While it’s easy to see the latest fashion trends driving bathrooms, what is less obvious are the ‘unsung heroes’ behind the scenes, enabling designers to achieve the must-have, spa-like looks.

Think frames for wall-hung sanitaryware and shower tray fixings, wetroom formers, boxes for concealed shower valves and even waterproof construction board.

It’s an area that is familiar to installers but arguably less understood by designers, as director of Ceramique Internationale Peter Vann comments: “We believe the use of construction materials is far too installer-led at the moment.

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“Designers have a general lack of knowledge and understanding about how the products can feed into their plans and, because the products themselves are not regarded as sexy, they appear to be less inspired by them, which is a shame.”

But with a broad stroke of understanding, it may enable designers to have more freedom when creating their projects.

Frame works

While frames may be nothing new for designers specifying wall-hung sanitaryware, with the average size of the UK house continuing to shink in newbuilds, it means designers will increasingly opt wall-hung WCs to give the illusion of more space.

Channel marketing manager of Geberit – retail and Aquaclean – Holly Aspinall comments: “To combat these space constraints and to set the standards for a modern bathroom, we believe wall-hung technology such as Geberit’s Duofix Prewall Installation frames will continue to gain traction in the UK market.”

And accomplished designers will be aware, there have been developments in frame technology enabling freedom of positioning and ease of access.

In terms of WCs, it has seen frames created to make use of redundant spaces such as corners.

Marketing manager for VitrA Margaret Talbot adds:  “Our frames, including a reduced height option, are designed to be easy-to-ft and maintain and to fit into difficult locations like under windows.”

Of course, with the plumbing behind the wall, it also enables the flush to be quieter, as senior category manager of Grohe Paul Bailey points out: “Grohe is still exceptionally proud to hold its QuietMark status for its Rapid SL flushing system”, stating it delivers acoustics of 21db, as compared with the average flush of 75dB.

Similarly, showering spaces have also benefited from the use frames too, with low level trays now supplied pre-fitted with a support for ease of installation.

Bette UK’s country manager Samantha Wake commented: “We wanted to simplify the fitting and ordering of Bette’s ultra-flat shower trays to make it easy and fast for retailers and installers. The new pre-attached support also provides excellent sound insulation.”

Concealed showers

And the engine of the shower, the valve, has equally become a contender for concealment behind a wall.

Not only does it create the coveted clean lines in a bathroom but offers the practical benefits that the positioning is no longer limited by the length of the shower hose.

In fact, the concealed valve can even be placed on an opposing wall from the outlet.

And with the growing demand for greater personalisation in terms of sprays, it means the concealed valve has had to evolve.

Paul Bailey of Grohe says: “As the demand for concealed shower values increases, their components are becoming advanced, allowing them to deliver a new and exciting offer to the showering market.

“Grohe’s Rapido Smartbox offers three outlets that can be controlled solely by one rough-in kit and one trim. This enables the consumer to have three different outlets – from handshower and headshower with multiple sprays, through to bath fillers and even body jets – which can all be operated from one place.”

Read about the trends for showering

Back to front

And it could even be argued that such is the importance of behind the wall products, they are now forcing their way in front and centre of a bathroom scheme.

For example, board manufacturers now offer seats, and storage solutions and are taking over from the materials of traditional bathroom and kitchen design.

Peter Vann of Ceramique International explains: “Designers now have far greater creative possibilities in the bathroom due to the availability of ‘complete’ construction systems, like Jackoboard.

“They cater for far wider applications, such as the creation of seats and furniture and these materials are no longer just a better surface than plasterboard/plywood for fixing tiles to.”

And he believes designers are missing a trick by not using kits that enable them “to create furniture such as washbasin stands, complete vanity basins and storage or display units – in addition to using the materials for spiral walk-in shower enclosures or even bath panels.”

So take another look at goes on behind the scenes in the bathroom and how these products can help accomplished designers with their next project.