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How To Choose The Right Bathtub Material?  

Bathtub is an expensive feat. It’s easy to envision the perfect tub in the perfect shape, size and color, but many people tend to overlook the importance of choosing the perfect material. Exploring the wide variety of bathtub materials can be overwhelming. Being familiar with the options available as well as knowing your needs will not only make your tub hunt easier, but will ensure that you are selecting the perfect style for enhancing your bathing experience and meet your budget needs. Here are the pros and cons of a few common materials that will, hopefully, help you in choosing the best option for your bathroom.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is a kind of reinforced plastic which is formed into layers then molded into a bathtub shape before being coated with a layer of gelcoat resin.

Pros: At very affordable prices, fiberglass tubs are good for those on a tight budget. Due to the lightweight nature of the material used, they are also easy to maneuver around a house and install, plus, any damages can be easily be repaired.

Cons: Fiberglass is also perhaps the most brittle material on the market. Porous in nature, it absorbs water regularly and has a tendency to crack. Color and finish will also deteriorate over time due to the use of common cleaning equipment.The material also has a tendency to ‘flex’ causing it to warp and feel unstable.

Acrylic

Acrylic is formed by taking a solid sheet of combined materials such as petrochemicals, stabilizers, resins, fillers and appropriate dye which are then heated and molded into a bathtub shape then finally reinforced with fiberglass.

Pros: First and foremost, it is a non-porous material, unlike normal fiberglass and therefore will not absorb any excess water,which means it will stay glossy, never mold and is easy to fix. On top of which, it will also retain heat from the temperature of your water as well as repel any mildew or general bathroom stains. Besides, this kind of tub is of rich designs.

Cons: Acrylic is pricier compared to fiberglass, but it tends to scratch easily if it is cleaned too aggressively. Like Fiberglass, Acrylic tubs will also flex, which makes it less stable to stand on . Depends on the formula, most acrylic tubs will turn yellow with time going.

Stone Resin/Artificial stone

Stone resin is a material used to mimic the look of natural stone. These tubs generally have a more contemporary design, and are made of a high-quality composite material that has a hard surface. These tubs feature an integral drain and overflow system built into its walls, which makes installation a breeze and eliminates any exposed drain piping.

Pros: Like with most resin, color does not fade with repeated water use, the material is non-porous meaning it does not absorb water and retains water heat very well. It has an incredibly long lifespan, lasting for quite some time without the need of constant repair and when it needs to be discarded, stone resin is 100% recyclable. Stone resin is also viewed as a more luxurious bathtub material, not to mention the material itself is quite durable and able to withstand a heavy amount of punishment. Additionally, cleaning is simple and easy. Most stains and mildew will wash away with simple warm water while lightly abrasive substances such as Comet or Ajax can be used for more stubborn residues. Stone Resin is the best bathtub material overall for the price and quality.

Cons: While it may lie on the more expensive side of things compared to Acrylic or fiberglass, stone resin is able to withstand the test of time and will save you quite a bit of hassle down the road.

Cast Iron

Molten iron poured directly into a bathtub mould, before it is smoothed out then covered in a layer of porcelain enamel. This type of bathtub is a high-end option that is built to last.

Pros: Cast iron is perhaps the most durable tub on the market. With the strength of the material used, it is highly resistant to scratches and chipping, meaning less care needs to be placed on cleaning as well. Speaking of cleaning, most if not all mildew will wash off with just plain warm water and baking soda, and if something stronger is needed, light cleaning solutions such as Comet can be used, but very rarely are required. Also, cast iron bathtubs have the high heat retention, meaning your bathtub will keep warm for that much longer.

Cons: Durability also means weight. Cast Iron tubs are incredibly heavy, perhaps the heaviest of any tubs on the market currently. The result is that additional considerations must be made to your house and the support structure around the tub before installation. You are also looking at a hefty price, considering the materials involved and the additional work that goes into supporting the space around it. The porcelain on the surface are in fact quite slippery. Also, the designs for this type of tub is rather limited.

Wood

A custom made bathtub using a variety of different types of wood.

Pros: Aesthetically pleasing with a nice genuine, natural feel to it. Also, since wood is easy to work with, wooden bathtubs can be any shape or size depending on your tastes and does add a certain sense of luxury to your bath time.

Cons: Luxury does come at a heavy price though, as wood in regular contact with water means that your bathtub will not last very long compared to nearly all other bathtubs on the market. Additionally, special considerations must be made in your home to accommodate a wooden tub, such as space and framing. Cost is also a large part of why wooden bathtubs are perhaps not as popular. In addition to the initial cost of the bathtub, regular maintenance must be kept to ensure the longevity of your bathtub. Overuse will invariably wash away the resistant sealing, rotting the wood quicker, while underuse will dry out the wood, speeding up the rotting process. Overall, it is quite a hassle to own a wooden bathtub.

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How to Choose a Toilet

No bathroom is complete without a right toilet. You might think a toilet is a pretty standard fixture and doesn’t require much thought. But surprisingly, there are thousands of options when it comes to choosing a toilet for your bathroom. To keep you from going crazy, this quick guide should give you all the vital information and help you choose a high-performance toilet that will fit your bathroom, budget and backside.

Styles

  • Invisible concealed toilets

The cistern (or tank) is hidden inside the wall cavity, ceiling or under counter – leaving only the toilet pan to be seen. This style of toilet is very modern in design and takes up little space in your bathroom – perfect if you are working with a smaller bathroom.

  • Wall faced toilet suites

The back of the pan sits flush against the wall, meaning there are no gaps between the toilet and the wall at all. This is a solid unit and creates a bold look in your bathroom. Due to no gaps between the toilet and the wall, it is easier to clean.

  • One Piece

A “one-piece” toilet is actually six to ten individual pieces sculpted into a seamless unit which has both the tank and the bowl. The result is a sleek, hand-crafted toilet with no crevices between the tank and bowl to collect dirt and odors.One-piece toilets are easier to clean and install than two-piece toilets. One-piece toilets are typically found in modern, contemporary and eclectic bathrooms due to their sleek appearance.

  • Two Piece

A “two-piece” toilet has a separate bowl and tank which are bolted together. Depending on the model, you may be able to mix and match your bowl and tank. If you are interchanging your tank and bowl, make sure the tank securely lines up with your bowl’s bolt holes. Two-piece toilets work well with a variety of styles.

Waste set-out/trap way: S-trap or P-trap

After selecting your style of toilet, it is important to choose the correct pan option to suit your set-out and plumbing requirements. Normally, there are normally two trap versions of each pan model: S-trap, P-trap. Normally S tarp will be used in ground floor installations as piping can be done below ground level. Normally P trap will be installed in top floors because installation of pipe line under the toilet will be difficult.

If your house is in ground level S- trap is suggested for your toilet because it is easy to connect the trap to the ground level. If the house is in upper level from the ground like if your house is in first floor or above that you can choose P-trap because it is connected to the wall. Hence, the trap can be selected according to the level of the bathroom from the ground level.

Siphonic or Wash Down?

·Siphonic

In a siphonic action toilet, the trap way fills with water during the flush which initiates a siphonic action which ‘pulls’ material out of the bowl while the water entering the bowl from the tank through the jet and the rim ‘pushes’ material out. This simultaneous pushing and pulling completely evacuates the bowl during every flush.

·Wash Down

In a wash down action toilet, the water from the tank pours into the bowl and washes the material down the outlet. It is a “pushing” action only, and does not evacuate the bowl. These toilets have small (4″ x 5″) water surface areas in the bowls that are deep down in the bowl. This is the type of toilet most commonly found in homes.

Most US toilets are siphonic; many European toilets are wash down. Most toilets in Greater China are siphonic while many other countries in Asia Pacific are wash down.

Flushing system/water conservation

There are two types in flushing mechanism single flush and dual flush. Some toilets have single flushing mechanism and some have dual flushing mechanism. Single flush utilizes more water at single use. Always its better to choose dual flush toilet while buying. The advantage of using dual flushing mechanism is it saves water when compared to single flush models. Also in flushing mechanism you can choose internal flushing tank which is called as Concealed tank. Orton offers dual flush toilets which uses 3 litres of water for half flush and 6 litres for full flush. This equates to approximately 26,280 litres of water saved in a year for a family of 4.

Cleanliness

Orton Toilet is treated with an ultra-smooth glaze with antimicrobial properties which is applied on top of the conventional glaze and fired-in to the insides of the bowl. It gives the toilet a super smooth finish to which it stays cleaner because dirt has a harder time clinging to it. It also stays cleaner because it inhibits the growth of stain and odour causing bacteria, mould, and mildew on the surface.

Decide on Round Bowl or Elongated one

Round front toilets are compact to fit in small spaces. Elongated toilets have extra room in the front for added comfort. The spherical shape of a round bowl takes up little space, making it a good solution for a small bathroom.

For a larger bathroom, consider an elongated bowl for maximum comfort and style. An elongated bowl is longer than the round bowl, taking on an oval appearance.

Seat Height

Many people find that a taller bowl is more comfortable. Orton offers “Right Height” bowl options for most models. These have a height of between 400-430mm from the floor to the toilet seat, and is based on the ergonomic height of a chair which is between 350mm – 510mm, making it easier to get on and off the toilet, especially for the elderly, pregnant and disabled.

Size& Rough in

Toilets come in various sizes, so check the width, depth, and height of your available space. For a standard toilet, the rough-in measurement should be between 11 inches and 13 inches. Most toilets bolt to the floor 12″ from the wall (not counting baseboard). This is the so-called “rough-in” dimension. When selecting a toilet, start by measuring your toilet’s rough-in. You’ll want to measure from wall to bolt-cap, not from molding to bolt-cap.

Quality Assurance 

Orton toilets are fully tested to ensure superior quality and lasting performance. This includes actually flush testing each bowl at the plant before it is put into the box. Each component must comply with Orton’s strict standards.