Clark Cross Range

The key factor is the height and style of your basin. For standard inset or semi-recessed basins, a regular deck-mounted basin mixer with a spout height of around 100–140mm works well. However, if you have an above-counter or vessel basin, where the bowl sits on top of the benchtop, you will need a tall basin mixer with a spout height of 180mm or more, otherwise the spout will sit below the basin rim and water will splash onto the benchtop. Wall-mounted mixers offer another option for above-counter basins, with the height controlled by your rough-in position. Always confirm basin rim height before purchasing your tapware.

The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme is a mandatory Australian government rating system that measures how water-efficient a tapware product is. Ratings run from 1 to 6 stars, the more stars, the less water the tap uses per minute. For basin mixers, a 5 or 6-star WELS rating is considered excellent and translates to meaningful long-term savings on water bills, particularly important in drought-prone Australian states. All tapware sold in Australia must carry a WELS rating, and most reputable brands now offer basin mixers rated 4 stars or higher as standard. Look for the WELS label on the product or packaging before you buy.

While bath mixers and basin mixers may look similar, they are not interchangeable. The key technical difference is the water supply connection size. This difference matters because filling a bathtub requires a significantly higher flow rate, a basin mixer simply cannot deliver water fast enough to fill a bath in a reasonable time. Always use tapware specified for bath applications when fitting out a bath, and consult your plumber if you are unsure.

A shower mixer (or shower tap) is the control valve that regulates the flow and temperature of water to your shower. A single-lever mixer controls both temperature and flow with one handle. A thermostatic mixer maintains a pre-set water temperature even if pressure changes elsewhere in the system, a safer and more convenient option, particularly for households with children. Shower mixers in Australia must comply with AS 3718 standards.

A rail shower (also called a slider rail shower or shower rail kit) includes a hand shower mounted on an adjustable rail, allowing users to slide the shower head up or down to their preferred height. Rail showers are among the most practical and versatile shower options available, they suit users of different heights, are ideal for bathing children, and are easy to use for rinsing down shower walls. They are widely used in family bathrooms across Australia.

A rail shower with overhead shower combines a fixed overhead shower head at the top of the rail with a sliding hand shower below. A diverter valve (either integrated into the rail or fitted separately at the mixer) allows you to switch water flow between the overhead and the hand shower. This combination delivers the best of both worlds, the immersive feel of a rain shower with the flexibility of a hand shower.

Cross is a named tapware and sink range within the Clark brand, sold as a coordinated collection rather than a standalone product. Clark is best known for kitchen and laundry sinks, and Cross is one of the ranges built to pair a matching tap style with its bowls, so a kitchen or laundry can be finished with one consistent look rather than a sink and tap bought separately from different lines. For Clark's tapware outside this specific range, see Clark taps.

It's one of several named ranges Clark offers, sitting alongside the brand's other kitchen and laundry lines rather than replacing them. The distinction between ranges usually comes down to tap handle design and sink bowl profile rather than function, since all of Clark's sink and tap ranges are built around the same core use, kitchen and laundry, rather than a bathroom suite.

Clark generally designs its named ranges, Cross included, to span both a sink and a matching tap style, so the two can be bought together as a set. Check the specific listing you're viewing to confirm whether it's the sink, the tap, or a combined product, since availability within a range can vary by category.

Clark's ranges are typically offered in the finishes most common in Australian kitchens and laundries, stainless steel or chrome being the standard for sinks and tapware respectively, with additional finishes depending on the specific product. Check current stock for the finish you want rather than assuming every option is available at all times.

Any tap connected to the water supply needs to be installed or altered by a licensed plumber to meet Australian plumbing standards, and unlicensed work can void the warranty. A sink on its own is sometimes fitted by a cabinetmaker or renovator as part of a benchtop install, but the tapware and waste connection still need a licensed plumber to sign off on the plumbing side.

The core difference is styling rather than build quality or function, since Clark's ranges share the same general manufacturing standards across the catalogue. Cross's tap handle shape and sink edge profile set it apart visually from Clark's other lines, so the choice usually comes down to which look suits the rest of the kitchen or laundry. For the full sink range beyond this one collection, see Clark kitchen sinks.