Certainly the most common baths are made from porcelain enamel but there is also a market for enamelled cast iron baths. However, your plumber may not be quite as pleased with your selection since these baths are very heavy, weighing approximately 350lbs. These baths are certainly not easy to carry or manoeuvre. However, this mass is actually one of the plus points of a cast iron bath since the materials actually conduct heat thus helping to keep your bath water warmer for longer.

Also, if you have ever considered the running of a bath a rather noisy prospect, a cast iron bath is considerably quieter. Also if you are worried about changing to a cast iron bath due to the easy-cleaning of a standard porcelain enamel bath, then worry not. The cast iron bath is very easy to clean and maintain, and even with heavy scrubbing the surface will not scratch or tarnish.

Another plus point is its strength and durability. Sometimes in a porcelain enamel bath you will feel the bath moving beneath you; this will never happen in a cast iron bath, therefore you can feel safe in the knowledge that this product is built to last.

Once you have decided what shape of basin you want, it pays to browse round the bathroom supply websites on the Internet because you will find far more options than you ever thought you would. Make sure that you measure the area you want to fit the basin into, whether it is a corner basin, round, curved, or rectangular, because there are a number of fittings that you must have room to accommodate and you can soon waste a lot of money, buying and returning bathroom sinks that are the incorrect size. Most basins will be marked somewhere with details of the minimum space they will require when fitted. If you cannot find those figures, ask before you buy.  You will also need to consider the basin taps – conventional taps or mixer taps, contemporary or traditional?

When it comes to choosing a bathroom basin there are a number of different materials to choose from. Glass is very modern and brings a lot of light into the room, but porcelain is more conventional if you prefer the traditional. There are many designer basins to choose from and the latest ones even come in copper or stone. So, if you are looking for a corner basin, or something more conservative, there is a lot to think about.

Water underfloor heating circulates heated water through a network of underfloor pipes. The entire system is regulated by an underfloor heating thermostat. The material in which the pipes are laid, which is typically concrete or wood, absorbs a great amount of the radiated heat, acting as background heat storage. Due to the relatively slow-acting nature of this heat absorption and retention, rooms have to be typically pre-heated by a number of hours to ensure the optimal and desired temperature.

In most cases, the installation of a water underfloor heating system is no more expensive than the installation of a network of radiators. Commercial operators usually market water underfloor heating on the basis that it is in the long run cheaper and more efficient than radiators.

Water underfloor systems are best suited to newly laid floors, where they can be incorporated easily during a new build.

Another plus point of these glass radiators is that they are completely mobile, therefore they do not require connection to your existing heating system. There are no wires or cables to connect. These radiators actually plug into the electrical socket. While this would usually negate a product from use within a bathroom, these are perfectly safe as long as the recommended distances between water supply and electricity are observed. The radiators can be floor or wall mounted. In fact, if you want further options, you can choose between the controllable or non-controllable versions. The controllable radiator allows you to change the temperature complete with remote control to create your own comfortable warmth.

While these radiators should not be used to heat towels as they should not be covered, you can purchase corresponding towel rails from the same range to further enhance the practicality of this purchase.

It is common for bathrooms to have very little natural light, if any at all and so most bathrooms require a helping hand in the lighting department. Light supplies should be used to full effect. A very popular choice in bathrooms are spotlights which can create bright light while looking stylish, sleek and modern. Mirrors also help to reflect light and can make a smaller room appear larger. Mirrors can also make a statement but you should make sure that they are proportionate to the size of the room.

Tiles can also create a focal point within a bathroom, whether or not you choose to opt for classic white ceramic tiles or splash out with colour or design.  If you choose to go down the coloured route, you can accessorise with towels and candles and vases in the same colour. If you opt for white then you are free to change your colour palette for accessories as and when you choose.

The options for a stand-alone shower cubicle are plentiful. They come in a range of sizes, styles, shapes and colours and can be constructed from many different materials. Obviously the options available to you depend on the space you have available but even if you feel that you have limited space, many manufacturers actually offer a bespoke service with made to measure enclosures. However, you do need to bear in mind that there has to be enough room for you to shower in the cubicle!

As with any bathroom feature, if you have a larger budget then there are more extravagant choices available to you including shower enclosures for more than one person or seated cubicles where you can sit and relax while the water flows over you. One thing is for sure, there is a shower enclosure out there to suit you no matter what your requirements are.

Electric underfloor heating technology typically consists of heating cables, mats or film heating elements. The former two are primarily designed for tiled, stone or concrete flooring, the latter for wooden or laminate flooring.

Under tile heating cables or mats are relatively unobtrusive forms of material, meaning that the level of the floor does not have to be raised for them to be incorporated. Heating cables can be laid in any formation by the installer. Installation can be contracted out to a professional firm or completed on a DIY basis. Underfloor heating kits can be bought which contain the material for a full DIY installation.  Final connecting up will need to be done by a registered plumber or electrician.

For wooden floors, film heating produces a relatively lower heat than that generated by cables or mats. Electric underfloor heating can be the sole source of heat in a room, which means that no unsightly radiators need take up useful wall space.

Whirlpool baths actually come in a variety of styles, sizes and shapes. They actually range from standard bath sizes right up to spa-size. Some whirlpool baths are even built for two people to enjoy together – very romantic! Many are also built with comfort and luxury in mind and include arm rests and head rests. Others have moulded seats or include in-built lights so that you can relax in the epitome of style and sophistication. You can even put the rest of the bathroom lights out and let your troubles whirl away.

When you are making your choice it is worth remembering that, as with any bath, the larger the whirlpool bath you choose the longer it will take to fill up. These baths are also incredibly heavy when filled and this is an important consideration particularly in an upstairs bathroom as you would need to ensure that your floor has the load-bearing capacity to withstand it.

Of course at the heart of every whirlpool are the jets which provide the bubbling motion. Obviously larger baths have more jets and therefore more bubbles but different models will also have the jets located in alternative locations. Jets located in the backrest can actually provide a blissful massage feature for your back.

One of the most popular bathroom suites is the white bathroom suite design. Bathrooms are often complemented by the calming effect of a white bathroom suite, supported by a warming wall colour that fits in with the taste and style of your dream idea of what your bathroom suite should look like.

With many new-build homes now incorporating small bathrooms into their designs, minimalist white bathroom suites undoubtedly fit the criteria, as they make the space appear larger and brighter.

In opting for a white bathroom suite you are giving the opportunity to work with a blank canvas, as white goes with pretty much every colour; therefore you are able to complement your bathroom with a splash of colour that is suited to your style and taste.

Bathroom accessories or well chosen bathroom furniture can also accentuate and bring to life all white bathroom suites. You can add designer radiators or standard bathroom radiators; you could even just have just a shower cubicle or shower enclosure without the need for a bath at all.

The possibilities with white bathroom suites are endless and to add that touch of style you can consider decorative basin taps, bath taps and a focal point bathroom mirror, which will go a long way to bringing your minimalist white bathroom suite to life.

Rising-spindle taps – with this type of tap a washer is fitted to the base of a spindle, whereby the washer will ascend, allowing a flow of water from the taps. It is a tried and tested mechanism that can last for a long period of time, whether fitted to a bathroom sink or the bathtub.

Non-rising-spindle taps – with regard to this type of tap, they should pose less of a problem in comparison to the rising-spindle bathroom taps, because the mechanism imposes less stress on the washer. In reality, however, given the delicate nature of the spindle thread, this mechanism is subject to wear and has resulted in the displacement of the mechanism over time.

Ceramic-disc taps – in reference to this style of tap, precision-ground ceramic discs are used in preference to the standard rubber option. Used in a two disc format, one disc is set in place and the other disc acts as a rotary mechanism. Once the discs are in alignment the water channels are then opened to receive water through the tap spout. Due to the precision fit of the discs, there is little opportunity for hard water scale or other potential fragments to affect the performance of the mechanism.

Types of tap that include these mechanisms are capstan-head taps, which are produced for period style bathrooms, lever-head taps, which are useful for those who have difficulty in using other bathroom taps and mixer taps where hot and cold water are channelled to allow water flow through a common spout.