Why Knowing Bathroom Terms Matters
Planning a bathroom can be very exciting, but can also become overwhelming with tons of terminology you might be unfamiliar with. From walk-in-showers and rimless toilets to vanity units and thermostatic showers, there is a lot to take in and bathroom product descriptions can quickly become confusing if you haven't heard the terms before or have little bathroom renovation experience.
By understanding common bathroom terminology, it can make things far easier for you when it comes to choosing the right products for your space. Whether you're renovating your entire bathroom or simply upgrading a few key features, knowing what each term means will help you shop with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
In this guide, we explain 50 of the most common bathroom terms you're likely to come across when looking for showers, baths, toilets, basins and bathroom furniture. Use this glossary to quickly understand what each product is, how it works and whether it's the right product for you and your bathroom.
In this guide:
- Shower terms explained
- Bath terms explained
- Toilet terms explained
- Basin and vanity unit terms explained
- Bathroom furniture terms explained
- Plumbing terms explained
Showers
Showers are one of the most popular bathroom upgrades, they combine practicality and style, what's not to love? Understanding all the different types of showers, valves, trays and doors can help you choose the best option for you. For example, walk-in showers create a modern, open feel and are ideal for wet rooms, while enclosed showers such as quadrant shower enclosures are perfect in smaller bathrooms for keeping water contained. Thermostatic showers maintain a consistent water temperature, providing a more comfortable experience, and rainfall shower heads can add luxury without major renovations. Knowing all these shower terms ensures you can make an informed decision when shopping for showers.
1. Walk-In Shower: Walk in showers often feature an accessible low profile tray with a step-free design, using 1 or 2 glass screens to keep water contained, providing better accessibility for those with limited abilities.
2. Shower Enclosure: A shower enclosure is a fully watertight unit surrounded entirely by glass panels to contain water and any spray from going anywhere else in your bathroom.
3. Mixer Shower: Mixer showers connect to both your hot and cold water supply to provide a blend of hot and cold water within the shower valve to make it easy for you to set your desired water temperature before it leaves your shower head.
4. Thermostatic Shower Valve: A thermostatic shower valve provides a consistent blend of hot and cold water that is usually a pre-set temperature monitored by a thermostatic cartridge inside your shower unit, meaning that if other water supplies are used during showering, it should maintain its temperature to reduce the risk of hot or cold shocks.
5. Rainfall Shower: Rainfall showers are found in over head, fixed shower head designs, these showers provide a gentle, low-pressure flow over a wide coverage to provide a spa-like experience.
6. Shower Valve: A shower valve is the control centre in your shower that is used to set the water flow and your desired water temperature. Available in both concealed and exposed designs, as well as both manual and thermostatic valves available.
7. Concealed Shower Valve: Concealed shower valves are installed directly behind your wall tiles, with only the controls and decorative face place on display. Concealed shower valves offer a minimalist look, with easy maintenance and space-saving designs.
8. Exposed Shower Valve: With an exposed shower valve, the shower control unit is installed directly on to the surface of your bathroom wall with the valve and pipework fully visible. Ideal for simple renovations as they require no wall chasing and offer easy maintenance.
9. Shower Tray: The shower tray is the base to your walk-in shower, offering a fully waterproof, sloped design to direct water straight to your drain and prevent any risk of leaks outside your shower area. With anti-slip shower trays to improve bathroom safety.
10. Sliding Shower Door: A sliding shower door moves horizontally along a track instead of opening outwards towards your bathroom. Perfect for compact bathrooms, sliding shower doors feature toughened safety glass and smooth operation.
11. Pivot Shower Door: Pivot shower doors rotate on a vertical hinge point that is located on the top and bottom of your shower enclosure frame, opening outwards with a small portion of the door moving inward. Pivot shower doors offer a wide entry point, with less maintenance required.
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Baths
Baths aren't just for soaking - they can be a statement feature for your bathroom. With freestanding baths that act as a centrepiece to double-ended baths allowing both ends to be used. Accessories such as bath fillers, bath shower mixers and waste and overflow systems are important to understand when selecting your bath so you can be confident you have all the key components to ensure your bathtub operates smoothly. Knowing the terminology helps you match style with function and ensures you pick a bath that fits your space and style perfectly.
13. Freestanding Bath: A freestanding bath is a bathtub that stands independently in your bathroom and can be placed anywhere, however they usually require floor mounted taps and specialised plumbing.
14. Shower Bath: Shower baths feature a dedicated, wider showering end, often in P-shape and L-shape designs allowing you to save space and combine a bath and shower in to one bathroom fixture.
15. Bath Screen: Bath screens are designed to be paired with a shower bath and feature a toughened glass panel that creates a splash-proof zone for showering and offer a stylish alternative to shower curtains.
16. Single Ended Bath: This style of bath features bath taps, overflow and waste at one end of the bath, with a vertical side and one sloped side for single ended bathing and back support. Single ended baths are ideal for smaller bathrooms.
17. Double Ended Bath: Double ended baths have bath taps, overflow and waste centrally located with a sloping side at both ends of the bathtub for comfortable bathing on either end. They are designed with enough space for dual bathing or provides extra room for one.
18. Bath Filler Tap: Bath filler taps are usually in deck-mounted or wall-mounted designs that blends hot and cold water through a single spout but is controlled by two separate levers.
19. Bath Shower Mixer: A bath shower mixer is a bathroom tap that combines hot and cold water to fill the bathtub alongside a special connection for a shower handset for showering. Allowing an easy switch between bathing and showering all from one tap, offering a space-saving bathroom solution.
20. Bath Waste: Bath wastes are a plumbing mechanism that is essential and allows water to drain from your bath into your homes plumbing system. A bath waste is typically combined with a plug, drain fitting, overflow pipe and trap.
21. Bath Overflow: Bath overflows are usually a small hole or opening located near the top of the bath by your taps to prevent it from overflowing. It allows excess water to drain directly into your homes plumbing system instead of overfilling onto your bathrooms floor.
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Toilets
The throne of your bathroom - toilets come in many different styles, each with unique installation requirements and features. Close coupled toilets are a traditional style while back to wall and wall hung toilets offer a clean, minimalistic look while also offering easier cleaning. With an array of features and benefits to choose from, it can quickly become overwhelming and might result in you regretting your choice of toilet, either because you splashed out on all the extra features that you don't personally benefit from, or the opposite and you wish you get more from your toilet. Understanding these terms helps you pick a toilet that suits both your bathroom design and daily needs.
22. Close Coupled Toilet: A close coupled toilet is a modern toilet design that features the cistern mounted directly onto the back of the toilet pan, creating a single toilet unit. When you flush a close coupled toilet, water is released from the cistern directly in to the toilet bowl to carry away waste.
23. Wall Hung Toilet: Wall hung toilets - also known as a floating toilet, are designed to be mounted directly on the wall with plumbing concealed behind the wall. Perfect for small and modern bathrooms to maximise floor space and create the illusion of a bigger bathroom.
24. Back to Wall Toilet: Similarly to a wall hung toilet, back to wall toilets have the cistern concealed behind the wall or inside a furniture unit, but with the toilet pan sitting on the floor instead of floating.
25. Rimless Toilet: Rimless toilets are a modern toilet design that doesn't feature the rim inside the bowl, eliminating bacteria and hidden grime build up. A rimless toilet is much more hygienic compared to traditional toilet designs.
26. Comfort Height Toilet: Comfort height toilets are designed for easier accessibility and reduced strain on joints, these toilets are designed to sit at a similar height to standard chairs which is roughly 2-4 inches higher than a standard toilet. Ideal for those with limited mobility and the elderly.
27. Soft Close Toilet Seat: A soft close toilet seat features a soft-close mechanism in the hinges to allow the seat to close slowly and quietly, eliminating unnecessary slams and damage to the toilet and toilet seat.
28. Dual Flush: A dual flush is a water saving, toilet flush system that features two buttons, one that is a lower volume flush for liquid waste and higher volume flush for solid waste.
29. Concealed Cistern: Concealed cisterns are a water tank that is built in and hidden behind the wall or within a furniture unit, offering a modern look and a quieter flush. Concealed cisterns ideally pair with wall-hung toilets ensuring a minimalist appearance.
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Basins & Vanity Units
Basins and vanity units are the centrepiece to a functional bathroom. With wall-hung basins offering a space saving design and countertop basins that sit on top of a surface for a stand out design feature. A pedestal basin can hide plumbing and suit traditional bathroom designs, whereas a vanity unit combines smart storage solutions and a basin all in one. Choosing the right basin type ensures your bathroom is stylish and functional for you, while understanding terms like basin mixer taps helps you select the perfect fixtures and finishes.
30. Basin: A basin is a sink that is used for washing hands or your face. It is widely available in a variety of styles including wall-mounted and countertop, making it easy to suit any bathroom style or layout
31. Countertop Basin: Countertop basins are designed to sit directly on top of a vanity unit or bathroom worktop. These basins pair well with tall or wall-mounted taps for a statement feature.
32. Wall Hung Basin: Wall hung basins are hung directly onto the wall and don't touch the floor, leaving empty space underneath and making them perfect for small bathrooms and modern designs.
33. Semi Recessed Basin: A semi recessed basin sits partly within a vanity unit or countertop with the front of the basin slightly protruding for an integrated look, ideal for bathrooms where space is limited.
34. Cloakroom Basin: Cloakroom basins are designed for small bathrooms and guest toilets with a slim and compact design to provide a functional sink without having to compromise on style or space.
35. Pedestal Basin: A pedestal basin is a classic choice for traditional bathrooms with a column placed beneath the sink that conceals pipework for a tidy look. These basins come in full or semi pedestal styles.
36. Basin Mixer Tap: A basin mixer tap is a type of tap that mixes hot and cold water and come out of a single spout. It allows you to easily control water flow and temperature with one handle.
37. Vanity Unit: Vanity units are bathroom cabinets that incorporate a basin on top with storage underneath. They create a clean, modern look and help smaller bathrooms feel more spacious with integrated storage for a clutter free space.
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Bathroom Furniture
Bathroom furniture is the key component to creating a stylish, organised and cohesive bathroom. From storage units to mirrors and heated towel rails, the right fixtures can keep your bathroom in order and looking the part. You don't want to regret skipping purchasing bathroom furniture or even regret buying the wrong size or style, by understanding common terms it will help you choose the pieces that suit both your style and space.
38. Mirror Cabinet: A mirror cabinet is a bathroom mirror that has built-in storage behind it. These mirrors are ideal for storing everyday items such as toothpaste and skincare to keep your bathroom clutter free while remaining aesthetic.
39. Illuminated Mirror: An illuminated mirror contains integrated lighting, typically LED lighting to provide better visibility for everyday tasks such as shaving and applying makeup. They are available in front lit and back lit lighting styles in a wide range of shapes and sizes to add a modern touch to any bathroom.
40. Demister Mirror: A demister mirror is a type of mirror with built in heating pad that is designed to prevent the mirrors surface from steaming up and reduces the annoyance of having to wipe your mirror down and water marks.
41. Floating Vanity Unit: Floating vanity units are wall-mounted cabinets that leave an empty space underneath. Ideal for smaller bathrooms to create the illusion of a bigger space and makes cleaning the floor easier.
42. Heated Towel Rail: A heated towel rail is a bathroom radiator that also provides a rack for you to store your towels. They are a space saving alternative to traditional radiators and are designed to warm and dry your towels.
43. Tall Bathroom Unit: Tall bathroom units are storage cabinets designed to maximise space by making the most of the vertical space in your bathroom. They are ideal for storing towels, toiletries and cleaning products without taking up too much space in your bathroom.
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Plumbing Terms
While plumbing and installation terms can seem technical and not your problem, knowing the basics helps to make bathroom renovations and maintenance that little bit easier. These terms cover the essential pipework, valves and tap fittings that keep your bathroom functioning properly, helping you to make informed decisions when shopping or planning installations. You don't want to get caught out on plumbing jargon.
44. Bottle Trap: A bottle trap is a compact pipe fitting that is installed underneath a basin to prevent unpleasant smells from coming up through the drain and into your bathroom. It is usually visible in wall-mounted installations.
45. P-Trap: P-traps are curved u-shaped section of pipe that holds water to create a seal and block sewer gasses from entering in to your bathroom. It is commonly used for basins and sinks.
46. Soil Pipe: Soil pipes carry waste water from toilets into the main drainage system of your home. This is an essential part of bathroom plumbing.
47. Tap Hole: A tap hole is an opening in your basin or bath that allows for a tap to be installed. Products may have one, two or no tap holes depending on what style of tap it accommodates.
48. Isolation Valve: The isolation valve allows you to shut off your water supply to a specific fixture in your bathroom, for example your toilet or basin. Knowing where this is located makes maintenance and repairs easier without the need to shut off your homes whole water supply.
49. Deck Mounted Tap: Deck mounted taps are a bathroom tap that is installed directly onto the basin or baths surface. It is one of the most common types of bathroom taps.
50. Wall Mounted Tap: A wall mounted tap is installed onto the wall above your basin or bath and frees up space on your bathrooms surfaces for a clean and minimalistic look.
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Conclusion
Knowing bathroom terminology can making planning, shopping and the renovation a whole lot easier. Whether you're upgrading your shower, choosing a wall hung toilet or picking the perfect vanity unit, knowing what each term means will help you make decisions you can be confident in and you can create the bathroom of your dreams.
This glossary covers 50 common bathroom terms, from showers and baths to basins, toilets, furniture and plumbing essentials. Keep it handy as you browse our range of products to make sure you pick the right things for your style and bathroom layout.
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