| TAPS:There are four main finishes for taps and | | | | and forth to open or close. The difference |
| showers:Chrome, the hardest wearing finish, | | | | between the two is the number of doors used to |
| usually last over 20 years.Antique Gold, used | | | | gain access. The double sliding door has less |
| more on traditional style suites, is generally a soft | | | | framework and as such has a more minimalist |
| finish which will last approximately 3 years with | | | | appearance, whereas the triple sliding door |
| day to day use but in a rarely used second | | | | creates a wider opening when the doors are |
| bathroom could last as long as 10 years.Nickel | | | | pulled back.Shower shapes:There are a myriad |
| (either brushed or polished) is the softest finish | | | | number or shower door shapes. The most |
| and would normally be for decorative house | | | | common are the square, rectangle, pentangle |
| bathrooms that are rarely used.Powder coated, | | | | (penta- or five-sided) and the quadrant (quad of |
| not as common in taps but still used on showers, | | | | quarter round). The most common type of |
| is where the product is coated with a layer of | | | | shower tray size is 760mm x 760mm. This is not |
| coloured plastic. | | | | the smallest square tray size but is the smallest |
| There are many types of tap configuration for | | | | that is still usable by most people to shower. |
| baths, basins and bidets. Each type has its own | | | | You are able to obtain square trays of both |
| advantages and disadvantages. This next section | | | | 700mm x 700mm and 600mm x 600mm. The |
| outlines the different types of tap arrangements | | | | 600mm tray size is normally used on caravans |
| that are generally available.Bath Taps:There are | | | | and boats. The best square tray size if it can be |
| several types of tap arrangement you can put on | | | | fitted is the 900mm x 900mm. |
| a bath. They are as follows: A pair of taps, a bath | | | | Rectangular shower trays come in a variety of |
| filler deck mounted, a bath filler pillar mounted, a | | | | sizes from 700mm x 800mm to 1700mm |
| three-hole bath filler, | | | | x750mm. The most common size is 1200mm x |
| a deck mounted bath shower mixer, a pillar | | | | 760mm, whereas the optimum size is 1200mm x |
| mounted bath shower mixer, a four-hole bath | | | | 900mm. Tray sizes larger than this normally |
| shower mixer, a five-hole bath shower mixer, wall | | | | incorporate the ability to dry oneself in the cubicle. |
| mounted filler and an overflow filler.Pair of bath | | | | |
| taps:The most common form of taps for baths, | | | | A pentangle cubicle is the same as a square one |
| one tap for hot water and one for cold. The cold | | | | but has the comer cut off. This results in the |
| tap is normally on the right and the hot on the | | | | saving of floor space in the bathroom ensuite. A |
| left.Bath filler deck mounted and bath filler pillar | | | | quadrant cubicle has a rounded front edge |
| mounted.This type of tap has the hot and | | | | designed to save space as with the |
| cold-water taps combined onto one mixer | | | | pentangle.SHOWER TRAYS:There are four main |
| block.The deck-mounted type is normally | | | | types of material used to make shower trays. |
| contemporary in style whereas the pillar-mounted | | | | These are steel, acrylic, stone resin and acrylic |
| type (this is where the mixer is held above the | | | | capped resin.Shower shapes:Steel is less common |
| bath rim on two pillars) is normally traditional in | | | | in domestic use and is generally used in |
| style. | | | | commercial applications such as retirement homes |
| The advantage of a mixer over a pair of taps is | | | | and hotelsAcrylic trays used to be very common |
| the ability to mix the water to the desired | | | | but received a bad reputation due to the poor |
| temperature whilst the bath is filling.Three hole | | | | build quality of trays in the past. The use of poor |
| bath filler:This is where the spout is separate to | | | | frameworks and minimal reinforcement meant |
| the bath tap valves. In this case you have a hot | | | | that the trays moved when in use and often |
| and cold valve and the spout is mounted either in | | | | leaked. Modern acrylic trays are generally built to a |
| the centre between the two valves or mounted | | | | very high standard and are fully reinforced. All |
| in the corner.Bath shower mixers:This is the same | | | | acrylic trays are on adjustable legs and so are |
| as the bath fillers but has a shower hose and | | | | ideal in applications where a solid floor such a |
| handset attached. These types of taps are not | | | | concrete is on site. The result of this higher built |
| designed to be used as showers for standing | | | | quality is that acrylic trays are not an inexpensive |
| under and washing your whole body. | | | | option.Stone resin trays are by far the most |
| The reason for this is that there is the real risk | | | | common trays available. The low cost of |
| that is another person in the house switches on a | | | | producing the moulds for the trays makes then |
| tap or a washing machine kicks in then the | | | | the most versatile in size. They are available in |
| temperature on the shower will change radically. | | | | both legged and un-legged format (the most |
| These types of showers are designed for | | | | common being without legs). The two most |
| washing hair or rinsing the bath.Four and five-hole | | | | common problems with resin trays relate to the |
| bath shower mixers:These are the same as the | | | | quality of installation. The first is that if the |
| three hole mixers but the four-hole mixers have a | | | | un-legged tray is not bedded in properly it can |
| handset that sits on the bath with the hose under | | | | cause the base of the tray to crack when in use. |
| the bath rim. The shower is switched on by | | | | The second is that the colour of the tray is |
| means of a diverter button mounted on the bath | | | | applied as a thin spray finish. The result of this is |
| spout. | | | | that if you scratch the tray when installing it, it is |
| The five hole mixer works in the same way but | | | | extremely difficult to repair.Acrylic capped resin |
| has a separate diverter mounted on the bath, not | | | | trays are becoming more popular. They combine |
| on the bath spout.Wall mounted filler:More popular | | | | the rigidity of the stone resin tray, but have the |
| on the continent, this is where the mixer is | | | | added advantage of being capped in acrylic. This |
| mounted on the wall above the bath and not on | | | | produces a surface which is more resistant to |
| the bath rim.Overflow bath filler:This is similar to | | | | impact and can be polished if scratched. They are |
| the three-hole bath filler but whereas the three | | | | however more costly to produce and as such are |
| hole has a spout the overflow filler has the hot | | | | not available in the same number of sizes as the |
| and cold valves on the rim of the bath and the | | | | stone resin.SHOWER TYPES:There are four main |
| filler is the overflow fitting which also doubles up | | | | types of shower, electric, manual mixer, |
| as the pop up waste.Basin Taps:As with baths | | | | thermostatic mixer and pumped which can be |
| there are several types of tap arrangement that | | | | either thermostatic or manual.Electric:This type of |
| can be fitted to a basin. These are a pair of taps, | | | | shower has a small kettle type chamber within it |
| a mono-bloc mixer and a three tap-hole mixer.A | | | | through which the cold water passes and is |
| pair of taps:This is where you have a separate | | | | heated electrically. The amount of water that can |
| hot and cold tap on the basin with the cold tap | | | | be heated is limited to approximately one and a |
| usually on the right and the hot on the left. This is | | | | half gallons a minute, although the spray is forced |
| the most common configuration for taps on a | | | | out of the head at approximately 1.5 bar (45 feet |
| basin. | | | | head).In order to achieve an all over spray from |
| This type of basin normally has a plug and chain | | | | the shower handset the holes in the end of the |
| waste.Basin mono-bloc mixer:This is where the | | | | handset are drilled quite small. The result of this is |
| hot and cold taps are mounted on a single tap | | | | that the droplets of water spray produced are |
| bloc in the centre of the basin. This type of tap | | | | small and do not hold the temperature. This |
| normally has a pop-up waste supplied as part of | | | | means that whilst the water temperature on your |
| the tap.Three tap-hole mixer:As with the bath | | | | head is hot by the time the water runs to your |
| arrangement you have a spout in the middle and | | | | knees it has gone cold. One other difficulty with |
| a separate hot and cold valve on either side. This | | | | the small hole size is that the handsets are prone |
| type of arrangement has a pop up waste. | | | | to scale build up in hard water areas which results |
| On a three tap-hole basin you can also fit a pair | | | | in the spray pattern diminishing.In order to |
| of basin taps and in the central hole fit a chain | | | | maximize the amount of water produced modern |
| stay basin waste - this is where the plug chain is | | | | electric showers use on average 8.5KW to 9KW |
| attached to a disc which fits over the middle | | | | of power. This makes them three times more |
| hole.SHOWERS: There are several types of | | | | costly to use than the electric immersion heater in |
| showers available in the UK and the type you | | | | the cylinder. My own opinion is that they are best |
| choose has a lot to do with the type of hot | | | | used in applications where there is no stored hot |
| water and cold water supply that the client has in | | | | water or where a combi-boiler is used for the |
| their house. So I will first tackle the types of | | | | first shower mixer and the client needs a second |
| domestic water systems most commonly | | | | shower in the house. Most electric showers are |
| available.Gravity Feed, Vented, or Low Pressure | | | | manual mixers and have a tendency to vary the |
| systemsThis type of water system usually has a | | | | water temperature when other appliances such as |
| direct mains water cold feed. The hot water is | | | | taps and toilets are used.Manual Mixers:A manual |
| provided by means of a hot water cylinder | | | | mixer uses the hot and cold water supply to |
| (copper) sited in an airing cupboard and a cold | | | | achieve a shower. This is done by blending the |
| water cistern (tank) sited either above the | | | | amount of hot and cold by means of a lever |
| cylinder or in the loft. To use a mixer shower with | | | | valve, which either uses an internal ceramic mixer |
| this type of system the cold water tank needs to | | | | cartridge or uses two separate controls to |
| be sited at least three feet (0.1 bar) above the | | | | achieve the desired temperature by turning |
| shower head/handset. That is unless you use a | | | | simultaneously. This simple mechanism makes the |
| pump, in which case you need the tank to be one | | | | manual valve very cost effective. However this |
| foot (0.03bar) above the shower head | | | | type of mixer is prone to wild variations in |
| handset.Combi-boiler, Multi-point systemsThis type | | | | temperature when other appliances such as taps, |
| of water system has a mains feed cold water | | | | washing machines, dish washers and toilets are |
| supply. The hot water is provided by an | | | | used. Not a type of mixer to be recommended |
| instantaneous gas boiler. The boiler either does | | | | for families with small children or older |
| both the hot water and central heating ( | | | | people.Thermostatic Mixers:A thermostatic mixer |
| combi-boiler), or it does just the hot water only | | | | works in a similar way to the manual mixer but |
| (multi-point). With this type of system the cold | | | | has an extra device fitted inside the valve casing |
| water is supplied at full mains pressure seventy | | | | which regulates the water temperature to within |
| five feet (2.5bar approximately) whilst the hot | | | | plus or minus one degree centigrade. The result of |
| water is governed down by the boiler to a | | | | this is that if another appliance is turned on the |
| minimum of forty five feet (1.5bar approximately). | | | | thermostat automatically adjusts the flow of |
| With this type of system you cannot use a pump | | | | water to maintain the desired temperature. If it is |
| to power the shower as this would contravene | | | | unable to maintain that temperature then it will |
| the water by-laws. However as the hot and cold | | | | temporarily turn the shower off until it is safe to |
| water is supplied under pressure you have a | | | | allow it to function. |
| power shower anyway.Pressurised water system, | | | | This type of mixer is ideal for families with small |
| unventedThis type of water system has a mains | | | | children and older people.Pumped Showers:This is |
| cold water supply. The hot water supply is from a | | | | where an electric pump is fitted to the shower to |
| hot water cylinder which is supplied by full mains | | | | increase the water pressure. This type of system |
| pressure of 175 feet (2.5bar approximately). As | | | | can only be fitted to a gravity feed hot water |
| with the combi-boiler system you cannot use | | | | system. There are two types of pumps generally |
| pump but you do not need to as the mains water | | | | used:1. Inlet Pump (Twin Impellor)This type of |
| pressure makes this a power shower.SHOWER | | | | pump is by far the most common is fitted to the |
| DOORS (Cubicles, enclosures and | | | | hot and cold water supplies before they go |
| surrounds):Shower doors and enclosures come in | | | | through the shower valve. Relatively inexpensive |
| a variety of shapes and sizes. As with pottery | | | | to purchase they provide pressure to the shower |
| the cost and quality of the units depend on the | | | | of up to 3bar (100ft head) at a flow rate of up to |
| materials used in the construction and the design. | | | | 3 gallons a minute. The most popular pressure is |
| Normally the thicker the glass the more | | | | 1.5bar (45 foot head).2. Outlet Pump (Single |
| expensive the shower cubicle.Less expensive | | | | Impellor)This type of pump is fitted after the |
| enclosures generally use glass in the thickness | | | | valve and pumps the mixed hot and cold water. |
| range of 3mm to 5mm. This thickness of glass | | | | The advantage of this is that it can safely deliver |
| will always have a metal framework surrounding it | | | | a higher flow rate and higher pressure. The |
| to support the weight of the glass. The mid to | | | | reason for this is that when you pump water into |
| upper market enclosures have glass in the | | | | the valve at pressure it can create an imbalance |
| thickness range of 6mm to 8mm. | | | | of pressures at the valve. This is due to the fact |
| This type of cubicle generally has very little | | | | that the valve requires more hot water than cold |
| framework surrounding it or even none at all. The | | | | to achieve the correct temperature. The Outlet |
| build quality of ancillary parts such as hinges and | | | | pump pulls the water through the valve and sets |
| seals is also important, as these are the parts | | | | up no such imbalance.TYPES OF MIXER |
| that wear the fastest with day to day use and | | | | VALVES:There are three main types of mixer |
| will result in leaks.With sliding doors the rollers for | | | | valve: |
| the doors should be of ball bearing types. The | | | | 1. Fully exposed, where both the body of the |
| reason for this is that with a ball bearing roller | | | | valve and the hot and cold water pipes to it are |
| there is little or no wear on the wheels. This | | | | on the surface and on full view.2. Semi-recessed, |
| means that with constant use they do not | | | | where the body of the valve is on the surface |
| become elliptical and the glide of the door is | | | | and exposed and the pipe work is hidden in the |
| always smooth. | | | | wall.3. Fully Recessed, where both the main body |
| The thickness of the frame and the wall profiles | | | | of the valve and the pipe work are concealed in |
| is also a contributing factor to the price. As a rule | | | | the wall.TYPES OF SHOWER HEADS:There are |
| the thicker the frame and the profiles the more | | | | three types of shower head:1. Fixed head, where |
| the cost. The profiles are the U-shaped channels | | | | the shower head is fixed on the wall above head |
| that attach the cubicle to the wall.Types of | | | | height by means of a shower arm. This type of |
| shower door:There are seven main types of | | | | head cannot normally be moved lower, but may |
| shower door: Pivot, Hinged, Saloon, Bi-fold, In-fold, | | | | be fitted with a ball swivel that allows you to turn |
| Double slider and Triple slider.The Pivot and Hinged | | | | it to the left or right.2. Handset, normally supplied |
| doors:These work in the same way, in that they | | | | with a shower rail (sliding rail) which allows you to |
| open outwards as a single piece of glass. With the | | | | adjust the height of the shower rose and remove |
| pivot door the hinges are at the top and bottom | | | | it if necessary to wash a child or wall.3. Body-jet, |
| of the door. | | | | normally fitted with the fixed head type of |
| The advantage of this is that it makes the door | | | | shower these are jets mounted on the wall below |
| well balanced and put very little strain on the | | | | head height. They are ideal for people who do not |
| framework. The hinged door has the hinges on | | | | wish to wash there hair or face.SHOWER |
| the side of the door. | | | | SPRAYS:There are three main types of shower |
| This does mean however that when the door is | | | | spray:1. Standard spray common to all types of |
| open, the opening on the hinged door is wider | | | | shower the water is supplied via series of small |
| than that of the pivot door. These types of door | | | | holes distributed evenly across the shower head.2. |
| tend to be less expensive than any other due to | | | | Pulse spray (massage spray) this can only be |
| the simple design. | | | | used on showers which have power as the water |
| There can be a difficulty with the water running | | | | pressure is used to spin a disc located within the |
| off the door onto the floor when the door is | | | | shower head to pulse the water spray and so |
| opened after a shower.The Saloon door:This is | | | | produce a massage action. The greater the |
| less common and has two hinged doors which join | | | | pressure the stronger the massage.3. Champagne |
| in the middle. They tend to open inwards but are | | | | spray (aerated) can only be used on power |
| not as a rule very popular.Bi-fold and In-fold | | | | showers with a minimum of 1.5bar (45 feet head). |
| doors:These two doors both open inwards and so | | | | The water pressure is used to produce air |
| overcome the difficulty of water getting onto the | | | | bubbles in the water and so produce a soft |
| floor by dripping water off the door. The bi-fold | | | | foamy spray. This spray pattern is ideal for |
| door is hinged in the centre and as the name | | | | children as it introduces them to power showers |
| suggests folds exactly in the middle. | | | | in a way that is fun. Also ideal for ladies as the |
| The in-fold door swings in as a single door by | | | | foam prevents the water from splashing up into |
| means of a canter lever arrangement at the top | | | | the face and also expresses more water into wet |
| and bottom of the door. You should be aware | | | | hair for the removal of shampoo.Written by Neal |
| that if a person faints or collapses in this type of | | | | Baker on behalf of and |
| cubicle it is not possible to open the door.Double | | | | |
| and Triple sliding doors:These doors work in the | | | | online retailers of bathroom furniture, bathroom |
| same way in that the doors slide on rollers back | | | | suites and bathroom accessories in the UK. |