BATHROOMS AND SHOWERS
STAY ON TREND IN
SANITARYWARE
There’s a push in bathroom design towards products that allows consumers to mix efficiency with sleek design, as Will McGill finds out.
F
or builders’ and plumbers’ merchants, staying updated on the latest trends in sanitaryware is crucial to meet the ever-changing tastes and needs of its
customer base.
Ben Bryden, sales and marketing director of RAK Ceramics UK, says: “One of the hottest trends in modern sanitaryware design is the seamless blend of form and function. Manufacturers are responding with sanitaryware that’s both efficient and stylish. Think sleek lines, minimalist designs, and unusual shapes – sanitaryware trends currently are all about contemporary elegance and a dash of flair.”
RAK Ceramics’ offering of bathroom collections, includes RAK-Cloud and RAK- Petite which was created in partnership with Italian designer Giuseppe Maurizio Scutellà, RAK-Variant, a washbasin concept brought to
of a lifestyle choice than simply a passing fashion. In the contract market, regulations regarding the environment and sustainability have driven the requirement for water efficient products until now,” comments Bryden. “Consumers are increasingly drawn to products that minimise their environmental footprint without sacrificing quality or performance. Water-saving taps, dual-flush toilets, and surfaces made from recycled materials all appeal to environmentally conscious customers and help promote sustainable practices within the construction sector.
“What consumers really want is access to products that help them use less water while not having to make drastic changes in their behaviour. Take the toilet as a good example, as it’s one of the main ways that households use water. Rather than dictating how much water is used, a dual flush cistern puts the choice with the consumer, allowing them to choose between a full six litre flush or a reduced flush of 4.5 litres – a small change that can make a big difference.”
Tech-savvy bathrooms From smart toilets to mirrors that operate via sensors, technology is revolutionising the way we interact with our sanitaryware. Builders’ merchants can cater to the growing demand for smart solutions by stocking up on cutting- edge products that appeal to tech-savvy customers.
life by design duo Daniel Debiasi and Federico Sandri and RAK-Valet created by French designer Patrick Norguet.
Going green in style “With sustainability taking centre stage in many industries, including construction, eco- friendly sanitaryware is becoming much more
Kudo’s ultimate shower tray
The new Kudos Ultimate slimline shower tray collection stands at just 27mm in height and comes in 2 standard slate effect finishes, 4 bespoke-coloured options and 19 standard sizes. They are lightweight, slip and stain-resistant, trimmable to fit on site, and the slate effect finishes contain an antimicrobial additive to inhibit the growth of microbes. The composite material used to produce these new trays is up to 60% lighter than a traditional stone-filled shower tray. The composite construction, which has a CNC machined waterproof core, features a slip-resistant acrylic surface and is virtually unbreakable. This new tray innovation has also been tested with selected retailers over the past few months to establish the best colour options and features to launch. As a result, Kudos is offering a standard collection from stock in two colour finishes, in white and grey slate effect, and 19 sizes up to 2000 x 900mm, all with an end-positioned waste. The trays can also be manufactured to order as a bespoke option which expands the range to 6 coloured options and 4 different waste positions. These special orders can be made to any size up to 2000 x 1000mm and they offer an option of choosing a contrasting-coloured edge to the tray too.
May 2024
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net 25
Bryden adds: “The RAK-Sensation WC from RAK Ceramics, for example, features a Touchless Flushing System. A sensor module that mounts underneath the cistern lid activates a dual flush when a hand is kept still above it and a single flush when a hand is waved. Not only does this tick the boxes for sustainability, but for hygiene too – another big trend in the bathroom that merchants can sell on the back of.”
Matt finishes are also becoming a popular choice in bathroom spaces, Bryden says. “The shift towards matt finishes is being married with a shift towards black sanitaryware
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