Dorf tapware ranges, sink mixers and bathroom accessories
Dorf is a long-running Australian bathroom and kitchen brand, known for chrome mixers in clean, familiar shapes and for accessories that match the tapware. The ranges on this page are Kip, Villa and Vixen for the mixers, and Epic, Enigma and Kip for the accessories. Several accessory lines are discontinued run-out products, and they are sold while stock lasts, so check the product page before you plan a room around one.
People search for the brand as Dorf, Dorf taps, Dorf tapware, Dorf Australia and Dorf mixer tap, and many are looking for a tap to replace an older Dorf one. This page explains the ranges, the sizes and ratings of the mixers, the accessories and how to choose a mixer that fits.
The Dorf ranges
| Range | Style | What is in it |
|---|---|---|
| Kip | Classic and minimalist, with flat and curved surfaces | Basin mixer, sink mixer, bath and shower mixer, towel rail and towel ring |
| Villa | Traditional lines with upswept angles and rounded profiles | Sink mixer in chrome |
| Vixen | Two tone finish for the kitchen | Pull down sink mixer in chrome, matte black, black nickel and matte white |
| Epic | Soft, sculptured curves | Toilet roll holder, robe hook and towel rails in polished chrome |
| Enigma | Bold, geometric look | Double robe hook and a 600mm double towel rail in polished chrome |
The full range of Dorf mixers is in Dorf taps and the accessories are in Dorf accessories. Each of these ranges has a matching accessory finish, so a bathroom can be built from the mixer to the towel rail in one style.
The sink mixers
Three Dorf sink mixer designs are sold here. All are made from solid brass, and all carry a WELS rating and Watermark certification. The sizes below decide whether a mixer fits under a window or a cupboard.
| Mixer | Type | Size | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kip sink mixer, black | Swivel spout, 35mm ceramic disc cartridge, silicone aerator | 203mm tall, 193mm reach, 101mm spout height | WELS 5 star, 6 litres a minute |
| Kip sink mixer, chrome | Swivel spout, ceramic disc cartridge | A short, classic body | WELS 5 star, 6 litres a minute |
| Villa sink mixer, chrome | Swivel outlet, tool-free installation | Upswept spout | WELS 4 star, 7.5 litres a minute |
| Vixen retractable sink mixer | Pull down spray for food preparation and cleaning | A tall kitchen body | WELS 5 star, 6 litres a minute |
The Kip sink mixer is a short mixer, 203mm tall, so it suits a kitchen window sill or a laundry where the space above the tap is tight. The Villa suits a traditional or classic kitchen or bathroom with its upswept spout. The Vixen pull down mixer suits a working kitchen, because the spray reaches into the corners of the sink and rinses large pots.
Basin and bath mixers
The Kip basin mixer is rated WELS 6 star at 4.5 litres a minute, and the black version has a silicone aerator that resists calcium and limescale build-up, so the aerator wipes clean. The Kip bath and shower mixer goes in the wall: it comes with a handle, a dress plate and an in-wall kit, so the plumber fixes the body behind the tile and the handle goes on afterwards. Shower and bath taps do not need a WELS rating under the standard, so there is none on the product.
The in-wall kit goes in before the lining, so the position and the plate finish should be chosen while the wall is open. If the shower needs a shower head, a rail or a wall arm, those are separate purchases. See shower mixers and shower heads.
Finishes
| Finish | Where it appears | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome | Kip, Villa, Vixen, Epic, Enigma | The easiest finish to match and to wipe clean |
| Matte black | Kip, Vixen | The strongest contrast, electroplated |
| Black nickel | Vixen | A dark chrome, softer than matte black |
| Matte white | Vixen | Made to match kitchen appliances |
Accessories
The Dorf accessories match the tapware finish, which is polished chrome. Epic and Enigma accessories are brass or metal with dual fixings, and the Kip rails and ring are metal. They can be installed on a tiled or a plastered wall. Because several of these are discontinued run-out lines, they are available while stock lasts and cannot be reordered once they are gone, so buy everything for the room at once.
| Range | Pieces |
|---|---|
| Epic | Toilet roll holder, robe hook, 250mm hand towel rail, 800mm double towel rail |
| Enigma | Double robe hook, 600mm double towel rail |
| Kip | 800mm double towel rail, hand towel ring |
A glass shelf must not be installed in a shower, for safety. Mark the fixing positions on the wall before you drill, check the backing, and use a level so the rail sits true. A double rail projects further than a single rail, so keep space clear beside it. See Dorf accessories.
Choosing a replacement for an older Dorf tap
If you are replacing a tap, three measurements matter more than the brand. First, the tap hole: a hob mixer needs one hole of the right size in the bench or the sink, and a wall mixer needs the in-wall body already in the wall. Second, the spout reach and height, which must land the water inside the bowl and clear the rim. Third, the fitting: the old tap may have a 3-piece layout with two handles and a spout, and a single mixer needs a different hole pattern. Measure the old tap, then compare against the sizes above.
If the plumbing is in the wall, an in-wall kit for a new mixer must suit the old body, and a plumber can confirm that. For small items, such as an aerator, a hose or a handle, check the replacement collection first. See easy replacement products.
Fitting a Dorf sink mixer
The Kip and Villa sink mixers connect with flexible tails: a red tail for hot water and a blue tail for cold. The plumber fits the tails to the underside of the mixer, passes the other ends through the hole in the bench, fixes the mixer with its gasket, plate and nut, and connects the tails to the hot and cold isolating stop taps. Isolating stop taps must be fitted to the supply, so the water can be shut off at the tap when the cartridge or the aerator needs work.
- Flush the pipework thoroughly before the mixer goes on, because loose material can block the flow regulating device and cut the flow.
- Do not kink, twist or stretch the flexible tails. The minimum bend radius is 50mm.
- Do not fit the tails where they are exposed to ultraviolet light.
- These mixers are not suitable for a gravity feed supply.
- Retighten the aerator insert housing so it cannot be removed by hand.
The Kip sink mixer carries a 5 litre a minute flow regulated aerator. That low flow may not suit some instantaneous gas water heaters, some tempering valves, some solar water heaters or some thermostatic mixing valves, so confirm the compatibility with the maker of the heater or the valve before ordering. A higher flow aerator insert is available if the system needs it. The Villa mixer is fitted with a flow regulated aerator insert as well, and it is water efficient tapware.
Replacing a cartridge
The cartridge is the part inside the mixer that controls flow and temperature, and it is the part that wears out. To replace it, turn off the hot and cold supplies at the isolating stop taps, then remove the plug, loosen the grub screw with a 2.5mm Allen key and lift off the handle. Lift off the cap, taking care not to mark the finish, and unscrew the nut. The old cartridge lifts out, and a new one is fitted with its seal in place in the base of the cartridge and its lugs lined up. Reverse the steps, then turn the supplies on and check the mixer for leaks.
Fitting a wall mixer
The Kip bath and shower mixer body is fixed to a mounting plate or noggin in the wall, square to the wall or tile face so the cover plate sits flush. Facing the mixer, the hot inlet is on the left, the cold inlet on the right and the mixed outlet points vertically upwards. The connections are half inch BSP. Brazed connections must not be made directly onto the mixer, because the heat damages the cartridge. A clear sealant goes on the back edge of the cover plate to stop water entering the wall cavity, with a small gap left at the bottom for drainage. Leave the plastic sleeve on the finish until the job is finished.
Fixing rails and hooks
Dorf rails and hooks fix to the wall with brackets. In solid walls such as brick, masonry or concrete, drill 6mm holes 40mm deep and use wall plugs. In a tiled cavity wall, drill 8mm holes and use the supplied wall anchors, which suit a total wall thickness of 8 to 13mm for the Epic accessories and 10 to 16mm for the Kip accessories. In an untiled plasterboard wall, fix into a stud or a noggin with suitable screws, because a wall anchor is made only for a tiled cavity wall.
Fitting and care
A plumber should install every mixer. Fix rails and hooks to solid backing, and check for pipes and cables before drilling. Wipe the finishes with a soft cloth and warm soapy water, then rinse and dry. Avoid abrasive pads, bleach and harsh cleaners, and dry the tap after use in a hard water area. Clean the aerator if the spray turns uneven: the silicone aerator wipes clean with a thumb, and limescale rubs off.
Before you order
Check the tap hole count and the supply. Compare the spout reach and height against the basin or the sink. Check the rating on the exact mixer, because the flow differs between a basin mixer and a kitchen mixer. Decide whether the accessory is a discontinued run-out line and buy everything for the room at once. Choose one finish for the room, and use it on every piece.
