Bathrooms

Although the trend in Bathroom Suites is still 'any colour as long as it's white!' there is  a wide choice of designs and prices to choose from. Whether you favour  a freestanding traditional slipper bath with retro style shower and tap fittings, a  minimilist designer suite, a luxury whirlpool bath or a level entry shower enclosure with multifunctional shower console, there is something out there to suit all tastes and pockets.

Wet rooms are increasingly in demand and The Building Centre has produced an Information Sheet for wet rooms giving many useful contacts for wet walling, Tile-backer boards, drainage and other accessories necessary for creating wet rooms. It is just one of a series of Information Sheets dedicated to Bathroom products:

10a       Bathrooms -  Shower Trays Composite
10b       Bathrooms - Deep Soaking Tubs
10c       Bathrooms - Back to the wall WCs
10d       Bathrooms - WC/Washer/dryers
10e       Bathrooms - Wall Hung WCs
10f        Bathrooms - Decorated Sanitaryware
10g       Bathrooms – Wet Rooms
10h       Bathrooms - Prefabricated (Pod)
10i        Bathrooms – Shower Enclosures - Prefabricated
10j        Bathrooms – Bath re-enamelling
10k       Bathrooms   – Vanity Basins
10l        Bathrooms - Circular Shower Curtain Rails

Showers

With people’s increasingly busy life styles allowing less time to spend relaxing in the bath tub, showers have gained in popularity over the last thirty years. More houses and flats are built with en-suites and with space at a premium there is more demand for compact showering facilities.

Loft conversions often include a bedroom with en-suite and there are companies that manufacture bespoke shower screens to fit sloping roof situations. There are also companies that manufacture prefabricated shower enclosures. These are quick to install because they alleviate the need for tiling and are less prone to leaks.

Booster shower pumps have always been very popular to ensure an invigorating shower where water pressure is low. However with increased water prices and water meters, other solutions are being sought to provide an adequate shower without resorting to pumped showers. Unvented heating and water storage systems ensure that all water is delivered at mains pressure. You would need to install a combination or condensing combi boiler which heats directly from the mains, or a system boiler with unvented hot water storage. There are companies that manufacture water saving taps and shower fittings. These generally work by use of flow restrictors and the introduction of air into the water flow, thus giving the feeling of more water being delivered.

Combination Boilers and electric showers ensure instant hot water is delivered without having to wait for a cylinder of water to be heated by a boiler or immersion heater. Showering can be as simple or as sophisticated as your pocket will allow. There are complete shower enclosures available with shower consoles offering a variety of shower jets and overhead sprays complete with music and TV and a soft warm current of air to dry off with.

Most types of Shower cubicles, trays and shower fittings are represented at The Building Centre and you can order or download technical brochures from specifinder.com.