Things you should consider when designing washrooms for the hospitality, retail and entertainment sectors.
- Insights
Marketing Manager Charlotte Sheppard recently sat down with Business Co-ordinator Karis Nolan to discuss the top things she believes Architects should be considering when specifying washrooms for the hospitality, retail and entertainment sectors.
Working in our busy Kent-based sales team, Karis is full of top commercial washroom tips and is looking forward to sharing some of these with you today. From recommended cubicle ranges for maximum privacy, to water-saving recommendations, Karis hopes you’ll be able to use this information as a guide for your commercial washroom project planning.
K: I’d recommend our V1 entry-level Award cubicle range for high-footfall washrooms in these sectors. Thanks to the wide range of materials and finishes available and the modern floating appearance, our entry-level cubicle range Award is a firm favourite in high-footfall settings. Not only is Award a stylish option, but it’s a durable and safe one too. Award boasts several safety features including emergency release indicator bolts and anti-finger trap hinges as well as robust fittings to withstand the demands of busy washroom environments.
For ultimate strength and durability, Award is available in scratch, impact and water-resistant Solid Grade Laminate (SGL) core board as well as robust satin anodised aluminium cubicle hardware. Specifying Award in these materials means that the cubicles will look and function their best for many years to come after installation. This is an ideal choice for busy supermarkets, shopping centres and entertainment washrooms which see extremely high levels of footfall each day.
K: Our V3 range is full of excellent choices for premium hospitality, retail and entertainment washroom environments. The high-quality commercial washroom cubicles we provide within our V3 range are stylish, beautifully designed and equally as durable for your project’s needs. With a choice of premium materials, such as real wood veneer and glass, our Sahara cubicle range ticks so many design boxes for Architects and specifiers. Sahara’s innovative pivoting hinge and sleek flush-fronted design guarantee to create a real wow factor in a premium commercial washroom setting.
Our premium V3 cubicles also cater for your need for privacy, thanks to our Infinite Full Height range. Available with either our discreet, strong and sturdy ceiling and floor fixing blocks or with a sleek headrail detail, you have plenty of choice to suit your design brief. Crafted from the finest materials, you have the option of specifying our Infinite range in any Classic RAL colour or a wide range of real wood veneers to create a statement washroom design. What’s more, you now have the choice of selecting black, brass and bronze effect cubicle fittings to really give your design the premium finishing touch.
Our Sahara and Infinite ranges are perfectly suited for high-end settings such as luxury hotels, bars, restaurants, members clubs, and much more.
K: The choice of materials used in these washrooms is dependent on the expected volume of traffic. SGL is ideal for high-footfall washrooms as it has impact, scratch and water-resistant properties, while being able to withstand regular cleaning without impairing the material. Similarly, our Solid Surface vanity units and washtroughs are a firm favourite in the hospitality, retail and entertainment sectors as they can withstand the demands of high and regular usage.
In terms of colour, I always think neutral colour palettes work well in these settings as they’ll appeal to the masses, along with pops of feature colours or accents of wood. With our range of 34 standard laminate finishes, you can opt for wood effect finishes to make more economical ranges look incredibly luxurious. Alternatively, you can specify our V3 cubicles and complimenting panelling and vanity unit underframes in our choices of stunning real wood veneers for a real premium finish.
After all, so many of us love a selfie in the toilets while we’re out with our friends… so the backdrop needs to make an impact!
K: Our pre-plumbed commercial washroom panelling system, Vepps is a must-have. It’s simple, flexible, cost-effective, 50% faster to install than plain panel alternatives and makes ongoing maintenance simpler than ever for onsite facilities teams, as duct space is concealed behind hinged panels. You have the option to specify panel locks too, meaning security is further enhanced in busy washrooms. Each Vepps panel is pre-plumbed with your choice of sanitaryware, brassware and fittings meaning it doesn’t have to be done on site. Plus, they are rigorously tested at our manufacturing facility before being delivered, for extra peace of mind.
You can totally transform the look of your commercial washroom with our customisable Mirror Box Units. Our innovative mirrors are illuminated by back-lit LED lighting and feature concealed, touchless accessories including paper towel and soap dispensers, as well as automatic hand dryers. These not only look slick and add a stylish finishing touch to your washroom, but also remove the need for wall hung accessories and clutter from vanity tops, while improving washroom vanity unit area cleanliness and hygiene.
K: Our Solid Surface washtroughs are becoming increasingly popular in high-traffic commercial washrooms as there are minimal joins, fewer waste traps for cleaning and smooth surfaces that won’t harbour any unwanted germs. The carefully composed blend of acrylic minerals creates a low-maintenance, non-porous material with impact and thermal shock resistance. What’s more, our Solid Surface washtroughs are manufactured to fit your brief and are a great space-saving vanity solution, ideal for older buildings where you have less room to play with layout and design-wise.
K: Finding simple ways to save money without cutting corners is always high on the agenda. The types of brassware and fittings you specify for your commercial washrooms can directly impact the amount being spent on ongoing water bills. Sensor and self-closing taps eliminate the chances of taps being left on in error after use, while sensor flushes for toilets and urinals only use the specific amount of water required per flush.
Not only do sensor and self-closing taps, sensor flush WCs and urinals reduce water wastage, but are also far more durable and traditional alternatives due to less wear and tear meaning they will look and function better, for longer – again, saving you money in the long run.
Venesta is set up to make the specification and manufacture of washroom and toilet facilities easy for everyone. We supply inspiring products with ingenuity, functionality and beauty. Our toilet cubicles and washroom systems combine cutting-edge innovation, superb performance and aesthetic appeal.
Our reputation has been built on a tried and tested process to make every project run as smoothly as possible. From tailor-made design excellence to dedicated support and responsive service, everything we do is focused on what you need to get a job done. You can rely on our unrivalled attention to detail at every stage of specification, design, manufacture and delivery.
Our dedicated Specification Managers have a deep understanding of washroom design issues and can provide useful suggestions for our particular project. We provide a comprehensive, 24-hour turnaround NBS specification writing service, with a close eye on your budget and schedule. Samples, literature and mood boards are all available at this stage to bring your ideas to life.
Get in touch with a member of the team to discuss your ongoing or future washroom projects by calling 01474 353333, emailing marketing@venesta.co.uk or by completing this form.
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