Liam Buxton of the Roca Group discusses the importance of choosing sustainable bathrooms, but maintains they shouldn’t compromise on functionality and style.

When it comes to selecting bathroom products for a development, choosing a quality brand means that housebuilders are investing in the needs of both the homeowner and the environment. A quality product design will ensure longevity – so it looks good and performs well for longer, and won’t need quickly replacing. 

There is also an onus on bathroom manufacturers to up our game in terms of evidential reporting of sustainable sourcing and manufacture. The process is becoming ever-more transparent, and homebuilders can be confident that the potential extra financial investment required for a quality product will reap the necessary dividends when it comes to sustainability. 

PRODUCTS THAT WILL LAST

It’s important to question manufacturers on how long their products are expected to last, and also ask them to back up those claims. Brassware is the part of the bathroom that takes the most punishment over its life – the quality of the internal components is crucial as if they fail, the tap or shower as a whole will fail. 

On the outside, chrome is the obvious finish to choose, as it will reliably keep its good looks year after year. But what if you want to offer your customers a more contemporary look? Adding personality to the bathroom is something that many homeowners are increasingly striving for, with brassware being a great way to do so. With this in mind, PVD coating is a game changer. It is anti-corrosive and resistant to limescale, scratching and cleaning products, while also offering on-trend finishes such as glamorous rose gold and striking matt black. These desirable and stylish finishes, when coupled with superb product performance, encourage homeowners to keep their brassware for longer, thereby reducing wastage.

WATER-SAVING PRODUCTS

For a long time, bathroom manufacturers have – quite rightly – been held accountable for reducing the amount of water needed to flush a toilet. Now, with as little as four and two litres needed for full and half flushes, housebuilders can be confident they’re installing a water-saving choice. In addition, the innovation of the rimless toilet not only means it’s easier to clean, but it achieves more effective cleaning on each flush. Concepts like this might sound like gimmicks but when the whole bathroom industry adopts them, you know that there’s something in it!

EASY MAINTENANCE

No one likes cleaning the bathroom, so anything that cuts down the amount of time it takes is going to be a winner with house buyers. In addition, Covid-19 has left homeowners acutely aware of the need for higher hygiene standards – demanding products that allow for frequent but easy cleaning. There is also an important environmental consideration, as any harsh cleaning products used to remove limescale or tough grime can be detrimental to the ecosystems in our waterways. 

Ceramic is a natural and environmentally friendly material, and the reason it’s so commonly used for sanitaryware is that it is durable, non-porous and generally easy to clean. Modern glazes can also be added that create a super-smooth surface where microscopic residue simply slides off, so dirt and germs cannot build up. The result is basins and toilets that are altogether easier to maintain. The PVD finishes on brassware mentioned earlier also require minimal cleaning – detergent and water will do the trick.

A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING

With house buyers expecting ensuites in several bedrooms, plus a cloakroom downstairs, homes today are far more likely to have smaller bathrooms rather than the single large family bathroom found in older properties. As such, storage is crucial in order to keep those bathrooms serene and clutter free. 

Storage must be made from materials that are sustainably sourced, and that can be responsibly disposed of at the end of their life. But, as manufacturers, it is once again our job to ensure that those products aren’t quickly disposed of; that they should fit the end-users’ needs both now and in the longer term. For example, a vanity unit with compartmentalised drawers to store bathroom essentials more efficiently, and a coordinating column unit that can be slotted into otherwise unusable space next to a door or radiator.  

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT

So, how can you gauge the environmental commitment of a company? Looking at what plans they have in place is a good starting point. Our corporate sustainability plan has a target of becoming carbon neutral in terms of direct emissions by 2045. It informs every aspect of the business, from product design to delivering those products to our customers, and is structured around six initiatives. 

First, implementing the necessary digital equipment to measure energy consumption at our industrial facilities. Second, optimising energy consumption in production processes. Third, maximising the use of clean energy sources via self-production systems, the purchase of green electricity and the use of the most sustainable alternatives in our thermal processes. Fourth, off-setting essential emissions via guarantees of origin or other offsetting instruments. Fifth, using sustainable vehicle fleets and off-setting emissions from business travel. And finally, engaging suppliers to minimise Scope 3 emissions.

It is vital to have confidence in the products you’re specifying for a development. A quality product will go a long way to ensuring you are fulfilling your commitment to the environment and to your customers.

Liam Buxton is national residential specification team manager at the Roca Group