FUTURE-PROOF BATHROOMS: TIMELESS STYLE, TIMELESS USE
The concept of a future-proof home has broadened its appeal in the past decade. It used to be something that we only considered in our advancing years, but the evolution of design and a greater awareness of the long-term benefits have influenced a significant shift in mindset. Instead of treating the idea as an afterthought, many people are adopting a forward-thinking approach which ensures that a home never requires a costly and disruptive retrofit to accommodate changing circumstances such as declining mobility or the arrival of an elderly relative. Today’s future-proof living is all about a layout that works at every stage of life, providing multigenerational use which suits a teenager and an octogenarian in equal measure. Getting the design right first time will save money on added installations further down the line.
Changing perceptions
As a space where safety in use is critical, the bathroom is subject to many of the most important design decisions in any future-proof home. It needs to be an environment that maximises accessibility and comfort whilst offering support for those that need it most.
In the past, there has been a common perception that facilities which aid mobility and independence have a clinical feel that is aesthetically incompatible with the finer details of contemporary bathroom design. Many people have come to realise that the opposite is true: the best future-proof bathrooms demonstrate that user-friendly functionality and sophisticated styling can work in harmony.
Shower facilities are a perfect example. Traditional shower baths and shower trays are often cumbersome, with a high clearance that makes them more difficult to access for those of restricted mobility. They are increasingly being replaced by less obstructive alternatives: wet rooms and level-access showers that provide frictionless floorspace throughout the bathroom. Also known as walk-in showers, these options combine attractive minimalism with ease of access for all levels of mobility.
Wet rooms v level-access showers
When comparing different types of walk-in shower, it’s worth considering the potential drawbacks of wet rooms. The clue is in the name: a slight gradient in the floor directs the water into a small drainage point, which means the whole floor can become wet, especially with high-output showers. That can be problematic in terms of laborious cleaning and maintenance, hygiene issues and risk of slipping.
Neaco advocate a less hazardous and more efficient option in the form of a level-access shower which has a built-in drainage catchment space below the floor level. Rather than spreading across the bathroom, the water falls through a grille which sits flush to the rest of the floor, with no gradient required to effect drainage. Our Neatdek 3 shower grille system remains unique to the market as the only facility that combines zero gradient with a seamless transition from the showering area to the rest of the bathroom – no steps, no ridges and no slopes. It offers contemporary style without compromising safety. We also manufacture a range of attractive shower doors which complement our Neatdek 3 range and are also compatible with most wet room facilities.
The evolution of support fittings
To complement a level-access shower, well placed support fittings can enhance comfort and assist mobility to provide a facility suitable for a lifetime of use. These could include grab rails and hinged shower seats or hinged support arms that fold back against the wall to save space when not in use. In the past, these types of fixture have carried a negative association as features that make a bathroom look like a clinical or institutional environment rather than a homely, domestic setting. Much of the blame for that perception can be attributed to a lack of imagination on the part of manufacturers – too many products have focused purely on the essential functionality without heed to the non-essential visual appeal. Design quality has often been rudimentary: worn, scratched plastics and rusting metal fixtures age the appearance of a bathroom. The rare examples of high-end products have tended to come at significant extra cost, with a premium price on materials like chrome.
Thankfully, this rule of thumb no longer applies if you know where to look. Neaco have invested in product development, advanced manufacturing techniques and value engineering to produce a wide range of superior options in an affordable price range, so a stylish and modern inclusive bathroom needn’t come with a price tag which is anything but inclusive.
All Neaco’s manufacturing takes place at our UK factory, where our powder coating facilities have enabled us to enhance the quality and diversity of the finishes available. We have made contemporary metallic styles more affordable. If you want a grab rail in a chrome finish, you no longer have to buy one manufactured from chrome – thanks to Neaco’s coating technology, you can choose an aluminium grab rail finished with the appearance of chrome. A powder coated finish is also warmer to the touch, scratch resistant and rust-free. It is also less slippery to hold than chrome, especially when hands are wet.
Support fittings are another element of future-proof bathroom design that can serve both practical and aesthetic purposes in tandem. For example, Neaco offer a range of vibrant contemporary colours, from bold blue to warm yellow, which can add a burst of brightness to complement the monochrome style of many modern interior schemes. That strong visual contrast is useful for people with impaired vision, so it can be a hugely beneficial feature when the eyesight deteriorates in later years.
If you prefer the traditional look, we also offer a range of rich and rustic colours in keeping with classic country homes and period living. We have plenty of popular standard options (which can also be applied to our shower grilles) but we can also produce bespoke finishes encompassing any RAL colour if you need a very precise formulation to match specific details of your bathroom design. We manufacture a wide range of accessories in matching colours, including towel rails, coat hooks, toilet roll holders, back rests, shelves and tilt-adjustable mirrors.
Over the years, Neaco have invested in performance as well as aesthetics, incorporating features that reflect care and attention to the user’s needs. Neaco include routered surfaces on the inside of grab rails to provide a more secure grip, and locking mechanisms to prevent hinged support arms from dropping down. As an optional extra, Neaco offer enhanced hygiene with coatings that contain quality controlled antimicrobial technology, providing an additional level of protection against microbial growth such as bacteria.
Neaco also supply an economy range of support fittings. They are available at a lower price point but offer the same outstanding manufacturing quality as our luxury options: precision engineered aluminum finished with smooth, durable powder coating.
Neaco’s experts have decades of experience in designing future-proof bathroom facilities. They have helped countless customers achieve the ideal blend of functionality and aesthetics. With Neaco’s help, you can create a bathroom that provides timeless style and timeless use.
Full Specification Building Service
As a British manufacturer with almost 50 years of industry experience, we’re able to offer a full Specification Building Service and can provide technical help at any stage of your project.
Whether you need to specify a balustrade system, aluminium decking or a full balcony, our Specification Building Service will provide everything you need to accurately detail one of our products.
Consultation with a Specialist
First, we would recommend a consultation with one of our product specialists so that we can fully understand your project requirements. This would be at time to suit you and can either be over the phone or on a video conference call using platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
Product Sample
As all of our products are manufactured within our purpose-built factory in North Yorkshire, we are able to send you a bespoke sample so you can see and feel the quality of the product you’re specifying.
CAD Detail
Our in-house technical experts are able to provide CAD details of all of our products in a variety of formats, making it easy for you to incorporate into your project designs.
NBS Specification
We will also write you an NBS Specification that is tailor-made to your project requirements.
Full Quotation
Once we have all of the project information required, our estimating team will provide a full and accurate quotation with no hidden costs.
From enquiry to installation, our knowledgeable team will be on-hand to help you with any queries you may have.
If you’d like to take advantage of our Specification Building Service, send your enquiry to sales@neaco.co.uk.
Alternatively, if you’d like more information about our products, call 01653 695 721, email sales@neaco.co.uk or sign up to our Members Area here.
FINISHING AND COATING FOR HANDRAILS AND BALUSTRADE
When specifying a choice of finishing and coating for handrails and balustrade, the decision is often framed in purely aesthetic terms. Visual appeal is undoubtedly a significant factor, but it should never be the only one. In many cases, how it feels is just as important as how it looks.
Many relevant questions can come into play. How does it react to sunlight? How well does it conduct temperature? How well does it resist abrasion or corrosion? Is it completely impermeable? Does it contain any toxins? We often discuss these considerations with architects and designers in the context of their projects.
Neaco can offer expertise on the subject as our own range of finishes encompass all areas of performance, including aesthetics. We are advocates of powder coating for handrails and balustrade due to its many advantages as a finish.
HOW IS POWDER COATING APPLIED?
To achieve a powder coated finish, a dry powder is applied electrostatically and baked at a high temperature to cure the powder and cause it to set solid. This process creates a smooth, even coating. Powder coating is an ideal finish for aluminium handrails and balustrade as it bonds to the metal.
POWDER COATED FINISHES VS PAINTED FINISHES
For all sorts of reasons, powder coating is a superior choice of finish in comparison to the most common alternative, spray painting:
Efficient application
It is estimated that around 70% of powder is used in its application and the rest can be collected within the factory for re-use. The electrostatic process reduces waste by around 95%. In contrast, it is estimated that up to 70% of spray paint can be lost during application because any that fails to reach the surface of the handrail/balustrade will disperse into thin air. Powder coating is also a faster and therefore a more productive process: paint may need hours or days to fully dry, whereas powder will fully cure within 20 minutes.
Evenness
Spray paint can drip, streak and spread unevenly. In contrast, the powder coating process guarantees an even coating with a smooth surface and no trace of application marks.
Non-toxic
Powder polymers are inert and therefore contain zero toxins. They emit zero greenhouse gases when applied. In contrast, spray painting releases toxins into the atmosphere. Toxic solvents can be harmful if inhaled, so painting is also less safe as well as less eco-friendly.
Durability
Powder coating has higher strength and flexibility than painted finishes. This means that, unlike paint, it won’t crack, flake or peel. If a surface starts to deteriorate in this way, it makes the handrail/balustrade prone to further damage through infiltration of moisture which causes corrosion.
Powder coating is also very resistant to chipping or scratching, so it’s effectively a maintenance-free finish. Most powder coatings also have superior colour retention to paint.
Temperature regulation
Powder coating has low thermal conductivity. That is often an important quality for handrails and balustrade, especially in external installations. In extreme temperatures, metal can become very hot or cold, affecting its safety and comfort to the touch, so this can be avoided with a protective powder coating which is a poor conductor of temperature.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF POWDER COATING
Having established that powder coating offers many advantages over other common finishes, it’s also worth noting that there are two different types of powder coating which offer their own advantages: nylon and polyester.
We cover their differences in more detail here, but their benefits can be summarised as follows:
Polyester
The leading choice for UV resistance and colour stability.
Easier to apply and can use lower film thicknesses.
Lower overall coating costs.
Nylon
The leading choice for resistance to wear, abrasion and chemicals.
Can be manufactured from renewable resources.
Offers more flexibility at low temperatures.
Neaco offer both nylon and polyester powder coating within our range. We can advise the best option for your built environment.
POWDER COATED COLOUR FORMULATION
One of the few advantages offered in favour of painted finishes is the suggestion that they are easier to mix and match with greater accuracy to achieve precise colours. However, powder coating can be just as specialised and accurate with the benefit of an experienced manufacturer and advanced facilities. Neaco can powder coat any RAL colour as well as supply special formulations for bespoke needs. We also powder coat a range of metallic colours, from Champagne to Graphite.
CAN YOU ACHIEVE WOOD-EFFECT COATING?
Coating is rarely discussed in the context of timber handrails and balustrade, primarily because many people prefer not to cover up the rich texture and natural beauty of wood grain. The traditional style of timber has a timeless appeal which can be complemented by a contemporary touch when combined with metallic rails and stanchions.
Unfortunately, using real wood is fraught with various issues. It’s more prone to surface damage, which makes it less safe to touch and more likely to need regular maintenance. Wood requires ongoing treatment to maintain its aesthetic, prevent absorption of bacteria and control infection. Using wood on residential developments can also have legal implications: the latest Building Regulations prohibit the use of combustible materials on external features such as balconies.
Thankfully, an alternative is available. Neaco have developed a special coating for aluminium handrails and balustrade which reproduces the intricate detailing of natural oak grain. Our Timberline system has the aesthetic virtues of wood whilst offering several practical advantages compared to the real thing: it is non-absorptive, safe to the touch, extremely durable and non-chip. Available in a matt or gloss finish, Timberline’s wood-effect options are now one of the most popular specifications in our balustrade range.
TALK TO OUR TEAM ABOUT YOUR REQUIREMENTS
Neaco’s team of specialists can advise on everything you need to know about powder coated finishes for aluminium handrails and balustrade. If you need a specific colour/finish for a specific built environment, we can provide a solution to match your requirements. We can also provide samples on request. For a free consultation, contact us today via 01653 695721 or email sales@neaco.co.uk. Alternatively, please submit an enquiry on our Contact page and we’ll get in touch at a time to suit you.
Antimicrobial Coatings – Ideal For Maintaining A Hygienic Environment
The fast-paced lifestyles that we all lead today means that public places are receiving a high-volume of pedestrian traffic and, where there are people, there are microbes such as bacteria.
With this in mind, we’re introducing new antimicrobial coatings as an option for our adaptive bathing products and balustrade systems. These coatings contain quality controlled antimicrobial technology that provides an additional level of protection against microbial growth.
24-hour protection 7 days a week is provided for the lifetime of the product (as long as the coating is not damaged) and will not wear off or wash out. For additional assurance, the coatings are regularly validated and independently quality control tested.
The antimicrobial coatings are designed to be easily maintained and will help to prevent odours, stains and deterioration. As well as this, an extensive range of colours, textures and special finishes are available, making them suitable for all requirements and applications.
Extra Protection for Adaptive Bathing Products
The antimicrobial coatings are ideal for use with our adaptive bathing product range. Our product range is not only suitable for domestic settings but is also a popular choice for care homes, hospitals, other medical environments and public restrooms – all of which require the highest levels of hygiene, durability and easy maintenance so would benefit from the additional protection that these coatings provide.
Ideal for Handrail and Balustrade Systems
Handrails and balustrades receive a high-volume of pedestrian traffic, which allows microbes such as bacteria, to grow and spread more rapidly.
By incorporating an anti-microbial coating, the growth of microbes on these surfaces will be vastly reduced; this is a very important requirement in settings that receive this level of use and have an obvious need to maintain a hygienic environment such as medial establishments, gyms, airports, sport centres, schools and care homes.
The antimicrobial coating is durable, easy to maintain and provides the stylish and modern aesthetics that would complement any architectural design.
Further Information
For further information about our adaptive bathing range, balustrade systems or the anti-microbial coatings, please email sales@neaco.co.uk or call 01653 695 721.
8 Tips for the Remote Worker – Neaco’s Guide to Working from Home
Like most of the UK’s workforce, the Neaco team are now remotely working from home. While this is the norm for many people, we at Neaco have had to make adjustments and are settling into a new working rhythm.
With this in mind, here are a few tips from our home workers for anyone who is new to remote working or is struggling to stay focused…
1. Be Presentable
While nobody expects you to sit at your kitchen table/makeshift office in a suit and tie, getting dressed in something other than pyjamas will make you feel like you’re ready for the day.
2. Stick to Your Normal Bedtime
Going to bed and waking up at the same time you would if you were still gong to the office is a good way to keep a sense of normality.
3. Maintain Regular Contact
Keeping in touch with your colleagues, wherever they may be, will help with motivation and keep you from feeling too isolated.
4. Routine
Even though you’re working from home, try to follow your office routine. If you have your lunch at 1pm, still have your lunch at 1pm. If you usually have a cup of tea at 3pm, have a cup of tea at 3pm.
5. Keep the Balance
Don’t fall into the trap of working 2 extra hours a day because this would normally be your commuting time. This will catch up to you very quickly!
6. Coffee, Coffee, Coffee
Without the usual buzz from the office, you might need some extra pick-me-ups. Neaco is practically fuelled by coffee so this would be our recommendation.
7. Stay Away from the Biscuit Tin
Just because they’re there, doesn’t mean you have to eat them.
8. Try to Enjoy it!
Finally, try to make the best of the situation – you can finally set the ‘office’ temperature just how you like it!
Neaco Fire Rated Balconies Help a Former School Gain a Modern Edge
One of our most recently completed projects is a retirement development in the seaside town of Scarborough, North Yorkshire for one of the UK’s leading care home and retirement property developers.
The Project
This project was the former Bramcote School and was originally constructed as a series of Victorian terraces. The development now offers 54 one- and two-bedroom retirement apartments with modern balconies exclusively for over 70s and enjoys views of Scarborough Castle and the North Sea.
Fire Rated Decking
We were able to provide this development with our A1 Fire Rated, aluminium Neatdek decking, complete with inserts, for the modern balconies and terrace areas. Neatdek with inserts is a popular choice for retirement properties as it provides excellent slip resistance and directional drainage, making it an incredibly safe option for elderly or disabled residents.
Juliet Balconies
Our Juliet balconies were specified throughout this project and incorporate 10mm thick, toughened safety glass with a grey tint; this allows sufficient light into the apartments, maintains the residents’ privacy and gives the historic development a contemporary edge.
Glass Balustrade
We also manufactured and installed a vast amount of balustrade throughout the development with the same toughened and tinted safety glass. This balustrade system has been installed on the numerous walk-on and parapet balconies, as well as on the large roof terrace. Ovular toprails were incorporated into the design of the balustrades, which makes leaning over to take in the views of the coastline much more comfortable for residents.
