This information is to be used as a guide only. Always speak to a professional in order to get the best from your bathroom and to remain safe in use and installation.

Product Guide - Sanitaryware

Sanitaryware is the generic term used to describe items that traditionally were made from pottery. i.e. WC's, Washbasins Bidets, Toilets, cisterns etc. installed within a bathroom or washroom.

Manufacturers select the most appropriate material from a range of available materials to meet the intended usage of each product.

· Vitreous China
· Fireclay
· Acrylic/Resin
· Stainless Steel
· High Impact Plastic

Vitreous China is the most common material used for the manufacture of Sanitaryware;

· WC's
· Wash basins (wall hung, pedestal and hand rinse)
· Bidets
· Urinal bowls

Materials

Vitreous China

Vitreous China is made from a mixture of fired white clays and finely ground minerals.

The traditional method used to mould Sanitaryware was to pour a finely sieved mixture of water, clays and minerals ('slip') into Plaster of Paris moulds, which form the shape of the appliance being formed. More modern pressure casting methods are commonly used today where multiple moulds are filled under pressure on a production line. This reduces labour time and speeds production. Traditionally absorbency extracted surplus water from the 'slip' in the mould. With pressure casting, it is the pressure applied which 'forces' the water out. When the clay is dry enough to be self-supporting the mould is removed. Final trimming (fettling) is carried out while the piece is still soft. Exposed surfaces are then coated with an impervious acid and alkali resistant non-crazing vitreous glaze, which today is usually white.

The clay piece is now fired at around 1200șC in a kiln where considerable shrinkage will take place. The finished piece of Sanitaryware is approximately 13% smaller when it comes out of the kiln.

Fireclay

Fireclay is an older technology traditionally used when very heavy-duty ware is required. The clay body is of a sufficient strength that it can be used to manufacture heavier items such as shower trays, sinks, slab urinals, hospital Sanitaryware, medical sinks and heavy duty WC's and basins.

It is widely used for very large sanitaryware pieces. Fireclay is also used to make Belfast sinks, which are very popular in domestic kitchens. Fireclay is solid cast as opposed to hollow cast as is the case with vitreous china. It is moulded in the traditional way then coated with a vitreous glaze to improve the surface, to produce a material that is strong and resistant to heavy usage after firing. The vitreous ceramic glaze is guaranteed against crazing.

Fine Fireclay

Is a combination of Clay (raw), Grog (clay, fired & finely ground), plus other miscellaneous materials. It is a finer, stable material - will not flex or change shape and is used to manufacture large ceramic pieces with better definition/less distortion. It is impervious to moisture, also hygienic and resistant to most chemicals, stains and abrasives and resistant to extreme temperature i.e. 1220șC.

Fine Fireclay - is also not vitreous, and is suitable to be used with basin type styles, because the surface is glazed, where the water will touch. It is a more fluid material and is used to produce similar body cast thickness to VC, & hence the more complex shapes associated with VC, the excess slip draining away after casting (as with VC).

Porcelain Enamelled Steel

Only special alloy steels with low carbon content suitable for enamelling are used. The shells are pressed then sprayed with a special enamel ground coat to ensure good chemical bonding with the metal and subsequent finish coat.

The product is then fired through a furnace at temperatures of 850șC to produce a glass hard permanent lustrous lifetime finish with chemical and scratch resistance second to none.

Acrylic

A chemical compound that is either moulded from flat sheet, or cast in a mould with resin to produce certain types of sanitaryware.

Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel is used by some manufacturers to 'shroud' vitreous china providing a modern minimalistic look to t heir sanitaryware.

High Impact Plastic

Some WC seats and also some cisterns are manufactured from high impact plastic. They are made using the latest injection moulding techniques.

WC's - Water Closets.

Close Coupled

This type of WC is typically floor mounted with the cistern resting on an extended platform at the back of the WC pan. He cistern is fixed directly to the WC using a washer to provide a watertight seal. Most Bathrooms in one ranges have a Close Coupled WC, such as those from Niagara Bathrooms, Vitra Bathrooms, Shires Bathrooms and Jika Bathrooms.

Back to wall / concealed

The cistern is concealed behind a false wall with just the flushing mechanism showing. The WC is fitted "back to the wall", commonly used in commercial applications (public toilets etc.) for easy cleaning but also used for neatness in domestic rooms, just like some on offer from Jika bathrooms and Vitra Bathrooms.

Wall Hung

The WC pan and bidet is mounted on brackets adjacent to the wall giving completely free floor space beneath. Ideal for easy floor cleaning in non-domestic application but also used in domestic bathrooms to give a feeling of 'added' space. Wall hung suites are available from Jika Bathrooms and frames to wall hang your toilet or bidet are available from Geberit.

WC cisterns & fittings.

Cisterns

Cisterns are available in vitreous china and plastics. Both are available in high level, low level and close-coupled models with various sizes and capacities being available dependent on the application required. Vitreous China Cisterns suit close coupled WC's such as those on offer from Shires, Niagara, Vitra and Jika. The Plastic cisterns are for concealed fittings only such as the back to wall suites from Vitra and Jika. These plastic concealed cisterns are available from Geberit.

Washbasins.

There are four basic forms of washbasin;

· Wall Hung - Fixed to a wall using brackets for support, bolted directly to the wall.
· Pedestal - Fixed to a wall but using a pedestal for the main support.
· Countertop - Fitted into a countertop by a flange on the ware either on or under the countertop.
· Sit-on / Vessel Basins - A bowl supported by a mounting surface.

Bidets.

The Bidet It provides an easy and convenient means of ensuring personal cleansing, especially after using the WC. A secondary but important use of the bidet is as a footbath. They can be Wall Hung or Back to Wall and are on offer from brands such as Vitra, Niagara, Shires and Jika.