At number 5 Crosswater have the Prima range of bathroom taps (shown left), this will work on low pressure and comes in at £76.00 a small range with just a Monobloc basin mixer, monobloc bidet mixer, deck or wall mounted bath shower mixer and a manual shower valve, to see the full range click here.

At number 4 Bristan have the Apollo range of bathroom taps (shown right) these will also work on low pressure systems and start from as little as £33.00 for a pair of basin taps, again a small range with basin and bath taps a bath filler and a bath shower mixer if you wish to see the full range then click here.

At number 3 Home of Ultra Have  Orion bathroom taps (shown left) the prices start from just £41.00 for a pair of basin taps this is quite a large range which includes showers and valves as well to complete the look.

There are basin and bath taps, monobloc basin mixers, bath fillers and bath shower mixers and for the Orion shower valves you get both options of square or oval back plate all are thermostatic and come in one or two way valves with an intergeral diverter.

At Number 2 Bristan’s Sonique range of bathroom taps (shown right) is an easy choice for good design at very reasonable price with basin taps from £38.00 they also offer bath taps, monobloc basin mixers , bath filler, bath shower mixer and matching Sonique mini thermostatic shower valves. Tapstore.com are offering tap packs with saving up to 37% off retail price and they are also offering complete bath and shower packs as well so very worth a look.

But at Number 1 for the best quality for value for money we have the Roper Rhodes Storm range of taps and Showers which also got the accolade last year and managed to get back to number 1 by introducing matching shower valves to boost the complete range.

The Storm monobloc basin Mixer is a touch at £53.00 and there is now everything you would want to complement the complete bathroom or shower room design within the range.

Starting with BasinTaps, monobloc basin mixers with and without pop up wastes,  both high and low pressure bath shower mixers and bath fillers, recessed and surface mounted thermostatic shower valves.

The technology used in the basin mixers along help it be the number 1. Built in to the on off control (cartridge) is a flow limiter and and a temperature limiter to make it safe for use with children and older persons.

To see the full range of taps and showers click here.

To add to the range there is also matching Prism black and chrome bathroom taps a small but precise collection, starting with the monobloc basin mixer then there is a mini monobloc basin mixer, a deck mounted bath filler and a bath shower mixer to complete set.

The control levers in the range are still made from chrome to keep the original Prism chrome collections durability.

To see the full range click here.

Bristan’s chill bathroom taps

It is not a huge range but it will satisfy most bathing and showering requirements the first and most sold item within the range is the monobloc basin mixer as pictured on the right it is available with or without a pop up waste and also in a taller version without a pop up waste, there is a two hole basin mixer option as well with a neat square escution plate for mounting both the spout and the control valve, you can also use a version with a rectangular base plate to join the spout and the control valve together.

For the bath there is a standard bath shower mixer and five different ways to fill the bath, you can use a simple wall mounted control and spout two versions of a deck mounted bath filler both designed to match the basin mixers. or you could use either the shower valve with built in diverter and a bath filler over flow or the three way shower valve with a stop cock and diverter so you can add a pull out hose for rinsing out the bath or just washing your hair.

Bristan Chill Showers.

There are four opinions for the shower, the first option pictured to the left is a thermostatic shower valve that can be mounted either on the surface or recessed into the wall, it comes complete with a riser rail kit and a really neat stylish single function shower handset.

In the recessed only options  which are also thermostatic you have the choice of a dual function with a flow control and a temperature control handle ideal for either a shower kit or a fixed position shower head, then there is a shower valve with diverter so two items can be controlled and my favorite the three way valve (pictured right) which is the same as the diverter option with the added bonus of a stop cock on/off control fitted below the thermostat that can be used simultaneously with either of the top outlets or individually on its own. 

There is also a matching range of Chill bathroom accessories, Best Buy From Tapstore.com

Crosswater

The choices with in the Status Range stating with the Status Monobloc basin mixer that comes with no pop-up waste so be sure to select a click clack waste as an addition, also you have a mini basin mixer for the cloakroom or smaller basins, there is a tall monobloc basin mixer for freestanding bowls or for a three hole basin you have the 3 hole basin set with a very imposing spout, just to finish off the basin mixer range there is a wall mounted 2 hole basin mixer (as shown below) which is my personal favorite.

To allow for baths you have a choice of a bath shower mixer or bath filler with a 3 hole bath filler or a 5 hole bath shower mixer set, they have a set of deck mounted side bodies which you can match up with the Status bath spout for separate parts.

For showering the range is quite limited there is just a manual shower valve or manual shower valve with diverter available which tend to be used more as bath fillersnow a days the diverter model could also be used to fill up a bath and also divert to a shower handset.

The Crosswater monobloc basin mixer RRP £189.00 best buy Tapstore.com £132.00.

The range for basins consists of the Stream monobloc basin mixer, a mini basin mixer, a tall basin mixer, a two hole wall mounted basin mixer where the control handle sits above the spout on a rectangular backplate.

For the bath you have a 3 hole bath filler, a 5 hole bath set or you could use a set of hot and cold deck mounted panel valves and the separate bath spout, you also have the option of using a manual shower valve or a manual shower valve with diverter which could be used with a bath filler overflow and shower handset.

For showering there are choices of a Crosswater Stream thermostatic shower valves for a shower head or riser rail and handset or you have the same thermostatic shower valve with a built-in diverter which can operate two separate items independantly, a  portrait and landscape shower valves  with two stop cocks for operating two items simultaneously, and finally within the showering range will be a 3 way thermostatic shower valve again both portrait and landscape orientation.

RRP £319.00 Best Buy Save 30%  Taptore.com £223.00

No compromise has been made in bringing this range of taps and showers to the market the angular lines cut by the range are sharp and concise.

The RS2 basin mixer with pop up waste as seen in the image on the left is going to be on sale for £139.00 which is amazing value for the quality of this product.

In the range will also be a tall monobloc basin mixer a basin mixer with a side lever, three hole wall and deck mounted basin mixers, separate basin and bath taps, there is also a monobloc bidet mixer.

For the bathing area there are lots of great choices starting with deck mounted bath filler and bath shower mixer, 3 and 5 hole bath sets, even a freestanding bath shower mixer ( as in image ) or you can make up your own configuration with the separate diverters and side bodies.

With showering always in tapstore’s mind they have made sure that the RS2 comes with all you would need to complete the design in full, there is a recessed thermostatic shower valve options from 1, 2, or 3 way or a surface mounted thermostatic bar shower valve, or the stunning RS2 deluxe multifunction shower with its rectangular shower head and showering handset (as shown).

To see the complete range visit Tapstore.com if you decide this is the range for you mention the bathroom designer and grab an extra 5% discount.

The Voyager monobloc basin mixer RRP £139.00 and is available from Tapstore.com for £105.70

Multifunction shower head choice

If you are looking for an exhilarating shower the a multifunction shower head is for you there are so many out there that you really need to consider what is the right one for you. The spray patterns that are available are massage, mist, pulse, rain, drench, and water saving mode.

Most consumers that purchase a multi function shower head do so leaving the shower head in the rain pattern all of the time ask your self this question first as a multi function shower head simply does not perform as well in a rain pattern as a single function shower head.

Single function shower head choice

The single function shower heads are rain or drench pattern only, they are the best at giving a good volume of water which for a practical shower is really what most people desire, they generally operate at lower pressures and can work as low as 0.1 bar pressure and still give you the function required.

There are now many water saving Eco shower heads on the market that will split or atomise the water flow to give a good spray pattern but higher pressures would be required to obtain the correct function.

Large fixed shower head choice

Previously these were called traditional shower roses available in 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and even 12″ diameters you can still get the traditional shower roses and they are great but they have limitations, the water jets are a series of drilled holes that can get lime scaled up easily, and they do tend to use a vast amount of water and can either drain all your hot water or if you are on a mains fed system it cannot supply enough water.

The new generation of fixed shower head is both stylish and practical there are some many designs to choose from a round fixed head to square fixed heads, flat chunky you name it its available to you. The added benefit of choosing a modern designed fixed shower head is that you get a large showering drench head without using a huge volume of water. The way the jets are designed they will always hold back some flow even under pressure, the other main benefit is that you will get rub clean jets and that stop lime scale build up and gives the product durability.

With the large shower Heads you will need to choose either a wall arm of at least 300mm or a ceiling arm to connect to the shower head. By having a large fixed shower head you will need to consider the one down side as is with all fixed heads you will not be able to rinse out or clean the shower enclosure or bath that easily so the addition of a handset is always a good idea so it is worthwhile buying a thermostatic shower valve with a built in diverter so that one you have finished invigorating yourself a quick jet from the handset and your done!!!

This shower from Tapstore.com has all the quality you would expect from their products at a very good price that includes an 8″ fixed shower head which is adjustable in height, it has rub clean nozzles and is fitted with a ball joint for tilting, the handset is sleek and minimal  and comes with a neat bracket to store the shower handset when not in use.

The ridged riser comes with a diverter to switch easily between fixed shower head and handset.

The shower valve itself is made of such a high quality that it will hold the temperature +-1°c the solid chrome on brass handles are smooth in action unlike the inferior plastic handles that so many shower valves come with nowadays,  It has a built in safety feature of shutting down if there is a cold water failure.

Designed to be used with a shower pump or mains pressure system this showers performance will not let you down.

RRP £499.00 Best Buy tapstore.com £344.00.