Taps have come a long way since they were introduced to the market. Earlier none of us paid too much attention to the elegance, style and utility that these faucets add to the bathroom. The bathroom taps are the most understated product in the décor but are the most used one. The taps not only add to the décor but also help us reducing water wastage. Another thing that has to be kept in mind while doing selection of faucets is the material used. Commonly the alloy used is brass as its lasts longer and requires least care. But the problem faced while using a faucet made using Brass is Dezincification. Dezincification of brass is a type of corrosion that happens when zinc is lixiviated out of the alloy leaving a weakened copper fitting. This commonly happens because of chlorinated water or water having a high level of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Other materials used in bathroom taps include chrome, nickel, steel, porcelain, ceramic etc. Bath mixture taps: Mixer style taps provide an alternate to traditional taps. These taps are called mixers because their basic is function is to mix hot and cold water to desired temperature. In these taps the water temperature is thermostatically controlled. Mixed water is supplied through a single spout. The functional design and user friendly one handed operation have made it a popular choice. 3 Piece Taps 3 piece taps are traditional taps come in a large variety of colours, shapes and sizes. These taps are assembled, each having hot and cold water along with an outlet. The hot tap should always be installed on the left and cold tap on the right. Bib Taps A bib tap is one that fixes to a wall. These days, they are mainly used for garden taps or in utility buildings. A tap having a nozzle bent downwards and supplied from a horizontal pipe. Basin Taps Basin taps have a spout which is attached to a surface. These are most commonly one handed. These are available with lever, knob and cross handle. Basin taps are the most commonly used in cloakrooms. Washerless Taps Washerless taps are a new concept in the market. There are three varieties of washerless taps available in the market- Ball, cartridge and ceramic. Waterfall Taps Waterfall taps can be operated by one or two levers and the hot and cold water mixes as it goes through. In these taps, the temperature is manually controlled. The hot and cold water mixes as it goes through the descending spout. Pillar Taps Pillar taps have a tall standing spout, are either one or two levered. They give temperature-controlled comfort and are aesthetically pleasing. Things to keep in mind before buying bathroom taps: Durability Durability is a very important aspect while purchasing a bathroom tap and generally sacrificed due to the budget constraints. Nowadays more and more consumers are shifting from cheap and nasty products to the a little more expensive but durable ones. They now understand it is more intelligent to invest in better quality for once and not to invest in the repairs again and again. Utility The functional design of a faucet depends on what you looking for. There are a number of designs available in the market these days. So it is important to decide the utility you are looking for. Water Efficiency Water efficient taps are a new concept available in the market one should opt for the taps with highest WELS rating which would not only save water but also energy. As a matter of fact, the faster the bath taps fills the bath, the more efficient they are. Choosing a right bathroom tap can be a challenging process. The above mentioned points can help you taking the right decision. So go ahead and choose a faucet which pleases you in design and functionality.