spout. For deep countertop washbasins, the faucet must have an adequate height.
2. System pressure. Most faucets are designed for pressures between 1 and 5 bar. In gravity systems or with pressures below 0.5 bar it is necessary to choose faucets certified for low pressure. Always check the product technical sheet.
3. Style and finish. The faucet finish must coordinate with the other bathroom accessories (towel holder, toilet paper holder, mirror) and with the washbasin or ceramic. Buying a complete coordinated faucet set is always the safest choice for a flawless overall result.
4. Cartridge quality. The ceramic cartridge is the heart of faucet. Quality models use cartridges of 40 or 46 mm with ceramic disc certified for over 500,000 opening cycles. Prefer brands that guarantee the availability of spare parts in the long term.
5. Certifications and warranty. Check compliance with standards UNI EN 200 (sanitary faucets), the presence of the CE mark, and the conditions of warranty: reputable brands offer mechanical warranties from 5 to 15 years. Certifications ACS (France) and KTW (Germany) certify the safety of materials in contact with drinking water.
Frequently asked questions about faucets (FAQ)
What is the difference between a mixer and a faucet?
A traditional faucet has a single outlet (only cold or only hot water). A mixer blends the two supplies inside the body, delivering water at the desired temperature through a single outlet. Today, in common commercial usage, the terms are often used as synonyms to indicate faucets with temperature control.
How do you install a basin faucet?
Standard installation includes: inserting the faucet into the basin hole (ร 35 mm), fixing with rosette and tightening nut from below, connecting the flexible pipes of supply (3/8" fittings) to the stop valves. It is an operation within reach for those familiar with DIY, but for work on existing systems it is it is always advisable to rely on a qualified plumber.
How often should a faucet cartridge be replaced?
With normal use, a quality ceramic cartridge lasts on average 10โ15 years. Signs indicating the need for replacement are water leaks even when the faucet is closed, difficulty in lever operation, or abnormal flow variations. Replacement it is simple and does not require replacing the entire faucet.
Is matte black faucet hardware difficult to maintain?
Matte black is very aesthetically sought after but requires more care compared to polished chrome. Fingerprints and limescale deposits are more visible, so it is more frequent cleaning with a soft damp cloth is necessary. Strictly avoid abrasive cleaners and acidic products that can damage the PVD coating.
Is it possible to buy coordinated faucets for the entire bathroom?
Yes: most brands offer complete bathroom faucet collections including basin mixer, bidet faucet, bath set, and shower set in the same finish and design. Buying a coordinated collection guarantees aesthetic uniformity and simplifies the choice.