Taps and showers

Kitchen tap: with shower, wall-mounted or sink-mounted – how to choose

Most kitchens suit a sink-mounted tap with a single lever, which is installed in a 35 mm hole in the worktop or sink. If you wash large pots, choose a tap with a pull-out spray. Install a wall-mounted tap with a distance of 150 mm where the connections are in the wall, and a low-pressure tap when you have a small low-pressure heater under the sink. Before buying, measure the space above the sink – a high arm must not hit the window or the cupboard.

Prepared by: the TGB Kúpeľne team, bathroom showroom in Senec since 1991updated 8. 11. 20267 min read

Illustrative image: kitchen sink in the worktop with a high chrome tap with a pull-out spray

You use the kitchen tap more than any other – for washing dishes, vegetables, filling pots, and wiping down the counter. Therefore, it is worth choosing it based on how you work in the kitchen, not just based on appearance. In the article, you will find types of kitchen taps, how to measure the height and reach of the arm, what to know about the water heater under the sink, and examples of prices from the e-shop.

Types of kitchen taps

A pillar tap is the easiest to install and maintain. Sink taps are fitted into a hole with a diameter of 35 mm – this size is specified by hansgrohe for the Focus M41 series, and the same hole is found in Deante sinks. If the sink has a pre-punched hole, you can place the tap in it; otherwise, the hole will need to be drilled into the worktop.

Height and reach of the spout

The tap must fit the sink and the space above it. Measure three things:

1. Spout reach – the water stream should hit approximately the centre of the basin, not the back edge. For a deep and wide basin, choose a longer spout.
2. Height under the spout – hansgrohe refers to this as ComfortZone. For example, Focus M41 is available in 160 and 240 versions: the higher version makes it easier to fill tall pots, while the lower one splashes less.
3. Free space above the tap – when the sink is under a window, check if the window opens even with the spout turned. Leave space for your hand between the spout and the cabinet above the sink.

The swivel spout rotates at different angles depending on the model. For hansgrohe Focus M41, it is 110° or 150°, and for the 160 version, it can rotate up to 360°. For a double sink or a sink with a draining board, check if the spout reaches both basins.

Tap with a shower

A tap with a pull-out spray has a hose in the spout that you can pull out to the pot or to the second basin of the sink. Hansgrohe states that the pull-out spray for the Focus M41 series extends up to 50 cm. When choosing, consider the following:

• Space under the sink – the hose with a weight moves in the cabinet when pulled out. It must not get caught on the waste bin or the waste trap.
• Flow switching – the button on the spray should be operable even with wet hands.
• Spring spout – professional look with an open spring that is tall. It is more suitable for kitchens without upper cabinets above the sink.

Wall-mounted mixer

A wall-mounted kitchen tap connects to two outlets in the wall. The common connection spacing is 150 mm – on vkupelni.sk, you can filter sink taps by this dimension. When replacing an old tap, simply measure the distance between the centres of the outlets. The length of the spout is also important: for example, Mereo Lila is available with spouts from 160 to 250 mm. The spout should reach the centre of the sink.

If you are planning a new kitchen, the supplies are often made under the worktop – for a pillar tap. The position of the outlets should be agreed with the plumber before tiling.

Water heater under the sink and filter

In kitchens without hot water supply, there is usually a small electric water heater under the sink. What matters is what type it is:

• Low-pressure heater – water flows from it through the tap outlet, and the container is not under mains pressure. It requires a low-pressure tap with three hoses. A standard tap is not suitable as it would subject the heater's container to mains pressure.
• Pressure heater – works like a standard boiler, and the tap can be a regular pressure type.
• Flow heater – check in the tap's manual if it is suitable. For example, hansgrohe states that most taps in the Focus M41 series are compatible with flow heaters, but the eco versions are not.

Tap with filter connection has two paths – regular water from the mains and a separate path for filtered water from the cabinet under the sink. Therefore, there does not need to be a second tap on the countertop. The filtration system is purchased separately if it is not included with the tap.

Examples of prices at vkupelni.sk

In the category Kitchen Taps, vkupelni.sk offers over 360 taps from brands such as Deante, Mereo, SAPHO, AQUALINE, and more. Prices are indicative and may vary.

Surface and Colour

• Chrome – the most durable and easiest to clean. It pairs well with a stainless steel sink.
• Stainless Steel (brushed surface) – less visible fingerprints and water spots.
• Matte Black – striking against white or wooden cabinetry and granite sinks. Clean with a gentle non-abrasive cleaner.
• Colour matched with the sink – some manufacturers of granite sinks offer taps in the same shade.

The tap should match the sink, handles, and lighting. How to choose a sink can be found in the article Sink for the Kitchen: Granite, Stainless Steel or Ceramic. The backsplash behind the counter is discussed in the article Kitchen Tiles.

How to Choose a Kitchen Tap in Six Steps

1. Find out where the water supply is – under the countertop (floor-mounted) or in the wall (wall-mounted, 150 mm spacing).
2. Check what type of heater you have – for a non-pressurised system under the sink, only a low-pressure tap is suitable.
3. Measure the sink – the depth and width of the bowl, a 35 mm hole, and the position of the hole.
4. Measure the space above the sink – window, upper cabinets, shelves.
5. Decide if you want a spray or a filter connection.
6. Choose a surface that matches the sink and countertop.

Maintenance

The most common issue with kitchen taps is weak flow. The cause is often limescale in the aerator at the end of the spout – simply unscrew it and clean it. If the tap drips or the lever is stiff, the cartridge has worn out. Instructions for replacement can be found in the guide Dripping Tap. For taps with a spray, check occasionally to ensure the hose under the sink is not leaking.

Common mistakes

• High spout under a window that opens inwards.
• Standard tap for a non-pressurised heater under the sink.
• Short spout that does not reach the centre of a deep bowl.
• Tap with a spray without space for the hose in the cabinet.
• Wall-mounted tap purchased without measuring the outlet spacing.

Other taps for the bathroom – basin, bath, and shower taps – are compared in the article Bath and Basin Taps and in the section Shower Systems and Taps. You can also view and try the taps at the TGB Kúpeľne studio in Senec.

Sources: technical data hansgrohe Focus M41 (hole in the countertop 35 mm, pull-out spray up to 50 cm, operating pressure 1 to 10 bar, rotation 110°/150°, version 160 360°, ComfortZone 160 and 240, connections G 3/8, Eco versions not suitable for flow heaters), Deante (hole for tap in sinks 35 mm), prices and filters from vkupelni.sk (category Kitchen Taps, November 2026).

Terms in the glossary: Tap spacing · Waste trap · Aerator · Cartridge