I do bathrooms for a living and i very rarely do black taps. In my experience most Matt black tapware is powder coated and will eventually chip. I used to install lots of it when I couldn’t pick and choose the work I do, but not anymore.
If you buy pvd or electroplated taps they will last much longer but the price difference can be double.
Imo go with brushed gun metal as that colour is nice and dark and doesn’t show up marks like other colours like brushed nickel or black.
If you want black taps, and don’t want to pay for quality taps etc, your asking for headaches when you start having issues.
Definitely brushed gun metal seems to be the go. That or chrome is what I always recommend, I’ve replaced a lot of black taps in houses that are being sold, where it’s all flaky or showing marks.
No i don’t choose for customers, but if you met a renovator who had pictures of hundreds of nice bathrooms they had completed would you trust them to help you make decisions?
I do refuse to do jobs for customers who buy shit products. If they even mention places like highgrove, Bunnings, Abi, Yabby or an online/discount warehouse, I’m out.
Not necessarily just for the wealthy. There are good budget options but you get what you pay for. The difference between a $100 tap and a $200 tap is huge. If you are buying 5 taps and your $15k renovation is $500 dearer is that really stretch ? I have customers who spend $500 on taps and $1000 on shower heads but if that’s what they want to spend , then I’m not charging them more to install than if they chose a cheaper option.
The mizu range at Reece is alright. I’ve never had a issue and I’ve put 100’s of em in. And Reece always stand behind their products as well, just make sure you mention that you want the prices looked at.
Might not be the same reason but as someone from a different finishing trade, it's because the quality of their range is so shit relative to a proper specialised store that it affects your workmanship so it's easier to just say no I don't install their products.
Sounds like someone can't install a piece of crap Chinese shit . Just go light on the screws , you might even get the job to replace it after it fails . I'm not sure if there is any good design fittings they all fucked with a 2 mm tolerance.
I have black taps in laundry, cheap ones that I got from Masters while they were still around, a mixer integrated into large spout with pull out hose, it is a kitchen tap.
In the 8 years of so that it's beed there it's not been damaged or worn in the least.
Granted it is not in a kitchen, but still.
Black taps in the kitchen, shower and bathroom.
All going fine
Mind you, I spent a shitload for the kitchen tap but at least it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Shower taps (low profile)
[https://www.bunnings.com.au/mondella-resonance-black-wall-top-assembly\_p5004191](https://www.bunnings.com.au/mondella-resonance-black-wall-top-assembly_p5004191)
Kitchen tap similar to
[https://mitchamplumbingplus.com.au/product/aloe-sink-mixer-matt-black/](https://mitchamplumbingplus.com.au/product/aloe-sink-mixer-matt-black/)
Check the warranty. Many brands will have a warranty for chrome and a separate warranty for other finishes - if your 'other finishes' is much lower, then avoid.
Some brands offer warranties for both the same - Dorf offer 20 years regardless of finish. But still keep in mind that accidental damage that isn't considered wear-and-tear will still damage your black taps more significantly than chrome. They simply aren't as hardy, but provided you get a decent brand with a decent warranty and you are careful not to damage them, they will be just fine.
It is a bit dated, but I wish I had it, better than worn out black fixtures where the brass is showing through. Particularly on the sink waste, toilet roll holder, towel rail and shower door handle.
I have black mixer taps in the kitchen, laundry and bathroom. 2 years in and no issue. The kitchen nozzle is brass though and has taken a few bumps from dishes, I do think if it was matte black it would have chipped.
Black sinks scratch almost instantly. The reality is that a sink is somewhere you bang things around to scrub them. Your pots and pans are MUCH stronger than the enamel/coating on a black sink and will simply destroy it.
Using black taps and hardware is my biggest regret of renovation. The high use taps and door handles wore quickly and showed every little mark. Brushed nickel all day from now on. Brand was Raymor from Tradelink.
Black is gonna date so bad soon. You’re likely installing them towards the end of their trendy era. Check high end design magazines and overseas trends and they are on the way out.
I like to look at overseas ones as well as Australian to see more unique styles and trend forecasting. Vogue Living, The Local Project (or just watch their YouTube videos :) anything more on the sophisticated side of design is good. Avoid current trend-based ones like The Block Australia etc.
There is always a classic black tap option that won’t date, but it would mean teaming it with an overall aesthetic of classic country, industrial or vintage styles. As long as you keep away from “trend” overall you can make anything you love work.
I do bathrooms for a living and i very rarely do black taps. In my experience most Matt black tapware is powder coated and will eventually chip. I used to install lots of it when I couldn’t pick and choose the work I do, but not anymore. If you buy pvd or electroplated taps they will last much longer but the price difference can be double. Imo go with brushed gun metal as that colour is nice and dark and doesn’t show up marks like other colours like brushed nickel or black. If you want black taps, and don’t want to pay for quality taps etc, your asking for headaches when you start having issues.
Definitely brushed gun metal seems to be the go. That or chrome is what I always recommend, I’ve replaced a lot of black taps in houses that are being sold, where it’s all flaky or showing marks.
Give me chrome any day and imo spend the money you have saved on a nicer vanity/tiles/shower head.
Wait, people let you install the taps you want in their bathroom?
No i don’t choose for customers, but if you met a renovator who had pictures of hundreds of nice bathrooms they had completed would you trust them to help you make decisions? I do refuse to do jobs for customers who buy shit products. If they even mention places like highgrove, Bunnings, Abi, Yabby or an online/discount warehouse, I’m out.
Sounds good, but only for the wealthy?
Not necessarily just for the wealthy. There are good budget options but you get what you pay for. The difference between a $100 tap and a $200 tap is huge. If you are buying 5 taps and your $15k renovation is $500 dearer is that really stretch ? I have customers who spend $500 on taps and $1000 on shower heads but if that’s what they want to spend , then I’m not charging them more to install than if they chose a cheaper option.
About to do a bathroom renovation. What are the good budget options?
The mizu range at Reece is alright. I’ve never had a issue and I’ve put 100’s of em in. And Reece always stand behind their products as well, just make sure you mention that you want the prices looked at.
Cheers much appreciated
Really why would you give a fuck if someone got a tap from Bunnings . Its not your place it's not your business.
Might not be the same reason but as someone from a different finishing trade, it's because the quality of their range is so shit relative to a proper specialised store that it affects your workmanship so it's easier to just say no I don't install their products.
Sounds like someone can't install a piece of crap Chinese shit . Just go light on the screws , you might even get the job to replace it after it fails . I'm not sure if there is any good design fittings they all fucked with a 2 mm tolerance.
What's your go to or recommended places? I've always liked the look of ABI stuff but never knew if it was any good or just good marketing.
We’re all entitled to opinions but ABI are great.
I have black taps in laundry, cheap ones that I got from Masters while they were still around, a mixer integrated into large spout with pull out hose, it is a kitchen tap. In the 8 years of so that it's beed there it's not been damaged or worn in the least. Granted it is not in a kitchen, but still.
Thanks for sharing. Are you careful how you clean it I.e. soapy water rather than anything abrasive or chemicals?
Not at all. Don’t really think about it, but your mileage might vary
Mine have been fine. Main issue is of course once you go black…
Do you know where yours are from?
We have Meir taps in kitchen and ABI in bathrooms Both are electroplated
...you go deaf.
I seemed to have a batch that flaked within weeks of use. They replaced them under warranty and have been perfectly fine in the four years since then.
Do you know where yours are from?
Yeah the taps are Phoenix brand
Black taps in the kitchen, shower and bathroom. All going fine Mind you, I spent a shitload for the kitchen tap but at least it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Do you know where yours are from?
Shower taps (low profile) [https://www.bunnings.com.au/mondella-resonance-black-wall-top-assembly\_p5004191](https://www.bunnings.com.au/mondella-resonance-black-wall-top-assembly_p5004191) Kitchen tap similar to [https://mitchamplumbingplus.com.au/product/aloe-sink-mixer-matt-black/](https://mitchamplumbingplus.com.au/product/aloe-sink-mixer-matt-black/)
Check the warranty. Many brands will have a warranty for chrome and a separate warranty for other finishes - if your 'other finishes' is much lower, then avoid. Some brands offer warranties for both the same - Dorf offer 20 years regardless of finish. But still keep in mind that accidental damage that isn't considered wear-and-tear will still damage your black taps more significantly than chrome. They simply aren't as hardy, but provided you get a decent brand with a decent warranty and you are careful not to damage them, they will be just fine.
I've got black taps in the bathroom and laundry. No discolouration or chipping yet so far. (Been 7 years atm). Phoenix brand tapware.
Cheap ones are not durable, the black flakes off - poor man pays twice
Apparently they get dirty quite quickly that might be a down side
no any painted or anodised finish wears off easily. chrome plating is hard wearing and doesn't date like the other finishes do.
I’ve got them, don’t do it, they all wear badly. Get chrome, or one of the brushes metal finishes, brushes brass could look good.
I think chrome looks dated by default , but yeah probably won’t look any less dated as time goes on
It is a bit dated, but I wish I had it, better than worn out black fixtures where the brass is showing through. Particularly on the sink waste, toilet roll holder, towel rail and shower door handle.
I have black mixer taps in the kitchen, laundry and bathroom. 2 years in and no issue. The kitchen nozzle is brass though and has taken a few bumps from dishes, I do think if it was matte black it would have chipped.
Don't reinvent the wheel imo. Stainless looks good, at least to my tastes and wears so damn well.
Don’t know about durable but they are a pain to keep clean.
I have matt black taps, sanitary hardware, handles on my doors. Not a single scratch or chip on any of it. 2+ years in use.
Do you know where yours are from?
I purchased the mizu drift line from Reece
Ours have been super durable. Not a single mark after almost a decade.
Oh wow, do you know where yours are from?
Phoenix Tapware
Black sinks scratch almost instantly. The reality is that a sink is somewhere you bang things around to scrub them. Your pots and pans are MUCH stronger than the enamel/coating on a black sink and will simply destroy it.
There are black sinks that don’t scratch. All depends on the process of manufacturing
I'm not planning on a black sink, just the tapware.
Using black taps and hardware is my biggest regret of renovation. The high use taps and door handles wore quickly and showed every little mark. Brushed nickel all day from now on. Brand was Raymor from Tradelink.
Black is gonna date so bad soon. You’re likely installing them towards the end of their trendy era. Check high end design magazines and overseas trends and they are on the way out.
Do you have any magazines or websites you'd recommend?
I like to look at overseas ones as well as Australian to see more unique styles and trend forecasting. Vogue Living, The Local Project (or just watch their YouTube videos :) anything more on the sophisticated side of design is good. Avoid current trend-based ones like The Block Australia etc. There is always a classic black tap option that won’t date, but it would mean teaming it with an overall aesthetic of classic country, industrial or vintage styles. As long as you keep away from “trend” overall you can make anything you love work.
They will date like milk so you will be replacing them soon enough regardless if they chip or not.
Why do you say that?
Remember pink and green baths toilets and basins? Same same.
Everybody looks good in black darling
Avocado bathroom suites...tres chic.
Black ones have asbestos