Advice for Surface-mounted Basin Faucets
How many tap holes do I need?
In most surface-mounted taps, the handles are attached to the tap, so only one tap hole is needed per tap. However, there are exceptions, such as surface-mounted taps where the handles are mounted on the basin separately from the tap. In that case, you will need a basin with two or three holes per tap: one for the spout and one (for a one-handle tap) or two (for a two-handle tap) for the controls.
Fixed or swivel spout?
The choice between a fixed or swivel spout depends on the use of the tap. If you are mounting the tap on a fountain basin, for example, it is usually not wise to choose a swivel spout. This is because you will soon turn it too far, causing the water to flow over the edge of the fountain basin and possibly flood the toilet. On the other hand, if the tap is placed above a large basin, where you want to be able to fill a bucket of water every now and then, a swivel spout is very handy.