The Bathroom Glossary
New to the world of bathrooms? Heres a simple guide that will help you understand the most popular terms.
Bevelled tiles Tiles with an angled edge.
Bi-fold door Two door panels that are connected by hinges and fold in the middle to open. Excellent for showers in a small bathroom.
Cistern The tank that holds the water used to flush a toilet.
Claw-foot Refers to a freestanding bath with four claw shaped feet.
Clicker waste An alternative to a sink plug that must be clicked to drain the water
Cornice An ornamental moulding around the wall of a room, just below the ceiling.
Diverter The fixture that enables water to be accessed by either the bath or the shower. Generally a mixer tap with an extra button.
Drop-in Bath A bath that is installed into the floor. It has an extended rim that is visible.
Encaustic tiles Inlaid tiles dating back to the 12th century, which comes in a range of striking patterns
Ensuite bathroom An extra bathroom that is usually attached to the master bedroom.
Finger-pull drawers or cabinets Handle-less cabinets or drawers with a recess at the top or bottom to allow them to be opened.
Floor-mounted tap A tall tap that is attached to the floor to be used with freestanding baths.
Flush plate The toilet-flushing buttons that are attached directly to the wall when the cistern has been concealed in the wall.
Frameless shower screen A shower screen made of glass panels without a metal or plastic trim around the edges. The sleek design gives the bathroom a more open, spacious feel
Freestanding bath A type of bath that is not attached to any walls, but instead is installed through the floor.
Hand shower A shower head with a long hose attachment. It sits in a bracket and is easily adjusted.
LED lighting Popular lighting style for bathrooms as its durable and energy sufficient. Often used to highlight areas such as vanities.
Mixer tap A tap with a lever that mixes both hot and cold water before it reaches the outlet.
Porcelain tiles Tiles that come glazed of full-bodied (also known as vitrified), which means the pattern runs right through them.
Rain shower head A shower head designed to mimic rainfall.
Subway tiles An oblong-shaped tile, generally laid in a brick pattern.
Trap In plumbing, a trap is the S or U. This is used beneath a vanity or toilet to eliminate smell.
Travertine tiles Tiles made from a form of limestone.
Underfloor heating A method of heating through the floor. Works especially well in bathrooms to warm the freezing tiles.
Undermount sink A sink that is installed beneath the vanity and hangs underneath, offering a seamless fit between the sink and top.
WC (water-closet) A toilet.
Vanity The cabinet built underneath or around a bathroom basin.
