phc june 2011
www.phcnews.com
KITCHEN + BATH
K/BIS 2011: Lots of new bath, plumbing and kitchen products
BY PETER SCHOR SHOWROOM EXPERT
that I find, in the U.S. and all over the world. I have always taken pride in the fact that, when I 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
A
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 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, held in Las Vegas
April 26 – 28, allowed those of you attending to see the hottest new products. For those of you who couldn’t attend, 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).
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 1/2” I.P.S connection and fasten to the wall, all in 15 minutes or so. 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). 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). 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). 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. 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). 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). The MicroSilk is a revolutionary new form of hydrotherapy
s most of you know, for the past 12 years of my 35-plus industry career, I’ve been writing columns on the best bath, plumbing and kitchen products
that is not available from any other bath manufacturer. Native Trails (
www.nativetrails.com). 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.
Faucetry
The Italian product lines are back strong. La Torre (
www.latorre-spa-it). A quality faucet
manufacturer, La Torre has been in the U.S. for five years and is now stocked in Atlanta. La Torre is distributed in 40 countries and five continents. Bagno & Associati (
www.bagnoeassociati.it), at the
LaTorre booth, is a high quality product manufacturer and a strategic partner with La Torre. This line offers a broad range of bathroom accessories. Also at the La Torre booth, Disegno Ceramica
(
www.disegnoceramica.com), a high quality manufacturer of Italian fixtures made from fine fire clay, has some of the most unique designs in the world, with amazing capabilities to make products such as you have never seen.
Bath accessories Mr. Steam (
www.mrsteam.com ) offers a wide variety
of exciting towel warmers and Mr. Steam’s spa packages, which provide the potential for enhanced relaxation, including the mental, physical and emotional benefits associated with Steamtherapy™. These packages offer AromaSteam™, ChromaSteam™ and in-shower Musictherapy™ speakers. The Series 200 towel warmer has an energy-efficient, stainless steel heater for controlled, quiet heat and all-welded steel construction for strength and durability. The Series 200 comes standard with an aromatherapy oil well and is available in three designer finishes: polished chrome, white and oil-rubbed bronze. All electric models are UL/CUL listed and operate on 120 VAC household current. Great Grabz (
www.greatgrabz.com), has a sleek,
contemporary collection of bathroom grab bars in 20 colors and translucent finishes. Teakworkds4U (
www.Teakworks4u.com). This is the
best selection of teak bath accessories — shower mats, benches and bath products — that I’ve seen in years. Moen (
www.moen.com), has come up with an
adjustable double curved shower rod that allows bathers more space in the smaller more conventional tubs and showers.
Kitchen products Stainless Living (
www.stainlessliving.com). This
company offers a stainless steel kitchen backsplash system that is functional and provides an easy-to-clean surface. These distinctive backsplashes are available in 14 polished designs to customize the kitchen or bathroom. They can be used as a decorative accent or can wrap around the entire room for a look of continuity or to help a small place look larger. You can choose from three stock sizes, or they can be customized to fit your exact specifications. Installation is accomplished in minutes, using a combination of two-sided tape and construction adhesive. There is a wide selection of stainless steel tiles in various sizes. Stainless Living is a division of Rigidized Metal, a $25 million dollar manufacturer of stainless steel for 70 years. Happy sailing! ;
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