Visual and technical revolution
Flush-mounted mixers started to appear in shower enclosures to maximise and better utilise the space in narrow cabins and avoid bumping into protruding mixers. It seemed that the only way to save space was to put as many mixer parts as possible inside the wall. This solution proved not only practical but also visually appealing. Bathrooms with concealed models automatically acquire modern character. These mixers, irrespective of the size of their cover plates, look minimalist and contemporary.
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In addition - and for some, above all - concealing the mixer body under the tiles has a number of technical advantages. Most importantly, you gain free access to mixer parts that are hidden from sight without the need of any drastic work such as chiselling the wall around the mixer. And installing such products, even though it may seem complicated at first glance, is relatively easy and convenient. How is it possible?
What is a box ?
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A concealed box is simply a special casing in which the body with the cartridge, that is the heart of every mixer, is placed. For a mixer to operate properly, it has to be well protected and at the same time easily accessible from the outside. The vast majority of flush-mounted mixers come with such a box, although this is not standard.
The box is made of durable plastic ensuring its strength and lightness, which is particularly important during mixer installation. Once its base has been mounted to the wall and the plumbing connected in line with the installation instructions for each model, the box should be encased all around in preparation for laying tiles. To make installation as easy as possible, the box is fitted with a mini spirit level allowing you to find the correct position to ensure the mixer’s proper operation.
Then a plastic protective cover should be put on the installed casing and screwed to the box using the pre-drilled holes. Only the so secured casing is ready for tiles. Finally, a special decorative cover plate (depending on the model) should be put on by pressing it to the wall and then a function switch, lever, spout or knobs are to be mounted.
Shower mixers
Shower zone fittings can safely be considered the forerunner of flush-mounted mixers. As we have already mentioned, shower enclosures were where the need for better space organisation arose. The time spent there - even though shorter compared to soaking in a bathtub - was supposed to be comfortable and convenient regardless of the size of the shower cabin. Even though concealed installation was initially a space-saving solution, over time shower models began to take on many different forms and transformed from primarily functional mixers into fashionable bathroom fixtures.
Since the very beginning of the market presence of concealed mixers, the most popular have invariably been
shower mixers with a single cover plate accommodating a rain shower / hand shower function switch and a lever to control water flow temperature and intensity. They are usually combined with
overhead rain showers and
single-point shower sets (available as a set or separately). It is a safe solution in terms of interior design and usability, where everything works just like in traditional wall-mounted mixers. However, less obvious products are becoming quite a popular choice, too, to name for instance the
Pretto four-hole mixer. Here, a traditional lever was replaced by two water control knobs which makes the mixer look much different from the most common concealed models. And to those who expect from flush-mounted mixers something more than space saving and modern design, we recommend the
Volumo series model. The mixer is equipped with a thermostatic cartridge allowing you to set a constant water temperature. This not only guarantees comfortable showering without the need to search for the ideal lever position every time. You can also be sure that your children or elderly people living with you will not get scalded by too hot water.
Washbasin mixers
Due to the ever-growing popularity of
countertop washbasins, every self-respecting mixer collection offers at least two types of washbasin mixers - low and high. At present, however, a real boom in
flush-mounted washbasin mixers can be observed. Firstly, they look extremely spectacular and modern. Secondly, this way you can choose a washbasin in any shape you like and mount it more or less symmetrically in relation to the mixer. And thirdly, by moving the mixer onto the wall, you do not have to drill additional holes in the countertop thus minimising the risk of water getting inside, which could damage it. Concealed washbasin mixers are the perfect choice for those who appreciate tidiness but do not have much time for everyday cleaning. As the mixer is mounted flat to the wall, no water collects on it to leave unsightly streaks on its surface.
Flush-mounted washbasin mixers, just like shower ones, can take on various forms. From standard models with cover plates, such as gentle
Pola or geometric
Kvadrato, through industrial, hydraulic valve style
Muro with two knobs, all the way to minimalist loft style
Pretto with just the spout and lever visible.
Bath mixers
Concealed models are becoming more and more popular also among bath mixers. Instead of a rain shower, they come with a relatively long spout to comfortably fill the bathtub. The introduction of flush-mounted bath mixer models allows you to coherently design large bathrooms accommodating both a bathtub and a shower enclosure.
An interesting example of this type of concealed mixers is the versatile
flush-mounted mixer Muro which can be installed in three ways. Depending on whether you leave the spout or the rain shower during installation, you get a bath or a shower model. However, the mixer is so designed that all parts of the set can be installed if you want both the spout and the rain shower.
Not only wall-mounted models
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Although concealed installation is mainly associated with models mounted to the wall, it can also be applied to floor-mounted mixers. The Pola freestanding bath mixers are an excellent example. They are equipped with a box that retains all the features, functionalities and characteristics of boxes for wall-mounted models. However, there is a detail that comes in particularly handy precisely due to installation on the floor.
All fixtures - not just mixers - that are installed flat can be damaged by debris, glue residue or other dirt that gets inside during renovation work. That is why the casing of freestanding bath mixers has a special cover, very important to protect the body from dirt.
The box’s additional advantage is an elongated collar that can be simply cut to the floor level when the work is completed. This way there is no need to search for the perfect height during installation. The casing can be shortened in height by about 2 cm, which gives a lot of room for manoeuvre and will certainly be appreciated by renovation teams and even more by people who want to do most of the work themselves.
Combinations
At Laveo, we value diversity and designing our collections we try to satisfy the needs and tastes of all our customers. That is why most of our bathroom mixer series include a full range of models. This way you do not have to limit yourself designing your perfect bathroom, and you can combine floor-mounted, wall-mounted and concealed mixers any way you like. Regardless of whether you opt for one type of installation or each of your chosen models is to be mounted differently, you can be sure that your interior will be coherent and impressive.
