BATHROOMS & SHOWERS SPACE: THE BATHROOM FRONTIER
The average size of the UK home is shrinking, leaving plumbers and developers with a growing challenge of coming up with practical, affordable and stylish bathroom solutions.
H
omeowners are contending with ever-shrinking spaces, with today’s new build properties typically smaller than 30 years ago and the average size of a bathroom now standing at just 4.4 square metres. In fact, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) estimates that the average size of a one-bedroom new build home is just 46 square metres – that’s the same size as a tube carriage.
That’s according to . Sarah Hillsdon category manager Geberit Bathroom Products & Installation Systems, who adds: “Yet, despite these space issues in the home, the bathroom remains an important part of our lives. At Geberit, we carried out research in 2018 which told us that the bathroom was the most important place for sanctuary in the home – and, of course, the significance of having such a sanctuary in the home will have been keenly felt by many over the months of lockdown.”
The wall-hung way
Because of this move towards smaller spaces, homeowners are increasingly seeking out design-led solutions and manufacturers are developing a number of bathroom solutions that maximise space without compromising on style. “At Geberit we’re predicting real growth in particular for wall-hung toilets and sanitaryware in the UK market. Providing a space-saving alternative to traditional close coupled toilets, these systems are now more affordable than ever,” Hillsdon says. “Bathrooms are valuable spaces, yet rooms
that require the most versatile solutions – all too often the smallest room and the one more likely to throw up any awkward spaces. Yet, by incorporating a wall-hung system in a bathroom design, the ability to conceal the cistern and lift the toilet’s footprint off the floor can make even the smallest of bathrooms instantly appear bigger. Opting for a wall-hung system can also enable toilets to be easily installed in those tricky spots on a project, such as under a window, in a narrow wall duct or under a sloping ceiling,” she continues.
Installation benefits? In the past, there may have been a reluctance on the part of plumbers and installers to look at wall-hug systems on the grounds of a perceived difficulty of installation process, however product development now means that quick and affordable pre-wall frame systems, such as Geberit Duofix, have been designed with installation in mind. Concealed fixings and the inclusion and position of water inlets, for example, make life easier for installers and the cistern is concealed inside a drywall, so there is no need for additional studding. Servicing and access to the cistern is also made easy via the flush plate.
Hung-up on hygiene
Hillsdon says that it’s not just the obvious space benefits that wall-hung sanitaryware can bring. “It goes without saying that ease of cleaning is now a huge consideration for homeowners with hygiene now well and truly under the spotlight
– and lifting the toilet off the floor is an effective way to make cleaning easier in the home. “Indeed, when it comes to hygiene there are also other product developments your customers should be considering that can maximise hygiene in the bathroom. Surface coatings and glazes, for instance, can make cleaning easier.” She adds that products such as Geberit’s KeraTect Glaze benefit from a non-porous and smoother surface, helping prevent staining of the ceramics and creating a high-gloss effect. Solutions like this not only help maintain high levels of hygiene but also, importantly, really help to enhance the look and feel of the bathroom as a ‘clean’ space. “Similarly, there are affordable solutions such as Twyford’s Rimfree® ceramic appliances and Geberit’s TurboFlush technology which can eliminate tricky corners and hard-to- reach areas around the pan, helping eradicate any hidden areas where dust and bacteria may thrive. The flushing system also clears away residue effectively, making regular cleaning much simpler.”
Getting ahead of the game Geberit are predicting real growth in wall- hung toilets and sanitaryware in UK homes, Hillsdon says. “When you consider how the innovative design of these systems overcomes the ever-present issue of space in the home, the opportunity to sell affordable and innovative bathroom wall-hung systems is a win-win for the installer and end-user. And there’s no doubt about it – how homeowners use and view their homes is now completely different compared to a year ago. There is now a very real opportunity to boost your reputation by acting as an advisor to your customers on how they should be incorporating new innovations into projects, as well as a chance to boost your business by upselling hygienically-optimised, space-saving solutions.” BMJ
October 2020
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net 25
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