KITCHEN + BATH
K/BIS 2011: Lots of new bath, plumbing and kitchen products
BY PETER SCHOR CONTRIBUTING WRITER
I’ve been writing columns on the best bath, plumbing and kitchen products that I find, in the U.S. and all over the world. I have always taken pride in the fact that, when I
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examine plumbing products, I have the “heart and soul” of the plumbing contractor in mind. I ask, “Can it be installed easily?” and “Does it meet and exceed IAPMO code approval?” I always check to make sure that the product is sold through channel distribution.
Last year at
K/BIS, I predicted that Safety Tubs would win with their kid’s Fierce Fire Engine Bathtub, and in 2009, six months before K/BIS, I picked QuickDrain USA for their linear shower drain system.
“Many, many” bath/plumbing products have risen to stardom and are available in your showroom through your favorite plumbing wholesaler today. The K/BIS
One of the “Best Picks” of K/BIS 2011 is Jet- Pro Shower Spas. This is one of the hottest new bath product categories in years!
2011 April 26 – 28 show date allows those of you attending to see the
hottest new products. For those of you who will not be attending, I have put together a nifty list of bath and kitchen products that includes the companies’ web sites.
Showers Jet-Pro Shower Spas (
www.jetproshowerspas.com),
Booth C-4480. This is one of the hottest new bath product categories in years. Turning the shower into a “spa retreat” is one of the top five trends in baths today. These pre-plumbed shower columns (panels) that are pending IAPMO approval use the existing shower valve. You remove the shower arm, quick connect to the ½” I.P.S connection and fasten to the wall, all in 15 minutes or so.
he Kitchen and Bath Industry Show is being held in Las Vegas April 26 – 28, 2011. As most of you know, for the past 12 years of my 35-plus industry career,
These units were tested under normal water pressure and were engineered to work effectively. The panels come in a wide variety of colors. I checked out this company; they are rock solid, and their products are sold through channel distribution.
Plumbing fixtures American Standard Brands
(
www.americanstandardbrands.com), Booth C-7038. American Standard, including Jado, Porcher and Safety Tubs, is a bright light in plumbing fixtures and faucetry in 2011. Safety Tubs, winner of one of the Best of the Best K/BIS 2010 awards has another clear winner, Safety Tubs for Kids Pretty Princess Castle tub. This is a “must see.” Kohler Company (
www.kohler.com), Booths C-4519
and C-4614. The Elevance Rising Wall Bath is ideal for the growing number of aging Americans renovating their homes to maintain their independence. The bath fits into a five-foot space and offers added accessibility. TOTO USA (
www.totousa.com), Booth C-5928. TOTO
has expanded their offering of LED lighted lavatories and has a wide variety of new products that are being kept under wraps. INAX (
www.inax-usa.com), Booth C-6802. The
Japanese giant has woken up here, after years of dabbling in the U.S., with a variety of eco-inspired products, including the Regio, the ultimate “everything” toilet that retails for $7,350. Penguin Toilets LLC (
www.penguintoilets.com), Booth
C-7278. This is the only toilet with built-in overflow protection. Sinks and bathtubs have had overflow drains for years, so why not toilets? I am waiting for testing reports. Jason International (
www.jasoninternational.com),
Booth C-7118. The MicroSilk is a revolutionary new form of hydrotherapy that is not available from any other bath manufacturer. Native Trails (
www.nativetrails.com), Booth C-4896.
Look for some nifty new copper basins and bathtubs. BASCO (
www.bascoshowerdoor.com) has dominated
the shower door field. Their new RODA collection of eight different styles and configurations proves that point.
Magnification and back-lit mirrors Aptations (
www.aptations.com), Booth C-4036. A wide
selection of traditional and contemporary, lighted and non- lit, wall mount and countertop magnification mirrors and lights are available, all in a wide variety of finishes. Their new LED casts a bright, warm light to illuminate and aid in grooming. The LED diode will last up to 50,000 hours, and the mirrors are virtually maintenance free. The Sergena back-lit mirror and lighting units is the most innovative new product category for today’s bathrooms. The 36” x 24” mirrors can be mounted vertically or horizontally and come in three different designs. Aptations is also the master distributor for ClearMirror, the fogless, shaving in the shower mirror.
Faucetry The Italian product lines are back strong.
e Turn to SCHOR on p 38
phc april 2011
www.phcnews.com
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