Diane, Author at Bathroom Review

Waters Baths of Ashbourne – Coast Corner Bath

July 17, 2023

Providing the answer to awkward-shaped bathrooms, Waters Baths of Ashbourne’s response is their Coast Corner Set Bath – a choice that cleverly combines both the practicality of a corner bath with the modern indulgence of a freestanding bath.

“Just like pebbles in the ocean, we wanted to create the illusion that the perfect organic silhouette has formed over centuries – the sea slowly shaping the smooth contours of the bath with its steady currents and torrents, wearing it down to create the most natural of forms” comments Lee Frost, director of Waters Baths of Ashbourne.

Sculpted to fit the body like a glove, the smooth contours of the Coast bath edge are contrasted with the well-defined angles of the corner setting, exuding a luxurious contemporary aesthetic.

Crafted from one piece of incredibly hard-wearing Lucite acrylic, the double-ended bath is available in both left and right-hand options, proving the model versatile and durable – an exciting and unique addition to the Space Collection.

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ISO9001 adds Kudos

July 13, 2023

Cumbrian manufacturer Kudos Showering Products has been awarded ISO9001 Quality Management Certification, the world’s most recognised quality management system standard.

Mark Hill, group managing director of Kudos said of this welcomed achievement, “Anyone who has been in the process of achieving ISO9001 knows just how much work is involved in gaining this accreditation. I am immensely proud of the team here at Kudos who I have witnessed working tirelessly to make this happen. This is great news for us and shows that we have exceptional processes in place with the people to support this, and that customer service and satisfaction is the core of our business. We are on a continous improvement journey and on our way to achieving operational excellence, this standard has been hard won, which makes it all the more satifying to achieve.”

Kudos was awarded the ISO9001certification by QSL Ltd. Perry Simpson, Account Manager at QSL adds: “Kudos Shower Products have demonstrated an exceptional level of dedication and expertise in implementing a sophisticated management system. Their self-motivation and proactive approach to embodying the ISO framework meant they were prepared for certification after just one day of their two-day GAP analysis. One of the key factors contributing to their success is their collaboration with a consultant with impressive experience in implementing management systems”.

Kudos Shower Products Ltd has been designing and manufacturing shower products at their Cumbria facility since 1999. Part of SanSwiss AP, which is part of the Ronal Group of Companies, their portfolio includes shower enclosures, shower trays, over-bath screens and wet-room solutions sold via KBB showrooms and merchants across the UK.

Visit their website, kudosshowers.co.uk, call them on 01539 564040 or email info@kudosshowers.co.uk.

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Schluter-Systems offers adaptable underfloor heating technologies

July 13, 2023

Schlüter-Systems, a leading manufacturer of tile installation products, also offers both conventional underfloor heating (UFH) and an electrical undertile heating alternative suitable for diverse applications: the manufacturer’s two CAD-enabled options for the 21^st century – BEKOTEC-THERM and DITRA-HEAT E.

The first is a hydronic system that can be installed in the traditional way beneath different floor finishes throughout the home or in commercial buildings. But unlike many rival UFH systems, BEKOTEC-THERM is based on studded modular panels, which are quick and easy to install and offer a low build height with rapid warm-up times. A screed is laid across the pipe runs, and rather than waiting weeks for it to cure, tiling operations can commence as soon as the surface is hard enough to walk on by using Schlüter-Systems’ DITRA uncoupling mat, which means BEKOTEC-THERM is ideal for time-critical refurbishment contracts such as in shops and offices.

Then, as an electric powered undertile solution, applications for DITRA-HEAT E are only limited by the imagination: they encompass demisting mirrors, warming walls or seats in spas and showers, and vanity areas or countertops. DITRA-HEAT further finds applications for flooring and plant shelving in conservatories. At the same time, the system has been specified widely in prestigious locations such as The Lanesborough Hotel and Langham’s in London.

Schlüter-Systems’ technical specifications consultant, Tony Taylor-Sheriff, commented: “UFH technology has progressed enormously since the Roman Hypocaust, but there is still much that is not understood across the wider construction industry regarding relevant efficiencies and potential problems such as the importance of uncoupling layers, load distribution and vapour management. Our solutions have been developed to help professionals achieve quick and energy-efficient installations, with BEKOTEC-THERM, for example, offering the benefit of low-temperature flow which makes it ideal for use with heat pumps or other renewable heat sources. DITRA-HEAT E likewise offers rapid response and is very flexible in use.”

For specifiers and architects, as well as installers of flooring finishes wishing to increase their knowledge of underfloor heating technology, Schlüter-Systems also offers a CPD seminar entitled Specifying Integrated Underfloor Heating Systems, which can be delivered online or in person.

With more than 2,300 employees and seven offices across Europe and North America, Schlüter-Systems is the world’s largest and most innovative manufacturer of system solutions for the function, protection and decoration of tiles and natural stone flooring. Schluter-Systems in the UK offers an extensive product portfolio, including the Schluter-KERDI range waterproofing membranes, the versatile tilebacker KERDI-BOARD and its underfloor heating solutions.

For further information, call 01530 813396 or visit https://www.schluter.co.uk/

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Bette milestone – 100,000 products from green steel

July 13, 2023

Bette is celebrating a new milestone; to date, the company has created 100,000 bathroom products from green steel for sustainable bathroom design.

Bette manufactures its baths, shower trays and washbasins from glazed titanium steel and began sourcing and using CO2-neutral steel in 2020. Now the company is celebrating a major milestone: the production of 100,000 bathroom products made of ‘green’, CO2-neutral steel.

“We are celebrating an important milestone on our path to greater sustainability: each of these 100,000 bathroom products represents our commitment to a greener future and sustainable interior design,” says Bette Managing Director Thilo C. Pahl. By using green steel, the company, based in Delbrück, Germany was able to reduce its CO2 emissions by ten per cent in 2021, and in 2022 the reduction was almost 40 per cent, corresponding to around 8,000 tonnes of CO2.

As part of its commitment, Bette also wants to support sustainable steel production in Germany and its steel suppliers switching from fossil to regenerative blast furnaces, even though these are around three times more expensive. Bette is doing this at no extra cost to its customers.

Steel becomes ‘green’ through suppliers continuously investing in measures to reduce their CO2 emissions. At steel manufacturer ArcelorMittal, for example, this commitment is documented by certificates assigned to individual steel blanks, making them CO2-neutral. This in turn has a positive impact on Bette’s overall CO2 emissions and is also visible at product level.

Currently, subject to minimum quantities, Bette can offer certain products made of CO2-neutral steel, and, in the future, there will be product ranges made exclusively from this ‘green’ steel.

The 100,000 product milestone is only a step on the way to Bette’s ambitious goal: by the end of 2024, the company wants to manufacture half of its products from green steel. In addition, Bette is continuously working on optimising its use of resources. Processes and procedures along the entire supply chain are constantly reviewed to ensure they are as resource-efficient as possible. For many years, the bathroom specialist has also been using combined heat and power plants and photovoltaics to generate energy in order to largely produce its own electricity and heat.

However, the company’s biggest source of emissions remains its product. That is why Bette not only attaches importance to sustainably produced, recyclable and quality products that are also long-lasting in terms of aesthetics and comfort, but also takes care to avoid overproduction. Around 70 per cent of Bette’s baths, shower trays and washbasins are made to order; the remaining 30 percent are stock items.

Thilo C. Pahl: “We are proud of what we have achieved so far, but we know that our work does not end here. Our commitment to sustainability is a long-term process and we will continue to innovate, research and look for ways to do our part to create environmentally friendly bathrooms.”

A counter on the Bette website provides information on the current number of bathroom products produced from green steel: https://www.my-bette.com/en/about-us/sustainability

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The Shower Lab unveils stunning new brochure

July 13, 2023

The Shower Lab, one of the UK’s leading shower space companies, has unveiled its highly anticipated AW23 brochure.

The inspirational 122 full-colour professional brochure is a carefully curated collection of beautiful new shower spaces with the spotlight on cutting-edge innovation at the heart of every design. It includes stunning new launch products across the Portrait and View collections.

The brochure is perfect bound to offer longevity and has been designed for architects and designers as well as retailers and consumers. The brochure clearly shows all glass, handle and hinge options to allow for full customisation of bespoke installations.

As ever, the company’s focus remains on offering style-informed solutions and unparalleled service to all their customers.

Bathroom Review The Shower Lab New Brochure

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Nagoya tile collection – new from Ceramique Internationale

July 12, 2023

The Nagoya tile, Ceramique Internationale’s dramatic new addition to its large format porcelain tile collection, is highly durable, making it ideal for bathroom walls and floors. It is available in four colours, from classic grey and graphite to eye-catching marfil and greige.

With all the opulence and individuality of natural marble Nagoya is guaranteed to be a centrepiece within any space. The commanding 600mm x 1200mm tiles have a reflective, lightly polished surface and intense veining. Nagoya is an exotic marble finish created from a blend of quartzite and Fior di Bosco marble.

Managing director of Ceramique Internationale, Peter Vann said: “The Nagoya collection, manufactured by Azteca, is a welcome addition to our recently expanded range of 600mm x 1200mm tiles.

“These very large tiles – every one of them unique – create a mood of opulence and space, so will make a big statement even in smaller bathrooms.”

More information on the Nagoya tile can be found at https://ceramiqueinternationale.co.uk/product/nagoya-greige/

www.ceramiqueinternationale.co.uk

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PJH: New Natural range marvels in marble

July 11, 2023

PJH has enhanced its bathroom furniture category in its Bathrooms to Love Collection by adding an elegant new marble-effect range, aptly named ‘NATURAL’.

The NATURAL range provides flexible storage options and consists of wall-hung drawered units (600mm or 800mm width) and matching wall-hung countertop shelves (600mm or 800mm width) that can be combined for a coordinated look.

Buyers can choose multiple shelves, just the drawer unit, or a shelf and drawer combination for as much or as little storage space as needed – all in matching marble.

Boasting a beautiful marble-effect finish, the modular NATURAL wall-hung furniture range offers a choice of two designs in white or grey marble-effect with soft veining and a flawless high-quality finish.

The drawer unit offers plenty of deep storage space, and its handleless design features a fine chrome trim to the drawer edge. Team with a feature basin from the choice of contemporary washbowls from Bathrooms to Love for a luxurious look. There is also a new range of bottle traps – in matt black, brushed brass or chrome to coordinate with brassware and accessories.

Julie Lockwood, product manager, Bathrooms to Love, PJH said: “Our new NATURAL furniture range homes in on the trend for bringing the natural environment indoors, with two timeless marble-effect colours, a White Marble and a Grey Marble. Biophilic interior design has played a big part in influencing many of the new designs in our 2023 Bathrooms to Love Collection, and the NATURAL marble range is no exception to this.”

Packaged up with the usual comprehensive retailer sales support from PJH, including marketing collateral, POS, display deals, virtual showroom, QR codes (with access to Augmented Reality to visualise products in bathroom spaces), the PJH Partners Portal and a next-day delivery service, the new NATURAL range is now available for ordering.

See the Natural furniture video here: New Natural Furniture Video from Bathrooms to Love

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Kudos Ultimate10 enclosure range is now in stock

July 11, 2023

The Ultimate10 shower enclosure range is a new addition to the Kudos Premium Collection and is now available from stock.

It comes with a coveted Red Dot Award-winning double action hinge, enabling the pivot door to open both inwards and outwards, offering a perfect solution where space is at a premium.

This new frameless range has been specifically designed to be truly modular, offering lots of design configurations with more than 70 recommended options in their new Premium Collection brochure. The pivot door can be installed directly from a wall post or from a glass panel, making it incredibly versatile and to fit on a shower tray or wet room floor.

The collection comprises six door models, with off-wall options for recess or corner (standard and large doors) and off-panel recess and corner. Each door and panel is 1985mm high, including fittings and can be installed in a corner or recessed situation. The doors are compatible with the existing Ultimate 10mm wet room glass panels, making it a truly modular system.

In addition, the profiles are available for the company’s best-selling finishes of chrome, matt black and brushed gold to co-ordinate or contrast with different bathroom brassware. The stylish door handle doubles as an integral towel rail, and all glass, which is a robust 10mm in thickness, comes with lifeshield protection. The collection is made in Cumbria and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

A unique component within the range is the hinge which has received a Red Dot Award for its innovative mechanism that allows the doors to open both inwards and outwards yet retain a watertight seal. The profile hinge comes with quadruple magnets, one pair always active, so when force is applied, the door will release and then attract the magnet pairs. Overlapping aluminium profiles alongside the active magnets in the mechanism prevents any water from passing through.

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.

Visit their website kudosshowers.co.uk, call them on 01539 564040 or email info@kudosshowers.co.uk.

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HiB Ltd: Corporate Charity Partnership with Home-Start UK

July 11, 2023

HiB Ltd, a leading provider of innovative bathroom products, has announced its new corporate charity partnership with Home-Start UK, a national family support charity.

The collaboration marks a significant milestone for both organisations as they join forces to make a positive impact on the lives of families and communities across the country.

Home-Start UK is dedicated to providing much-needed support to families with children under 5 years old, who are facing challenging circumstances. Home-Start UK’s network of more than 10,000 volunteers offer practical help and emotional assistance during times of need. The charity motto ‘because childhood can’t wait’ demonstrates the charity’s commitment to helping children get the best possible start in life and foster positive change within society.

To support Home-Start UK, HiB kicked off the new partnership with a £20,000 donation, which will support the charity’s volunteer services and initiatives.

Commenting on the partnership, managing director, Robert Ginsberg said: “We are delighted to embark on this journey with Home-Start UK and be able to support the charity with funds for their vital services. This is our first corporate charity partnership and as a business it was important to us that we found an organisation that aligned with our commitment to creating a better world by giving back. This announcement represents a significant step forward in making that difference to the lives of families across the UK and we are keen to work with Home-Start UK to raise awareness of the life-changing services the charity delivers.

“Over the next 12 months we will be working closely with Home-Start UK to offer further support in the form of volunteers and awareness. From speaking and meeting with the team at Home-Start UK we are in awe of the difference they are making to families in communities across the country and we are pleased to be able to contribute to that work continuing.”

As part of the partnership launch, HiB held a charity football match close to its Inspire House National Distribution Centre in Tamworth, with funds raised being donated to the charity alongside other local causes. Later this year HiB will be taking part in Home-Start UK’s 50 for 50 challenge, celebrating the charity’s 50th anniversary this year.

Thea Karavasili-Campbell, head of corporate partnerships at Home-Start UK said: “We are delighted to welcome HiB to our network of corporate partners who empower the work we do to support families across the UK. Parents should get the support they need to give the best possible childhood to their children but this is not the case. We know the earliest make the biggest difference and our volunteers provide non-judgmental, compassionate support to families when they need us most. The demand for our work is increasing and through our partnership with HiB, we’ll be able to reach more families because childhood can’t wait.”

For more information about HiB’s partnership with Home Start UK visit www.hib.co.uk For more information about Home-Start UK visit www.home-start.org.uk

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Utopia strengthens external sales team with James Lockey

July 11, 2023

Utopia has strengthened its sales team by appointing James Lockey as business development manager with responsibility for the East Anglian region and surrounding area.

With over 16 years’ experience in a sales capacity within the bathroom industry, James brings a thorough, in-depth knowledge of the sector at all levels, having worked with leading manufacturers and distributors throughout London and surrounding counties.

James also benefits from a background in construction, having been brought up in a family-run building company, which he credits with making him technically minded.

Commenting on his new role at Utopia, James Lockey said, “This is an exciting time to be joining this award-winning British company and I look forward to forging new relationships as well as picking up with my many long standing contacts in the industry.”

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