Debate is ongoing about most suitable material for making taps, and the jury is still out on whether brass or steel is better. At Garef we use both because they meet different requisites and are suitable for different processes, shapes, and finishes.
The choice depends on the intended style for the line of taps in question and our customer’s preferences. Let's take a look at the characteristics of these two materials and the advantages each has to offer for bathroom taps.
Brass is an oxidisable alloy of copper and zinc that finds various uses in the tapware industry. Some alloys are compatible with drinking water regulations.
Brass is a material with three important advantages.
It is malleable and easy to work with during casting, moulding, and machining. We can achieve various shapes with brass, even complex articulated ones.
It adapts easily to a wide range of finishes.
It is stylistically versatile so we recommend brass to customers who want a range of tailormade taps featuring special customisation.
For our taps we use AISI 316 L stainless steel (i.e. low carbon), so-called marine steel, which is corrosion-resistant and compatible with drinking water regulations. Steel is a stainless alloy that offers several advantages.
It guarantees a long-lasting structure with minimal maintenance.
It does not contain lead.
It has high corrosion resistance: effective cleaning makes steel taps perfect for contexts near the sea (hotels, beach restaurants, etc.).
Depending on the type of tap you need, we will recommend the best material for a durable high-performance designer product.
