Showers Archives

Stunning shower design for any space

May 25, 2021

Minimalism is still king in the bathroom. Monochromatic colour schemes, thin edges and clean lines – both straight and elegantly curved – continue to dominate the shower space. These design features are proving even more popular in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, with consumers looking for bathroom products that are hygienic and easy to keep clean.

Seamless spaces

Choosing a minimalist shower doesn’t mean forgoing colour and innovative design. Bette’s revolutionary BetteAir is the world’s first shower tile made of glazed titanium steel, available in more than 30 colours and eight sizes.

Its floor-level installation means it blends seamlessly into the bathroom floor, and can be glued directly to the screed like a standard tile. Bette has ensured that the shower tile will sit flush by reducing its thickness to 10mm—the typical thickness of a large-format tile.

Designer Dominik Tesseraux says: “BetteAir has all the advantages of a tile without its disadvantages. With the shower tile, the floor of the shower is immaculately beautiful, free of joints and thus absolutely hygienic and easy to clean.”

Discreet solutions

Even with more standard shower surface design, manufacturers are ensuring products remain sleek without sacrificing style. Kaldewei’s KA 90 and KA 120 waste systems for enamelled shower surfaces – including its floor-level Cayonoplan shower surface – include the option for an enamelled waste cover in the same colour as the shower surface, making it even more discreet.

The KA 90 now features a flatter design, allowing it to be integrated almost flush, while the KA 120 waste system is available in round and square options. Both include a hair catcher as standard and a new plug-in connection for the waste cover, allowing the waste to be cleaned easily and safely.

Kaldewei – a flatter design & variety of waste options

Straight & narrow

The new Kinedo Brooklyn shower cubicle range by Saniflo highlights the popularity of showers with clean, straight lines. Bringing industrial style to the forefront, it is available in black with black silk screen printed lines, as well as a modern take on the traditional grey and chrome with transparent glass.

The Brooklyn cubicle comes with a pivot or sliding door, a white Biocryl shower tray with chrome waste, and metal handles. It has been designed for quick and easy assembly without silicone and predominantly without screws.

Spacious curves

The new 700m curved showering panel in Kudos’s Ultimate range provides additional showering space in an elegant solution. Designed to sit neatly on a 1200mm bow-fronted shower tray, this new walk-in enclosure with 8mm curved glass has been created specifically for British bathrooms and is available in three sizes.

Also available as flat glass shower panels, Kudos’s Ultimate range comes in chrome, brushed or bright nickel, brushed or bright gold, and black. They can be installed on both shower trays and tiled wet-floors, making them a perfect option for the minimalist bathroom.

Style & substance

Inclusive design is not being left behind when it comes to the minimalist shower trend. HEWI is a key player when it comes to accessible, functional shower products that are hygienic and compliant with current British or International standards. Its range of products – including the HEWI S900 range and Doc M shower pack – allows customers to create fully compliant showering spaces without compromising on design.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also been prompting clients to consider the hygiene standards of their current bathroom spaces. HEWI’s active plus range has been developed with an antimicrobial effect using microsilver, which is effective against bacteria and fungi by inhibiting the growth of bacteria through the discharge of silver ions. This allows customers to future-proof their bathroom spaces as we emerge from the pandemic.

Feature Contributors: Diane Larner & Ellie Clow

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HEWI accessible & hygienic shower spaces

May 24, 2021

HEWI creates aspirational accessible shower spaces with built-in anti-bacterial protection and works with clients to overcome any design challenges they may have. Plans will ensure the final space is functional and compliant with current British or International standards.

During the COVID lockdown HEWI worked with an increasing number of clients keen to future proof shower spaces with the HEWI active plus range. These products have been developed to have an antimicrobial effect, microsilver is used, which has broad effectiveness against bacteria and fungi. The Microsilver discharges silver ions, which inhibit the growth of bacteria and other unwanted germs and therefore minimises the risk of infection for humans. Within 24 hours unwanted germs on the surface of the products are reduced continuously so that during this period 99.9 % of the germs are reduced.

In addition to the obvious hygiene implications of COVID, HEWI also helps clients look at the overall compliance of their accessible shower space. For some, this might be the first time that they had a need or opportunity to consider compliance and many are surprised to find areas in which they are lacking. In these instances, HEWI is hand to help adapt and create spaces that are attractive while adhering to all legal requirements. HEWI’s S900 range is the perfect selection of products to best achieve those aims. From the high quality and diverse finishes to the fixed and removable functionality, HEW’s clients are able to fulfil their design briefs which reflected their brand identity.

HEWI is constantly developing new lines of products that challenge the traditional ideas of inclusive accessible design. Whether the building is a hotel, a student accommodation project, a serviced apartment, a health care facility, or retirement home, HEWI helps design solutions to create contemporary inclusive environments.

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From light to water: Rubinetterie Treemme presents Watt

May 5, 2021

Watt is a brand-new range of single-lever and thermostatic shower valves for built-in showers, inspired by the world of lighting. The architecture firm Q-Bic has designed the new Watt collection for Rubinetterie Treemme.

Keen to create a collection of cutting-edge shower thermostats with a truly innovative design, Rubinetterie Treemme says the Q-Bic architecture firm in Florence offered just what the company was looking for, creating a unique, unprecedented collection.

“The world of electricity was part of my family background, which re-emerged while I was designing this new collection”, explains Q-Bic’s Marco Baldini. “This prompted me to give the range a vintage look reminiscent of the old-style electrical plates, obviously with a totally modern, designer slant. So then the name Watt came naturally”.

The signature feature of the Watt range is the levers that turn the water on and off, adjusting the flow; these hallmark elements resemble light switches, while the temperature is adjusted with a round knob.

The collection is fashioned entirely in brass and comes in a choice of several different finishes.

Watt is the result of an impressive style and design effort, in which the creative skill of Q-Bic joined forces with the manufacturing expertise of Rubinetterie Treemme.

Watt has also just won the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2021, one of the most prestigious accolades in the sector.

Rubinetterie Treemme

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Bette launches BetteAnti-Slip Sense which activates when wet

April 22, 2021

German manufacturer, Bette, is launching a new type of anti-slip for glazed titanium-steel shower trays and baths that keeps the glossy looks and smooth, easy-to-clean surface, while also providing the highest level of slip protection. BetteAnti-Slip Sense is a type of anti-slip that you can neither see nor feel. Almost magical: the protective effect of BetteAnti-Slip Sense only occurs when the body and wetness meet.

Until now, anyone who wanted to protect themselves from slipping in the shower or bath had a problem: slip resistance could only be achieved through a surface that looked like it has slip resistance, or with unsightly and unhygienic additions, such as rubberised mats.

BetteAnti-Slip Sense is a new type of surface treatment for maximum slip resistance (in accordance with evaluation group C of DIN 51097) with very special properties. The anti-slip effect on glazed titanium steel only occurs when the pressure of the bodyweight and water come together, so providing the protection exactly when it is needed: when standing in a wet bath or shower. When the surface is dry and the feet are dry, no additional slip resistance is required as the adhesion is high enough.

Invisible, durable and easy to clean

To achieve the slip-resistant effect, Bette treats the surface with a suspension containing the finest micrometre-sized ceramic particles, which form a permanent bond with the BetteGlaze. They are almost invisible to the eye, and the surface does not become rough as a result. The shower trays and baths retain their flawless, brilliant look and pleasant feel in all glossy colours. In addition, they can be cleaned in the usual way, because BetteAnti-Slip Sense is extremely durable, scratch-resistant and is not affected by cleaning agents usually used to clean shower trays and baths.

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

Certified slip resistance

With its particularly high slip resistance, BetteAnti-Slip Sense is an ideal solution for those who are less mobile and for families with small children – in fact for everyone who wants to enjoy a safe and carefree shower or bath. The slip resistance has been certified by the German institute LGA Bautechnik GmbH in Nuremberg and tested in trials. In these tests, a test person stands on a shower surface wetted with soapy water, which becomes increasingly inclined. With BetteAnti-Slip Sense, the person only starts to slip at an angle of inclination of at least 24 degrees, which corresponds to the highest bathroom slip resistance rating group C. (Six degrees less, i.e. 18 degrees, means only rating class B and 12 degrees rating class A).

The highest level of slip resistance means that there is no requirement for anti-slip mats or pads that can provide the ideal breeding ground for dirt and germs and are difficult to clean. The hygienic and easy to clean the surface of Bette’s glazed titanium-steel with BetteAnti-slip Sense, means that dirt and germs find it hard to adhere to.

www.my-bette.com/en

About Bette

Bette is a specialist in bathroom products that are made of a special metal in a unique manufacturing process: titanium steel sheets are shaped under high pressure and then finished with a thin coating that is related to glass – hence the name “glazed titanium steel”. This composite material is perfect for the bathroom (it is skin-friendly, hygienic, durable and robust), and Bette uses it to make its baths, shower areas, shower trays and washbasins.

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Saving water is easy with a Neoperl flow control device

February 19, 2021

Flow regulators are devices that control the flow of water through our household appliances. They are manufactured here in the UK by Neoperl and are made in hundreds of sizes that can now be retro-fitted to taps and showers throughout the home, so everyone can now do their bit to save water and the energy that heats it.

Most taps will already include a flow control device at the end of the spout and it’s often only when in situ that one can identify whether the flow is too strong. We’ve all experienced a splashing cloakroom tap for instance where the flow is too fast for a smaller basin. Now the incumbent device can be easily removed and replaced with one that reduces the flow to a comfortable level. The same with showers, a valve shower often delivers far too much water and even a slight reduction adds up to a substantial water saving over the year.

Regardless of the prevalent water pressure, a flow regulator maintains a consistent water stream at the chosen flow rate. A typical flow regulator consists of three components, a housing, a seating area and a precision-ring. The flow is determined by the interaction between the seating area and the o-ring. As water flows through the device at a higher or lower pressure, the shape of the o-ring changes to restrict or release the flow of water.

This is demonstrated in an easy to understand way at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TktKkFck2cM&list=PLxg7O65GE0aJwYMVzOu1QJ13kP5zp2Q2B

As a spokesperson for Neoperl tell us, now is the time to look at both our own homes and advise your clients on this easy water-saving win.

“As clients spend more time working from home and adding home improvements in abundance, why not take the opportunity to talk with them about saving water too? Especially as we are all spending so much more time washing our hands resulting in many thousands more litres of water being washed down the plughole.

“It’s a really affordable solution to retro-fit 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 purchase a simple tool to fit it.”

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New GROHE Rainshower SmartActive hand shower

February 16, 2021

The new GROHE Rainshower SmartActive hand shower combines maximum shower enjoyment with minimal installation effort. Thanks to smart functions and intuitive operation, users can tailor spray modes to suit individual needs or their current mood.

Installers can also benefit from offering easy shower upgrades for their customers with minimal installation work since the Rainshower SmartActive can be purchased with a matching shower rail that can be simply and easily affixed using existing drill holes.

GROHE-Rainshower-SmartActive-hand-shower-colours-collection

Equipped with GROHE SmartTip control, a simple fingertip on the rear of the ergonomically designed hand shower is all that is needed to intuitively switch between three spray modes. In the centre of the shower head, round and star-shaped jets provide a powerful ActiveMassage spray. The Rainshower SmartActive, which can be paired with a matching shower rail with a streamlined diameter of just 22mm, has been designed with efficient installation aides to provide installers with a hassle-free fitting experience.

With a flexibly adjustable glider, GROHE’s practical QuickFix system which allows the upper and lower wall brackets to be adjusted to existing drill holes, and GROHE’s TileFix technology which sees tile levelling discs become a thing of the past, install time can be significantly reduced for installers.

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Roca adds new smart shower to its portfolio

February 10, 2021

The new app-controlled shower from Roca uses smart technology to provide a truly unique showering experience. With its customisable settings and simple interface, up to three users within the same household are able to pre-set their desired settings for shower duration, maximum temperature and flow rates.

The interface features a colour LCD display and touch sensitive controls with soft turn dials to ensure it is extremely easy to use and control. The Smart Shower system can install two or three outlets including a Raindream showerhead, handset and Puzzle Square Jets. If homeowners select the three outlet option, the clever design allows two of them to work simultaneously.

One of the smart benefits to the digital shower is that it can be controlled via an app. This means that users can simply use their phone or tablet from a bedside to conveniently turn on the shower and activate the warm-up function. The app also helps with energy and water saving, enabling users to monitor their water and energy consumption, to run your shower more efficiently.

For young families, the shower is equipped with a child safety mode so children can only turn the shower off and also allows for the control of flow, temperature and duration to provide peace of mind. This is reinforced by the temperature monitoring system which measures the temperature to eliminate the risk of scalding.

The Smart Shower solution also includes a Legionella cleaning programme to eliminate bacteria without the use of chemical products and a cleaning program to remove any impurities.

“It may seem like a luxury, but the Smart Shower is not just for convenience,” comments David Bromell, Head of Marketing at Roca. “In addition to providing a luxe showering experience, the intuitive system will actively work to reduce water wastage, making it a sustainable and eco-friendly choice for the bathroom design.”

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Duravit delivers showering comfort for every bathroom

February 3, 2021

This month we take a look at Duravit’s range of shower trays, showers and accessories, products can be tailored to suit individual needs helping designers create the perfect bathroom space.

Duravit’s Tempano Shower Tray
Pictured top – the Tempano shower tray blends beautifully into the ambience of any bathroom. The glossy white surface made from sanitary acrylic is as robust as it is pleasant to the touch. An optional anti-slip coating (class C) ensures additional stability. This series comes in 27 variants – rectangular or square.

Tempano is available in flush-fitting, semi-recessed, or floor-mounted variants, Tempano combines showering comfort with great aesthetics, and the flush-fitting installation creates a generous sense of space.

The stone-like Stonetto shower tray turns showering into an encounter with nature. The unique look of the shower tray is due to its matt surface – natural, original, and authentic. Made from the high-quality DuraSolid® material, the shower tray is scratch-resistant, robust, and anti-slip (class B).

The surface of the tray and the removable outlet form a visual unit, a gentle recess into which the water vanishes. Four colours and 14 possible sizes as well as a choice of flush fitting, semi-recessed, or floor-mounted installation variants open up a host of options for customized bathroom design.

Duravit’s universal tap ranges can be combined to match the shower trays: functional with the familiar soft, round forms (B.1), geometric and straightlined (B.2), or ergonomic with a striking recess in the handle (B.3.).

Pre-installed shower systems with a showerhead and hand shower, and a thermostatic or single-lever shower mixer are practical all-round solutions that do not require complex concealed installation. As a result, these shower systems are also perfect for retrofitting.

Similarly, the slim line, consummate shape of the design series C.1 by Kurt Merki Jr. combines well with all bathroom ranges. Available in a round and rectangular design, each in different sizes for ceiling or wall mounting, they promise an enjoyable showering experience every time. Matching hand showers are the perfect addition and are available in a range of different variants.

Single lever shower mixers and thermostatic mixers also come in a round or rectangular design.

Matching accessories, such as the Chrome or Matt Black towel rails (pictured below) from the Starck T series by Philippe Starck combine ultimate showering comfort with holistic bathroom design.

Duravit AG
Founded in 1817 in Hornberg in the Black Forest, Duravit AG is today a leading international manufacturer of designer bathrooms. The company is active in more than 130 countries worldwide and stands for innovation in the fields of signature design, comfort-enhancing technology and premium quality. In cooperation with high-profile international designers, such as Philippe Starck, sieger design, Kurt Merki Jr., Christian Werner, Matteo Thun and Cecilie Manz, the company develops unique bathrooms that enhance quality of life for users on a sustained basis. Duravit’s product portfolio comprises sanitary ceramics, bathroom furniture, bathtubs and shower trays, wellness systems, shower-toilets, tap fittings and accessories as well as installation systems.

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GROHE refreshes Tempesta 250 shower head with new addition

January 22, 2021

The Tempesta 250 system is now available in round and square designs offering architects and designers installation flexibility.

Rain showers remain a desirable feature of the modern bathroom with more than half of British people (54%) keen to have a large shower head that offers full-body coverage when showering.

Grohe Tempesta 250 shower set — GROHE Tempesta 250 headshower paired with GROHE SmartControl trimset and SmartActive handshower;

With its full-face Rain spray and a generous diameter of 250mm, the new GROHE Tempesta 50 head shower, which is manufactured in the brand’s own shower competence centre in Lahr, Germany, is designed to impress in every aspect.

Thanks to its slim, minimalist form and elegant chrome finish, it is an ideal solution for any modern bathroom design. From both round and square designs, the Tempesta 250 is also available as a single head shower, in a set with a shower arm or as a complete shower system.

Equipped with the water-saving GROHE EcoJoy technology, which uses a flow restrictor to reduce the water consumption to a more sustainable 9.5 litres per minute, Tempesta 250 promises showering comfort with a good conscience, and a perfect shower match for the 54% of Brits who would like a shower that could assist them in being more sustainable in their day-to-day life2 . At the same time, the perfect geometry of the nozzles on the shower head ensures that the water flow remains powerful – for a voluminous shower experience that doesn’t
compromise on performance.

● Features a full-face Rain spray designed to cover the whole body
● 250mm diameter shower head in round or square designs
● Integrated water flow limiter, GROHE EcoJoy, offers sustainable water use with
compromising on shower experience
● A range of product variants allows greater flexibility to cater to individual customer
specification and demand

For more information visit the website.

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Origin brassware and showers add colour and texture

November 25, 2020

VitrA has expanded both its Designer Collection and the recently launched Signature Collection with a new range of Origin brassware, showers and accessories.

The subtle, elegant design is the key theme of the outstanding new Origin brassware and accessories range from VitrA. Origin presents retailers, designers and consumers with a complete and versatile collection that is the perfect partner for contemporary sanitaryware.

There are 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.

“This is a beautiful, comprehensive collection,” comments 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.

VitrA Origin also includes colour-matched bottle traps and waste covers. The exposed and concealed shower systems can be installed using VitrA’s innovative Minibox and V-Box systems.” Origin taps require an operating pressure of 0.3 bar.

www.VitrA.co.uk

Pictured: Origin shower in matt black from VitrA

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