Diane, Author at Bathroom Review

Bette presents new type of anti-slip for shower trays and baths

November 26, 2021

German glazed titanium-steel bathroom products manufacturer, Bette, launched a number of products at HIX, including a new type of almost invisible anti-slip surface, which can be used on its shower trays and baths.

BetteAnti-Slip Sense is a new glossy, smooth and easy to clean anti-slip surface and provides the highest level of slip protection on shower trays and baths. A new type of surface treatment for maximum slip resistance (in accordance with evaluation group C of DIN 51097) it is almost invisible, and the anti-slip effect occurs when the pressure of the body weight and water come together.

To achieve the slip-resistance, Bette treats the surface with a suspension containing the finest micrometre-sized ceramic particles, which form a permanent bond with the BetteGlaze surface. They are almost invisible to the eye, and the surface does not become rough as a result. The shower trays and baths retain their glossy looks, smoothness and continue to be easy to clean, as dirt and germs find it hard to adhere to the surface, which has a 30 year warranty.

While the primary role of the new Anti-Slip Sense surface is to increase the slip protection on shower trays and baths, it can also help to make a bath more comfortable. Applied to the entire interior of the bath, it can help the bather to maintain a comfortable position and avoid accidentally slipping down in larger baths.

The new BetteAnti-Slip Sense can be used to provide the highest level of slip protection on Bette’s gloss white glazed titanium-steel shower trays and baths. For shower trays in matt colours, Bette offers its almost invisible BetteAnti-Slip Pro.

For further information on Bette: www.my-bette.com/en or telephone 0844 800 0547.

Pictured very top: BetteEve with rectangular surround

Read more news and product stories from Bette.

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Introducing new décors from Mermaid Panels

November 24, 2021

Mermaid Panels has introduced 28 new décors to its premium Elite collection of bathroom panels for autumn/winter 21 and beyond. The new designs join an existing range of 12 décors, and now include a wider range of traditional, minimalist, and contemporary styles.

A perfect alternative to tiling, Elite has a 100% waterproof core and helps create a completely seamless, premium look and finish. The artistic post-formed edges (shown right) add unique design detail that removes the need for trims or grouting.

Mermaid’s Elite range fixes securely to existing surfaces including plasterboard and tiling and ensures no unsightly grouting, no mould, and a much quicker installation. Using a tongue and groove system to create a join that will remain watertight, fitters can create a smooth, seamless, and uniform finish.

As part of the new collection, the Mermaid Elite range also consists of seven new tile-inspired panel designs. Designed to align like tiles, but without any of the hassle of grouting, the clever design ensures the pattern can continue seamlessly without interruption once the panels are fixed together.

Keely Greenhalgh comments on the latest collection; “The new additions to the Elite range offer something for every customer. With the option to create a statement within a shower enclosure or use the panels wall to-wall for a more seamless and luxurious feel, Mermaid offers flexibility and simplicity when it comes to updating or designing a bathroom.

“The designs are bonded to a water-proof core, meaning that they’re perfectly suited to wet rooms and shower enclosures. For homeowners seeking a more coordinated or statement design, Mermaid’s Elite panels can even be used to replace a bath panel for a pop of pattern or accent of luxury. Each décor has been carefully designed with the greatest attention to detail to ensure a realistic finish that emulates the nuances of natural materials such as wood, marble and stone. Easy to fabricate on site and efficient to install, the new range offers a straightforward, cost-effective alternative to bathroom tiles.”

Available in 3 sizes, Mermaid Panels can be sold separately or as part of a two- or three-sided kit which comes complete with adhesive and sealant for an easy one box solution that has everything an installer will need.

Mermaid Elite is the go-to surfacing option for homeowners looking to upgrade or fit a new bathroom. The panels can be cut on site, without the need of specialist tools, and can be fitted by any professional fitter, plumber, or installer. With a 15-year guarantee across all Mermaid product ranges when used with Mermaid Complete adhesive and sealant, consumers can have peace of mind in a long-lasting bathroom solution.

To learn more about displaying and selling Mermaid Elite, contact your local sales manager, or email
Mermaid: sales@mermaidpanels.co.uk

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Simon Acres Media launches new website and studio

November 24, 2021

The media division of Simon Acres Group Ltd has launched a dedicated website and filming studio in response to growing demand from KBB retailers, suppliers, manufacturers and merchants for its services.

The division, which is led by group Marketing Director Kordian Pach, offers video films, photography and websites to KBB businesses looking for affordable professional services to help promote their brands.

The new website highlights the benefits of working with Kordian’s creative and technical team to create marketing material that represents a company’s ethos, and builds trust with audiences.

The dedicated film studio incorporates the latest equipment to allow for the filming of customer testimonials, information videos and corporate films. The team can also travel to film on location, returning to the studio for editing.

Kordian said, “I am delighted that we now have our own dedicated state of the art facilities alongside the new website.

“Video is a highly effective form of content and its popularity has gone hand-in-hand with the rise of social media. It is one of the most effective forms of marketing, with consumers now watching more videos than ever before.

“Recent figures suggest that the average person will spend 100 minutes every day watching online videos in 2021. This is a 19% increase compared to daily viewing minutes in 2019, which stood at 84.”

The new website can be found at www.simonacres.media

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Shower hardware that has visual and practical appeal

November 24, 2021

Bathrooms and shower rooms are increasingly being designed as extensions of our living spaces, a space to retreat, relax and rejuvenate rather than just for practicalities. CRL shower hardware taps into this movement, with colours and styles to suit all décor schemes.

Frameless solutions, such as Cambridge (pictured top) and Serenity sliding shower doors, offer the ultimate in wet-room style luxury that also maximises accessibility in the modern bathroom.

A further highlight is the CRL Geneva hinge, available in a wide choice of finishes and suitable for bespoke applications, enabling the shower area to be tailored to fit any space, ideal when working with awkward shapes and sizes in rooms such as in corners and under eaves.

For more information call CRL on 01706 863600, email crl@crlaurence.co.uk, or visit www.crlaurence.co.uk

In-Wash Nova – the latest smart toilet from Roca

November 24, 2021

The new In-wash Nova is the latest addition to Roca’s shower toilet range and innovates in technology, functionality and design. It is also available at an accessible price point.

Inspired by Roca’s iconic In-Wash Inspira, the new In-Wash Nova shares the same functionalities. Its smart features, ease of use and attractive design brings wellbeing to the bathroom and appeals to a wide range of customers.

Easy and intuitive

The remote control is quick to set up and intuitively designed so it can be easily understood and used by everyone. As a complement to the remote control, In-Wash Nova also features a side panel to regulate the basic cleaning and drying functions in a simple and easy way.

Total hygiene

The integrated nozzle cleans itself before and after each use and the water flowing through it undergoes a filtering process that treats it before being used. The tip of the nozzle is removable, allowing manual cleaning and disinfection in an easy and hygienic way.

Reliable design

In-Wash Nova features a presence sensor that blocks the cleaning and drying functions while the seat is free, avoiding its accidental activation. For convenience, the LED light in its side panel can be programmed to stay on for eight hours, to be a guide in the middle of the night.

Functions include:

Intimate hygiene: Front wash and rear wash using water.
Oscillating massage. The operating movement of the nozzle offers multiple water options to suit individual needs.
Drying function with adjustable drying temperature. The warm air provides a pleasant drying experience after cleaning.
Easily adjustable water temperature settings.
Adjustable water pressure with varying water flow, dependent on personal preference.

Easy installation

In-Wash Nova has been designed to fit easily into the modern bathroom. For this reason, its installation just requires a water outlet and a conventional power connection.

Both close-coupled and wall-hung variants of In-Wash Nova are available, to complement every bathroom design for the ultimate in hygiene and wellbeing.

Priced from RRP £2580.00 (inc VAT).

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The BetteAir: the first glazed titanium-steel shower tile

November 24, 2021

The BetteAir from Bette is reportedly the world’s first glazed titanium-steel shower tile and completes the evolution of the shower tray into part of the bathroom floor.

BetteAir integrates so perfectly that it is hardly noticeable and, at only 10mm high, it can be glued directly to the screed like a conventional tile. The BetteAir can be installed with a minimum installation height of only 97 millimetres. Durable and easy to clean, it has all the advantages of a tile without any of the disadvantages.

The new BetteAir shower tile is available in eight sizes from 900 x 900 to 1400 x 1000 mm and in a choice of 31 colours.

BetteAir is supplied as standard with basic sound insulation for quiet showering and can also be equipped with an anti-slip surface: BetteAnti-Slip Pro, or the new BetteAnti-Slip Sense for gloss white, which offers the highest level of slip protection.

The Bette-Anti Slip Sense surface is the only glossy, smooth and easy to clean anti-slip surface to provide the highest level of slip protection on shower trays.

It is a new type of surface treatment for maximum slip resistance (in accordance with evaluation group C of DIN 51097). Almost invisible, the anti-slip effect occurs when the pressure of the body weight and water come together.

New BetteAnti-Slip Sense can be used to provide the highest level of slip protection on Bette’s gloss white glazed titanium-steel shower trays and baths. For shower trays in matt colours, Bette offers its almost invisible BetteAnti-Slip Pro.

All Bette shower trays, baths and washbasins come with a 30 year warranty. Made from natural products, they are 100% recyclable.

For further information on Bette: www.my-bette.com/en or telephone 0844 800 0547.

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Northumbria supports search for next generation of creative talent

November 24, 2021

The National Trust and leading architecture practice, GT3 Architects, have teamed up with Northumbria University to search for the next generation of talented architects as part of a project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The Rising Stars creative partnership is a strand of the National Trust’s The Curtain Rises project, centred on conservation and improvement work at the historic Seaton Delaval Hall, which was acquired by the trust in 2009.

A live project inspired by the building was set up to give students an opportunity to flex their creative skills and offer invaluable industry experience. With more than 20 students from Northumbria’s BA Interior Architecture programme taking part in the project, Hattie Keel was crowned the winner with her striking structure centred around visual trickery.

Hattie’s installation was unveiled with a celebration at Seaton Delaval Hall, where it has now been constructed for visitors to enjoy.

After recently graduating from Northumbria, Hattie has secured a job with GT3 and is now working as a designer for the company, which has studios in Newcastle and Nottingham.

She explained: “My time at Northumbria gave me great insight into the industry through numerous live projects, including this partnership with the National Trust. Throughout the process I also worked alongside GT3 Architects, giving me valuable career experience in the industry.

“The Rising Stars competition put my foot in the door to life after graduation; the knowledge it gave me boosted my confidence in my creativity and design capabilities. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity provided by Northumbria, as this enhanced my portfolio and assisted in securing my role as a Graduate Interior Architectural Designer at GT3.”

Taylor Grindley, project architect at GT3, was the day-to-day lead on the work. He said: “We really enjoyed taking part in the Rising Stars project and working closely with the National Trust and Northumbria University. All the designs were fantastic and incredibly creative, but Hattie’s really blew us all away.

“We worked really closely with Hattie to ensure all aspects of the design were viable and that we could bring it to life, with the construction handled by Raskl. We love educating and inspiring the next generation of architects and designers, so the Rising Stars project has been a brilliant experience.”

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The new GROHTHERM 500 thermostat

November 23, 2021

A recently conducted survey into showering behaviour from GROHE, and German research institution Explorare, found that 37% of respondents found temperature fluctuations one particularly frustrating factor when showering.

The new GROHTHERM 500 thermostat acts as the intelligent heart of the shower, which means, according to GROHE, complaints like these can now be a thing of the past.

GROHE’s latest product offering boasts steady temperatures, personal settings, and optimal convenience – all at an affordable price.

Carsten Geers, Brand Manager GROHTHERM & Rapido, LIXIL EMENA and GROHE, explains what installers and retailers can expect from the latest addition to the GROHE thermostats portfolio and offers information for consultations with customers:

Why should I recommend a thermostat to my customers?

“Thermostats are not a new invention to the shower market – professionals have been working with them for a long time and have witnessed the evolution of the intelligent showering technology and know how it works. However, we know that there is continued demand for this technology in our customers’ bathrooms. In a recent study, we found out that over 35% of consumers3would like to replace their lever mixer with a thermostat.”

The key benefits of a thermostat upgrade:

“Thermostats are safe mixers, especially for children and elderly family members. In contrast to a lever shower mixer, our thermostats are equipped with a 38°C SafeStop Button. As the name indicates, this limits the water temperature to a comfortable 38°C and prevents scalding from burning hot water.

“Additionally, our thermostats come with an optional 43 °C SafeStop Plus temperature limiter. This can easily be activated during the installation and limits the temperature to 43 °C, thereby preventing children or those with additional needs or visual impairments from turning up the temperature accidentally and scalding themselves. This is a huge benefit for multi-generational households and hotels which need to cater to many different user needs and requirements.

“Now that the bathroom is increasingly turning into an oasis of wellbeing, consumers are also looking for solutions that enhance comfort. Thermostatic technology is an ideal solution. Even when multiple water sources are running simultaneously, the thermostat allows users to be in control of the temperature as it balances temperature peaks and prevents cold or hot temperature fluctuations whilst showering. This is one of the major benefits thermostats can offer especially as they continue to be such a pain point for consumers.

“What many consumers do not know is that a shower equipped with a thermostat can save water. The
GROHE GROHTHERM thermostats all come with the EcoButton – an easy-to-use and effective feature that
works to reduce consumption. The EcoButton reduces the water flow, saving up to 50% of water without a
noticeable difference for users. Additionally, the thermostat cartridge makes it easy to find the desired
temperature. Even if a user likes to turn the water off and on while showering there is no need to find the
right lever position again. With the water temperature remaining at a constant level, The GROHTERM 500
offers water and energy saving in everyday life, which can offer cost savings over the product’s lifecycle.”

Why should I recommend a GROHE thermostat for my customer?

“Our product portfolio remains to be as diverse as our customers’ projects are individual. For us, the key in product development is to provide retailers and installers with the right solutions for all customers. Our product portfolio is designed to meet different requirements regarding both functionality but also budget. The recently introduced GROHTHERM 800 Cosmopolitan which comes complete with the TurboStat cartridge offers a stand out product due to the solid metal handles which function not only as a design statement but also offer practicality. The greatest benefit is the GROHE MetalGrip with Ergorim concealed rim on the back which ensures a firm grip even when hands are wet or soapy. This makes the GROHTHERM 800 Cosmopolitan a perfect upgrade for any shower, with a variant available for bathtubs as well. Our portfolio also includes the sophisticated GROHTHERM 1000 Performance which boasts two additional key features. Integrated with our 100% GROHE CoolTouch technology, the thermostat’s body never exceeds the shower temperature, keeping the thermostat exterior cool to touch – a particularly important feature for multi-generational households or family homes with young children. As water conservation is also playing an increasingly important role for customers in bathroom planning, the GROHTHERM 1000 series also features an AquaDimmer with an EcoButton for controlling the hand shower in the bathtub.

“Our latest addition to the thermostat family is GROHTHERM 500 – the perfect entry-level product in the
GROHE thermostat range. The thermostat can be suitable for all properties, with a specially adapted model for low pressure homes. GROHTHERM 500 offers the same cost efficiency as a single-lever mixer but offers
customers far more benefits.”

What are the benefits of GROHTHERM 500?
“GROHTHERM 500 is the optimal entry-level product that enables users to try out the benefits of a GROHE thermostat, such as the EcoButton, the SafeStop and the SafeStop Plus feature. It comes equipped with the well-known GROHE brand quality while sitting at a lower price point to suit all budgets – the perfect alternative to single-lever mixers.”

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TOTO switches to power from renewable energies

November 23, 2021

By 2040, TOTO is planning to get 100% of its power from renewable energy sources. The company has also joined the international RE100 initiative.

The RE100 initiative is overseen by “The Climate Group” – an international environmental NGO – in partnership with the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project), which promotes the disclosure of information on climate change. RE100 was founded in 2014 with the aim of accelerating the transition to renewable energies. Over 300 prominent companies around the world have already joined RE100.

By joining RE100, TOTO Group has committed to expand the procurement of renewable energies at all of its locations worldwide in line with regional conditions, and to install solar energy facilities at all of its works. This move ensures that 100% of the power used for business activities will come from renewable energy sources.

TOTO is required to provide regular reports on the progress of these measures and be accountable for them. RE100 publishes this progress annually. TOTO also plans to improve energy-saving measures and upgrade its production facilities in its various markets, which will help reduce CO2 emissions.

TOTO Group has developed a corporate philosophy that aims “to create a great company that helps improve society – and that people around the world can trust.”By committing to solving social problems and helping the environment through its business activities, TOTO will also generate growth, which contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations. Joining RE100 is just one important step towards implementing this corporate philosophy.

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Internal sales addition for Kudos

November 22, 2021

Jill Carson has completed her induction in a new role for Kudos as their Internal Sales Co-ordinator. She joins the business with a wealth of experience in customer account management across many business sectors, so a perfect choice to pave the way in this new customer support role for Kudos.

Jill will be working alongside the Retail Support Team at Kudos who are a regional team of engineers supporting customer showrooms with display installations, providing product and business updates, brochures and end user visits across the UK.

“Jill has immediately become a great support for our Retail Support Team in the business.” Said Nick Graville. “She’s already spoken to a large proportion of our retailer accounts so we can see improvements in our communications and she’s providing the business with invaluable insight and some new sales opportunities too.”

Kudos was established as a UK manufacturer of shower products in 1999. Their product portfolio includes shower enclosures, shower trays, over-bath screens and wet-room solutions sold via bathroom showrooms and merchants across the UK.

Check them out at kudosshowers.co.uk, call them on 01539 564040 or email info@kudosshowers.co.uk or Jill.Carson@kudosshowers.co.uk

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