| Water conservation has become very important in | | | | only.9 gpm. But new designs in the body spray seem |
| the world at large. As a result, plumbing fixtures have | | | | to be more important. Two are from Kallista, a |
| become an area replete with new technologies to | | | | designer line subsidiary of Kohler. Kallista's, Rainbar by |
| address that issue. Also important in these new | | | | Barbara Barry, is 24 ½"tall with 16 jets in one |
| fixtures are comfort and stylish design to meet the | | | | vertical line. Kallista's Semi-magnum spray dome, 5" |
| demands of discriminating homeowners wanting to | | | | diameter spray surface, wall mounted, pivots 40 |
| have luxury, not just utility, in their newly remodeled | | | | degrees. |
| bathrooms. | | | | Rain shower heads: This style of gravity fed |
| TOILETS: | | | | overhead shower heads has been available for |
| The Federal Standard is 1.6 gpf (gallons per flush). | | | | several years now. The diameter keeps getting |
| Dual-flush toilets, those that have a full-flush mode | | | | larger; however, Grohe has the new Rainshower |
| for solids and a reduced-flush mode for liquids, must | | | | F-Series, 20" x 20" flushed-mounted into the ceiling |
| use 1.6 gpf and.8 gpf respectively, are one of the | | | | with 252 spray nozzles. Not to be outdone, |
| latest designs in toilet technology. A good example is | | | | Hansgrohe has come up with the Raindance Imperial |
| a new product manufactured by Toto, a Japanese | | | | Square AIR showerhead, also flush mounted and |
| company that is the leader in the design of toilets. | | | | recessed that is square and has a 20" spray face, |
| The Aquia® Wall-Hung Dual-Flush Toilet is their | | | | with 358 nozzles and 3 spray modes. Finally, Kohler |
| latest model seen below. | | | | who first designed the recessed shower tile has now |
| The EPA's Water Sense label requires toilets to be | | | | developed the Ambient Rain shower tile that is also |
| independently tested to show that they use, at | | | | 20"square but has integrated chroma lighting. It has |
| most, 1.28 gpf. Toto has several toilets which meet | | | | reduced the water flow rate of each tile to 2.2gpm. |
| that criterion including the Eco Promenade® toilet. | | | | Handheld showers are becoming more versatile and |
| Some low flow toilets such as Kohler Wellsworth | | | | have more options. The Hansgrohe Raindance |
| Pressure Lite K-3531 use as little as 1.1 gpf. High style | | | | Allrounder AIR has a unique adjustable holder allowing |
| design has been one of the Kohler Company's fortes. | | | | full range adjustability from overhead to side shower. |
| A few years ago they came out with the high styled | | | | The Hansgrohe Pure Vida hand shower has a slim |
| Purist Hatbox toilet. It also comes with a hefty price | | | | design. Kohler has the new Flipside hand shower with |
| over 4,000.00. It features a clean minimalist design, | | | | 4 distinct shower settings and also the Shift ellipse |
| an innovative tankless Power Lite® technology, a | | | | with a very contemporary and ergonomic design. |
| Comfort Height bowl and Quiet-Close toilet seat, an | | | | Finally, the steam shower is becoming more common. |
| electronic soft-touch actuation, and requires an | | | | The shower itself in this case has to be fully enclosed |
| electrical receptacle. Just this year Kohler introduced | | | | to keep in the steam. Basically, any shower space |
| the Saile Dual Flush toilet another one with high style. | | | | can be adapted for this use. We often see that a |
| Soft close seats were developed by Toto and have | | | | bench is added for this use, if not already |
| been in use for several years by it and other | | | | incorporated. The size of the shower will dictate the |
| manufacturers. This means that they close slowly on | | | | size of the generated needed to produce the steam. |
| their own once you push down on them. This year | | | | Kohler has a basic system with a generator, a steam |
| Kohler introduced the new Saile quiet close, with a | | | | sprayer and a control panel for the temperature |
| quick release seat to accompany its new Saile toilet. | | | | settings and timer. It has also developed a special |
| The development of a washlet as an attachment to | | | | control panel with up to six presets for temperature |
| the toilet seat was also pioneered by Toto and has | | | | and massage settings. |
| been in use for several years now. The seat uses | | | | CONCLUSION: |
| water to cleanse after use instead of toilet paper. Its | | | | Consumers are interested in customizing the |
| newest iteration is the Washlet S400. The newest | | | | experience in their bathrooms which can mean a lot |
| features are automated hands free flushing with a | | | | of bells and whistles or just the basics with well |
| sensor activated lid, a heated seat and other | | | | designed and functional products. Recently, I designed |
| features you will just have to read about. Amazing! | | | | a bath that included a steam shower, a soaking tub |
| Kohler has also added a washing option known as | | | | with chromatherapy LED lighting, heated floors, a |
| C3-125 to its offering. | | | | Toto S400 washlet with heated seat, a heated towel |
| Finally, the seat height has become an issue. A | | | | bar, LED lighting under the floating vanity cabinets |
| universal height, a height similar to that of a chair | | | | and a flat screen TV across from tub. The shower |
| seat height, has become standard, anywhere from | | | | also had a 16" diameter rain shower head and a hand |
| 16"-18". Most manufacturers have this offering, | | | | held shower. On the other hand, I am now planning a |
| including Toto, Kohler, American Standard and Sterling. | | | | master bath that will have a soaking tub and a |
| SHOWERS: | | | | shower with a standard shower head and handheld |
| The standard flow rate of water from any of the | | | | shower with a dual flush toilet. Water use is |
| shower heads whether they are the main shower | | | | sometimes an issue and then again sometimes not. |
| head, a gravity fed rain shower, a hand held shower | | | | At least the products seem to be evolving to use |
| or body sprays is 2.5 gallons per minute. Some of the | | | | less water per fixture so the manufacturers are |
| new options are attempting to use less water. For | | | | helping in this direction when the customer does |
| example the Hansgrohe Pure Vida body spray uses | | | | select the newer, more elegant designs. |