Surface special | PRODUCT FEATURE


Showerwall Breccia Marble wall panelling


Quality Club. Martin Saxby, northern Europe country manager, LX Hausys, explains: “HIMACS has developed a network of fabricators, who are trained in the fabrication of HIMACS surfaces. After receiving in-depth training, Quality Club members can offer a 15-year guarantee on their work.”


Laminates


Laminates can be a go-to choice for lots of reasons, from ease of installation for the most basic of practical reasons (such as manoeuvring a large island surface up several flights of stairs) to budget requirements.


at


Matt Phillips, head of UK operations Rotpunkt,


says: “Recent tech-


nological developments have given a new vibrancy and dynamic to kitchen and living spaces, highlighting the design possibilities of laminate surfaces. The use of slimmer laminates, in particular, has given leading brands the ability to create ground-breaking kitchens with ‘mixed material’ effects across all surfaces – furniture, worktops and splashbacks. “Today’s new laminate worktops are a masterclass in mimicking the look of natural materials, such as marble, without the high price tag or the heavy weight, which saves money throughout the supply chain, if we consider the emissions used when transporting them. They can also help to protect natural resources as we look for greater sustainability in the home with man-made equivalents. Another benefit is the sheer range of extra- durable laminates available in stone or timber effects that are designed to withstand the rigours of family life, so they won’t fade


If we can help


homeowners identify what aspects of their worktop are important we can help them have a better informed discussion with their


chosen showroom Chris Pateman, general secretary, Worktop Fabricators Federation


August 2022 ·


RAK Ceramics Preziosi digitally printed collection of porcelain tiles


for faster turnaround for customers.” Notwithstanding the growth in bath- panelling,


room wall


tiles are still a


popular choice, and can be a good option for those with less bountiful budgets – especially if the desire is to match walls and floors. Ben Bryden, sales and marketing


PaperStone from CDUK is sustainable, made from recycled paper and natural resins


in sunlight and are resistant to chemicals and scratches. “The combination of hyper-real timber effects with industrial-style dark elements is an ideal way for laminate surfaces to deliver the latest trends to the middle market.”


On the wall


Optidek is a manufacturer and fabricator of premium wall coverings, including glass, mirrored and engineered stone splashbacks for kitchens and wall panels for bathrooms. It also supplies, fabricates and installs 4mm Dekton Slim wall cladding by Cosentino. Anthony Barker, sales director at Optidek, says: “We chose to expand our business to offer premium engineered stone wall coverings as they are similar to mirrored glass in terms of the fabrication process. Having already witnessed sales growth of seamless wall coverings in kitchens, they are also becoming fashionable must-haves for bathrooms and, increasingly, walk-in shower rooms.” His view is that education is crucial,


and the more information he can give to his network, the better. “We know


this strategy works, because there is a direct correlation between training and increased sales,” he says. “This is not just about product, or making surface comparisons, but also about the complicated process of fabrication and installation. Then, retailers can explain the entire procedure to their customer, especially if the customer believes they can buy and install their surfaces direct at a cheaper price. “We also have a dedicated business development manager who focuses on the architectural sector, providing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) presentations to members of the Royal Institute of British Architects.” Bathroom wall panelling has also seen significant growth over the past few years. “The sector has seen an estimated 25% year-on-year growth for the past six years,” explains Showerwall MD John Bagshaw: “With over 3.5 million square metres of wall panelling sold within the UK in previous years, it makes it one of the fastest growing markets in home improve- ment. Due to this demand, Showerwall has recently invested in new printer technology that will increase capacity by 400% for its acrylic range, allowing


director of Rak Ceramics, says: “Tiles are still very much the go-to surface choice for the bathroom, particularly for walls, but also increasingly for floors too, creating a seamless flow. A key trend in bathroom tile design is a move towards large-format tiles. These are popular due to the stylish and minimalist look they create, with less grout creating a clean and uninter- rupted finish.” In a style- and function-led industry, having a wide choice of surface materials is clearly no bad thing as long as everyone in the process understands what the differences are. Chris Pateman at the Worktops


Fabricators Federation concludes: “In WFF’s experience, consumers are often confused by the choice of materials. Kitchens and bathrooms are an infrequent purchase. Every material offered for a worktop or interior surface has its own pros and cons – and technical improvements mean these may well have changed significantly since the last time they made a purchasing decision.


“This is why we created the ready- reckoner table at the front of our WFF Guide to Engineered and Natural Stone Surfaces (free to download from the WFF website). Whatever decision the customer makes is going to have to be lived with for a long time. If we can help homeowners identify what aspects of their worktop are important (Do they want to cut on it? Are they planning to use it in an outdoor area? Will they want to put hot pots straight on it?), we can help them have a better informed discussion with their chosen showroom.”


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