Porcher LXP Toilet Collection – Perfomance and Luxury

Filed under Accessible Product, Bathrooms by on December 15, 2011 at 11:36 am {no comments}

For many years Porcher has been a respected product in the luxury plumbing market.  In the last couple of years Porcher has continued their flair for good design with the introduction of some truly different toilets, the LXP collection. These models are created primarily with a one piece design and a unique look. In addition, the new Porcher toilets have top of the line performance with a 1000 gram MAP score on most models. This while meeting the new HET requirements for California. The LXP toilets are also universal height (ADA).

Porcher Solutions Collection

Most of the new Porcher models are “Transitional” in design “Transitional” is a look drawn from traditional patterns but trimmed to have a clean, more up-to-date look. This means these designs can integrate into a traditional look or into one that is more contemporary.

Porcher HET Veneto

Veneto, Chapeau and Ovale are all excellent examples of Transitional design. The new LXP Veneto is a recreation of a toilet that was enormously popular in the 1990s for its unique look and effective flushing performance. In its day the Veneto was considered one of the best flushing models available but was weak when it came to bowl cleaning. The HET technology addresses that issue.

Porcher Chapeau Toilet

 

Chapeau and Ovale are new designs for Porcher. I personally really like the Chapeau design. It is a good example of the way Porcher has started with a standard 1 piece toilet and transformed it into something new.

Porcher Archive 1PC Toilet

 

 

Of course not all the new designs are Transitional. Two models, Archive and Lutezia, echo traditional themes; and Lutezia is a 2 piece model.  Both Lutezia and Archive are “suite” products meaning there are matching sinks, baths and furniture available.

Lutezia 2PC Toilet

Finally there is the Porcher “Solutions” toilet. It is consistent with the other LXP 1 piece toilet designs, adding the more squared look that has become so popular.  “Solutions” is a new suite for Porcher (see picture above) and is designed for small spaces. The suite includes several sink selections as well as furniture and bathtubs. In addition to the LXP toilet the Solutions collection includes a wall mount toilet for in-wall carrier.

Porcher Solutions one piece

Bidets and Bidet Seats, Washlets and Shower Toilets

Filed under Accessible Product, Bathrooms by on September 7, 2011 at 2:24 pm {2 comments}

I’m sure many people reading this are familiar with Linked-In, the business based networking site. Currently there is a lively discussion on the subject of bidets, specifically, are bidet seats replacing the traditional bidet in modern bathrooms?

Most people I know are a little uncomfortable discussing bidets and I think I can understand why. That said, the bidet is a very useful fixture and the advent of the bidet seat is bringing benefits to more people than ever.

First a little history. The word “bidet” is derived from a French word for pony (it is assumed that this derives from the fact that one straddles the bidet the same way one might ride a horse). The exact origin is unknown but it is thought to have been the creation of French furniture makers. The earliest known written reference is from 1710 (more here).

Porcher Lutezia Suite with Bidet

When I began in the decorative plumbing industry in the early 1990s bidets were making a come back. Many urban showrooms displayed most toilets with matching bidets and most decorative faucet lines included at least one style of bidet faucet. People with enough space often added a bidet to their remodeling project. People also often had definite opinions about the type of bidet they wanted.

Generally speaking there are two types of free-standing bidets; Horizontal spray and vertical spray and each requires a specific type of faucet.

The simplest is horizontal or “over-the-rim”. This style faucet looks very much like a lavatory faucet but is fitted with a swivel spray nozzle that points in a more forward direction. There is also a pop-up drain that allows the bidet bowl to be filled with water.

Porcher Calla Horizontal Spray Bidet

A vertical spray bidet incorporates a nozzle in the bottom of the bowl that sprays vertically. Handles for hot and cold are set on the deck of the bidet. Vertical spray bidet faucets require the addition of a vacuum breaker to prevent a back-flow of contaminated water.

Traditional bidets were designed for a specific function and work very well. But for a variety of reasons (small bathrooms, additional plumbing, expense, cultural norms) few Americans today think of installing one. Still, the concept is useful and an alternative exists.

It has many names, bidet seat, Washlet, spa seat, shower toilet and high-tech bidet among others. The idea is that instead of having a separate unit requiring the user to move from toilet to bidet, a set of spray nozzles are incorporated into a toilet seat. It’s a good idea and makes having a bidet possible for far more people.

Duravit Sensowash with Starck 610000

A bidet seat is much more than a toilet seat with water sprays. There are now many manufacturers offering these seats in some form and in a range of prices. Here are some features to look for when shopping for a bidet seat.

• Front and Rear Cleanse with separate nozzles (wands)
• Water Position adjustment (position wand more forward or back)
• Water Pressure adjustment
• Water Temperature adjustment
• Hot water – pre-heated reservoir or in-line heater
• Air purifier or Deodorizer and can it be turned on/off?
• Heated Seat (temperature adjustable?)
• Oscillating (massage ) cleanse
• Dryer
• Soft close hinges
• Control is seat mounted or remote
• Control easy to understand and use
• Self-cleaning wands
• Seat sensor (to detect if someone is sitting on seat before water sprays engage)
• Energy Saving option
• Cord length
• Overall construction

Deciding which features are important to you may take a little time. It is important to consider who will be using the seat and which model will accommodate all users. For example, a seat mounted control panel may work fine for younger members of the family but may be difficult for someone with restricted mobility (or just a stiff neck). Next, is the control easy to understand and to use? Is there someone with limits of sight or hand function and will the control work for them? People have differing sensitivities to temperature and pressure so adjustability of those can be important. Is a dryer function important? It may be critical for someone without a full range of motion or with certain medical conditions.

Porcher 70082-00 Bidet Seat

Once you have identified the important features check out how each model of seat performs those functions. For example, one seat may offer three temperature settings while another has five settings. Not a big difference except that the three setting model ranges between 89 to 99.5 degrees while the five setting model’s range is 86 to 104 degrees. Is 99 degrees warm enough? Another example is the seat sensor; is it line of sight or by weight? It may make a difference if a user is a small person who does not put a lot of weight on the seat. These may sound like small details but can make a big difference in daily use.

Toto Washlet S300 Washlet, aquia wall hung and control

Over the years General Plumbing has sold several models of seats. For the last couple of years we have sold primarily Toto. Toto in fact has become well known for their Washlet seats and for good reason. It is a well thought out product with much attention given to detail. We have recently added Inax to our bidet seat collection. Inax is a new player in the American market and they have modeled themselves on Toto. Porcher has also recently introduced a line of bidet seats. We have yet to receive our display but early information looks promising. Finally, Duravit this year brought their “Starck” and “D-Code” models to the market. True to Duravit these seats are stylist and functional; definately worth a look if beauty is as important to you as function.

We currently display a working model of the Toto S300 in our showroom. In addition we will be adding the Inax, Porcher and Duravit over the next few weeks. Please fell free to visit, call or email for more information.

KITCHEN BATH INDUSTRY SHOW 2011 (KBIS)

Filed under Accessible Product, Bathrooms, New in the Showroom by on May 2, 2011 at 4:53 pm {no comments}

This year KBIS, the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, was held at the Convention Center in Las Vegas. While this year’s show was lightly attended compared to recent years there where still many interesting things to see. Here are some highlights.

 AMERICAN STANDARD

This was a chance to see many of their new bathing products first hand. The new seated

AMS Seated Shower

 shower is, I think, a great alternative to a standard pan or tub. It is an easy retrofit and offers security and flexibility for anyone looking for a safer shower.

 Door tubs also offer a secure bathing option but are limited by slow draining which may require the bather to sit for 10 minutes or more while the tub drains so the door can be opened. To solve this AMS has introduced their “quick drain” system which clears the water in 3-5 minutes. We were able to see this demonstrated and it does work as described.

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AMS FunBath Fire Engine

Also this year AMS introduced what they are calling the “Fun Bath”. The Fun Time Bath fits over a standard bathtub and transforms it into a safe and fun bathing experience for parents and children. It raises the bathing well allowing parents to bath children without bending over plus, the designs of fire engines, castles and cartoon characters are fun for kids.

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 JASON INTERNATIONAL

Jason introduced two products this year. Their zero threshold shower base features a linear drain and seat and can retrofit into an existing shower space.

 The really exciting introduction was of Microsilk. Microsilk is a totally new creation for hydrotherapy. To quote Jason, Microsilk is “all about the bubbles”, a cloud of oxygen rich bubbles enters you pores and lifts out dirt and impurities. We will be bringing Microsilk to the American Canyon showroom in the coming weeks.

MicroSilk by Jason

 ROHL

Rohl introduced several new products. Although they are not known primarily for bath

Perrin & Rowe Victorian and Deco Toilets

 fixtures Rohl does offer several fine bath pieces. To this collection they have added two new toilets, “Victorian” and “Deco” by Perrin & Rowe. There are handcrafted in Stoke-on-Trent, Englan, a place well known for fine china.

 Farmhouse kitchen sinks have been a specialty of Rohl for a long time. This year they have introduced two new models. One features a thinner edge which may be preferred for a more transitional design. The second is a Shaws double bowl model with a casement face.

Rohl Viaggio in Old Iron

 “Old Iron” is a new finish loosely based on a pewter but with a deeper charcoal look.

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TOTO

This year Toto has expanded the collection of toilets using the “Double Cyclone” technology. The “Legato” and “Aimes” 1 piece toilets are actually very similar, differing only the style of trip lever.

Toto Legato 1pc Dbl Cyclone Toilet

Toto Aimes 1pc Dbl Cyclone Toilet

 Toto is also introducing two new dual flush models; one uses a side-mount trip lever rather than the typical top mounted dual push button system. The second is more basic price-point product.

 The Toto Aquia dual flush wall hung toilet has been very popular but difficult to get. We are told that Toto is currently in the process of moving  production of this product to one of their Atlanta, GA plants. Toto currently produces all of its one piece toilets in the United States and will continue to move production to the Americas.

Aquia Wall Hung Toilet

 AMEREC STEAM

They are the first steam company to come out with a water proof music system that operates independently of the steam system. The system allows one to mount the docking station inside the shower (or outside) and is operated with a remote. The system supports up to 8 speakers. Amerec plans to release this product in June 2011.

 NATIVE TRAILS

NT has always been a company focused on sustainability. This year they are bringing out their “Vintners Collection”. These vanities are made from wine stain oak staves which have been colored by the Chardonnay or Cabernet wines in which they have been soaked for years. There is also a wall-hung “Bordeaux” vanity made from reclaimed barrels which have been disassembled and sealed. Finished with a copper or stone countertop these are unique pieces.

Cabernet Vanity by Native Trails

Bordeaux Wall Vanity by Native Trails

Many of these products will be appearing in our showroom over the next few months. For information please feel free to call or email. We are happy to tell you more.

Universal Design – Products for All

Filed under Accessible Product, Bathrooms by on October 26, 2010 at 9:52 am {no comments}

As I discussed in my last post Universal Design is about designing spaces to be more useable for people with a diversity of abilities. In selecting products for a Universal Design space one looks for items that meet this definition while also being easy and intuitive to use. Many products that have been around for a long time may also be consistent with Universal Design. Single handle faucets and scald-guard showers are two examples. Others, like the toilets I discussed in my previous post, have adapted over time to be more useful.  Here are some more ideas.

Quick Drain Threshold

We often get requests for shower drains that are styled like the trench drains one sees around pools or parking lots. It’s a sleek look but until recently there was no good way to adapt these for residential use. That has changed. Proline Quick Drains has recently introduced their collection of lineal drains for residential use. These are available in a variety of grid patterns and standard sizes and can be configured for a variety of floor finishes.  Custom sizes are also available. This lineal drain system allow you to locate the drain at the threshold or rear of the shower, eliminating the need for a curb thus making it barrier free. It’s also great for a smooth, linear design and creates a space that is easy to clean and maintain. We have recently begun stocking Quick Drain in our main warehouse.

Toto Washlet and Control Panel

Bidet seats like the Toto Washlet are really great products that have yet to gain widespread acceptance in the US. Just to clarify, bidet seats are devices that replace the standard seat and include one or more of the following: front and rear washing, deodorizing, heated seat and dryer function. I often get an initial reaction of “why would anyone want that?” but once one becomes more familiar with this product the benefits are clear. Bidet seats offer an increased level of personal hygiene and cleanliness. Many models offer a remote control that can be mounted on the wall within easy reach of the user. This can be a huge benefit for anyone with issues concerning mobility or balance. It also reduces paper use. The heated seat is a nice feature, especially in cold weather. We have bidet seats installed in our public bathrooms here giving our customers the opportunity to try it for themselves.

Jaclo Decorative Grab Bar

Rohl 36 Grab Bar Handshower Set

Grab bars are familiar to many people as institutional looking products that some people must use. In fact grab bars are a good idea for many of us; anyone can slip in the tub or shower. But grab bars are so “institutional” looking, right? Sure, but many companies, Ginger, Jaclo, CSI and Alno (to name just a few) now offer grab bars in really attractive styles and finishes. These can be decorative additions while providing that extra bit of safety. In addition some companies like Rohl and Alsons have now incorporated the grab bar function into their hand shower bars making those dual uses. I think this is a real plus for a multi-user bathroom offering both a support and a child-proof bar.

The hand shower mounted on a bar might be the ultimate Universal Design product. These were originally designed for families using one shower, the idea being that it could be placed low for children and higher up for adults. Today most hand shower work every bit as well as fixed heads so there is no compromise on performance.

M7-H Baci Halo Lighted Mirror

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Lighted makeup mirrors are another product that may not typically be associated with Universal Design but which I believe make sense. These were once considered a luxury but for people with impaired vision or aging eyes these mirrors can be a real help. People with vision problems can once again attend to personal grooming by themselves without the fear of missing something because they cannot see as well .

Or you may have a situation where existing lighting is poor and a lighted mirror is a quick fix. These mirrors can be purchased in a wide range of price , finish and configuration and most models offer both hard wire and plug-in styles.

If you have questions or would like more information please feel free to call Nancy, Jason or Kate 707-558-1900 or use the contact form above.

Thank you for visiting us!

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Universal Design IS for Everbody!

Filed under Accessible Product, Bathrooms by on October 12, 2010 at 3:47 pm {no comments}

For several years we have been hearing that the Baby Boomers are aging and people will need to install accessible products in their homes. There may be some truth to this but most consumers have been slow to embrace this idea. Many people think of accessible products as things like grab bars or shower seats, useful but not terribly attractive.  Also, people think of these products as things that you need if you are ill or infirm or aged and we don’t like to see ourselves that way. These products tend to be viewed as something you are forced to use rather than as something you will enjoy.

Quick Drain Continous Floor

 Fortunately that thinking has begun to change. We have moved away from the idea of making our homes “accessible” or “handicapped” compliant and have begun instead to think in the direction of “Universal Design”.

 “Universal Design” is defined as “The design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.” (Copyright 1997 NC State University, The Center for Universal Design). In other words it is about planning and building in a way that makes a space useable for many people at all phases of life. This builds on the fact that, in addition to aging, there are many reasons that may require a home to be more user friendly. Planning in this way makes a home more useable now and for the years to come. Many of us are living in homes that we plan to stay in for many years. Doesn’t designing it to work for us make sense?

 Universal Design can be about simple things, like using lever handles (which do not require the ability to grip) instead of knobs or it may be about using new, intelligently designed products. We have seen products that were once made for special applications that are now adapting and moving into the mainstream. One good example of this in the bathroom is the toilet. Seat height used to be about 15” unless you purchased a “handicap” model which was typically made for commercial applications. People started requesting the taller models for home use and slowly manufacturers realized that the market for these taller models was much bigger than just for “handicapped” installations. Nowadays your can purchase a wide variety of styles in what is now called “comfort height” or “right height” or “universal height”; names that reflect that these taller models are beneficial for all sorts of people.

 Universal Design is not about products made specifically for certain groups of people. It is about using layouts and products that are useful and marketable to people with a diversity of abilities and preferences. It’s about using products that make a design simple to understand and use for a variety of people. It’s about making things that are intuitive and do not require a lot of physical effort to use and have a tolerance for error. It’s about making our living spaces better for everyone and useable for a longer time.

 In my next post I will discuss some kitchen and bath products that are making a splash in the Universal Design community.

Walk in Bathtubs

Filed under Accessible Product by on April 15, 2010 at 1:50 pm {no comments}

Walk in bathtubs are designed to allow people with limited mobility to once again enjoy taking a bath. One can enter through the door and sit down to bathe safely. For some, these tubs are the perfect solution but they are not for everyone. Before buying you’ll want to consider the following:

  •  Tub features like door swing and seat
  • Bathroom layout and installation of fixtures
  • Functionality
  • Certifications and warranty

 These tubs are usually designed to fit into the same space as a standard bath which is 60” x 30”. In most cases the door opens into the bathtub which may require the bather to maneuver around the door to close it. It’s a tight space so make sure this will work for you.  The door will have a locking mechanism that may require some strength to close. The seat should be high enough to allow a person to rise easily, about 17”. Be sure the height of the step into the tub allows safe entry and exit.

The faucet and drain must be located where the bather can reach these from a seated position. Reaching too far is at best inconvenient and can be the cause of serious accidents.

Walk-in tubs require the bather to sit and wait while the tub fills and drains. A high flow faucet that will fill the tub quickly is recommended. In addition, many manufacturers are starting to develop systems which will speed up drain time. American Standard offers a “Quick Drain” option that includes a user operated pump. Aquatic Industries has a system on their “Ava” tub that will drain the water in 30 seconds. Without such a system the bather will have to wait until the water drains below the door.

A tub like this is a major investment so buying from an established and reputable manufacturer is a good idea. One way to assure quality is to look for certifications from IAPMO (UPC), ASME and CSA. To get these certifications a manufacturer must build to a certain standard and pass inspection by the issuing organization. You may also want to review the warranty and understand what is covered. Manufacturers rarely cover labor costs if repairs are needed so we also strongly recommend that you use a professional installer who will warranty the work. That can save a lot of headache in the long run.

At General Plumbing American Canyon we carry tubs by American Standard, Jacuzzi and Oceania.

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