The 12 Steps of Self-build: Bathrooms

ABOVE: CP Hart’s bespoke wetrooms can be made to any size or specification by using a patented waterproof membrane, cphart.co.uk.

Bathroom Trends

Like the modern kitchen, the bathroom has undergone some significant changes over the past few years. Coloured bathroom suites are no longer available (having been everywhere in the 1980s) but that doesn’t mean everything has to be white, as glass and metals have come into their own. Baths with shower attachments have tended to be replaced by standalone showers, and now the trend is for wetrooms replacing dedicated shower cubicles. Heated towel rails are now seen as standard where once they were a luxury. And perhaps, most striking of all, is the rise and rise of the en suite bathroom.

The question you have to ask yourself is, how far along do you with these trends?

Wetrooms

With their absence of clutter, they look undeniably cool. But they are not universally loved. They can be quite complex to construct, requiring good waterproofing membranes on the walls and floors surrounding the shower, and the floor itself needs to be profiled to a fall around the drain. Also, the floor usually remains wet for some time after use, which can be very annoying for people using the bathroom.

Showers

People now expect good powerful showers and will be very disappointed with anything less. Behind this has been a trend towards using mains pressure hot water plumbing systems, which are capable of delivering showers at around 20L/minute. However, the actual water use is also determined by the choice of shower head, and the current trend is towards using aerated showers, which give the sensation of a power shower whilst using much less water. This in turn saves significant amounts of water and energy.

En Suites

It is interesting to note that, on the Continent, the single family bathroom still holds sway. The en suite seems to be an American import. There is no requirement to have more than one bathroom in a house: it is purely a matter of personal choice. Bathrooms, just like kitchens, are relatively expensive to fit. Not only do they require all the sanitaryware, but they involve extra plumbing runs, floor and wall finishes, specialised lighting and ventilation, and heated towel rails.

The Best Basins

Wash your hands in nothing but the best, with H&Rs pick of vessels

ABOVE: 1. Aquaplus Solutions’ Lilac basin, from £300; 2. Bauhaus’ Tenerife basin, £180; 3. William Garvey’s Helio teak basin, from £685; 4. Fired Earth’s Corinthian stone bowl, £778.09. Visit the Homebuilding Directory for bathrooms, sanitaryware and bathroom accessories.

How to Buy and Fit

A key issue for self-builders is to decide just where and how to buy their kitchen and bathroom. There are different supply routes and they bring their own advantages and problems. The key options are:

Buy fixtures and arrange your own fitting: Probably the cheapest route (depending on what fixtures you choose to buy) but you end up being responsible for snags and for coordinating plumbers, electricians and tillers around the fitting itself. Fitting kitchens and bathrooms is not usually that difficult and well within the capabilities of a keen DIYer. You may also have to buy from a number of sources.

Use your builder to supply and fix: Builders have access to (and large discounts at) merchant suppliers. If a main contractor takes on your kitchen and bathroom fitting, then they will be responsible for everything, and for the snagging as well. However, they are unlikely to have such a wide choice of fixtures.

Use a specialist supplier: Many kitchen and bathroom suppliers work around the design/supply/fit model and are geared up to get everything in smoothly. Where such a relationship can break down in a self-build is if there are already plumbers and electricians working on site — confusion can arise because of an overlap here.

Further reading:

• Kitchens
• Kitchens & Bathrooms: Green Design Ideas

The 12 Steps of Self Build:

• Step One: Starting Out
• Step Two: Your Route
• Step Three: Construction Systems
• Step Four: Groundworks & Foundations
• Step Five: Roofs
• Step Six: Windows & Doors
• Step Seven: External Appearance
• Step Eight: Heating & Plumbing
• Step Nine: Electrics
• Step Ten: Kitchens & Bathrooms
• Step Eleven: Internal Finishes