The new Alpha Solo walk-in shower enclosure from shower brand Kinedo is a single glass panel without a reinforcement bar to create a classic minimalist walk-in shower area, which is simple and stylish in design.
Alpha Solo features a chrome aluminium profile, 10mm transparent glass 2 metres high, and a chrome cover strip at the bottom of the panel. Anti-limescale treatment comes as standard. Alpha Solo is available in sizes 800mm, 900mm, 1000mm, 1200mm and 1400mm and is ideal for corner and recess installations.
The range is available now to retailers, house builders, hoteliers and other accommodation providers who seek a high-end product at an accessible price point.
Offering the freedom of an open shower and suitable for small and large spaces, with Kinedo, it’s possible to create a designer wetroom look no matter the budget or the space size.
Features by Diane Larner founder and editor of Bathroom Review & Kitchens Review. Diane Larner launched both titles over 12 years ago and has been writing about the bathroom and kitchen interior design industry ever since, publishing regular features across the two sectors.
Today’s shower designs deliver a variety of options, from multigenerational innovations to bespoke or space-saving designs. And, with sustainability requirements topping the consumer wish list, it is no surprise that manufacturers are brimming over with new ideas. Diane Larner finds out what the latest ranges bring to the table.
Bespoke satisfaction
According to a recent Houzz survey, more than 56% of homeowners are opting to stay in their current home rather than buy a new one that suits their needs. Unsurprisingly, bath and shower rooms remain the most popular area to renovate after the kitchen. When planning to add a second or third bathroom, designers are beholden to the shape of windows, doors, and even sloping ceilings when it comes to layout. Bespoke solutions offer the flexibility required when such creativity is needed.
Colm Lalor, Hudson Reed’s commercial director, agrees but says, “It’s important to ensure that no matter whether your space is large, small or somewhere in between, planning must come first when renovating your bathroom, especially if your space is more awkward to fit a new shower in. Through a recent installer survey, we found that a lack of preparation was one of the main reasons for fails in the bathroom, so a bespoke or versatile option could be the right solution. “ The company offers a wide range of options that it says are tailored to fit even the most awkward of spaces.
Cutting to size to fit the space also delivers a flawless, seamless finish in such spaces. CRL Bespoke Showers are designed to provide streamlined, hotel-inspired design and include glass and surfaces. CRL partners with expert fabricators to ensure they can be precision-cut to exactly the right size and shape. Ceralsio ceramic and Inalco MDi from CRL Stone (pictured above) are the perfect wall and floor surface solutions for the shower area and can be cut to size.
Altogether now
In a new report by the World Health Organization, it is estimated that the population of individuals over 65 years will outnumber those under 15 in the WHO European Region. Unsurprisingly, the number of multigenerational households is increasing, with an estimated 1.8 million falling into this category since the turn of the century. Creating bathroom spaces that accommodate changing needs makes sense whether you are catering for a variety of family members or wish to build in longevity for your own future needs.
Stephen Maley, UK sales director, HEWI UK Ltd, comments, “Intergenerational living has been gaining importance for several years. An ever ageing society and changing family structures are decisive for developments in the sector. And, the shower is an integral part of the intergenerational bathroom.”
We are used to seeing level-access shower rooms with easy-to-access shower doors; however, building a comprehensive design requires features such as grab rails, non-slip flooring, seating and even hand shower accessibility.
Stephen Maley continues, “The shower in an intergenerational bathroom should offer support, flexibility and safety to all users in equal measure. In addition to a shower base that is flush with the floor, non-slip floor coverings and thermostats with scald protection, seating and hand-hold options should also be taken into account for a multi-generation bathroom shower.”
HEWI offer comprehensive design to suit all needs. For example, its new Magnetic Shower Holder features a nifty magnet-function-based height adjustment, which works by sliding the shower head intuitively and requiring only one-handed operation. It is designed to improve showering comfort thanks to its user-friendly, safe and easy-to-clean features.
Simply sustainable
With increased consumer scrutiny on sustainable design, brands that adapt to the new environmentally conscious consumer will stay relevant in a competitive market.
Stacey Seagrave, senior product manager for non-residential fittings at Ideal Standard agrees, “When it comes to evolving trends within the bathroom sector, it goes without saying that consumers are increasingly conscious about their impact on the environment. Housebuilders and architects are responding to that growing demand for sustainability – incorporating low-flow products into their bathrooms and thoughtfully considering the amount of embodied carbon in products.”
New products like Ideal Standard’s Alu+ showering range (pictured above) are built with sustainability in mind, enabling specifiers and designers to fulfil consumer demands and create more environmentally friendly properties. The showers are constructed from high-quality recyclable aluminium comprising 84% recycled content and feature water flow limiters to minimise consumption. Moreover, these showering units are also available in three low-sheen finishes, meaning customers don’t have to compromise on aesthetics when opting for a more sustainable option. For a comprehensive solution, Ideal Standard’s Singular™ philosophy gives architects, specifiers and developers a single point of contact for a complete range of bathroom solutions designed to work harmoniously together.
Alternatively, with research, sustainable bathroom design can be specified across the complete bathroom range when utilising different suppliers. As energy costs spiral, products that alleviate the pressure on the family purse will remain competitive, especially as 80 per cent of the hot water a home creates is used for showering, not heating.
One focus for the environmentally aware brand Kaldewei has been to develop ways to heat more efficiently and use less energy. The Kaldewei shower channel has a heat recovery system, the “FlowLine Heatrecovery” shower channel. Pictured below, it uses heat from the shower water to preheat the cold, fresh water on its way to the shower fitting.
All-rounder
For smaller or oddly configured bathroom spaces, a quadrant shower delivers space economy thanks to its curved frontage. Kudos Shower Products has expanded its collection of Pinnacle8 access shower enclosures with level entry, and introduced new corner quadrant models in chrome, matt black or brushed brass profiles. Eliminating the bottom rail on the door gives a minimalist appearance and makes it much easier to clean.
As with all other enclosures in the Kudos Pinnacle8 range, these new options stand 2000mm in height and are produced with 8mm toughened safety glass throughout. All glass panels come with LifeShield protection for easy cleaning, and all doors have an iconic Finger Pull handle (with an optional retrofit handle if required).
END
If you enjoyed this Bathroom Review feature, you can see more on our site. Alternatively, if Kitchens are your thing, please visit our sister site, Kitchens Review.
Kudos Shower Products has expanded its collection of Pinnacle8 level access shower enclosures and introduced new corner quadrant models.
There are now seven Quadrant models in the collection. Two are standard quadrants at 900x900mm and 1000x1000mm in size, and there are a further five offset quadrant enclosures from 900x800mm up to 1200x900mm in size. They have all been designed without the need for a bottom rail, providing a level access and making it easier to step in and out of the enclosure.
Eliminating the bottom rail on the door gives it a minimalist appearance and makes it much easier to clean too. These new additions are available in a choice of chrome, matt black or brushed brass profiles. As with all other enclosures in the Kudos Pinnacle8 range these new options stand 2000mm in height and are produced with 8mm toughened safety glass throughout. All glass panels come with LifeShield protection for easy cleaning and all doors with their iconic Finger Pull handle (with optional retro fit handle if required).
Pinnacle8 level access is a frameless design with slimline wall profiles concealing a 20mm wall adjustment for ease of fitting. SmartSeal technology is used on the crystal clear seals and glass-to-glass corner join seals, to ensure a clean uninterupted finish and a water tight bond. Overall this collection includes both hinged and sliding door options, to suit both recessed and corner installations, in sizes ranging from 760mm to 1500mm offering a plethora of design options to suit any bathroom. Kevlar impregnated pins are used in the rise and fall brushed finished hinges for consistent smooth opening and closing of the glass doors. And aircraft grade stainless steel roller bearings are used in the sliding doors for smooth action and longevity.
Kudos Shower Products Ltd has been designing and manufacturing shower products at their Cumbria facility since 1999. Their portfolio includes shower enclosures, shower trays, over-bath screens and wet-room solutions sold via KBB showrooms and merchants across the UK.
Kaldewei is a brand known for its sustainability; all its products are 100% recyclable, and it is now manufacturing products from BlueMint steel, which reduces carbon emissions by 70%. With shower trays providing such green credentials, the next logical step was to save energy and CO2 when showering, so during ISH, Kaldewei launched the Kaldewei shower channel with heat recovery system, the “FlowLine Heatrecovery” shower channel.
Up to 80 per cent of the hot water a home creates is used for showering, not heating. Recently, the focus has been on developing ways to heat more efficiently and use less energy. A massive quantity of hot water is wasted as it flows unused down the drain; the new Kaldewei “FlowLine Heatrecovery” shower channel uses heat from the shower water to preheat the cold fresh water on its way to the shower fitting. A heat exchanger integrated into the waste ensures efficient heat recovery, so significantly less hot water needs to be added to guarantee a pleasantly warm shower temperature. In the spirit of sustainability, this saves energy, noticeably reduces costs and reduces the carbon footprint.
The bathroom has become one of the most important rooms in the home, but that doesn’t mean the space itself is getting bigger. In fact, as we add second and third bathrooms into our homes to accommodate all the family, such spaces are often created from awkward corners or under the eaves. Opting for a bespoke shower solution, with glassware and wall surfaces perfectly cut to size to fit the space, is really the best way to create a seamless finish in such spaces.
Bespoke doesn’t need to be complex. For streamlined, hotel-inspired design in any bathroom, CRL Bespoke Showers encompass the key elements of the shower area – glass and surfaces – and partner with expert fabricators to ensure they can be precision cut to exactly the right size and shape.
Highly durable and simple to care for, Ceralsio ceramic and Inalco MDi from CRL Stone are the perfect wall and floor surface solutions for the shower area. Their large slab format can be perfectly cut to size at the same time as the glass, with no grout lines, creating a super-stylish and ultra-hardwearing floor-to-ceiling wall surface. In fact, the material is ideal for the bathroom, being water resistant, heat, scratch, and stain resistant and non-porous.
While a frameless glass screen is an elegant, minimal addition that avoids water reaching beyond the desired shower area, shower hardware offers the chance to inject some personality into the finished space. CRL can accommodate any design for all projects and all spaces, with popular finishes including Chrome, Antique Brass, Brushed Nickel, Matte Black and Polished Copper, all available to ensure you really are showering in luxury in your new wetroom.
The new magnetic shower holder from HEWI is designed to improve showering comfort thanks to its user-friendly, safe and easy-to-cleanfeatures.
Innovations are usually in the details and mean a significant system or product range improvement. Thus, the international expert for barrier-free sanitary solutions, HEWI, continuously develops products that increase ease of use, contribute more safety and make a difference in terms of hygiene and ease of cleaning. One such product is the new System 900 magnetic shower head holder, which the company has already patented.
Well thought out down to the last detail and timeless in design
In stainless steel, chrome and powder-coated in white, black and grey, the new product follows the minimalist, high-quality and timeless design that characterises all ranges from HEWI and forms another building block in the diverse range of barrier-free solutions.
In terms of handling, the new magnetic shower head holder has been significantly simplified and is, in the sense of universal design, an optimal product for everyone, and especially for users with physical limitations.
Key characteristic features are its straightforward, magnet-function-based height adjustment, which works by sliding the shower head with an intuitive one-handed operation. The shower head holder incorporates a fully rotatable cone bracket and a conscious lack of buttons and knobs that usually feature on such products. Thus, the shower holder can be used without strain and even by those with motor limitations. Wet hands also no longer hinder use as the traditional clamping mechanism has been replaced by the novel magnetic principle, thus eliminating the need to exert pressure when adjusting the shower holder. As virtually no mechanical forces act on the product, wear is minimal.
Climate change means we need to alter our relationship with water: The UN estimates that the global water demandwill increase by 55 per cent by 2050, while the reserves of available water will decline. Greater awareness of this vital resource for everyday body care, showering, bathing, and flushing the toilet can significantly reduce both consumption and costs.
Everyday water-saving tips
Not leaving the water running when washing your hands, cleaning your teeth, or shaving is a particularly effective way of reducing daily water usage. Taking shorter showers reduces consumption by approx. 12 litres per minute with conventional attachments. Repairing dripping or leaking faucets and attachments promptly or even to replace them with new, water-saving variants.
Faucets and showerheads to save water and energy
Innovative and water-saving solutions are the logical choice – whether planning a new bathroom or refurbishing an old one. They contribute to sustainable water use in the bathroom without reducing comfort. Washbasin faucets with AirPlus technology enrich the water with air for a full, gentle stream while reducing water and energy costs.
The MinusFlow technology decreases the water consumption of washbasin faucets and hand showers by up to 40 per cent and up to 60 per cent for showerheads.
Using less water in general leads to lower energy consumption as large amounts of water are often heated before use. The single-lever mixers in the energy-saving FreshStart variant mean that cold-water flows when the lever is in the middle position, hot water is only introduced when the user deliberately moves the handle to the left. The energy-intensive production of hot water is then limited to situations where it is needed.
Water-saving toilet technologies
Rimless toilets with a reduced flush volume of 4.5 litres are easy to clean using small amounts of water. This is in part due to the innovative, easy-clean surfaces such as the WonderGliss coating or the HygieneGlaze antibacterial ceramic glaze amplify this effect. The smaller button on the actuator plates with 2-volume flushing technology offers a flushing option of just three liters. The larger water quantity should only be chosen when it is really needed.
According to a new study from Houzz Inc., the home design platform, nearly one in eight homeowners have put their home renovation project on hold (12%).
Conducted in late August through September 2023, the survey of nearly 1,000 UK-based homeowners found that the top reasons for postponing projects include budget constraints, inflation and a lack of project urgency (34%, 33% and 28%, respectively). That said, a quarter of respondents completed a project in 2023 (26%) and more than half are either in the middle of a renovation project (35%) or planning to start one by the end of next year (26%). Fewer than 1% of homeowners report having cancelled a home improvement project in 2023.
Many homeowners prefer home renovations to moving, with more than half of the respondents wanting to stay in their current home rather than buy a new home that fits their needs (56%). Homeowners attribute this to financial reasons, including that renovating is a better return on investment and more affordable than moving (23% and 20%, respectively). A small but notable percentage highlights that their current interest rate is better than what is available today (6%).
“The demand for home renovations continues, but the industry is not immune to challenges posed by a volatile national economy,” said Marine Sargsyan, Houzz staff economist.
“Faced with inflation and rising interest rates, many homeowners have been forced to reevaluate their ability to pursue immediate improvements. That said, as homeowners choose to remain in their ageing homes rather than move, they continue to turn to industry professionals for assistance with necessary repairs and discretionary projects that improve their quality of life.”
Almost half of the homeowners will kick off renovation projects this year (49%), with kitchens (58%) and bathrooms (55%) topping the list. To tackle these substantial projects, 91% plan to hire a professional, including builders (52%), electricians (45%) and kitchen and bathroom fitters (42%), among others. Nearly half of projects planned for 2023 have a budget of over £50,000 (61%), and one in six projects has a budget of £100,000 or more (18%).
Of those who completed their projects, top challenges included finding the right professionals, sourcing products and materials, and staying on budget (53%, 36% and 29%, respectively). Other commonly cited challenges included trouble visualising the project before work began, feeling educated on the process and funding/financing the project (20%, 19% and 16%, respectively). Houzz Pro software helps professionals to deliver better customer experiences through visual tools, schedules and transparent communications to address these challenges.
*Data was sourced from an online survey fielded to UK Houzz users between 24th August – 5th October 2023. N=978.
Staff at Neoperl UK in Malvern have been participating in a Neolympic event for the past five weeks, playing a game weekly with teammates from all departments across the company. The team-building initiative resulted in new friendships and the building of new team strategies.
The event was the idea of the company’s Value Ambassadors. All 150+ staff based on the Malvern site were invited to join, and teams were created combining staff from different departments and shifts. Five games were played over five weeks, including Football, Speed Pool, Netball Goals, Pyramid Cup Challenge and Cornhole.
“Although these were sporting events, we learned so much more. It was a great Teamwork exercise where everyone had an input and encouraged each other, albeit through tears of laughter sometimes. It was an initiative that we believe will improve communication significantly throughout the business. We found that by placing people in teams that they did not work with daily, encouraged everyone to communicate. From rounding up the team to attend on time to working out the best way to play, to cheering and encouraging their teammates on and the feedback from staff was all very positive indeed.” Said Mike Burton, operational site director at Neoperl UK.
At the end of the event, an awards ceremony was held, and everyone received a medal and a collage of pictures. The Value Ambassadors did a great job and have received lots of positive feedback from work colleagues.
The portfolio of design-led products available on the leading Virtual Worlds bathroom software continues to expand, with the latest Phoenix Bathrooms catalogue now available.
Phoenix has an all-encompassing range of bathroom solutions, from modular and fitted furniture to mirrors, brassware and an extensive range of shower enclosures.
The brochure now available on Virtual Worlds includes the I-Zone® range of modular furniture. No two homes are precisely the same so Phoenix has created the most versatile, multi-layer modular bathroom furniture collection available. Boasting stunning contemporary unit and worktop colours, plus multiple handle designs and colours, the Phoenix I-Zone® collection is as unique as the bathroom itself.
Retailers using Virtual Worlds can now easily include products from the Phoenix Bathrooms portfolio including the I-Zone® range, in their 4D and 3D designs, making it simple for consumers to choose between the various options available to create their desired, bespoke look.
The complete Phoenix Bathrooms catalogue is now available to download from the Virtual Worlds User Centre. For more information, visit www.virtualworlds.co.uk
About Cyncly
Cyncly was created in September of 2022 as the new brand to unite Compusoft, 2020 and their affiliate companies after their merger in 2021. The combined group created a global software powerhouse with over 2,300 employees and 70,000+ customers across 100+ countries. Cyncly brings together more than 35 years of industry experience to provide specialized visualisation, sales, manufacturing and content solutions for customers to bring spaces to life and bring life to spaces. Their business spans across kitchen, bathroom, furniture, flooring and windows, doors & glass industries with operations in North America, Europe, South America, Asia Pacific and Africa.
Compusoft, 2020, Promob, Focco, 3CAD, FeneTech, Soft Tech, First Degree Systems, Access IT (contract ERP), M3B, GO-2B, RFMS, Virtual Worlds and Mozaik are Cyncly brands which bring together end-to-end solutions to help everyone in the value chain make their work and the outcomes for their customers amazing.