Wall mounted or floorstanding bath taps?

[msmorgan]

We're having a freestanding bath and I was decided on floorstanding taps until our plumber mentioned that they can become unsteady when fixed to a wooden floor.

Has anyone got floorstanding taps on a wooden floor and had any problems? I'm now wondering if I should go for wallmounted but I think the traditional style bath/shower mixers look a bit bulky.

If you have a freestanding bath, where do you put the shampoo bottles (genuine question)

We're having recessed shelves. I might also have a shelf above one of the panelled walls if I go with panelling rather than tiles.

Not sure what you would do if you couldn't do either of those?

I'm making sure theres plenty of storage as I don't want lots of bottles around the bath.

I've just had a modern free standing bath put in.
I like the look of freestanding taps but I'm a hopeless cleaner so went for something like this
www.google.co.uk/search?q=bath+wall+taps+uk&espv=2&biw=1280&bih=613&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=xBU-VIuDAoGa7gbJp4D4Dw&ve
They come out of the tongue & groove in the middle of the bath.

Floor mounted has a whole lot more chrome to clean.

freestanding taps are a long lever, so if you fall on them, or somebody uses them as a grab-handle, it will be like using a crowbar on the pipes and floor-fixings, which may be wrenched out. If there is a clamp to the wall or the side of the bath they will be less fragile.

If I set the panelling approx 150mm off the wall to make enough room for a back to wall toilet cistern would wall mounted taps be ok fixed to the panelling? If I don't set the panelling off the wall can I still have wall mounted taps?

I'm not too bothered about the cleaning aspect as you wouldn't be able to see much of the standpipes anyway. More worried about the floor fixings becoming loose and ending up with a wobbly tap.

Against a wall, there are stand-off pipe clamps called "Munsen Rings" that are adjustable for length. But probably your tap supplier has something to match.

Your panelling will probably have a studwork frame, the skeleton could be designed so there will be a bit of framework where you want the screws to go.

I should think you can have wall mounted taps whatever you do. See if you can use a support like a shower mounting plate - your plumber will be familiar with them - so that the taps do not rely on the pipes or tiny screws to hold them in place.

One day the taps will have to be removed, so IMO it is preferable not to have taps, or especially showers, recessed into the wall so you have to break tiles and dig out mortar to get at them.

This is the floor standing tap I like, I've never heard of the brand though so no idea what the quality is like, also no idea if having one stand pipe or two makes any difference to anything?

tap

I think perhaps it is branded for the shop. There must be two pipes inside the pillar. Ceramic cartridges with levers are not at all traditional.

I'm a Bristan enthusiast, but I don't think they have a floor standing tap.

I have found some Bristan basin mixer taps I like but couldn't find any floor standing. I think I'll have to have a chat with the plumber to see if he thinks he could secure a floor standing tap well enough, and if not get a wall mounted tap.

Would the floor be tiled before or after the tap is fitted?

as long as the pipework is run and tested first, and you verify that the taps fit and are in the right place, tile the floor first. It is very tiresome to take tiles up for an alteration.

Thanks for the advice Piglet. I had a chat with the plumber tonight and I'm going with the above tap, or similar.

He said the same as you, he wants the tap on site soon to get the positioning etc right before the tiling is done.

For anyone contemplating installing free-standing taps for a bath tub, I'd suggest you think again. They can be a nightmare to install but the biggest problem is that however they are anchored to the floor, they remain vulnerable to being knocked, especially if you have young children. Wall-mounted taps may not look as appealing but they make more sense.