Bidets

Using a bidet can help to maintain a high level of personal hygiene after using the toilet. Washing is more effective and more soothing than toilet paper and is advised by health practitioners and doctors for people who suffer from haemorrhoids in particular, since toilet paper can be an irritant and cause more trauma.

A bidet stands around 40cm high, about adult knee-height, and is connected to a hot and cold water supply and waste outlet in the same way as your bathroom sink. The most popular way to do this is with a single mixer tap and pop-up plug, although some bidet taps also have a variable fountain spray. The bowl area is longer than it is wide, but is fairly shallow, allowing you to crouch over it with your feet either side to wash and refresh yourself.

More and more people are asking their plumber or bathroom designer to add bidets to their toilet and bathroom designs.

Look to the menu on the right to find out the different types of bidet available.

Call 0131 669 1007.

* No call out charge * Free estimates * Free consultations * Installation and Fitting * Surveys and Inspections * Servicing and repairs * Residential * Domestic * Commercial * Insurance work * 7 Days a week *

Baths

A long soak on warm day and the soothing comforts of a bath after a long, grueling day at work can easily conjure up relaxing thoughts. If you are constantly complaining about coming home tired every working day, then why not give yourself that well-deserved treat and buy a bath and look forward to a soothing soak anytime you wish.

When shopping for baths, there are basically four different styles that you can choose from, the corner, recessed, drop-in and the freestanding, all of which generally reflects the methods of installation. Aside from that, you also need to choose if you prefer the traditional baths or the whirlpools, both comes in a large variety of sizes, colors, shapes and materials. So in order to make a more informed choice, you need to have a deeper understanding of the different types and styles available.

Recessed Baths

This type is also popularly known as the three-wall alcove tub and has become a popular choice mainly because of its affordability, space efficiency, and availability. Only the front part of the tub features any decorative finish since the alcove walls will conceal the other end. You will usually find this type of tubs made of enameled steel, which is an inexpensive material and known to be relatively lightweight. However, the main downside of steel enamel is its tendency to create noise and prone to chipping after long use. A better alternative to this is the enameled cast iron, which comes significantly more expensive and heavy that might require your bathroom floor additional reinforcements to support the extra weight.

Corner Baths

Although, the term might have been specifically used to triangular bathtubs that features two unfinished sides and one finished part, it is generally used to tubs that come it any shape but installed in a corner with two sides backed against the wall.

Drop-In Baths

This particular style is largely available in a number of configurations and designs and is mounted on a raised platform, but is make to sink below the floor level. Some people prefer to overlap the decks, others want the undermounted varieties, depending on your floor area as well as your personal preference. This type of tubs is usually made with a lightweight fiberglass and reinforced plastic or acrylic, which may be probe to scratches and dulling. If budget is not a concern, then it’s best to choose the enameled cast iron, known to be resilient but may also require structural reinforcements.

Freestanding

As its name suggests, this bath comes with four legs with complete finished exteriors. Among the popular choices of this are the reproductions of the antique claw-foot bathtubs that are made with lightweight materials such as the reconditioned antiques. The authentic antique baths are usually made with cast iron materials and would require buttressing the bathroom floor.

Whirlpool Baths

Whirlpool baths are enjoying increasing popularity throughout the years, since it offers motorized water circulation jets that provide the users that wonderful soothing hydromassage. Whirlpools are also available in different installation styles, such as recessed drop-in, freestanding but the most people prefer the platform installation. This type of bath may require some special framing and extra dedicated water heaters or electrical circuit. Others feature the variable speed pumps that have electronic controls that can efficiently adjust the power of the massage. It also varies in sizes depending of course on your available space and personal preference.

Now that you have a better idea on the specific types of baths that you can choose from, you can now easily determine which one would best suit your bathroom.

Call 0131 669 1007.

* No call out charge * Free estimates * Free consultations * Installation and Fitting * Surveys and Inspections * Servicing and repairs * Residential * Domestic * Commercial * Insurance work * 7 Days a week *

Bathroom Sinks

The bathroom sink is one area of the bathroom which can really make an impact on the whole design. It needs to function well but it doesn’t have to be boring, and since manufacturers will often have variations of the same sink in different shapes and sizes, such as pedestal , wall-hung , vanity or cloakroom sinks, there are many more options available to you within a particular style. It’s always worth enquiring as to what is available so that you find the sink which suits your lifestyle and personal taste as well as your bathroom size and budget.

When planning your bathroom, you need to use the space wisely and keep the fixtures and fittings in proportion to the size of the room. If you are fitting a small bathroom, cloakroom or en-suite, there are sinks which are designed specifically for that purpose. Larger bathrooms can carry the more modern oversized sinks, or maybe you want to install more than one to speed up those busy mornings!

Taps

Flexibility and choice are very important so sinks may be supplied with 1, 2 or 3 tapholes which allows you to select alternative tap configurations to the conventional pair of pillar taps. Remember though to check that the taps you choose will fit the sink, because although the size of the taphole will be constant from sink to sink, the amount of space the base of the tap takes up may differ. This is particularly important with sinks with a narrow tapledge. Of course if you opt for a sink without tapholes, you could install wall-mounted taps instead.

Materials

Ceramic is by far the most popular and affordable material used in the manufacture of sinks, and is the most hygienic and durable. Provided you look after it properly, remove limescale buildup and take care to avoid any accidental damage it will still look as good as new after 10 years use.

Stylish alternatives such as glass or steel will need more work to keep them looking good. Toughened glass is a strong as ceramic and no longer carries the high price ticket it used to, but needs to be wiped clean after every use to remove watermarks. Steel has an industrial chic quality to it and is impossible to chip, but it can be easily scratched, so take care when cleaning the surface. Stone and marble may look fantastic and make your bathroom the envy of all your friends, but it is extremely heavy and will definitely blow the budget.

Wood has begun to be used to produce very individual sinks in an organic twist to the ‘neutral and natural’ theme to bathroom design, with the advantage that it will not break if you drop something into it. The colour will change though and generally darken with age, although strong sunlight will bleach the wood, so if you prefer a consistent look then it probably won’t be your first choice.

Freestanding or Roll-Top Bath

Freestanding or Roll-Top Bath

As its name suggests, this bath comes either with four legs or stands on the floor. It also comes with complete finished exteriors. Among the popular choices of this are the reproductions of the antique claw-foot bathtubs that are made with lightweight materials such as the reconditioned antiques. The authentic antique baths are usually made with cast iron materials and would require buttressing the bathroom floor.

Freestanding or Roll-Top bath sizes are normally slightly larger than the standard 1700×700mm and because the baths are very deep they tend to hold a lot of water - up to 250litres.

An important distinction amongst baths is how they sit on the floor.

Feet
The classic traditional cast iron ball and claw foot is the one the instantly spings to mind but there are many more styles, both traditional and contemporary, in all sorts of finishes including cast iron, chrome, brass, gold and paintable. Be aware that bath feet by different manufacturers are not interchangeable and you must have the right feet for the right bath, some manufacturers do however provide a wide variety of foot styles for many of their baths and you may have a choice of six or seven styles in two or three finishes. For some baths front and back feet may be different and you should always be careful to refer to the manufacturers instructions provided with the bath when fitting them. If in doubt ring us on 0131 669 1007.

Wooden Plinth
The wooden plinth is a more or less contemporary style often but not always associated with an Oriental or Japanese style of bath. We include in this category baths on four wooden blocks or feet. Wooden parts for baths are usually veneers of beech, maple, oak, wenge, cherry or chestnut on a wood composite or in some cases solid wooden blocks.

Metal Cradles
Another contemporary design is to have the bath supported by a metal cradle of one style or another. Good in a clean-lined ultra minimalist bathroom or wherever else your imagination can put it.

To Floor
Within the category of baths that go right down to the floor we also include baths that sit on single long plinths made of the same material as the bath, this includes many of the traditional boat baths. Most of the other baths the go right down to the floor without feet or plinths or cradle are more or less contemporary styles.

Shower Enclosures

Shower enclosures come in a vast variety of shower tray shapes and an equally vast shower door types.

The shower enclosure has undergone a complete revolution of late. Showers enclosures and shower cubicles have become an individual style statement, the dreams of having a shower enclosure like the rich & famous, is now a reality.

It is difficult to resist a warm shower in a stylish setting. Designers and manufactures have left no stone unturned in catering to the customer’s desire to be pampered.

Shower enclosures come in many different sizes and finishes, so whatever the size of your bathroom or the colour of your bath taps you will be able to find a shower enclosure to suit you. Shower trays may also be used in bespoke shower installations, so if a wet room floor is not possible why not choose a larger than standard shower tray to fit into your bespoke bathroom..

Shower Trays

The firm foundation of your showering area, as well as being good looking, shower trays should have durability and practical features. A wide range of shapes and sizes makes them easy to team up with your choice of shower enclosure.

Drop-In Baths

Drop-In Baths

This particular style is largely available in a number of configurations and designs and is mounted on a raised platform, but is make to sink below the floor level. Some people prefer to overlap the decks, others want the undermounted varieties, depending on your floor area as well as your personal preference. This type of tubs is usually made with a lightweight fiberglass and reinforced plastic or acrylic, which may be probe to scratches and dulling. If budget is not a concern, then it’s best to choose the enameled cast iron, known to be resilient but may also require structural reinforcements.

Electric Showers

Instantaneous showering day and night for the whole family. That’s the beauty of electric showers. They draw water directly from a cold water supply and heat it as it is used, so you don’t need to have a stored hot water supply. Because they are easy to install in main and en-suite bathrooms and dedicated shower rooms, electric showers are extremely versatile. In fact, virtually every home - new and old - can have one.

Mixer Showers

Mixer showers are easy to install and require no electrical connections*. They work by mixing together your hot and cold water to the desired temperature - ideal for homes with an ample supply of hot water. Mixer showers usually have a higher flow rate than electric showers, and with a host of models from which to choose - from contemporary minimalist to more classic styles - there is sure to be a mixer shower to suit all tastes and bathroom styles.
*Exception of Digital showers

Power Showers

As the name suggests, power showers produce a more impressive spray force than either electric or gravity-fed mixer showers. This is because water pressure is boosted by a pump that generates exceptionally powerful flow rates.