1. Bathroom product durability
Not all bathroom products are created equal in terms of quality and durability. Bathroom products are made from an extensive variety of materials and as such range widely in their durability. One of the factors to consider when examining the durability of bathroom products includes the length of the warranty and what is covered under it - the longer the warranty the more faith the bathroom manufacturer is likely to have in their own product. Another factor is how scratch resistant the material is - some bathroom manufacturers guarantee their bathroom product will not scratch and this is important for the aesthetic appeal of the bathroom and the longevity of the bathroom product. Waterproof or water safe material is another important factor to consider - there is no use selecting bathroom products which will warp, expand or disintegrate when they come into contact with water. Ask the sales assistant for information on the materials used and its durability before making your decision.
2. Functionality within the bathroom
It's no good buying bathroom products if they don't suit the space available, provide enough bathroom storage, are not suitable for all users and increase the amount of cleaning you will have to do. Depending on the bathroom space available you can select bathroom products which either maximise small bathroom spaces efficiently or enhance larger bathroom spaces. Make sure you have an accurate bathroom floor plan to work with to ensure your decisions are made on exact measurements and not approximations.
Bathroom storage is often overlooked but is a vital component of any bathroom. Think about what you will need to store i.e. towels, toiletries, hairdryers/straightners, cleaning products etc. Then look at what options you have to store them in i.e. towel racks, mirror cabinets, vanities, linen cupboards etc and work out which are your best options based on the bathroom space available. Another factor to consider with bathroom storage is draws versus doors on bathroom cabinets and furniture. Draws can provide easier access as you don't have to reach past toiletries to get to the back of the shelf. If you do select doors on bathroom cabinets/furniture though make sure the position you put it in allows you to open the door properly.
Keep in mind it may not be just you who is using the bathroom, if you have small children or someone with limited physical ability the bathroom products you select may make it easier or harder for them to use the bathroom facilities.
The bathroom products you select can either increase or decrease the amount of cleaning you will have to do in order to keep the bathroom clean. For example if you install a back to wall toilet suite you don't have to worry about all the dust and dirt that accumulates at the back with link toilet suites, better still install an in-wall bathroom cistern and you will only have to clean the toilet pan.
There are numerous ways you can ensure your bathroom products provide the best functionality for your bathroom needs. It is important to remember that if your bathroom is not functional it will soon become a nuisance.
3. Water efficiency within the bathroom
Bathroom products such as toilets, bidets, tapware and showerheads are legally required to have a WELS rating. This allows you to compare the water efficiency of different bathroom products. By selecting the most water efficient bathroom products you can save money on water and electricity bills and help the environment. For example:
- An old-style single-flush bathroom toilet could use up to 12 litres of water per flush. A standard dual flush bathroom toilet uses only three litres on a half-flush and six litres on a full flush, which equates to a 3 Star WELS rating.
- A standard bathroom showerhead may use up to 25 litres of water per minute. A water-efficient showerhead might use as little as nine litres per minute, which equates to a 3 Star WELS rating.
The WELS rating system is similar to the energy rating labelling, with six stars. The more stars the better the bathroom product is, making it easier for you to select water efficient bathroom products.
4. Comfort within the bathroom
It's all well and good to have great looking bathroom products, but what if they don't feel good?
When selecting bathroom products try them out before you buy. Lye down in the bath or spa - can you stretch out, does it give you ample space on the sides? Sit on the toilet - is the seat, width and height comfortable? Bend over the vanity cabinet and basin - is the height suitable? Test the taps - are they easy to turn on and off? You may discover in the process that the bathroom products you were planning on buying aren't as comfortable as they first appeared - thus saving you a lot of money and heartache in the future.
5. Ordering bathroom products
Ensure all of the bathroom products you've selected are currently available and in stock and, if possible, order them ahead of time, so they're ready to go. Bathroom products can take anywhere between 4 to 14 weeks before they are ready, so it is important to order ahead so it does not delay your bathroom being completed.
For more information on bathroom trends, design and product visit Cass Brothers Fine Bathroom ware.