Fienza Empire Slim 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.

Empire Slim is a named tapware and basin mixer range within the broader Fienza brand. As the name suggests, it's built around a slim, low-profile design language, a narrower spout and body than a chunkier traditional mixer, aimed at bathrooms with a pared-back or contemporary look. For Fienza's wider product line outside this specific range, see Fienza taps.

Slim-profile ranges like Empire Slim are generally offered across the same spread of popular finishes as the rest of a brand's tapware line, chrome, matte black, brushed nickel and warmer metallics such as brushed brass or gunmetal, though exact availability can vary by product within the range. It's worth checking current stock for the specific finish and configuration you need before finalising a bathroom plan.

It refers to the diameter and visual bulk of the tap body and spout rather than its height or reach. A slim profile mixer has a narrower, more streamlined silhouette than a standard round or square-set mixer, which tends to suit minimalist bathrooms, smaller basins where a bulky tap can look disproportionate, or a design scheme built around thin, linear lines elsewhere in the room.

Ranges built around a slim design language are typically offered across multiple applications, basin mixers, shower mixers and sometimes kitchen mixers, sharing the same slim aesthetic so the look can be carried through a whole home rather than just one room. Confirm which specific products within the range are available for the fixture you're fitting out, since not every range covers every application equally.

Spout height against your basin type matters most: an above-counter or vessel basin needs a taller mixer to clear the rim, while a standard inset basin suits a regular height. Beyond fit, confirm the mixer carries a WELS water efficiency rating and WaterMark certification, both mandatory for tapware sold in Australia, and check the single tap hole size required for installation, which is standard for a mixer regardless of the design language.