Apron Front or Farm Sinks – Firestone, Copper, Stainless and More!

Filed under Kitchens by on August 3, 2011 at 2:44 pm {no comments}

Farm or apron front sinks first started to appear for general residential use in this country in the 1990’s. These sinks began as reproductions of fireclay sinks long common in England. Today these sinks are made of stone, stainless steel, copper, cast iron and even Corian.

Elkay Fireclay Dbl Farm Sink

I think the original appeal of the farm sink was twofold. It had the traditional country look and added a new design element to a kitchen. Farm sinks are also practical, offering a large work-space and solid construction.

London Farm Sink by Porcher

If you are interested in an apron front sink there are some things to know. A classic apron front sink is made of fireclay, not ceramic or china. Fireclay is a much harder, more durable surface that can withstand the wear and tear of kitchen work. A fireclay sink is fired at a very high temperature which fuses the glaze and clay making a rock hard surface. While a ceramic sink may look good new, it will not stand the test of time. Ever seen an old ceramic plate where the glaze is starting to wear out? It will scratch and stain at the wear points. Imagine that on your kitchen sink.

Rohl RC4018 Casement Front Farm Sink

The other thing to look for is that the sink you select is not warped or asymmetric. These are common flaws so look for a quality brand. Years ago a major fixture company introduced some fireclay sinks at a very competitive price point but the sinks came from a B grade factory. The result was almost every sink we ordered was warped or otherwise defective (although serviceable if appearance wasn’t a concern).

Blanco Magnum Apron Front Sink with Towel Bar

One last thing to understand about these sinks is that the bottom is often flat. This is in some ways desirable but be aware that sometimes some water remains on the floor of the sink instead of running into the drain.

Norwich by Sierra Copper

Fireclay apron front sinks are usually available 25”, 30” 36” and sometimes 40”. Most are single bowl although there are a few doubles too. The front is typically smooth and there are some models with a step detail that adds to the traditional look.

Kohler Whitehaven Cast Iron Self Trimming Apron Sink

The information above applies to classic fireclay sinks but today apron front sinks are also available in several other materials.
I believe that Kohler is the only manufacturer making apron front sinks from cast iron (Kohler also uses fireclay). Cast iron has long been a top choice for kitchen sinks but its popularity has decreased over time. This is probably due mostly to changes in the manufacturing requirements that have lead many companies to move away from cast iron. Kohler makes what they call a “self trimming” sink which reduces the need to trim the cabinet. I think it is true to say that when it comes to cast iron, Kohler is king.

Elkay ELUHFS2816 Stainless Apron Sink

Stainless steel is another common choice for apron front sinks. Elkay, Blanco and Kohler all offer such sinks but it is Julien that has brought some new design to the idea. Their “Worktop” group isn’t actually a true apron front but gives the same impression with a thick front edge and function backsplash. They also have step front, bow and square front models some with a front drawer.

Julien Classic Collection with Drawer

If you are looking for an entirely different look you might consider an apron sink made of copper or stone. Copper is actually a good choice for the kitchen because it has natural anti-bacterial properties. Copper is probably not the right choice if you don’t like a rustic look as it is going to be a “living” material that will react to water and other liquids that come into contact with it.

Sierra Copper Apron Design

But if a rustic look appeals to you there are many design options available. Native Trails’ collection focuses on plain front on a standard or bow front design. Sierra Copper has a selection of custom designs that may be added to most aprons. The choices available in copper provide a lot of options.

Native Trails Edna Valley Sink

Stone is the last material I will discuss and it is probably the least often used. There are a few different types of stone used for kitchen sinks. Soapstone is a traditional choice. We do not sell soapstone here so, while I have heard many different things about its suitability for the kitchen I do not have any first-hand information. Granite is another choice. Granite is a hard surface and there are some beautiful products made from it. It does require some care and it is possible to stain granite. My feeling is that if you want the unique look of a granite sink go ahead but be aware that it will require some care to maintain it’s look.

Stone Farm sink with Carved Face - R. A. Magnus

Clawfoot (Freestanding) Tubs – a Perennial Favorite

Filed under Bathrooms, General Information by on April 23, 2011 at 6:49 pm {no comments}

Clawfoot tubs have been around for years and remain a favorite choice for many remodeling projects. But why are these tubs so popular and is a clawfoot tub the right choice for you?

Clawfoot Slipper Bath by Sunrise

Sunrise Specialty Slipper Tub

 At one time the clawfoot tub was about a very traditional look. When I started in the plumbing industry in San Francisco in the early 90’s a dream bathroom often included a clawfoot tub with polished brass faucets and big porcelain handles. That style has evolved; brass has been replaced with brushed nickel and the classic clawfoot has been joined by more contemporary versions of freestanding tubs.

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Sunrise Specialty Tub Set

 In fact today it may be more accurate to talk about “freestanding” rather than “clawfoot” tubs as the classic clawfeet have been replaced with pedestal bases, wood frames, metalwork supports and even designed to sit directly on the floor.

 There are a few points to consider if you are thinking about having a freestanding bathtub. Some obvious things, like will it fit in the space and do you like the way it looks, are fairly easy to decide. Other factors like what it is made of (cast iron, acrylic, cast product) and water delivery requirements may require some additional thought.

 Traditional clawfoot tubs were made of cast iron and cast iron continues to be a common choice. A cast iron clawfoot tub will require the outside to be finished, usually by painting, as it will be rough iron (often you will have a choice of ordering painted or unpainted for finishing onsite). The shape of the feet may vary, ball and claw and Imperial are two common styles, and come in various finishes (white, chrome, brass, etc).

Bainultra Essencia Bath

 Originally it was common to have a shower setup over a clawfoot tub. This usually requires a ring and shower curtain to prevent water from ending up on the floor. These days I find most freestanding tubs do not have showers overhead and require just a tub filler. Traditional clawfoot bathtubs might have the faucet attached to the tub wall, tub deck or floor mounted with an “over-the-rim” spout. Most of the modern freestanding tubs do not have space for a deck or tub wall mount and so the tub filler is floor mounted. There have been some very beautiful floor mount tub fillers created in recent years.

Lacava Arch Tub Spout

Axor Urquiola Tub Filler

A couple of tub companies have created a faucet pedestal that is designed to fit against the bathtub to provide a horizontal deck that can accommodate a standard deck mount tub filler. This may provide you with more choices of faucets.

 The majority of freestanding bathtubs are “soakers”; there is no jetting system available. There are a few exceptions to this. Bain Ultra offers the “Thermomassuer” system on all of their freestanding models (including a footed tub). Jason and MTI also offer freestanding bathtubs with an air system. There are few (if any) manufacturers offering whirlpool systems on freestanding tubs (as there is no way to hide the pipes).

Jason Carrera CR553P

 Most of the freestanding baths that offer air systems are made of double wall acrylic (Jason and BainUltra and others). Now we are seeing many of the contemporary styled model being made of a “cast stone” or resin product.

Wetstyle InImage Motif

 Here are some of the latest in freestanding tubs…

Wetstyle Be Collection Tub

Wetstyle bathtubs are at the top of the design ladder.

Wetstyle Be detail

 The “Be” collection takes its form from a walnut shell which creates a tub interior that cradles the bather. Wetstyle “Image-in” is a beautiful option that adds a textural design to the tub exterior (see above).

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 Lacava is another design-centric manufacturer. The “Suave” freestanding model uses cast resin and wood to create this unique bathtub. The “Ovale” is an egg form designed to envelop the bather.

Suave Bathtub by Lacava

 BainUltra has several Thermomassuer freestanding models including the footed model “Cella” bathtub. This month BainUltra is introducing their “Essencia” tub; a unique look that we are looking forward to seeing.

Bainultra Cella Clawfoot Thermomassuer

Victoria and Albert created the Lido and Lido Grande decorative faucet stand. This clever product allows one to install a standard deck mount tun faucet with a freestanding tub. Victoris and Albert offers a large selection of traditional and contemporary bathtubs.

Victoria & Albert Lido Support

Kaldewei Bathtubs and Shower Pans

Filed under Bathrooms, New in the Showroom by on October 30, 2010 at 1:35 pm {no comments}

Kaldewei Bassinio Tub

Kaldewei European baths are like no other tubs. Made of 3.5mm steel and finished with a unique enamel finish so hard that it is not scratched by common bath substances, including metal rubbing against it. Using Californian Borax, Scandinavian quartz, feldspar, soda and the world’s biggest enameling furnaces, Kaldewei produces a surface that is guaranteed to remain durable for at least 30 years.

Conoflat Shower Pan by Kaldewei

This glossy surface looks beautiful but is also super sanitary and easy to care for. Because it is so smooth bacteria don’t have a chance to settle and cleaning is a breeze. This surface combined with 3.5mm steel construction produces a unique tub offering many of the benefits of cast iron (glossy surface and solid heat conducting material) without the great weight.  All Kaldewei baths and shower trays come with a 30-year guarantee.

Founded in 1918 by Franz Kaldewei the company began as a manufacturer of enamel for industrial uses. Kaldewei made its first freestanding bath in 1934. In 2009 Kaldewei introduced the “Conoflat”, the first enameled flush fit shower pan. Today the company continues to offer both freestanding and built-in tubs and shower pans.

Kaldewei Centre of Competence

The Kaldewei Competence Centre in Ahlen, Germany is a modern training and exhibition centre and international meeting place for Kaldewei customers, and especially for architects, planners, the wholesale trade and fitters. As well as changing themed exhibitions – the current one is Kaldewei innovations at the ISH 2009 – there is also a permanent presentation of baths and shower trays that gives an overview of Kaldewei’s entire product range.

 Kaldewei also believes in sustainably manufacturing. Thanks to the environmentally compatible procedures used in manufacture, packaging, transportation and disposal, Kaldewei was the first bathroom fitter to be certified sustainable to ISO 14025 by the Institute Bauen und Umwelt e.V., the Institute of Building and the Environment.

Conoduo Freestanding by Kaldewei

We invite you to visit our showroom and see Kaldewei for yourself. We are currently displaying the Conoduo freestanding 74” tub. Please come try it for yourself – we look forward to seeing you.

 

Hydrotherapy Tubs – What are they made of?

Filed under Bathrooms by on September 28, 2010 at 6:31 am {no comments}

There are many things to consider when selecting a hydrotherapy tub. In a previous post I briefly described three types of system tubs; whirlpool, jetted and air baths. Deciding what type system is right for you is the first step. Once you know what kind of hydrotherapy you are looking for you can begin to consider materials, controls and features.

What are the Best Whirlpools made of?

 Generally speaking tubs are made from one of four materials; cast iron, acrylic, cast resin or fiberglass. If you are looking for a system tub you can probably eliminate a cast resin tub from the start. Most manufacturers of these tubs do not offer system tubs, only soakers. There is one company, Six Eleven, which is the exception to this rule. Six Eleven offers tubs that can be customized by shape, system and many other features. I will cover resin tubs in more detail in a future post.

Cubix by Six Eleven Architectural Bath

 A well made, glossy cast iron tub can be a thing of luxury and beauty. In appearance cast iron offers a beautiful glossy surface that can support vivid colors. The density of the cast iron material also holds heat well (once it warms up!). If you want a cast iron hydrotherapy tub then you will probably be looking at Kohler. Kohler is by far the leading maker of cast iron tubs and also one of the only companies still offering cast iron hydrotherapy models. I think this is mostly due to the fact that very few companies still make cast iron at all and I think the reasons for this have more to do with the difficulties of working with cast iron than with the quality of the final product. Cast iron is harder to produce, it’s very heavy and so more difficult to transport. This tends to be more expensive. Finally, there is a characteristic to cast iron called “orange peel” which is a sort of bumpy surface that sometimes happens. It is not a defect but if you are after a smooth surface you may find this to be unacceptable (I recently ran into this with a client who rejected three cast iron tubs before finally switching to acrylic).

Kohler Kathryn 5.5 Whirlpool

 Today the great majority of hydrotherapy tubs we sell are made of acrylic. Acrylic should not be confused with fiberglass. While both types get the structural integrity from the fiberglass material there is a big difference in the finish. Acrylic tubs are made by molding a sheet of acrylic into a tub shape and then reinforced with fiberglass structure. With a fiberglass tub the fiberglass is molded into a shell and then sprayed with a “gel coat” to create a glossy surface.

Etrne bath by Maax Pearl

 An acrylic surface is more durable than a gel coat. It is much more resistant to scratches and will retain its shine better over time. Because it is non-porous it is easy to clean and can be buffed up occasionally with an application of car wax. You can find acrylic tubs in a great variety of shapes and sizes, from many manufacturers and with a big range of price points.

Jason International

 Acrylic tubs are lighter weight than cast iron but it would be a mistake to equate that with flimsiness. Well made acrylic tubs feel every bit as solid as cast iron and yet can be hundreds of pounds lighter, especially important in a raised floor application. However it is true that there is a wider range of quality with acrylic than with cast iron so be sure to buy from a well regarded manufacturer. There are many of them: MTI, Jason, Maax, Bain Ultra, Oceania, Neptune, Hydrosystems, Americh and many more. These companies make solid products and may incorporate details like self-leveling bases and pre-framed units for stability.

Hydrosystems Fuji 6040 Fiberglass Tub

 Fiberglass is the last material on the list and can be a good choice for certain situations. It can be more porous and softer than acrylic or cast iron so proper care is important to maintaining fiberglass successfully. I have fiberglass walls in the shower of the house I am renting and I do notice that a watermark appears if I leave a bottle of shampoo sitting on the surface. This does dry out and disappear but it a reminder not to let anything that might stain to sit on the surface.

 Once you settle on a material the next thing to consider is the features and options available. I will talk more about those in my next post.

Toto – Innovation, Technology, Quality…Good Looks Too!

Filed under Bathrooms by on September 24, 2010 at 3:24 pm {2 comments}

Toto is well on its way to becoming a household name. When I started at General Plumbing Supply in the mid-nineties the only Toto we had heard of was a few glass bowls we had received as samples from Japan. Today people come in asking for Toto by name.

Neorest Suite by Toto

How did Toto become so well known? I think they did it in great part by finding a problem and being the best at solving it. The problem was the mandate for 1.6 toilets that became law in 1995. At the time there were other companies offering 1.6 toilets but none of them worked all that well. Toto came in with just a few models but they worked great and soon most of what we were selling was Toto.

For a long time there were very few style choices and nothing very decorative. No faucets, no tubs just some lavatories and toilets that flushed really well. But slowly they introduced some new styles and began to develop some suites. But what really kept Toto advancing was a focus on technology that kept creating new, high performance water saving products.

Toto Ryohan Vessel

One of Toto’s signature products is the Neorest which might be called the ultimate toilet.

Toto Neorest

 Introduced in 2003 the Neorest includes Toto’s unique cyclone flush action and bidet seat functions. The Neorest can be programmed to raise the seat automatically when someone approaches the toilet and will automatically close the lid after a short period of time. The washing and drying functions are operated by remote control from a wall mount touch pad. The Neorest is now available in two sizes; the 600 and the 550.

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Now the Neorest concept has been extended to a complete experience suite. The air bath for two includes cascading shoulder warmers and underwater lighting. The lavatory has an integrated fill spout and is sensor activated. Soon Toto will be introducing Neorest II, continuing the tradition of innovation and exceptional experience.

Neorest Air Bath

Neorest is the premier Toto product and is aimed at the very discerning individual. For the rest of us Toto has created an extensive collection of styles and products. I think my favorite is the “Soiree” collection, a clean line architectural look. The Soiree (and EcoSoiree) 1pc toilet includes the new double cyclone flushing system which has replaced G-max as Toto’s top-of-the-line system (you will find it on the Toto Drake II and Ultramax II models as well). In addition the suite includes pedestal and counter sinks, bathtub and faucet collection.

Soiree Suite by Toto

The Guinevere suite has a more traditional look with fluted corners and molded edges.  The pedestal sink is available in two sizes and the matching faucets come in polished chrome or brushed or polished nickel. The Lloyd suite also has traditional lines but has been adapted to a “transitional” look. The toilet is available with an antique cherry seat or with an all white seat for a more contemporary look. The sink is available as a contemporary metal leg console or a wood table frame with metal feet.

Guinevere Suite by Toto

For those with traditional taste Toto also offers the Clayton, Mercer and Carrollton suites. The Nexus and Pacifica suites are for those who prefer a more modern look.

Aquia Wall Hung Toilet

Waza Noir by Toto

Kiwami 1 hole by Toto

In addition to their Suite products Toto has continued to expand their offerings of toilets, sinks and faucets.  Toto has recently introduced the Aquia wall hung toilet; a variation on the existing Aquia dual flush line.  The Supreme II, Carolina II, Carlyle II and Vespin II all meet the new Water Sense requirements and offer the superior cleaning of the Double Cyclone flush. Toto has also moved more into the design world with the new faucets (Kiwami, Design C) and Waza lavatory sinks.

Toto Water Sense Toilets

So there is more to Toto than you might think. Stop by some time and we will show you more. We are the only Toto Gold Gallery in the Napa Valley.

Kitchen Sink Basics

Filed under Kitchens by on April 9, 2010 at 6:08 pm {2 comments}

Kitchen sinks are one of the most commonly requested items in our showroom and the choices of material and style have grown tremendously over the years. For the most part kitchen sinks are made of stainless steel, fireclay, cast iron or composite. Copper has gained in popularity lately and we occasionally see sinks made from granite or soap stone.

Stainless steel is the most varied in style and construction and is the most misunderstood. You can buy a 33″X22″ dbl bowl stainless sink for $100.00 or $2000.00 and all points in between. To read mode about stainless sinks please see the tab under Product Knowledge and refer to our blog posts.

Fireclay is a great choice for both looks and durability. More companies have begun offering fireclay but still the choice of styles is limited compared to stainless steel. In general fireclay is a somewhat more expensive option.

Composite sinks have been around a long time and include a number of different brands. Not all composite sinks are made the same way. For example, Swanstone offers sinks made from their plastic compound that is compression molded. It is extremely heat resistant and tough. Quartz is another type of composite made from a blend of true quartz stone and a resin or plastic bonding material. These types of sinks have been around for 20+ years and will deliver years of service. Composite sinks do offer a fairly good range of styles, colors and prices.

Cast iron is offered by only a few manufacturers the most familiar of which is the Kohler Company. Kohler has continued to create beautiful options in cast iron and you can find styles both basic and intricate. Commercial Enameling is a California based company that also offers cast iron kitchen sinks.

These are the most common choices but not the only ones. Copper is gaining popularity in the kitchen. Soapstone is a material with a long history in the kitchen and can still be purchased from a few vendors today. Many manufacturers offer sinks cut from natural stone, most commonly in a farm sink style.

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