Need to find a kitchen tap

[Imsickofnamechanging]

I thought this was so simple but turns out it is not.

We want to replace our kitchen tap, that's all peeling, we've had it about 3yrs. Decided we'll get a good quality tap, that doesn't peel etc.

I need a mixer swivel tap. Plumber offered to bring round a brochure round to look at, the taps cost a minimum of £280 each! is this normal?
So I decided to pop into B&Q, but they have swivel mixer taps ranging from £30 to over £600! A lovely guy tried to explain the differences but I just got more confused.

I want a tap that doesn't peel or does this not exist? Do all taps eventually peel and is it just a matter of how long it takes to peel?
Should a good tap be made fully with chrome or should it be 'chrome covered'?
Around how much should one be looking to spend on a good quality tap? Not the rolls royce of taps better than just average?
There are so many swivel mixer taps which ones are best?
Kitchen is contemporary in style if that helps.
Thanks.

When I had the same dilemma as you, my plumber recommended I choose a Bristan tap.

This is what I chose

www.bristan.com/epages/Bristan.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Bristan/Categories/KitchenTaps/Contemporary/Pistachio_Easyfit

Get thee to Screwfix - plenty of choice. Ours is Franke

We have Bristan, no problems. Or wait for the fired earth sale.

Thanks for all these ideas. Please keep them coming, although judging by your responses and some old threads it seems Bristan is the way to go.

I'm also looking at the France link. Quite a wide rNge in terms of price. Can anyone advise how much does a good quality tap cost on averge?

you won't get better than Bristan, so it just depends if they have a model you like. Have a look on their website

Having noted the model name you like, look round to see if you can get one cheaper.

Unlike many imported taps, spare parts are available for years, at very modest prices. Though, again unlike many imported taps, you probably won't need them.

I'm looking at Brisbane now, thanks to you all but the price ranges are still so varied.

Stupid stupid spellchecker Bristan!

France here too. It was one of the few things the kitchen designer and plumber agreed on.
I got brushed steel.
It's fine, I don't really notice it.

*Franke

Can I ask how much your Franke tap was? If you don't mind or the price range? P,eased to see I'm not the only one struggling with the annoying spellchecker.

Mine is the Olympus, JL says it's £252. Sounds about what I paid.

you mention peeling chrome.

I've never had this on a tap of my own, though I have seen chrome eroded away in commercial washrooms where they use acid cleaners intended to remove limescale.

Good taps are almost invariably made of brass, chrome plated, and nothing else is as durable. I like stainless steel but was surprised that it does not last so well. Rounded surfaces wear less that square corners.

Some imported taps without a recognised brand name can be quite shoddy.

You might not consider the pillar tap with a screw-down capstan to be stylish, but I have known them last 40 years and still look, and work, fine. They are easy and cheap to service.

Swivel mixers will always be prone to wear and seepage on the swivel. It is possible to fit a new sealing ring, but hardly anybody does.

I'm in the middle of a huge project, have bought a Franke wave in silk steel for the main kitchen, not fitted so can't comment and have fitted the Blanco Mixa pull out in chrome in the utility, have been using a few weeks and really love it, pleasure to use. Never thought I'd be so happy with a tap!

My BIL has just got one of those taps that has a pull out nozzle with a hose hidden inside it that you can use to hose down the sink. When not in use, the nozzle thing is held in place by a magnet. His is made by Franke.

It is absolutely BRILLIANT and I really have tap envy. Never thought I would ever type that phrase!

We've had a Franke tap in our utility room for years - never had any problem. I really trust the brand and you can pick them up online very reasonably.

Just about to install a Franke 4 in 1 boiling water tap in our new kitchen - looked at loads but Franke is a brand we've never had problems with. Just replacing our Bristan taps in the bathroom - they still work fine, but the chrome has peeled so not sure I would buy again.

Ooooh! More comments ..thank you. Piglet I don't think it was Chrome.... not sure what it is, looks like silver but peeling methinks it may be plastic, basically cheap tat!

bouncy - I am perturbed to hear about that. I checked the guarantee, it is only 5 years (IMO they should last five times that) but I fear they might blame your cleaning regime. I still think it's worth a complaint, though. Sadly you'd need proof of purchase to make a claim.

www.bristan.com/epages/Bristan.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Bristan/Categories/%22Customer_Service%20Footer%22/Product_Guarantees

For this issue, you should use only a kitchen tap made from Pure Stainless Steel!! Has no chance of peeling, no chrome plating, Bleach cannot harm it and you can clean it with almost anything!!!!

DH is a plumber and we have Bristan in our kitchen.

Are you in France? Apparently France and U.K have different diameter pipe, I think there's is 14mm and ours 15mm or something like, not insurmountable but not the same! (Can you tell I sort of zoned out whilst he imparted this gem of knowledge?🤣

Bristan as people have mentioned, or Franke £150 max for a very nice monobloc swivel tap

I have grohe taps and they are excellent and also widely recommended on here. Kitchen tap about £100 on plumbing sites or Amazon.