Terms definitions
1. ↑ Bathroom ( Bathroom )
1 **Bathroom Variations and Terminology:**
- Full bathroom includes a bath or shower, toilet, and sink.
- En suite bathroom is attached to a bedroom.
- Family bathroom is not attached to a bedroom.
- Jack and Jill bathroom is shared by occupants of two separate bedrooms.
- Wetroom is a waterproof room equipped with a shower.
**Bathroom Design Considerations:**
- Towels are hung on towel bars or rings.
- Some bathrooms have cabinets for personal hygiene products.
- Bidets may be placed next to a toilet.
- Plumbing design must consider hot and cold water usage.
- Electricity in bathrooms requires permanent fixtures for safety.
**Towels in Bathrooms:**
- Towel bars or rings are common in bathrooms.
- Towels are used for drying after washing.
- Towels are usually made of absorbent fabric.
- Towels should be washed regularly for hygiene.
- Towels can be decorative elements in bathroom design.
**Bathroom Furniture and Storage:**
- Bathrooms may contain cabinets for storage.
- Drawers or shelves are used for storing towels.
- Some bathrooms have column-shaped storage units.
- Furniture in bathrooms is designed for personal hygiene items.
- Bathroom furniture should be water-resistant.
**History and Evolution of Bathrooms:**
- Ancient Baths: Roman baths were a public institution valued by wealthy families.
- The earliest bathtub dates back to 1700 B.C in Crete.
- Decline of Public Baths: Public baths declined in the West from the 16th to 18th centuries.
- Urbanization in Britain led to the creation of more baths and washhouses.
- Bathrooms are seen as both private and connected to the outside world.
2 **Bathroom Variations and Terminology:**
- Full bathroom includes a bath or shower, toilet, and sink.
- En suite bathroom is attached to a bedroom.
- Family bathroom is not attached to a bedroom.
- Jack and Jill bathroom is shared by occupants of two separate bedrooms.
- Wetroom is a waterproof room equipped with a shower.
**Bathroom Design Considerations:**
- Towels are hung on towel bars or rings.
- Some bathrooms have cabinets for personal hygiene products.
- Bidets may be placed next to a toilet.
- Plumbing design must consider hot and cold water usage.
- Electricity in bathrooms requires permanent fixtures for safety.
**Towels in Bathrooms:**
- Towel bars or rings are common in bathrooms.
- Towels are used for drying after washing.
- Towels are usually made of absorbent fabric.
- Towels should be washed regularly for hygiene.
- Towels can be decorative elements in bathroom design.
**Bathroom Furniture and Storage:**
- Bathrooms may contain cabinets for storage.
- Drawers or shelves are used for storing towels.
- Some bathrooms have column-shaped storage units.
- Furniture in bathrooms is designed for personal hygiene items.
- Bathroom furniture should be water-resistant.
**History and Evolution of Bathrooms:**
- Ancient Baths: Roman baths were a public institution valued by wealthy families.
- The earliest bathtub dates back to 1700 B.C in Crete.
- Decline of Public Baths: Public baths declined in the West from the 16th to 18th centuries.
- Urbanization in Britain led to the creation of more baths and washhouses.
- Bathrooms are seen as both private and connected to the outside world.
2. ↑ flooring. **Types of Flooring Materials**:
- Subfloor supports the flooring.
- Special purpose subfloors like floating floors, raised floors, or sprung floors exist.
- Below-grade subfloors are typically concrete, while above-grade subfloors are usually plywood.
- Flooring material choice is influenced by cost, endurance, noise insulation, comfort, and cleaning effort.
- Laminate and hardwood should not be installed below grade.
- Various sub-floor finishing options are available, including earthen floor adobe, solid ground floor, and polymer-modified concretes.
- Carpeting is a soft floor covering made of bound fibers, with materials like wool, nylon, olefin, and polyester.
- Wood flooring comes in plank and parquet forms, with hardwoods being more durable than softwoods.
- Bamboo flooring is durable and environmentally friendly, while cork flooring is eco-friendly and comes in tiles or planks.
- Laminate flooring resembles hardwood but is made with a plywood or MDF core, available in various patterns.
- Hybrid flooring combines attributes of laminate and vinyl, creating a rigid floating floor.
**Installation and Maintenance**:
- Carpet typically lasts 15-18 years, with quality measured by face weight.
- Wood flooring installation methods include plank and parquet forms, with engineered hardwood having a thin solid wood layer on top.
- Laminate flooring cannot be refinished like hardwood, with a common installation method being floating installation.
- Underlayment is required for laminate flooring for moisture and noise control.
- Proper floor cleaning methods can prolong the lifespan of various types of flooring.
- Regular maintenance helps in preserving the appearance and functionality of floors.
- Different cleaning techniques are required for different flooring materials.
- Professional cleaning services are available for specialized floor care needs.
**Specialized Flooring Options**:
- Hard flooring options include concrete, ceramic tile, glass tiles, and natural stone products.
- Resilient flooring types include linoleum, sheet vinyl, VCT, cork, and rubber, providing elasticity and resilience.
- Seamless polymer flooring types include urethanes, polyaspartics, and epoxies, providing seamless floor covering.
- Sustainable flooring is made from eco-friendly materials like bamboo, cork, and reclaimed wood, reducing demands on ecosystems during its life-cycle.
**Flooring Features**:
- Floor medallions are decorative centerpieces for floor designs.
- Doormats help keep floors clean.
- Gratings are used for drainage or to rub dirt off shoes.
- Tactile strips warn of hazards like wheelchair ramps.
- Anti-slip mats enhance traction for wheels, shoes, or feet.
**Additional Flooring Information**:
- Greatmats Garage Floor Tile Diamond is a modular polypropylene flooring tile for garages.
- Vinyl flooring comes in sheets or pre-cut tiles with varying vinyl content.
- Specialty applications for resilient flooring include trailer, garage, and marine flooring.
- Seamless resin floors are used for protection in domestic garages and commercial/industrial settings.
- Different types of seamless polymer flooring include floor seals, coatings, and flow applied flooring.
3. ↑ shower. Detailed Explanation: A shower is a plumbing fixture designed to spray water on a person for bathing purposes. Unlike bathtubs, which are filled with water in which the bather immerses, showers provide a continuous stream of water, which can be adjusted for temperature and pressure. Showers can be part of a combined shower/bathtub setup or a standalone unit, and they are found in various residential, commercial, and institutional settings. Showers are appreciated for their convenience, efficiency, and the ability to provide a quick and refreshing way to clean the body.
Technical Aspects:
- Components:
- Showerhead: The component that disperses water, available in various styles such as fixed, handheld, and rain showerheads. Modern showerheads may include features like adjustable spray patterns, water-saving designs, and integrated lighting.
- Shower Valve: Controls the water temperature and flow. There are different types of valves, including single-handle, dual-handle, and thermostatic, which provide precise control over water temperature.
- Shower Pan/Base: The floor of the shower, designed to direct water towards the drain. It can be made from materials like fiberglass, acrylic, tile, or stone.
- Enclosure: The walls and door that contain the water. Enclosures can be framed or frameless and are typically made of glass, plastic, or other water-resistant materials.
- Drain: Removes water from the shower and directs it into the home’s plumbing system. It is essential for preventing water from pooling in the shower area.
- Installation Methods:
- Built-In Showers: Installed as a permanent fixture in a bathroom, often featuring tiled walls and floors. These showers require proper waterproofing and drainage systems.
- Prefabricated Shower Units: Pre-assembled units that include walls, a base, and often a ceiling. They are easier and quicker to install compared to built-in showers and are available in various sizes and styles.
- Shower/Tub Combinations: A versatile option where a bathtub includes a showerhead and curtain or door. This is common in residential bathrooms due to space and cost efficiency.
- Advantages: Showers are highly efficient in terms of water use, generally consuming less water than filling a bathtub. They are also convenient and quick, making them ideal for busy lifestyles. Showers can be designed to be accessible, including walk-in or barrier-free designs, which are beneficial for people with mobility issues.
- Considerations: Proper waterproofing and ventilation are crucial to prevent mold and mildew growth in shower areas. The selection of materials for shower walls, floors, and fixtures can affect maintenance needs and longevity. Additionally, water pressure and heater capacity should be considered to ensure a comfortable showering experience.
- In a contemporary bathroom, a frameless glass shower enclosure with a rain showerhead and body jets creates a sleek and luxurious experience.
- A bathroom remodel might involve replacing an old bathtub with a walk-in shower, featuring subway tiles and a built-in bench for accessibility and comfort.
- Wet Room: A bathroom where the shower area is level with the rest of the floor, without a separate enclosure, allowing water to drain directly into the floor.
- Steam Shower: A shower that generates steam to create a sauna-like environment, often including a sealed enclosure and specialized steam generator.
- Shower Curtain: A movable curtain used to contain water within the shower area, typically used in combination with a bathtub.