When it comes to buying and selling houses thebathroom is a major consideration.Housebuilders should work closely with

manufacturers to find the best choice of fixtures and fittingsthat will make bathrooms both aesthetically pleasing andfunctional. Bathrooms can be multi-purpose and multi-functional, an oasis of escapism and relaxation inspired byluxury hotels, a place for reinvigoration or relaxation. Orwhere required slightly more aesthetically simple but withadded functionality for older, or less able, users.

modern lifestyles“Extra wide bath ledges that are capable of balancing awine glass (or bottle) on is a great example of ‘DIY’versions of mainstream opulence and relaxation thatcorrelate with our modern lifestyles,” says Robin Levien,international designer at Ideal Standard. “Otherexamples of how our modern lifestyles have played apart in bathroom design is bluetooth enabled musicalmirrors, self-switching lighting or showers, taps andbaths that can be controlled via smart technology.” Allof which leaves housebuilders with the difficult task ofincorporating new technologies into their houses.

Yet add into the equation an ageing population andhousebuilders are also tasked with the requirement toensure that bathrooms are comfortable and accessible forall users. “Wall-hung sanitaryware is one solution,enabling the WC and basin to be installed at acomfortable height for the user. The wet room, or open-plan showering area, is also gaining in popularity as itremoves the tripping hazard of a shower tray meaning acomplete re-design won’t be necessary as the needs ofthe household change,” says Mark Larden, md at Geberit.

Indeed the trend for wetrooms is growing with AMAResearch predicting further growth in this area of 34%by 2019. “Multi-generational living and our ageingpopulation means that consumers are keen tofutureproof their bathrooms,” says Larden. With the size

42 housebuilder february 2016

Kevin Stanley reports onthe issues and trends that willset the tone in new buildbathrooms over the comingyear. Technology and watersaving continue to be key, butwhat else should housebuildersbe aware of when creating theperfect bathroom space?

Comfort in mindRoca has launched Malaga, a bathtub available inseven different versions for design flexibility. Ifspace is at a premium and the aim is to savewater, Malaga could be the solution, thebathroom manufacturer says.

Made from high-quality acrylic for durabilityand ease of cleaning, the standard version has atotal capacity of 160 litres, while an ECO optionholds up to 131 litres, to encourage water-saving

without compromising on user comfort, Rocaclaims. Both baths measure 1700mm x 700mmand feature an integrated headrest.

The baths can also be specified with or withoutgrips and can be for a top or bottom fixing. A lowered overflow is available on ECO models,while the range features a wide ledge to enable a shower screen to be fitted, “perfect for a space-saving over-bath showering option in the smallerbathroom”.

Roca’s Malagabaths are spaceand water saving

Top tubsof th

e

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of the average bathroom little more than that of a kingsize bed housebuilders really are being pushed to findthe very best use of space to meet all requirements, soclever solutions that make best use of this space andhelp to create the feeling of spaciousness are key.” Trendsare steering towards minimal design, with features suchas high-tech fixtures and fittings, open-plan showerareas and wall-mounted sanitaryware, he adds.

Housebuilders should also be aware of the need tospecify bathroom fittings that comply with waterregulations and which have the appropriatecertification. This is a costly procedure for manufacturersand so many chose not to submit their products toindependent test houses, says Paul Caneparo, contractssales director at Crosswater. But he warns: “Failure tospecify approved product can result in the local waterundertaker refusing to turn on the water supply. TheCrosswater Spec Book is regularly updated to advisehousebuilders of compliant product. The bathroom is akey part of the home buyer’s decision making so it isvital to ensure a beautifully thought out space.”

As home owners spend more time and money on

improving their bathrooms and technology improves,shower usage increases and creates greater demandson shower tray and bath seals meaning that adequatemaintenance is important. “The first line of defenceagainst leaking shower trays and baths is theledge/tile sealant joint,” says Gerard Robinson at Seal.“It should be remembered that the ledge/tile joint is a‘maintained’ joint meaning it is not regarded as apermanent seal and must be monitored andperiodically replaced,” he counsels. The mechanicalfailure of ledge/tile joints under tension due to jointexpansion is very often a result of the installer’s desireto minimise the exposed sealant face, he explains.“HydroHALT combines a revolutionary upstand stripwith a sealant and backer cord which provides aninnovative and superior solution to other sealants.”

shower controlThere is also a growing need for thermostatic showercontrol to ensure precise and safe user comfort.Housebuilders should consider brands that offerthermostatic technology to deliver maximum safetylevels. “This can include technology that balances outfluctuations in water temperature and pressure, andtechnology that ensures the outer surface of theshower remains cool to eliminate the risk of scalding,”says Michael Gray, training manager at Grohe.

‘It’s also important to maximise limited space,” hecontinues. “If there’s enough space behind the wall, a

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bathrooms

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Bathrooms should be aesthetically pleasing andfunctional. Pictured: Ideal Standard

The love affair with the traditional ladder towel rail remains strong. Pictured: Stelrad’s Decorative collection, part of its Aqua series

“Failure to specify approved product can result in the local water undertakerrefusing to turn on the water supply”Paul Caneparo, contracts sales director, Crosswater

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!continued from page 43concealed shower can provide a sleek option and increasespace in the showering area. If not, a shower system mightprovide a solution as this offers a fixed shower head andhandheld shower, great for delivering flexibility to the user.

Within the shower area, a square design head showeris becoming more popular and can add an “on-trend”look to the room, Gray advises. “Lozenge shaped showerheads are another great option and are designed withthe human body in mind. The lozenge shape mirrors anindividual, shoulder to shoulder, to provide optimumcoverage of water, for user satisfaction, and add amodern twist to a bathroom space.”

When it comes to heating the bathroom there areseveral options but the love affair with the traditionalladder towel rail remains strong. The twist on this is thathousebuilders are now looking to integrate a designertowel rail into the bathroom, shower room or wetroom,to not only warm towels but also heat the room to an

acceptable temperature. “Stelrad’s new Aqua range ofdesigner and decorative towel rails ensure just that –correct sizing is essential, as with any radiator, to ensurethat the radiator will provide the level of heat neededfor the room in question,” says Chris Harvey, marketingmanager at Stelrad Radiators. “But the inclusion of adecorative or designer towel rail is certainly a trend thatseems destined to grow in the months ahead.” hb

44 housebuilder february 2016

Time well saved Mira Showers’ Flight Modular Wall panels havehelped contractors shave 12 months off a five-year programme of refurbishment at a 250-homeestate whilst boosting tenant satisfaction.

“The tenants love the wallboards because they areso much easier to keep clean and looking smart thantiles,” claims George Harvey, contract administratorfor the Flagship Group, which operates andmaintains the houses on behalf of the owners,Brookgate. “There’s never any mould growth and thegrouting always looks nice and tidy.”The estate inHadleigh, Suffolk, is a PFI project providing homesfor MoD personnel at the nearby RAF base.

Designed for showering, bathing and hand basinareas, the Flight Modular Wall panels are a rangeof tiled, waterproof wall panels which MiraShowers says achieve high quality professionalinstallations, with greater ease and speed offixing than traditional tiling. This is a pointappreciated by Tom Humphries, project managerfor Cocksedge Building Contractors.

“Time is a big concern on a job like this so thisproduct is ideal because we can do in one daywhat would have taken us three,” he says,explaining that otherwise they would have had torip out the existing tiles, make good the walls,put on new tiles and then return to grout them.

Wall-hung sanitaryware enables the WC and basin to be installed at a comfortable height for theuser. Pictured: Geberit’s AquaClean 8000 shower WC

KEY CONTACTSCrosswater www.crosswater-contracts.co.uk Geberit www.geberit.co.ukGrohe www.grohe.comHydrohalt www.hydrohalt.com Ideal Standard www.ideal-standard.co.ukMira Showers www.mirashowers.co.uk Roca www.uk.roca.com Stelrad www.stelrad.comUtopia www.utopiagroup.com

The importance of storage space in the bathroomFor a modern bathroom, the traditional mirror cabinetno longer fits the bill, according to Sam Ball, marketingmanager at Utopia Furniture Group. “The one thingeveryone needs regardless of age and lifestyle isplenty of practical storage space in the bathroom andpotential buyers now expect to see at least adequateprovision of this. No-one wants to spend what is oftenthe largest financial outlay of their life on a house onlyto find they are faced with additional spend once theyhave moved in to add vital storage.”

“Particularly popular” in Utopia’s range for thedeveloper and housebuilder at the moment is thelarge mirror or large mirror cabinet – “a practicaladdition to the bathroom that has the addedbenefit of making the room seem more spacious”.

Current projects often have these large mirrorcabinets, which also provide generous amounts ofstorage, teamed with a stylish wall-hung washbasinunit and WC, all positioned on a stud wall, says Gray.

Regardless of age and lifestyle, home ownersneed plenty of storage space in the bathroom,says Utopia

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