Home bathroom suite recommendations

[Paynewright]

Being a van forum hopefully some plumbers amoung our community or some avid DIYers!

Recently discovered a crack in the acrylic bath in the family bathroom. Its not leaking but has increased its priority on the job list.

My main question is.... Are there any brands of toilets/sinks/baths that you prefer to fit as they install nicely, seal well when assembled and cause minimal revisits.

An example - we live on an early 2000’s estate and the builders used Ideal Standard. Couple of weeks ago fitted a new toilet fill valve for our neighbour. Because of the shape of the floor of the cistern, the fill valve touched the side of the tank before the seal was water tight so ended up using silicon to seal it (like the builders had done). It may have been a one that slipped through quality control as ours have all been fine. This is the type of thing I mean.

Any brands / suppliers recommended, any to avoid?

We’re still at the design stage as there is currently a lot of deep boxing in on the window sill which is wasted space. Possibly having concealed cistern. Also putting a pumped shower over the bath so need a water tight shower screen (never been a big fan of them!)

Any help or suggestions greatly appreciated.

Regards
Ian

 

[T6Paul]

I personally like Ideal standard, Bristan taps and Mira showers

 

[Minimucks]

As above Mira showers as mid range. Grohe or aqualisa for the next step up.
I would go for a single hinge screen 6mm minimum. The more pivots you have the more exit points for water to get out.
Sanitary ware Ideal standard, twyfords or Roca are all decent mid range. Dare I say it even bathstore are not bad value for money. Duravit is also a good option.

I personally always fit steel baths if poss but acrylic ones can offer much more internal shape designs/ tap position options.
MDF/ resin or tiled bath bath panels give a better quality finish.

Generally avoid better bathrooms/victoria plumbing unless you know the brand or product your buying.

I've been plumbing for 20 years and specialising in wet-rooms for 15. I refuse to fit products from the above if a customer wants to supply, because they take twice as long to fit and bring nothing but problems a few months down the line.(and pretty rubbish quality).

By all means share any items your interested in and we can give an honest opinion on quality.

 

[Westy78]

I fitted aqua/multi panels instead of tiling as I was fed up with trying to clean the grout. Really happy with the panels and you can do just round the bath or whole room to suit. Ideal standard sanitary ware is good quality and you can get a pan/cistern with soft close seat from Screwfix for about £100.

 

[ThreeBridgeT6]

Just plan well if you're going concealed. The number of bathrooms I've had to take apart because the fitter didn't consider future failures is considerable. I once had to cut out tiles including the plasterboard behind to get to a leak from a concealed cistern. The only aperture in the wall was the 50mm diameter hole for the flush button. How the hell anyone is supposed to change a flush valve diaphragm or a fill valve, let alone deal with the leak from the flush pipe that was pouring water through the ceiling of the room below?But the monkey that installed it had at least fitted an isolation valve as required by regs.... behind the wall! Most modern concealed cisterns have access panels that double as large flush plates, and components that can all be dismantled and replaced through this slot. (Reminds me of the gag about the gynaecologist who redecorated his hall through the letterbox....)

 

[rover220]

used rak ceramics for toilets a couple of times. seem to be nicely made at sensible money.

 

[raresunbeau1981]

I hate bathrooms like this with the giant window. No space for a mirror, and it's always cluttered. Besides, it's almost impossible to use a shower curtain there.

 

[RobertO2023]

That’s a big bathroom for a Transporter

 

[oldiebut goodie]

Taps fingers waiting for the spam link.........

 

[EAN]

I’ve fitted a couple of Carronite baths and they’ve been rock solid and well made.

 

[Paynewright]

Finished job…

 

[Ricardo T]

Finished job…View attachment 261930

Surprised you didn’t go for a shower curtain?

 

[RobertO2023]

I just fell asleep - boring zzzz Try DIY Disaster

 

[BuilderJay]

Finished job…View attachment 261930

Looks nice!
Like me doing jobs in my house, your the same.
Only took you 4.5 years nearly lol.

 

[dubber36]

Nice job, but, but my architects eye has got me twitching. If I told you that you haven't set the tiles out so they are symmetrical either side of the window opening, you won't un-see it, so I'll keep quiet.

 

[jimc91]

Looks nice!
Like me doing jobs in my house, your the same.
Only took you 4.5 years nearly lol.

 

[Paynewright]

Nice job, but, but my architects eye has got me twitching. If I told you that you haven't set the tiles out so they are symmetrical either side of the window opening, you won't un-see it, so I'll keep quiet.

Theyre aligned to the walls each side one or the other is going to affect my OCD!

PS - it has been finished a while but it did take me a year. Not easy when you work full time and SWMBO keeps organising social events at weekends!

 

[kimmidennen]

Man, those installs can be a pain sometimes.

 

[kimmidennen]

Man, those installs can be a pain sometimes. Personally, I’ve had good experiences with Ideal Standard stuff, and I found some Bathroom Taps that are pretty reliable—no fuss, and they don’t end up causing issues later. With baths, I’d say steel’s the way to go if you want it to last, but acrylic’s not bad if you’re looking for more options with shapes and where to stick the taps.

 

[TeeCeeJay]

@oldiebut goodie and there it is..