Kudos has introduced a slate effect finish into its Connect2 shower tray collection. The eye-catching dark grey tray features an exclusive surface pattern, taken directly from a piece of locally sourced slate, to ensure an authentic finish.
There’s a growing trend for adding colour and textures into the bathroom space and this natural slate effect is particularly relevant as the tray is made in the Kudos factory just outside Kendal in the Lake District, an area known for its use of slate in construction.
Whilst the finish may be slate grey, the new Connect2 tray is manufactured in the same acrylic capped ABS filled with a structural resin bonded stone, so maintains all the strength and durable benefits of its material. It is both slip and stain resistant and contains an anti-microbial additive to inhibit the growth of microbes including bacteria and mould.
As with other Connect2 trays, it retains a super low profile when installed, standing at just 35mm in height and is guaranteed to avoid standard joist spans thanks to the positioning of an offset dual waste outlet, allowing the installer to choose the waste free from obstruction to connect. The tray may have to be rotated 90 or 180 degrees (dependent on shape) to accommodate the fixed joists, but once set, the installer simply uses the blanking plug provided to seal the unused waste and plumb in the hi-flow waste and trap, avoiding any need to lift the tray off the floor. If both waste holes are free then both wastes can be connected for even faster water removal. A reinforced, magnetically secured waste cover, that’s easily removed for cleaning, then sits neatly over the waste blanking plug to complete the installation.
The collection of Connect2 trays, which come in a choice of slate effect, high gloss white or slip resistant SR finish in white, are now available in a broad range of 28 different sizes from 800mm square to 1700x900mm rectangle including seven new sizes launching in April to expand the quadrant and mid-size rectangular options.
Kudos Shower Products Ltd has been designing and manufacturing shower products at their Cumbrian 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. Please call on 01539 564040, email to marketing@kudosshowers.co.uk or visit their website at kudosshowers.co.uk.
We expect a great deal of the once humble shower room. It goes without saying shower spaces should offer multi-generational accessibility, and in the wake of COVID-`19, hygienic features and easy-clean surfaces. However, we are also looking for a sense of spa-like luxury, a space to relax and rejuvenate.
Shower hardware combines all these elements, offering a practical solution that is included throughout the shower area to match bathroom accessories for a cohesive design-led feel.
Simon Boocock, CRL Managing Director agrees: “The shower enclosure has evolved into more of a wet-room, easy access and almost open-plan area, low-level trays coupled with frameless enclosures create a minimalist appeal. With very little on show, the shower hardware, including hinges and U-channels, as well as the brassware, has a chance to shine. Creating a cohesive look is important here, with hardware very often now chosen in keeping with shower brassware and available in a range of finishes to suit.”
Frameless style
CRL Cambridge Frameless Shower Enclosure
CRL’s Frameless designs such as the Cambridge maximise accessibility and deliver a clean, streamlined look. This range is designed to match CRL shower hardware with colours and styles to suit all décor schemes.
Access all areas
HEWI’s System 900 is also a response to the complex requirements of accessible bathrooms. The products boast long-lasting quality, clever installation solutions and a hygienic design. Matching accessories open up versatile design options in the bathroom and HEWI also offers practical toilet roll holders and new towel rails or toilet brush sets in stainless steel, chrome or with a powder-coated finish in white, shades of grey and black.
Hewi System 900 Powder Coated Finishes
Staying grounded
Some of the most serious accidents happen in the bathroom and we expect a high proportion are caused by slips and falls whilst getting in and out of the shower. For hoteliers, keeping bathrooms safe is a priority and the health and safety checklist requires handrails and slip-proof surfaces. For the home, an efficient anti-slip surface keeps all the family safe without having to include rails for open plan designs.
BetteAir Tile
The Bette-Anti Slip Sense surface is a new type of surface treatment for maximum slip resistance (in accordance with evaluation group C of DIN 51097) and claims to provide the highest level of slip protection. This surface is available on Bette’s new BetteAirshower tile for perfect level-access integration.
Smooth operator
Another key aspect when it comes to safe design is not having to fight with your amenities. Lakes Antigua Slider features an easy-glide door that closes effortlessly at the touch of a finger to a near-silent stop. Concealed wheels ensure easy cleaning and a cooler look plus a low threshold for easy and safe access, and a solid cast handle with smooth, rounded edges for a touch of elegance.
Let’s get personal
Lockdown gave us time to get creative and in the UK it fuelled a trend in home improvement, as life imitates art, art imitates life and so, the hospitality sector is creating bathroom spaces that feel like home. In our homes, we still want to emulate that luxury hotel feel. Personalisation delivers the best of both worlds.
Richard Eaton, Product Manager, RefleXion Enclosures by PJH comments: “The desire for personalisation is causing designs to evolve, for example, the black-framed or panelled look that we’ve seen of late is great for the industrial-inspired or monochrome look.”
“More patterns, colours and unusual finishes are now appearing, such as our botanical themed RefleXion Iconix ‘Black Leaf’ 8mm Panel and the use of materials other than polished chrome frames and clear glass will really grow in the next few years – such as gold or brass frames, and frosted or fluted glass.”
Just relax
Keely Greenhalgh, National Sales Manager at Mermaid Panels tells us: “We want our bathrooms to replicate the spa experience. Bathrooms are increasingly being treated as a treasured area of the home to truly relax and refresh so bathrooms that can capture that spa-like serenity at home will continue to be a standout style for 2022.”
Pursuing tones that give a sense of tranquillity and reflect the natural environment certainly feels like a trend that’s here to stay and using contrasting materials is a simple way to achieve this. However, we can expect a switch back to lighter shades for 2022, for example, greens and blues will still be popular but sage green and sky blue may lead in popularity.
Keely agrees: “Whether it’s a Swedish wood effect or a more traditional yet decadent marble, there is an increasing number of surface options on the market to create a hidden retreat in the home. Calming tones and colours are a perfect way to create serenity within the bathroom. Designers can look at muted tones combined with one stand out wall to create a relaxing, soothing area.”
Mermaid Panels – Elite Range – Himalayan Marble
Mermaid Panels has introduced 28 new décors to its premium Elite collection of bathroom panels. Offering an alternative to tiling, Elite has a 100% waterproof core and helps create a completely seamless, premium look and finish. The artistic post-formed edges add unique design detail that removes the need for trims or grouting.
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.
The SUPERPLAN ZERO shower floor is the latest product from Kaldewei created by the Berlin designer Werner Aisslinger. Available in over 50 different dimensions, the sustainable enamelled shower surface is easily accessed from three sides.
Designed to be installed at floor level, the shower surface has very narrow edges so it is possible to tile directly up to the shower edge to create the impression of almost invisible joints. The waste is close to the wall to enable comfort when standing and safety when moving around the shower area.
There are over 50 different dimensions from 70 to 180 centimetres, diverse surface variations and a wide range of colours, all of which make the Superplan Zero even more attractive. Whether in large or small bathrooms, building owners, planners and installers have full flexibility. The shower surface is available with the almost invisible, anti-slip surface finish Secure Plus, upon request. The Superplan Zero is 100 percent compatible with all the sealing sets, assembly systems and waste fittings from Kaldewei.
The base is made from sustainable, long-lasting and 100 per cent recyclable steel enamel. The glass surface is applied to the steel using a special process and this is what gives it such a luxurious finish. Kaldewei claims to be the only steel enamel manufacturer that produces the enamel (or the basic substance for the glass coating) in-house with a secret formulation.
To launch Superplan Zero, the well-known musician and photographer Bryan Adams worked with leading choreographers and dancers and shot six different motifs. The aesthetic, powerful movements of ballet dancers are captured on a “stage” made of precious steel enamel, bringing the sensual serenity of the shower moment to the fore.
