The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increasing need for hygienic washroom and bathroom solutions. Inclusively designed products with built-in antibacterial properties and touch-free design are now part of the essential war-chest for public and commercial spaces.

A single cough can produce up to 3,000 droplets which can remain on metal, glass or plastic surfaces for up to nine days. A study by Imperial College London showed that viral DNA left on a hospital bed rail in an isolation room had spread within ten hours to 18 other surfaces.

For hospitals, washrooms, hospitality venues and the home, we can expect to see a combination of touch-free solutions and antibacterial coated products become commonplace. Even with the vaccine in place, we will still need to control the spread with an inventory of defensive measures to combat the virus and its mutations.

Reducing touch-points

David Bromell, Head of Marketing, Roca agrees “There is a growing demand for zero contact bathroom solutions which have become a more pressing consumer priority as a result of the pandemic. Roca has introduced a new range of innovative touchless products to deliver the ultimate in hygiene.”

From basin mixers that activate automatically when they detect a user, to electronic flush plates with movement sensors, and mirrors with lights that are switched on with a simple gesture – Roca offers a range of touchless solutions which provide an extra layer of hygiene and safety within the bathroom. Infrared sensors allow users to activate the water flow in taps, flush the WC or control the mirror light without the need for contact, avoiding the spread of viruses and growth of bacteria.”

Sensor technology

HiB’s in house product team has also focussed on incorporating sensor technology into the design of mirrors, cabinets, furniture and accessories in order to revolutionise the way we interact with our bathrooms.

Wave sensors and sensor activation assist in reducing the spread of potential viruses and bacteria from shared surfaces. The new Dusk cabinet from HiB features a touchless wave sensor to activate the cabinet’s top light.

Viral-guards & bacteria elimination

Hand in hand with touch-free solutions, eliminating the growth of bacteria on surfaces is also an essential part of the armoury for Covid-safe design. especially when you consider people touch their faces at least 23 times an hour.

VitrA’s ranges are designed to guard against virus and bacteria build-up and incorporate special finishes on ceramic ware and tiles. These built-in antibacterial properties – such as VitrA Shield – help maintain hygiene levels for all environments, whether domestic or commercial.

Hygiene stations

A number of easy-to-access hand-sanitisers – especially touch-free versions – not only help create a safer environment, they also give the customer peace of mind.

Stephen Maley, HEWI’s UK Sales Director comments “Hygiene is becoming increasingly important in people’s minds. The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic has influenced many aspects of our daily lives. Companies, hotels, and all institutions with highly frequented entrance areas are faced with the challenge of raising hygiene standards as soon as customers, guests, patients and visitors enter their facility. “

HEWI (also pictured top) offer a selection of contemporary solutions for all areas.

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A material world

Flush-to-floor shower trays leave no place for germs to hide, in addition, Bette uses glazed titanium-steel for all its baths, shower floors and basins. The BetteFloor flush-to-floor shower areas come in a large range of sizes and colours and offer ease of use and durability.

As Bette tell us “The material chosen plays a huge part in determining how quickly and effectively debris from tooth-brushing and washing in basins, and from washing in baths and showers, can be removed. Materials that can become scratched can harbour dirt and bacteria, as can tiled shower areas, so there is likely to be more demand for scratch-proof, non-porous and easy to clean materials, such as glazed titanium-steel.”

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Whatever the project, a future-proof, holistic approach for germ-elimination – whether designing for healthcare, hospitality or residential – will be key as we continue to fight the war on germs.

If you know of other products in this arena that the Bathroom Review community should know about, then contact the editorial team, we’d love to hear from you.

The Covid-19 pandemic has forced us to take a new look at the way we live and will have a direct impact on how we design our homes in the future. For the bathroom, this will mean a greater emphasis on adaptable bathroom spaces that can cater for periods of increased use in busy or multi-generational households.

The shower room has always been an ideal way to create a spacious, luxurious yet durable bathroom space. Whether you are working to transform a small bathroom or refresh an existing shower space, we have some ideas to help you on your way.

Flush to floor shower areas

Flush to floor shower areas help to create a level shower area, making them perfect for all generations and abilities, they are also easier to clean.

Bette’s Head of Marketing, Sven Rensinghoff tells us “Flush-to-floor shower trays are growing in popularity because they look so stylish and contemporary, while also increasing accessibility in the bathroom. There is a trend towards larger shower areas, with the largest 1800 x 1000mm being selected more often, as they are great to use and help to create an extremely luxurious look. We are also seeing more shower trays chosen in colours to coordinate with various forms of flooring. In particular, with matt finishes in colours inspired by nature. There is also more interest in anti-slip, now that almost invisible options are available, and in other finishing touches that provide a benefit for the customer, such as upturns, so silicone is not required where the shower tray meets the wall.”

The BetteFloor shower area, pictured here, can be fitted flush with the floor and is strong, easy to clean, sustainable and 100% recyclable. Like all Bette shower trays, it comes with a 30-year warranty. Bette easy-to-fit shower trays are available in 400 colours. Keep Reading…

Shower enclosures & slip-resistant shower floors

UK manufacturer Kudos tell us they have benefited from increased sales in showering enclosure products and from a reinvigorated interest in British Made products.

Nick Graville, Sales & Marketing Director Kudos Shower Products explains “In terms of style trends there are two key themes we are seeing. The first is possibly the result of an ageing population and they are certainly the ones with the disposable income at present, that’s slip-resistant features on designer products.

“The second trend is in coloured fixtures. Those old enough to remember the coloured bathroom suites of the past will understand that the market has been white and chrome fittings for many years since. However, as different metallic and matt finishes grow in popularity in brassware, this is now making its way into shower panel profiles to coordinate, whether that be matt black, brushed gold or brushed nickel stainless steel effect.”

The most recent launch from Kudos is a new 300mm glass Deflector to suit all Kudos Ultimate Showering Panel, this new fold-away glass ‘Deflector Panel’ is a stylish and practical solution designed to suit the Ultimate collection of showering panels from Kudos. Keep Reading…

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Multi-generational spaces

The rise in multi-generational living has not only created a need to re-configure our living space to cater for all ages, we also need a space to relax and unwind. If you are not a fan of the bathtub, it makes sense to install a shower room, without compromising on aesthetics.

Lakes Sales & Marketing Director Mike Tattam agrees “Showering is an essential part of everyday life – it can set us up for the day or help us to wind down at night. A rise in multi-generational living, busier households and shrinking bathrooms means showers suit modern living. However, the importance of a daily shower as a slice of ‘me time’ means homeowners are looking for a spa-like experience where relaxation is almost as important as getting clean.

“Bathrooms need to be beautiful to look at, but also suit the space and lifestyles of the people using them – with of course the reassurance of durability and low maintenance too.”

Lakes premium Island Collection now includes Antigua and Aruba. The new ‘showroom exclusive’ products are designed with Lakes Definitions for an exclusive finishing touch.

Finishing touches

For a coordinated design, shower components and bathroom accessories are key to creating the right aesthetic, at the same same time, they must deliver functionality and durability. Planning in accessories early helps designers establish a bathroom theme at the outset, many manufacturers offer complete collections to help simplify the process.

Margaret Talbot, Marketing Manager at VitrA tells us “A shower that looks fantastic and feels fantastic is both a luxury and for many an absolute necessity.  Safe thermostatic water temperature control is critical for all bathrooms, and water efficiency is increasingly important for consumers who are keen to save resources and money on utility bills.   Colour and texture allow for a stylish statement in modern bathrooms – blacks and copper look impressive against whites and muted tones.  But it is the high-quality, brass components, behind the scenes that  will provide the user with the ultimate showering experience for many years to come.”

VitrA’s Origin and brassware accessories range has over 150 pieces in the collection, including monobloc taps in four heights, wall and deck mounted mixers and both concealed and exposed thermostatic and manual showers with a choice of handheld or fixed overhead showers. A comprehensive range of accessories complements taps and showers. All pieces are available in chrome, brushed nickel, copper and matt black finishes.

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“This is a beautiful, comprehensive collection,” continues Marketing Manager Margaret Talbot. “The design-for-all ethos can be seen throughout with the choice of finishes, sizes and product types.  Top-quality materials have been used with cartridges that allow light fingertip control and deliver an efficient flow rate.  There are products to satisfy the most demanding specification with basin mixers, baths, showers, wet rooms, WCs and complementary accessories.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has refocussed the public’s approach to hygiene and cleanliness. These key criteria for bathroom and washroom design have become the single most important consideration when designing for commercial spaces. Furthermore, Covid-19 or a series of new infectious diseases may well be here to stay, as outlined in a  paper published on 15 August, with the prominent US immunologist Anthony Fauci and his colleague David Morens arguing that “we have entered a pandemic era”. With this in mind, we can expect to see an ever-increasing focus on hygiene enabling washroom materials and surfaces, touchless taps and sanitisers in the years to come.

As VitrA explains “The consumer is embracing the need for safeguards while travelling, staying in hotels, and eating in restaurants.  On the list of things that will make them feel pandemic-safe, are contactless check-ins and check-outs, smart-phone ordering at tables, masks, and visors and critically, robust hygiene protocols.  After the kitchens or food delivery areas, it is in bathrooms, washrooms and WC’s that consumers will judge whether an establishment has taken hygienic safety seriously.  Businesses that can highlight both stringent procedures and the best in hygienic bathroom design will be in the best position to get back to pre-pandemic trading.”

In the washroom

To aid the cleaning process, and to ensure hoteliers and restauranteurs can adhere to cleaning protocols, VitrA has built-in VitrA Cleancoating on several ceramic basins, vanity basin tops and WC products. The coating increases the surface tension, ensuring the water flows smoothly from the surface. All that is required to keep the basin clean is a wipe with a damp cloth and mild detergent.

The rim around a conventional toilet pan is the place where water enters and is usually open, creating the perfect place for bacteria and limescale to accumulate.  VitrA’s Rim-Ex technology offers the latest in WC bowl design.  With a rimless, smooth internal pan, there is no hiding place for bacteria to multiply and limescale to build up. Rim-Ex ensures the best in hygiene and offers the added benefit of speeding up cleaning time.  Tests undertaken by Akdeniz University, in Turkey, prove that Rim-Ex is 95% more hygienic than a standard WC pan.   Read more…

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In community spaces

RAK-Sanit is the ideal solution for domestic dwellings, modern and safer schools, public and private offices, restaurants, hotels, laboratories and, indeed, all those premises in which hygiene is of primary importance. All those places generally described as “community spaces”, in which numerous people of different ages, genders and cultures make random encounters. Inside, toilet facilities destined for use by all and sundry are increasingly in need of strong, antibacterial elements with a long product life.   

The RAK-Sanit bactericide action is permanent, guaranteeing built-in protection throughout the entire expected product lifetime, thanks to its constant action against microbial colonisation; this technology, which has proved its capacity to reduce or eliminate the quantity of bacteria up to 99.99%, including MRSA, E. Coli, Salmonella and Legionella, actively prevents the growth of microorganisms 24 hours a day.   Read more…

In the bathroom

Bette tell us “The material chosen plays a huge part in determining how quickly and effectively debris from tooth-brushing and washing in basins, and from washing in baths and showers, can be removed. Materials that can become scratched can harbour dirt and bacteria, as can tiled shower areas, so there is likely to be more demand for scratch-proof, non-porous and easy to clean materials, such as glazed titanium-steel.

“Bette uses glazed titanium-steel for all its baths, shower trays and basins. It is harder than marble, acrylic, stone resin or steel alone and its unique smoothness means that dirt and bacteria are unable to adhere to the glass-hard, non-porous surface. Dirt is easy to rinse off, and the material’s superior durability also means it can withstand heightened cleaning regimes, such as the use of bleach, as it is unaffected by chemicals.” Read More…

Touchless taps

Inta has advised people responsible for washrooms across the UK to strongly consider touchless taps as businesses prepare for an attempt at returning to normality.

Stuart Gizzi, Managing Director at Inta, based in Hixon, Staffordshire, believes that any investment in touchless tap technology will pay off long term as it gives users peace of mind in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst allowing greater control over water flow and limiting waste.

Stuart said: “This year we have all become more aware than ever of germ hotspots that we may have interacted with without a second thought previously. Read more…

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Reduce water flow to save water

As the government promotes the importance of regularly washing hands thoroughly for 20 seconds to slow the spread of Covid-19, fitting a flow regulator to household taps could make huge savings to water usage.

Kevin Gates, UK Managing Director at the world’s largest flow regulator manufacturer Neoperl (based in Malvern) said “As an industry we have the technology to easily reduce the flow of water in taps without compromising the experience. We all have taps in the home, whether in the bathroom or cloakroom, where water is largely used for just washing hands or cleaning teeth. Most of the time these taps have a higher flow rate than required and we are simply throwing clean water down the drain.

It’s a really affordable solution to retrofit a flow regulator, most consumers could do it themselves with a little advice. They simply need to be aware that flow regulators exist, obtain the right advice as to which regulator to fit to retain adequate performance and finally they need to purchase a simple tool to fit it.” Read more…

Pictured top – RAK Sanit – public bathroom