Lexi Webster
Australian-made tapware is an increasingly popular choice for those looking to renovate their bathrooms and kitchens. While most tapware is imported, there are several Australian brands that offer a wide range of styles, from contemporary to traditional, and even bespoke designs. These brands are known for their high-quality products that meet strict Australian standards and often come with long warranties. With a focus on functionality, durability, and design, Australian tapware manufacturers are gaining recognition both locally and globally. This article will explore some of the leading Australian tapware brands and what makes them unique in the market.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brands | Sussex Taps, Ram Taps, Brodware, Astra Walker, Consolidated Brass Tapware, Par Taps, Caroma, CLARK, Harmony, Phoenix Tapware, Stylus, Faucet Strommen, Abey Australia |
| Manufacturing location | Melbourne, Victoria’s Murray Valley, South Australia, rural Victoria |
| Product range | Contemporary and classic tapware styles, bathroom fittings, kitchen and laundry sinks, mixers, shower sets, basin sets, bath sets, tapware shower mixers, sink mixers, colonial and heritage styles, swivel basin sets, wall basin sets, rush basin tap sets |
| Product features | Superior quality and finish, smooth finishes, ergonomic functionality, durable, chrome, brass, stainless steel, artisan copper, brushed black metal, brushed gold |
| Other | Family-owned, bespoke designs, 20-year warranty, exceeds Australian standards, customisable designs, coloured tapware, wallet-friendly, award-winning designs, international presence |
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What You'll Learn
Australian tapware brands
While most tapware in Australia is manufactured and imported from overseas, there are several Australian tapware brands that stand out for their quality and design. Here are some of the best Australian tapware brands:
Fienza Tapware
Fienza is a leading brand known for its innovative designs and exceptional quality. They offer a wide variety of modern and practical bathroom tap designs that cater to different tastes, making them a top choice for bathrooms in Australia.
Greens Tapware
Greens Tapware is a well-established Australian brand that offers a range of eco-friendly and durable products without compromising on style. Their timeless designs are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, making them an excellent choice for bathroom taps.
Meir Tapware
Meir Tapware is an Australian company that has been gaining recognition for its premium tapware range. Their products are known for their matte black and luxurious finishes, offering a unique blend of style and functionality.
Nero
Nero is an emerging Australian tapware brand that offers both kitchen and bathroom taps. Their products are known for their sleek designs and quality materials, providing modern, durable, and efficient tapware solutions.
Caroma
Caroma was founded in 1941 by South Australian Charles Rothauser, who invented the first all-plastic, one-piece moulded cistern to combat corrosive water in Adelaide. Today, Caroma is a trusted Australian brand known for its smooth finishes and quality ergonomic functionality in kitchen and bathroom tapware.
CLARK
CLARK is a proud Australian tapware manufacturer with a long history dating back to 1941. They are known for their high-quality laundry and kitchen sinks, as well as their recent expansion into sophisticated and affordable bathroom tapware, offering a range of modern and classic designs.
Other Notable Brands
Other notable Australian tapware brands include Astra Walker, Consolidated Brass Tapware, Par Taps, Sussex Taps, Ram Taps, Brodware, Harmony, Phoenix, and Stylus. These brands offer a range of bespoke, contemporary, and traditional tapware designs, catering to different styles and budgets.
When choosing tapware, it is important to consider factors such as budget, durability, and the specific needs of your space. By supporting Australian-made products, you can also contribute to job stability and positively impact the local economy.
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Tapware materials
The choice of tapware material is an important design element that requires careful consideration. The right material can complement the aesthetic of a space while also meeting practical needs.
Chrome tapware is very popular and trendy. It is known for its durability and resistance to rust and corrosion. Chrome finishes are also reflective and glossy, making them a popular choice for contemporary interiors. Chrome tapware is easy to match with other accessories, but its commonness means it may not make a design statement.
Stainless steel is another favourite among homeowners and designers due to its durability, resistance to rust and corrosion, and aesthetic appeal. Stainless steel taps can maintain their shine for years and are easy to clean, making them a practical option. However, stainless steel tapware can be more expensive initially and may feel cold to the touch.
Brass tapware is perfect for traditional homes as it adds a timeless elegance with its warm finish. Brass is made from copper and zinc and develops an antique patina over time, enhancing its charm. However, brass tapware may require regular polishing to maintain its luster and can be more expensive.
Bronze tapware adds an elegant and modern touch to any space and can be surprisingly affordable. Like brass, bronze requires more maintenance and will tarnish over time if not regularly polished.
Copper tapware is very pricey and requires more maintenance than other materials. It will form a patina if not polished regularly, and it may be hard to find matching accessories and fixtures.
Plastic tapware is chosen for its affordability and lightweight nature, making it ideal for temporary solutions or less demanding environments. However, plastic taps may not be as durable as metal fixtures and can be susceptible to wear over time, leading to potential leaks or cracks.
Glass tapware is a unique option for those wanting to make a statement, enhancing the visual appeal of a space.
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Tapware styles
When it comes to tapware styles, there is a diverse range available in Australia, catering to different tastes and requirements. From contemporary to traditional, and classic to colonial, Australian tapware brands offer a variety of designs.
Contemporary Styles
Australian brands like Astra Walker, Faucent Strommen, and Phoenix offer contemporary tapware styles. Astra Walker provides a range of contemporary and classic tapware styles, including block-coloured options, with a 15-year warranty. Faucent Strommen manufactures contemporary tapware in Victoria's Murray Valley, while Phoenix is known for its aesthetically pleasing and functional designs, often featuring curved shapes and gold or rose gold finishes.
Classic and Traditional Styles
For those who prefer a more classic or traditional look, brands like Harmony, Stylus, and Award Brands offer timeless pieces. Harmony provides a range of modern and classic tapware, including the Enhance range with basin, bath, shower, and wall top sets. Stylus is known for its innovative designs and has been involved in international building projects for over 20 years. Award Brands, a division of Novelli, offers a traditional look and feel with its basin, bath, and shower sets.
Coloured Tapware
Par Taps, an Australian tapware manufacturer, was the first in the country to introduce coloured tapware. They recently celebrated their 40th anniversary and continue to offer a range of coloured options. Astra Walker also provides block-coloured tapware, allowing for customisation and a unique touch to any space.
Customisable Designs
Some Australian tapware brands offer customisable designs to suit specific spaces and requirements. Consolidated Brass Tapware, a family-owned company in South Australia, exceeds Australian standards and can customise tapware designs for Federation, Heritage, and Victorian-style homes. Similarly, The English Tapware Company specialises in importing and customising premium kitchen, bathroom, and hardware fittings, ensuring classical styling and timeless designs.
Durability and Functionality
Australian tapware brands also focus on durability and functionality. Alder, a leading tapware supplier, blends style, function, and durability, showcasing uncomplicated Australian modernism. CLARK, another Australian brand, offers sophisticated and high-end-looking tapware at wallet-friendly prices, with products suitable for both kitchens and bathrooms. Caroma, a trusted Australian brand, offers smooth finishes and ergonomic functionality with its Basin Mixers, Bath and Tapware Shower Mixers, and Sink Mixers.
When choosing tapware, it is essential to consider factors such as budget, durability, and the type of material used. While chrome, brass, or stainless steel options tend to be more durable, it is also possible to find customisable and aesthetically pleasing tapware to suit your specific needs and style preferences.
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Tapware manufacturing
When it comes to tapware manufacturing in Australia, there are several notable brands and companies to consider. While much tapware is imported, Australia has some exceptional, quality tapware manufacturers. It is important to note that any tapware sold within Australia must abide by strict Watermarking and WELS standards.
One well-known Australian tapware brand is Phoenix Tapware, which originated in rural Victoria in the 1980s. Phoenix Tapware is known for its aesthetically pleasing and functional designs, particularly in the colonial and heritage styles. They offer a range of bathroom tapware, including classic bath tap sets, swivel basin sets, and shower sets. Another established brand in the Australian market is Novelli, which offers traditional designs including basin, bath, and shower sets.
Consolidated Brass Tapware, a family-owned Australian company, manufactures its tapware in South Australia. Their products exceed Australian standards, and they can customise tapware designs to suit specific spaces, making them ideal for Federation, Heritage, and Victorian-style homes. Astra Walker is another independent, family-owned manufacturer, with partial manufacturing in Australia and assembly on Australian shores. They offer a 15-year warranty on their contemporary and classic tapware styles, which include block-coloured taps.
Sussex Taps, a Melbourne-based manufacturer, offers superior quality and finish, and they specialise in creating bespoke designs. Ram Taps, the largest manufacturer of tapware and waste outlets in Australia, has been in operation for over 70 years. They design and manufacture bathroom fittings that meet strict Australian Standards and export their products internationally.
Other notable Australian tapware manufacturers include CLARK, known for its high-quality laundry and kitchen sinks, and Harmony, which offers a wide range of modern and classic tapware designs. Caroma, founded by South Australian Charles Rothauser, is a trusted Australian brand known for its smooth finishes and ergonomic functionality. Abey Australia is also dedicated to bringing high-quality tapware to the Australian market, with functional and contemporary designs in various finishes.
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Tapware standards
Tapware sold and installed in Australia must adhere to strict Watermarking and WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling Standard) standards. The Watermark Certification Scheme is a mandatory accreditation that ensures plumbing products are fit for purpose and can be safely installed in Australia. The WELS scheme, on the other hand, requires plumbing product manufacturers to label their products with a star rating that indicates their water efficiency, encouraging lower water consumption and helping consumers make informed choices.
In addition to these standards, tapware manufacturers in Australia must also comply with the National Construction Code (NCC), which sets limits on the allowable lead content in brass plumbing products intended for contact with drinking water. The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has amended the NCC to limit lead content in these products to a weighted average of no more than 0.25%. This change was prompted by the World Health Organisation's recognition of lead as a major public health concern, and tapware brands like Phoenix are leading the transition to lead-free products.
When choosing tapware, it is important to consider factors such as durability, budget, and material. While chrome, brass, or stainless steel options may be more durable and long-lasting, it is also crucial to ensure that the chosen tapware meets the required standards and certifications to protect your health and safety.
Some notable Australian tapware brands include Sussex Taps, Ram Taps, Brodware, Astra Walker, Consolidated Brass Tapware, Par Taps, Caroma, CLARK, Harmony, Phoenix Tapware, and Stylus. These brands offer a range of styles, from contemporary to classic designs, and some provide bespoke services to create custom tapware for their customers.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several companies manufacturing tapware in Australia, including:
- CLARK
- Harmony
- Phoenix Tapware
- Sussex Taps
- Ram Taps
- Astra Walker
- Consolidated Brass Tapware
- Par Taps
- Caroma
- Faucet Strommen
Phoenix Tapware is known for its colonial and heritage styles with curved shapes and bathroom fittings in gold or rose gold. They offer a range of bathroom tapware, including classic bath tap sets, swivel basin sets, wall basin sets, rush basin tap sets, and shower sets.
Sussex Taps is a family-owned business that has been passed down through generations. They offer superior quality and finish with their tapware and also create bespoke designs.
The main differences between tapware brands usually come down to the features and materials used. Some brands offer a more traditional look and feel, while others focus on contemporary and functional designs. It is important to consider your budget, the durability of the product, and the type of material used when choosing a tapware brand.
Some reputable Australian tapware brands include CLARK, Harmony, Phoenix Tapware, Sussex Taps, and Ram Taps. These brands are known for their high-quality products, innovative designs, and long history in the industry.
