Comparison Grohe Eurodisc Cosmopolitan 33772001 vs Grohe Eurodisc Cosmopolitan 33770002

— Straight. Spout that have straight or almost straight shape and directed almost horizontally (other arrangements are highlighted in a separate paragraph — see “At right angle”). Generally, such a spout combines simplicity, practicality, and versatility. In particular, it can be of any length, and can also be rotary (see “Spout”), while being inexpensive to manufacture. Nowadays, straight spouts are extremely popular, and in almost all types of taps (see “Suitable for”). The exception is perhaps the kitchen application: this form is inconvenient for washing dishes by itself and leaves less space for dishes in the sink than other shapes (for example, angled or gooseneck spouts).

— Gooseneck. Taps with a spout in the shape of an arc, usually semicircular and rather steep. This design is most popular in kitchen taps, as it provides the necessary space for washing large dishes. Many models with such a spout are designed for washbasins — they also use a vertical installation, for which the arc is very convenient. And gooseneck bath taps are most often original premium models installed directly on the side of the bath (also horizontally).

— L-shaped. Spout in the shape of the letter “L” — with a vertical base and a horizontal “crossbar” extending from it. Thanks to this shape, the spout can be positioned at a sufficiently high height, which is especially conveni...ent when used in the kitchen or with a washbasin. Most of the L-shaped models refer to these specialization options (see “Suitable for”). According to the type of the tap (see the corresponding list), they are usually single-lever, while the joystick is located on the side; however, there are other options — both in the location of the joystick, and in the type of control.

— U-shaped. Spouts of this category resemble L-shaped models (see the relevant paragraph), in which the end of the spout is noticeably bent downwards. This gives them an original shape, as well as some resemblance to gooseneck models. U-shaped spouts are typically taller and are intended for use in kitchens or washbasins. At the same time, they are not as popular as the mentioned L-shaped ones, and even more so the gooseneck ones. In particular, because of the higher cost with no obvious practical advantages (although this form may well be optimal in terms of design).

— S-shaped. A variant that is predominantly found in bath models (including bath and washbasin solutions) as well as in some kitchen taps. The spout in this arrangement has the shape of the letter “S”, laid “on its side”. This design is well suited for wall-mounted models, where the spout outlet must be placed noticeably below the tap itself.

— At right angle. A straight spout located at a right angle relative to the tap body — directed from the base of the body up or down. This shape is especially suitable for washbasins and kitchens, and it is mainly found in taps of those specializations (see “Suitable for”). Most models with a similar spout have a fairly modern appearance, thanks to that they fit well into modern, high-tech interiors, etc.

— Curved at an angle. A spout that leans upward from the base of the tap and curves slightly downward at the end. The shape is in many ways reminiscent of the “at right angle” option, but it has its own characteristics. Firstly, such a spout can be made somewhat longer, which is convenient for kitchen use: the outlet is at a sufficiently high height and there is enough space under it to wash even large dishes without any problems. Most of the models in this category are just made for the kitchen. Secondly, for some users, this form is preferable from an aesthetic point of view (although, of course, this is a matter of personal taste). These spouts look more “cheap” compared to the products of the “at right angle” form factor and are extremely rare among top plumbing brands.

— Vertical jet. This type of spout is found among bidet taps. It involves vertical spraying of a water jet for taking a hygienic shower after visiting the toilet. The mortise vertical spray module is installed separately from the tap. Usually, the design also assumes a water return valve.

— Connected to overflow. Taps with a spout in the form of a flexible hose that connects to the overflow of the bathtub, and the water is poured through it. Thanks to such taps, minimalism is ensured in the appearance of the bathtub, which is caused by the absence of a classic spout. In addition, there is no need to make extra holes in the side of the bathtub to install the tap.

Distance from the fixing point (for vertically mounted taps) or from the centre of the mounting hole (for horizontally mounted taps) to the middle of the spout. It is a characteristic that determines the "reach zone" of the tap.

The jet height is usually specified for taps with horizontal installation (see "Type of installation"). It is measured from the base of the tap to the spout outlet. The large height of the spout is important primarily for kitchen models (see "Suitable for"), because it allows you to place large dishes in the sink. This parameter is directly related to the height of the spout (see above): the height of the jet cannot be greater than the height of the spout. Thus, in fact, one has to find a compromise between the height of the jet and the dimensions of the tap, especially if there is little space for its installation.

The maximum water flow during the operation of the tap, in other words, the maximum amount of water that it can pass through in a minute. This characteristic is important, foremost, for models designed for baths (see "Suitable for"): the greater the throughput, the faster the bath will fill. However, the meaning of this paragraph is not limited to this. First, flow information can be useful in certain calculations related to water supply — for example, to calculate the required pump capacity. Secondly, high-end taps can be equipped with aerators to achieve a powerful and efficient jet with low water consumption; the consumption indicated in the characteristics allows you to evaluate the efficiency of such devices in comparison with analogues.

Installation type for which the tap is designed. Nowadays, wall and sink taps (classic, freestanding and under the window), as well as built-in solutions, are most widely used — usually with installation in the wall, less often horizontally. Models built into the wall can be equipped with a bar(it plays the role of a kind of body and combines all the elements of the tap) or can be supplied without a bar(this option often allows you to choose the distance between the separate parts of the set). A special, rather rare and specific variety are floor taps.

Here is a more detailed description of each option:

— Wall (vertical). Models designed to mount to a vertical surface, typically a wall. This installation method is found mainly in bath and/or shower models, but can also be used in other types of taps— in particular, kitchen ones.

— Sink (horizontal). Installation on a horizontal surface such as a washbasin or kitchen sink. This method is extremely popular in models for kitchens and washbasins, it is also used in traditional bidet taps, but in other varieties, for a number of reasons, it has not gained much popularity.

— Sink (under the windo...w). A special kind of taps, which, due to their design, can be installed under the window, without preventing it from opening and closing. This is achieved in two ways. The first is the ability to tilt the spout towards the washbasin or sink, thereby hiding the tap in the sink bowl. The second method is based on a special mount of the tap body to its base, which makes it easy to pull it out of the “base” and put it next to it.

— Built in (wall). Mounting method in which most of the structure is hidden behind a wall or other vertical surface. Outside, there are only elements for which it is essential: spout, valves, shower set, etc. Recessed installation provides a neat appearance and saves space. In addition, many models of such taps allow you to choose the distance between individual external elements and their relative position. However, embedding is noticeably more difficult than usual installation, and repair/maintenance of such a tap can be quite difficult. This option is used in models for baths, showers, washbasins, as well as some types of bidet taps (see "Suitable for").

— Built in (horizontal). Another type of built-in taps, designed, in accordance with the name, for installation on a horizontal surface. They have the same main advantages and disadvantages as the in-wall taps described above, but differ in specialization: this type of installation is most popular in “washbasin only” models, it is somewhat less common in bath and shower taps.

— Floor. Installation on the floor using a special stand, thanks to which the main part of the tap is placed at the desired height. Such models are expensive, and the installation itself is quite complicated, it requires a spacious room with a specific organization of plumbing. Therefore, this option has not received much distribution: it is used mainly in designer taps made for freestanding bathtubs or washbasins.

The number of holes required to install the tap. Models for sinks and kitchens with vertical installation (see "Type of installation") most often require 1 hole through which both hot and cold water are connected. Among the taps for the bath and shower, the most common models are with 2 holes, one for the "hot" and "cold" pipelines. For 3-5 holes, mainly models with built-in installation are designed, in which you have to bring out at least a spout and controls, and sometimes also a shower head with a switch.

The diameter of the holes required to install the tap. This dimension allows you to assess whether the tap will be compatible with a sink, wall, etc., what dimensions the additional parts should have to install it, and whether the holes will need to be widened or narrowed.

The type of water pipes the tap is designed for.

— Hoses. With a flexible connection type, polymer tubes (hoses) are used to connect the tap to the water supply, which can bend well and are reinforced with a metal mesh for strength. This ensures ease and versatility of attachment — thanks to the flexibility of the pipe, it can be carried even in cramped places. On the other hand, such a supply is less durable and reliable than a rigid one. It is mainly used in models for kitchens and sinks (see "Suitable for"). Installation pipes may be included in the package of the tap; this point should be clarified separately.

— Rigid pipes. Such taps are designed for installing directly to metal water pipes. The advantage of this type is reliability and strength, the disadvantage is significant restrictions on the installation site: you either have to put the tap where the pipes were made during construction, or redo the communications, which is associated with great inconvenience and cost. On the other hand, such taps are usually used for bathtubs and showers, and in modern bathrooms, typically there are no problems with unsuccessful installation of pipes.

The height of the tap, measured from its base or lowest point to the highest point of the spout. The height of the spout partly determines the installation possibilities — in fact, this is the minimum vertical free space that is required for the tap. In addition, in models with horizontal installation (see "Type of installation"), the spout height is related to the jet height (see below).