Concealed or surface-mounted taps – which should you choose?

A shower mixer is not only a practical element, but also an important detail in the arrangement of the entire bathroom. In your decor, do you favour minimalism, or do you prefer traditional solutions? When shopping, is your key criterion price or design? There are many factors that influence purchasing decisions regarding a shower mixer. Discover the pros and cons of both concealed and exposed mixers to choose wisely!

Concealed and exposed shower mixers – differences

Exposed mixers are currently more popular than their concealed counterparts. This is the more classic option, characterised by installation directly on the wall. An exposed mixer is connected to the existing water outlets. This makes the installation process much easier.

A concealed mixer consists of two main elements: the external part and the in-wall unit. Installation of this type is also carried out in two stages. Start by placing the in-wall element in a pre-prepared opening in the wall. The next step is to connect the external trim to it. The name comes from the fact that a significant part of the mixer is located under the plaster.

Exposed and concealed mixers – pros and cons

Concealed set or exposed set — which to choose? If you’re facing a similar dilemma, take a look at the pros and cons of both versions.

What makes exposed mixers so popular?

• They are easy to install. Installation consists of connecting the mixer’s inlets to the water outlets.
• They’re easy to replace. All you need to do is disconnect the old mixer and fit the new one to the same connections.
• High availability and a wide choice of models. Because exposed mixers are so popular, you’ll find hundreds of variants on the market.

However, exposed mixers aren’t entirely without downsides. These undoubtedly include, among others:

• Only two factory-configured water outlets, with the possibility of expanding to just three. What does this mean? If you want to add extra features such as lower or side sprays/body jets, you’ll need to opt for concealed fittings.
• They’re less aesthetically pleasing than their concealed counterparts, as they remain fully exposed.
• They take up more space, which is particularly significant in small bathrooms.

Sales of concealed fittings on the Polish market are steadily rising. No wonder — concealed mixers are not only functional, but also very aesthetically pleasing. What are the main advantages of these devices?

• Concealed mixers can be installed in any layout and location. For example, if you want to mount the mixer and the rain shower on two separate walls, that’s no problem.
• They take up very little space, as most components of a concealed mixer are hidden in the wall.
• The water flow rate in concealed mixers is higher than in their exposed counterparts.

The biggest drawback of concealed mixers is the installation process. It involves chasing out the walls, which effectively discourages many people from choosing this option. In addition, a separate installation must be run to each water outlet. A problem also arises if one of the components develops a fault. Because they are in the wall, they are difficult to access. It should be emphasised, however, that concealed mixers are tested for potential defects. Exposed mixers are characterised by a high degree of reliability.

Concealed set or exposed set — which should you choose?

You already know the main pros and cons of both concealed and exposed mixers. Even so, can’t quite decide which option will be right for you?

If you’re carrying out a major renovation or are just finishing a new home, the best choice will be a modern and elegant concealed mixer. If your bathroom is already tiled, the optimal solution will be to install an exposed mixer. This way you’ll avoid the nuisance and cost of chasing out the walls.

You’ll find a wide range of concealed and exposed mixers at lazienka-rea.com.pl. Decide for yourself which variant will feature in your bathroom!