What should my new bath be made of? Acrylic or Steel?

We often get asked what is the best material for a bath to be made of. Here we look at the two main types of material for a bathtub, Acrylic and Steel. This will hopefully help you decide which is the best choice for you.

The bathroom industry has moved on in leaps and bounds when it comes to the old bath in front of the stove every Sunday! Nowadays there is a plethora of baths available, from luxury freestanding baths to whirlpool tubs.  But choosing which one is right for you and your family isn’t so easy. You need to consider the style of bathtub, the design and the size as well as the material the tub is made from.

So what materials are baths made from?

Most contemporary baths are made from one of just two main materials:

• Acrylic which is a synthetic plastic material
• Steel which is a hardwearing metal alloy

However, in your search for a new bath you can also find baths made from cast iron, stone, tin, copper and nickel.  Before making your choice, let’s have a look at the two most popular baths acrylic and steel.

What are the benefits of an acrylic bath?

Cheaper

Acrylic baths are the number one choice in the modern bathroom. They cost less than a steel bath to manufacture so they are cheaper than a steel bath.

Strong and durable

An acrylic bath is just as strong as a steel bath, usually being reinforced with glass fibre. No longer do acrylic baths suffer from flexibility, modern manufacturing methods resolved this some time ago. If you want a bath that is strong and durable at a budget price then an acrylic bath is the right choice for you.  The material is also highly resistant to staining and scratches so it’s a great option for a busy family bathroom.

Feels warm

One added benefit which you may not think of is that an acrylic bath feels so much warmer to the touch than a steel bath.

What are the benefits of a bath made from steel?

Whilst not as popular as the acrylic bath, steel baths are our next best seller and benefit from a number of key points.

Retain warmth

So, a steel bath may not be a warm to touch as an acrylic bath but it will retain heat for longer. Great if you like a very long soak in the bath.

Designer look

Steel is a more traditional material and can add that designer look you may long for. They also feel more solid because of the nature of the material. There are some gorgeous baths made from steel with clean lines and stylish appearance.

Coated in enamel

To achieve a crisp white finish a steel bath is coated with enamel. While this gives your new steel bath a great aesthetic the bath may chip or scratch a little more easily, this just means you have to be a little more careful. With care a steel bath will last for years.

Green credentials

Steel can be recycled, so when the time comes for you to replace your steel bath you can still do your bit to save the planet.

Let’s recap…

Acrylic baths

• Cheaper, lower priced
• Hardwearing and resistant to stains and scratches
• Warm to touch
• Great choice in sizes and shapes
• Brilliant for families and everyday use

Steel baths

• Great designer options
• Good for careful owners
• Strong solid construction
• Bright white enamel coating
• Retains heat

Some further questions and answers

Are metal baths better than acrylic?

Both options have advantages and the choice is down to your own personal requirements.  For example: if you have a family and the bath is going to be used by everyone every day then acrylic will not scratch or stain as much as a steel bath.

What is the best material for a bath?

Acrylic is the most popular material for a bath because of its hardwearing properties and because it is usually at a lower price than a steel bath. However again this is down to your personal choice and your lifestyle, a steel bath may offer a more stylish look to complement your bathroom.

Will an acrylic bath stain or go yellow?

A good quality acrylic bathtub will not stain or go yellow, they are also resistant to scratches so ideal to use daily.

Which bath is easier to care for and maintain?

Acrylic is a tougher material and is more resistant to scratches and stains but both steel and acrylic are relatively easy to care for. Regular washing with a non-abrasive cleaner and sponge will keep them in great condition.

Shop baths

You’ll find a great range of quality acrylic and steel baths at UK Bathrooms, baths to suit all budgets and personal requirements.

For standard bath size information check out our blog.

Choosing the best radiator can be somewhat daunting for many of us. UK Bathrooms have put together this little buying guide to help you decide which radiator you need.

We all like to be warm and cosy in our homes, no matter which room or space we spend time in – and one thing that we need to get right is the heating. Room temperature settings are very much a personal choice – according to the World Health Organisation 18 degrees is the comfortable setting for healthy adults! A little cool perhaps for some!

This simple guide looks at the best brands, designs, colours, functions, styles etc so that you can easily find the best radiator for any of the rooms in your home, whatever their size and shape!

There is a plethora of radiators available which as I say can be somewhat daunting but the good news is this massive choice means if you get it right you’ll end up with the best radiator for your home. Consider best type of fuel, location for your new radiator, heat output required for the space, finish and style.

One of the first questions you should ask is where is the radiator going, which room and where inside the room.

Best radiator for your living room

Your living room/lounge is the room where you most want to be warm, cosy and be able to relax and feel comfortable. It may well be one of the rooms where you need a radiator to fit in with your décor and style more. As your living room is usually one of the larger rooms in your house you’ll need to consider BTU Rating of suitable radiators, 5000 or higher being the most favoured. When narrowing down the choice think about your style, traditional or contemporary? Traditional column radiators look amazing in a more traditional setting and vertical flat panels look great in a contemporary styled room. Check out the Zehnder Charleston Horizontal Column Radiator for that more traditional look or the Apollo Milano Horizontal Flat Panel Radiator for a more contemporary style.

Best radiator for your bedroom

A small – medium sized bedroom will need a radiator with a BTU rating of 1000-3000, larger bedrooms will need more. Radiator designs can be matched to your style easily. Opt for a designer radiator from leading brand Bisque. Arteplano is a real eye-catcher and a work of art. Available in a copper or brass finish this ultra-modern minimalist wall hung radiator is available in 3 sizes with a BTU of up to 3548.

Best radiator for your bathroom

Heated towel rails are by far our biggest sellers for bathroom heating.  And again there is a great choice of these available on our website. One of the biggest mistakes people make is to not check the heat output of their towel radiator. Believing this will be good enough to heat the room. Check your BTU rating to make sure the heat output is sufficient. Or include underfloor heating in your bathroom makeover and so only using your heated towel warmer to do what it says on the tin!

What radiator fuel type should I opt for?

When you have decided where your radiator is to be located in your home and what style of radiator you want then you need to think about what is the best radiator fuel type. Central heating radiators use water heated by the central heating system. Electric radiators obviously need an electrical feed and you can also buy dual fuel radiators which use both. Especially useful in the summer months when your central heating may be switched off but still need to dry towels.

Heat output and BTU rating

Usually the bigger the radiator the higher the BTU rating. Meaning that the larger radiators give more heat output. If the BTU rating is high enough to heat the room you can be more flexible on where you actually position your new radiator. As a rule the best place would be in a central location so that heat is more evenly distributed.

What are the best radiator brands?

When it comes to radiator brands then UK Bathrooms offers the best of the best. With leading radiator brands such as Zehnder Bisque, SBH, JIS or Apollo. All are renowned names within the radiator industry. Many of the leading bathroom brands also produce great radiators that can be used in rooms other than the bathroom too. Burlington, Crosswater and Abacus included. UK Bathrooms have our own Essentials range of radiators at great prices.

Best colour for radiators

If you intend for your radiator to be part of your room design and style then the colour and finish is going to be important. Nowadays there is a vast choice in radiator colours. Some brands such as Zehnder offer a personalised colour service where you can match the colour of your radiator perfectly to your colour scheme. Popular with customers are the moment are the coloured radiators in brushed brass, gold, pink and blue finishes.

Buy the best radiator you can afford. It needs to last and to perform as well as look good!

Bathroom mirror cabinets are one of the most popular and best selling bathroom essentials and it is easy to understand why: in a bathroom, sufficient storage and a useful mirror are vital and this component combines these uses. In addition to being practical, they are also design statements in themselves – the mirror draws the eye and they become the focal point of the room.

A good choice of cabinet can really bring a room style and layout together, so it’s important to choose the right one for your needs. There are hundreds of attractive bathroom mirror cabinets available on our site, so here are some points to consider when selecting the perfect choice for your bathroom.

Cabinet size

The size of the cabinet may well be dictated by the dimensions and arrangement of your bathroom, but if you have the space for a larger unit then it is generally never a bad idea to have plenty of storage. This is especially true if it is a family bathroom. If the cabinet is to be wall mounted, ensure that the cabinet is not too wide, or too close to an adjacent wall or shower screen, which could impede the opening of its doors.

Tavistock Detail Mirror Cabinet

Illuminated mirror cabinets

Mirrors reflect light, so a bathroom mirror cabinet will brighten up the room and give the impression of a larger space. But extra electrical light is usually always an essential for a bathroom, so many of our mirrored cabinets also have built in illumination. Indispensable for close up mirror use, such as shaving, make up or any personal grooming, the light can be focused by means of spotlight style downlighters or a more diffuse LED strip type.

Crosswater (Bauhaus) Allure Mirror Cabinet

These need to be installed by a qualified electrician, but having all that incredibly convenient light exactly where it is most needed is certainly worth it. Some units also have useful internal lights and down lights underneath the cabinet which light up the sink area.

Crosswater Allure 500 Mirror Cabinet

Shaver sockets

The average man spends just over an hour a week shaving – a task which is made easier when everything needed is kept together in one place. Illuminated bathroom mirror cabinets require wiring into the mains, so very often have a built in shaver socket for additional functionality. Crosswater and VitrA both have a good choice of modern stylish illuminated bathroom mirror cabinets with shaver sockets.

Crosswater Allure 500 Mirror Cabinet

Anti-mist mirror cabinets

Some bathroom mirror cabinets have an integrated heating component which will clear condensation from the surface of the mirror when needed – yet another helpful feature to make busy mornings easier. We recommend the brand Crosswater for cabinets with this extra function.

Space saving cabinets

There is a range of options to suit all bathrooms if space is tight, such as single slimline cabinets which are reduced in depth as well as width, corner cabinets, ones with sliding doors and inset units, recessed into the wall.

Roper Rhodes Ascension Refine Slimline Split Door Cabinet

A recessed or semi-recessed cabinet can provide adequate internal storage space and wonderful lighting, and yet give a streamlined, contemporary and spacious feel to the bathroom.

Keuco Royal Lumos Recessed Mirror Cabinet

Mirror cabinet design styles

Mirrored bathroom cabinets can be either traditional or contemporary forms, designed to reflect and complement your chosen bathroom style. Some of our recommended quality brands for classical style cabinets are Bayswater, Imperial and Burlington.

Burlington Fitted Furniture 60cm 2 Door Mirror Cabinet

The addition of LED lighting strips enhance the modern look and open up design options, so many cabinets with illumination offer cutting edge shapes. Look out for contemporary features such as frameless doors, curved cabinet corners, LED light inset patterns, dimmer functions and light tone variability.

Vitra Sento Double Door Illuminated Mirror Cabinet

Both vintage and ultra-modern style cabinets can showcase modern colours and materials so they can blend seamlessly with any overall scheme. White is a timeless choice, whereas wood veneers and strong colours are en vogue and many brands offer several different attractive surface finishes. We are also seeing reinvented classical tones becoming highly sought after for cabinets, such as deep navy blues, petrol blues and a range of greys.

Bayswater 1050 Double Door Mirror Cabinet

Burlington Bathrooms are one of UK’s leading brand names for Victorian style bathroom furniture, WC’s, basins and much more! Burlington’s Fitted Furniture collection offers a customisable bathroom furniture suite combination that is suitable for almost any bathroom!

Mix and match wall and floor units to build a combination of units that is ideal for your bathroom needs, pair this with Burlington basins, a Burlington WC and Burlington taps and your entire bathroom suite is compete!

This stunning fitted furniture creates a wide range of combination possibilities, in addition to the choice of units and cupboards there are 4 elegant colour options: Matt white, Grey, Sand or Olive, further broadening the design possibilities of the collection!

Burlington Fitted Furniture from UK Bathrooms

Take the lovely image above for example, this Burlington Fitted Furniture bathroom suite combination can be achieved by combining the following products:

1. Burlington Fitted Furniture 60cm 2 Door Mirror Cabinet
2. Burlington Fitted Furniture 60cm 2 Door Cabinet
3. Burlington Fitted Furniture 30cm 1 Door Wall Unit
4. Burlington Fitted Furniture 60cm Basin Unit
5. Burlington Taps & Mixers
6. Burlington Victorian Semi Recessed Basin
7. Burlington Fitted Furniture Wall Hung WC Unit
8. Burlington Wall Hung Pan
9. Burlington Fitted Furniture 30cm 1 Door Unit
10. Burlington Fitted Furniture Minerva Worktop

Don’t forget your Burlington worktop which comes in lengths of 1200mm, these comes in 3 stocked colours and a wide range of other special finishes that are made to order, simply get in touch with our sales team for more information and a quote, special finishes include Copper fleck, Sparkling white and other innovative finish options.

The Minerva care kit is a great additional purchase as this can be used to buff out any scratches and grazes on the worktop in the future, keeping it looking as good as new. Browse our Burlington Fitted Furniture or contact our team to discuss your new Burlington bathroom suite today!

Tel. 01765 694 720

[email protected]

Maybe you have already noticed the days are getting a little shorter, and temperature has started to drop. Of course, this means the winter is coming! It’s time to make sure you have your bathroom radiator installed for those cold days. This is a basic guide to help you decide what towel rail would work the best in your bathroom.

Before looking further, here are some questions you should be considered first:

Function:

Towel Warmer

Bauhaus Svelte Towel Warmer

Looking for something just to warm the towels only? Towel warmers only warm towels, it delivers lower output.

Towel Drying Radiator

Bisque Orbit Electric Towel Radiator

For those would like to warm towel and heat up the room.

Type of heating:

Are you going to connect the towel rail to the central heating system or you will just use a heater element?

Central Heating Towel rails

You can simply plumb your new towel rail into your existing central heating system, controlling flow with a pair of existing or new radiator valves. However, you can only use it when the central heating is on.

Electrically heated rails

This is usually suited to flats or high-rise buildings, where the pressure required for central heating may be tricky to achieve – or in the room that only have an electrical spur connection. Such as in a converted loft or an extension.

Dual Fuel 

This allows you to heat the towel rail in the summer months by switching to electrical heat and heat in the colder months by your central heating.

Where is the best location to install my towel rails?

Bauhaus Essence Curved Flat Panel Towel Warmer

Ideally, the towel rails should locate on the coldest wall of the room, as this will ensure the heat is distributed throughout the room effectively. This would normally be the external wall.

Then, you need to consider the space and the shape of your bathroom, where is your existing pipework, and where are your bath and shower going to be located? You’ll want to get out of the shower and the bath, with an easy reach to your warm and cosy towel.

Make sure the towel rail will heat up your bathroom

Every bathroom is different, there are various requirements when it comes to getting them to an optimum temperature. Firstly, working out the usage, what type of bathroom that you are planning to install? A small ensuite, cloakroom or a big family bathroom? Use this calculator to work out what the BTU is (British Thermal Unit) for your room. Then, you can find the towel rail that is effective enough for your room.  You can usually find the towel rail’s BTU in product description or specifications.

Alternatively, calculate the heat requirement of the bathroom in Watts. Check with your heating engineer for the exact requirement. As a rough guide for initial sizing allows 50 Watts per cubic metre of the room. To convert the Watts into BTU/HR multiply 3.412.

Not every single tap and shower will suit your bathroom, therefore,  it is advisable to check the water pressure your home has first to identify the suitable taps and showers. In this simple guide, we will go through the common water system that the majority of British households will have in their home.

Crosswater Essence Basin Mixer Tap

What is water pressure?

Water pressure is measured in bars and we use water pressure to define the flow strength of water through a pipe.  Different taps or showers will require various water ratings, consequently, this is the reason why we need to understand the water pressure of the house before buying the tap or shower.

Types of Water System

Gravity System

1. You can normally find the gravity system in an older house.
2. You can find a cold water tank in the loft and a hot water cylinder.
3. The gravity system is typically considered as low pressure.
4. You should be looking at taps and showers operating with minimum 0.2 bar

Pump Assisted: Fit a pump on top of the gravity system

Alternately, you can add a pump to boost the flow rate. Then, you will be able to fit any taps or shower you like.

Combination (combi) boiler

1. The boiler is normally installed in the kitchen, it heats water on demand.
2. Generally, on the front, a reading is available to show you the water pressure.
3. The combination boiler is considered as medium-high pressure.

Unvented system

1. The unvented system is commonly referred by the brand “megaflo”. It is often fitted in newer or refurbished properties
2. The hot water cylinder can be located anywhere, but normally can be found in airing cupboards or garages.
3. The invented system is considered as high pressure, you can generally choose whichever fitting you like.

If you are still not too sure what water pressure you have, the best way is always to get your plumber to provide you with the accurate figure.

When you are looking taps or showers on UK Bathrooms website, the specifications section will show you the required pressure to operate.

With so many types of toilets, so many options, it could be pretty confusing when you are buying a toilet. Therefore, here is a simple toilet buying guide that will go through different types of toilets to give you a bit more direction.

Before you start

Have a good idea of your plumbing before you choose your new toilet. Especially the connection between your soil pipe and spigot. If your soil pipe and spigot are different heights, use a flexible pan connector to join them!

Note: The spigot is the spherical pipe at the end of your toilet pan that joins it to the soil pipe. All British toilets include spigots that are parallel to the floor. Depending on the toilet, this can either be connected to the soil pipe vertically or to the left or right.

Types of Toilets

A toilet is definitely essential for any bathroom, no matter it is big or small. Fortunately, nowadays a toilet can look stylish and be a design statement for your bathroom as well as perform their functional purpose.

Close Coupled Toilets

Vitra Essentials S50 Comfort Raised Height Toilet

These type of toilets comes with a cistern that fits on top of the pan. It usually has a dual flush button on the top, or you can choose to go with a lever handle. UK Bathrooms also offer options where you can adjust the flow of water. The main benefits of close coupled toilets are that it is normally much affordable and easier to install compared to other types of toilets.

Low-Level Toilets

Burlington Slimline Low-Level WC (440mm)

The cistern is mounted on the wall and connected to the pan via an exposed metal flush pipe. If you are creating a traditional or Victorian style bathroom, this will be your top choice.  Burlington Bathrooms and Imperial Bathrooms offer a wide range of traditional style toilets. In addition, you can choose the toilet seat colour to match your bathroom colour scheme.

High-Level Toilets

Imperial Radcliffe High-Level WC

High-Level toilets are similar to low-level toilets, but with the cistern sitting high up on the wall and with a very long exposed metal flush pipe. You can achieve an iconic periodic look effortlessly with high-level toilets. Furthermore, we offer matching basin and furniture pieces for your high-level toilets.

Wall Hung Toilets

Bauhaus Pier Short Projection Wall Hung Toilet

Wall hung toilets are a clever creation which is efficient to install. They help you get a clean and clutter free bathroom space. It doesn’t touch the floor, therefore, it gives the illusion of more space. This also makes your cleaning process much easier.  A wall hung toilet requires a wall mounting frame. This can deliver the best comfort as it allows you to hang the pan at your desired height (within reason). There is no worry of aftercare, as you can reach the cistern through the flush plate after the toilet is installed.

Back to Wall Toilets

Britton Cube Floor Standing Toilet

Back to wall toilets are visually minimal and modern. This type of toilets is a standard toilet pan that stands on the floor, with a hidden cistern in the wall or furniture unit. They are a great compromise for those who may not be able to install a wall hung pan, but still prefer the invisible cistern.

Shower Toilets

Geberit Aquaclean Mera Comfort Shower Toilet

Freshness and comfort. With the developing of technology, the clever, innovative shower toilets are created! With a refreshing shower spray, shower toilets deliver the best hygiene for your personal care. From start to finish without the need of toilet paper, you can experience the pure cleanness of water that refreshes you.

A bathtub is an important investment to consider when planning your new bathroom. As a bath is one of the primary elements of the bathroom, it can also be the centrepiece and focal point when you are entering your bathroom. In this guide, we will provide you with some ideas to help you choose the perfect bath.

Arcade Albany Natural Stone Free Standing Bath

Before selecting the bath you like…

Make sure you have already measured the size of your bathroom and work out the shape of you’re the space the bath will be in. This will help you to find the perfect tub that fit well in your bathroom design.

For more information about how to measure your bathroom, read more here.

Types of Baths

A bath is not only simply somewhere to have a wash, it also creates a stylish statement for your bathroom.  You can find a wide range of baths at UK Bathrooms.

Single Ended inset Baths

ClearGreen Sustain Contemporary Single Ended Bath

This style of the bath is usually created for a single person. The taps and shower valve can be fitted to the wall directly. Single-ended baths can also be used as shower baths and often have the taps and waste at one short end.

Double Ended inset Baths

V&B Loop & Friends Oval Bath

Both ends of the bath have a gentle slope. The largest sizes can accommodate two. The waste and taps are normally in the centre along the long side or fitted to the wall. You can also choose a freestanding bath tap to go with it.

Freestanding Baths

Clearwater Romano Grande Natural Stone Bath

Inspired by traditional style cast iron tubs, a freestanding bath is a good option when you are creating a classic, luxury bathroom. At UK Bathrooms you can find a freestanding bath from a traditional Victorian style through to a minimalist look for a contemporary bathroom design.

Shower Baths

Carron Status Offset Corner Showerbath

If you don’t have sufficient space in your bathroom, a shower bath is a clever space-saver.

Whirlpool & Spa Baths

Phoenix Figura Amanzonite Bath

Hydrotherapy has been known to deliver substantial health benefits directing to a progressed quality life. After a long hard day, getting home and enjoying a relaxing massage, it doesn’t get much better than this!

Easy Access Bath

Bathe Easy Style Shower Bath

Having difficulty raising your legs to get into the bath? This is the best solution for you!
Providing an easy access function to bathe and relax in comfort, the bath is fitted with a low-level door for you to enter the bath. Accessible products can look stylish and beautiful, too.

Before you start to plan your dream bathroom, one of the most important things is to get the size of the room right! This is a simple bathroom measurement guide for you to measure your correct bathroom size.

Preparation

Prepare a piece of paper (if you have the graph paper is even better), a pen and most importantly a tape measure or a laser measuring tool.

Taking the Measurement

1. Indicate where your door and window(s) are.
2. Measure the door or window(s) from one outside edge of the trim to the other outside edge.
3. Double check your measurements by measuring the entire wall length from wall to wall and comparing it to your individual measurements.
   For example AB+BC+CD=AD or AE+EF+FG=AG

Things to consider

Ceiling Height

If you’re wishing to sneak a bathroom into that area under the stairs or fit one into loft area, you need to make sure you check the ceiling height.

Matki Boutique Corner Walk-in Shower Enclosure

You should be especially aware of the area that you are intending to place a shower enclosure! You will need to bear in mind that if your enclosure is going to sit on a tray your 2-meter enclosure might be a lot taller on your chosen tray. We do offer shorter models and slim trays, just get in touch with our sales team for advice! Furthermore, make sure the awkward space has been taken note of and marked up in the plan.

Door position

Remember to note whether your door goes inward or outward! This will be affecting your space planning process.

Imperial Carlyon Thurlestone Offset Cloakroom Vanity Unit

We will keep publishing more guides and tips to help you plan your dream bathroom! Stay tuned!