Distance between centers, height of your mixer tap, shower or bathtub. Do you have many questions before installation? Discover our advice to know at what height to place your mixer tap, depending on your type of bath (shower or bathtub) as well as tips to understand and adapt your device according to the necessary center distance.
Center distance of your mixer tap: what is it?
When you want to buy your first mixer tap, for your shower or bathroom for example, and you want to install it yourself, the center distance and the distance between the mixer tap and bathtub or mixer tap and shower are essential points to know.
The center distance refers to the gap between the two outlets for hot and cold water, more precisely their fixing holes. This center distance usually has a standard size of 15cm, but can vary slightly if you use a mixer tap for your shower or bathtub.
- The standard center distance for a bathtub mixer tap: 15cm. This value is standard and does not change from one model or brand to another.
- The standard center distance for a shower: it can vary between 12 and 15 cm depending on the installations. A small difference that makes all the difference, especially if you buy the wrong model… Measure beforehand the spacing of your installation.
Note: a 15cm model can be connected to a smaller one (12cm). But not the other way around.
What position for your mixer tap? Shower and bathtub
The position of your mixer tap in your shower
The dimensions and fixing heights are not easy to standardize. It depends on many things: height of your shower, brand and materials chosen, size of the people supposed to use it.
In theory, here are the measurements to remember:
- Your mixer tap, for a classic fixing, in your shower, should be placed about 110 cm from the floor.
- Regarding the fixing of the showerhead, and depending on the models, we advise you to place it about 185cm from the floor, for a classic shower. Some models, for tall people, or for oversized showers, will go up to more than 2m.
How to place your mixer tap in a bathtub? The 3 possible cases
If it is always, or almost always, the same for showers, it is a bit different for bathtubs. There are three main cases, which we will explain case by case below.
Fixed on your bathtub
Your mixer tap is directly fixed on your bathtub? If your bathtub is acrylic, this may be the solution you have chosen. In this particular case, no need to talk about height, the problem is solved.
Hung on the wall
The installation with wall fixing is the most common. You can place it either on one side or right in the middle. We recommend placing your mixer tap about 10 to 20cm above your bathtub.
Fixed on a floor stand
Floor fixing is quite rare and only concerns freestanding bathtubs, placed either in large bathrooms or directly in a separate part of your bedroom. A guaranteed aesthetic effect, but more complicated to carry out. Be sure to have all your water supplies and drains close by to make your connections.In a floor installation, the water supply must be close to the top of your bathtub to avoid splashes. The mixer tap must be placed just above the top of your bathtub, so you can adjust it easily while you are taking your bath.
