Bathroom2u News - bathroom taps, bathroom suites, bathroom showers

Perhaps more than any other room, functionality takes precedence in a bathroom space. However, this doesn’t mean that a bathroom precludes good design; with this in mind, installing a wetroom could not only be a great practical decision, but also has aesthetic implications. So, for function and design, which is better:  a shower or a wetroom?

Of course, everybody’s taste is different, and wetrooms will not necessarily complement all kinds of decor. However, if you really want to make a truly modern and minimalist bathroom space, then you can’t get much better that a wetroom.

However, this does not mean that electric showers are not fit for purpose – they are. And they are still much more ubiquitous that wetrooms; perhaps this is due to their relatively easy installation (when compared to wetrooms), or simply because homeowners have not yet had time to change over to a wetroom.

So, why would you go to the extra effort and cost of installing a wetroom? Well, wetrooms aren’t just design pieces. Instead, they also offer a variety of functional advantages: most notably, they offer an increased level of convenience, as there is no need to clamber into a bath or shower, which can be particularly precarious for the impaired, who risk slipping. This extra feeling of safety would be a major attraction to many potential customers.

So, in conclusion, whether showers or wetrooms are better is really a matter of taste, and will depend on various factors, such as any pre-existing health conditions and budget.

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Getting the kids out of your bathroom, and into a space of their own, means you can have a little more luxury in your morning and evening routine, and you can have the bathroom you’ve always wanted, without worrying about child-friendly bathroom taps and fittings. You can keep medicines and household chemicals in your own bathroom cabinets, away from little hands.

There are a few things to keep in mind when setting up a bathroom for the children. Pick bathroom taps with long handles, for example. They are easier for smaller - and less careful - hands to turn on and off, and will help prevent the faucet from dripping or being left running. Choose a water saving showerhead for the same reason. It will also help keep your household water and gas bills down - and it’s great for the environment too.

Many parents opt for a brightly-coloured, cheap shower curtain, rather than installing shower doors in their kids’ bathroom. However, shower curtains can leak a lot of water onto the floor if they’re not tucked in carefully, and shower doors are a much tidier option. They’ll reduce the chance of water on the floor, which means less cleaning and more safety.

Choose bathroom cabinets without sharp corners for safety reasons, particularly if you have a small child whose head level is below the top of the cabinet. It’s also worth remembering that while kids need a low bathroom sink, they will grow taller before long. Adding a simple, removable step on the floor means even little kids can use a grown-up sink.

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‘Thermostatic’ means ‘at a constant temperature’. In a shower or any hot water system, an even flow at a constant temperature is just what you want. At one time or another, we’ve all experienced what happens when shower water temperature fluctuates wildly. Someone elsewhere in the house turns on the washing machine or flushes a toilet, and the shower water suddenly goes ice cold or scalding hot - or one after the other.

This won’t happen with thermostatic showers, no matter what’s going on elsewhere in the house. The washing machine could be on, someone could flush the downstairs toilet or turn the bathroom taps on to wash their hands, and still the temperature of your shower will stay steady and comfortable.

In a normal shower, water is drawn from the hot water system and the cold water supply. The shower valves mix the two streams of water by allowing so much cold water, and so much hot water, to flow into the shower head and down onto you, according to the position you set the cold and hot taps (or the temperature control knob) to. If a cold or hot flow is drawn out of the water system elsewhere in the house, the supply of that water drops away, the balance of temperatures in the shower valves changes, and your pleasant shower is interrupted.

Thermostatic shower valves prevent too much cold or hot water from entering the mixing system at any time, so you can enjoy a relaxing shower in peace.

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Bathrooms are among the most common accident sites in the home. Slippery floors are always a problem, and stepping into and out of the baths and showers can also be dangerous. Even for the fittest of us, balancing all our weight on one foot in wet, smooth bath tubs and lifting the other to step out can result in a slip. A healthy adult can easily break their wrist or tail bone in a bathroom fall (and Accident and Emergency statistics say they do), but there is plenty you can do to make your bathroom safe and keep it accident-free.

If you have elderly people using the bathroom, consider installing a shower rail to assist balance both in the shower and when getting in and out. They are inexpensive and can be retro-fitted to most showers without damaging the tiles. For bath tubs, we have a range of bath seats and other safe living aids in the Independent Bathing section.

Consider the site of bathroom cabinets carefully. A fall onto the floor is bad, but to hit the sharp edge or corner of a cabinet on the way down is particularly dangerous. Don’t put them in the way where they could become hazards. You can also choose bathroom cabinets with more rounded gentle edges.

A few simple accessories can make your bathroom much safer. A rubber bath mat makes the floor in the tub or shower tray much less slippery, and they can be removed for easy cleaning. To prevent the build-up of grime underneath, pull up the mat and drape it over the edge of the bath when you’re finished.

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Modern showers are so much more efficient than their older counterparts. Bathing and showering are two of the most water intensive activities that happen in the home, so reducing the amount of water you use in through showers will have a significant impact on your overall water use total. That would be good news for your wallet and good news for the environment, because hot water costs twice over - once for the heating and once for the water.

There are two tests you can perform with your existing shower head to check efficiency and see how much water (and money!) you could save by installing a new one. The first is simple and produces no mess or fuss, and you can do it while you wash in the morning. Simply push the plug into the bath or the shower tray as you turn the shower valves on.

Go through your morning wash like you do in each of your showers, being careful not to slip over of course. As you wash, the water level in the tray will rise. For most people using a shower head that’s more than five or so years old, it’ll go up surprisingly fast. If you are standing in a tray rather than a bath, you may find yourself speeding up to prevent the water overflowing before you finish washing.

The other test you can do is a bit messier. Leave the shower doors open or the curtain folded back and turn the shower valves on. How much water ends up on the floor? A lot of that will be wasted water that will never even hit your body in the shower.

If the results of either test is an unpleasant surprise, have a look at our range of efficient shower heads.

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Technology has improved the shower as much as it has the rest of the appliances that are scattered around the home. Innovations have gone well past movable hoses and corrosion-resistant finishes (although chrome shower valves and fittings are still an excellent choice). We all start the day with a shower, so we might as well enjoy the experience and go for something a little more advanced.

The ultimate in electric shower technology is the Grohe Wireless Rainshower. The ‘wireless’ relates to the controller, not the actual shower valves. There is a remote control panel where you can choose a program with temperature and flow rate. It will all be ready by the time you reach the bathroom - no standing at the edge of the stall waiting for the water to warm up enough to get in for you.

It doesn’t have to be that complicated. Shower valves and head units with a ‘power shower’ setting is great for after a big session at the gym, or when you need to brace yourself for an even bigger day at the office. The stronger units offer a massage function that can make a huge difference to those who suffer from back and neck problems.

Adding a little extra with a body jet positioned lower down is also wonderful for relaxing tight shoulder muscles. These can be supplied in a multipack for a bit of extra fun, and most types can swivel to change the direction of flow. Take some time to explore our range of shower valves and other shower appliances at Bathroom2u, where you’re guaranteed to find something to suit you.

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Glass shower doors can turn a drab bathroom into an airy, welcoming room. Glass shower doors are totally functional, yet lend a chic look to any bathroom. The variety of glass shower doors available is virtually endless – meaning that there will be something to suit everyone, no matter what your personal taste.

Glass shower doors can work really well for these people who like sleek, clean and clutter-free looks, as they can choose from the many minimalistic glass shower door options available at Bathroom2u.

Some see their bathroom as a place of escape the daily grind; to stand under a hot shower and relax from the stress of the day or soak in a tub of bubbles. Glass shower doors are a top choice for people who use their bathrooms as a place to relax with their air of calm sophistication. Glass shower doors complement the existing decor in these bathrooms as glass gives a light and space-maximising feel.

Complete versatility

Glass bathroom doors can create a haven in a small bathroom with a quadrant shower door. Glass shower doors can be inward folding, bi-folding, sliding or outward opening. At Bathroom2u there are glass shower doors to fit each taste, need and budget. With so many options for glass shower doors available, it is best to browse to see what is available on our website.

We can also give you new ideas you may not have thought of, with some great bathroom innovations and ways to make your bathroom space more inviting and functional too.

There really is no need for a drab bathroom any more with a glass shower doors. Not everyone has the money or the time to do a complete bathroom remodel, but the truth is that you don’t have to. With glass shower doors you can change the look of a bathroom completely, without breaking the bank.

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