If you are redesigning an existing bathroom or planning a new one, there are a couple fixtures you should consider: Steam Showers and Dual Flush Toilets. Steam showers multi-task, save space, and provide luxurious comfort while a dual flush toilet saves you money and headache.
In smaller bathrooms, corner stand up steam showers allow you to make the most of your space without compromising features. Less than three feet in depth, these showers can fit almost anywhere. There are even steam shower units designed to fit in standard bathtub enclosures that include a whirlpool bathtub.
This convenient design is probably the most popular, followed closely by the two person steam showers. For large bathrooms, the roomy two person showers are the ultimate luxury item. With dual handheld shower heads, plenty of interior space and a two person whirlpool tub, your master bathroom will never be the same again. By combining a luxury shower, steam room, and whirlpool tub in one unit, both space and money are saved.
In addition to steam sauna capabilities, the showers feature luxury amenities such as handheld adjustable shower heads, rainfall showers, massage jets, built in mirrors, seats, and shelves, chromatherapy, radios, speaker phone and more. The showers with tubs are fully equipped whirlpool bathtubs with jets, air systems, continuous heat pumps and more. Truly spa quality experiences can be had right from the comfort of your own home, from saunas, to spa baths and aromatherapy relaxation, and all at prices much lower than you would think.
The wide availability of steam shower enclosures from online retailers means competition and discount pricing for consumers. By doing some quick research and comparison shopping, you can have the bathroom of your dreams at the price of your dreams.
Dual flush toilets are all the rage overseas in Australia and Europe, and are just beginning to catch on in the U.S. When you compare traditional toilets with dual flush models, there is really no reason not to pick a dual flush toilet.
These toilets are unique because they offer two flush modes, .8 gallon liquid waste flush and more powerful 1.6 gallon flush for solid waste. The average traditional toilet uses about three gallons per flush, so the difference is quite significant over time. It is estimated that the average family can conserve 8-20,000 gallons of water a year just by switching to dual flush models.
So how do they do it? Well, for starters, the drain trap in a standard toilet is about 1.5″ or less. In dual flush toilets, it is usually 3″ to 4″. This means much less water and force is needed to move waste along and also reduces instances of clogging significantly.
Another major improvement is the use of a slide-out mechanism instead of the flapper valve, which often needs maintenance and is difficult to replace. The slide-out mechanisms, however, requires less maintenance, is more efficient, and easier to service. The last significant difference is the bowl wash method.
Traditional toilets use a siphon method, which is noisier and misses spots. Dual flush toilets use a full bowl wash method, which rinses the entire bowl after each use creating a cleaner toilet while still using less water.
