Bathroom Installation

TM Hughes is a family run business that design and fit bathrooms in Essex. We also offer a full and partial refurbishment service. Whether you want some simple upgrades to your existing bathroom or want a brand new bathroom designed from the ground up, we can help you.

We have many satisfied customers in the county. Our staff includes gas safe plumbers and heating engineers, tiler’s, electricians and bathroom designers who specialise in bathrooms. Our team have a track record of building high-quality bathrooms in Essex over a few decades.

No Obligation Survey & Quote

First of all, we need to know your requirements and what you want from a new bathroom installation/upgrade. Allow us to send our bathroom fitter over who’ll discuss your requirements, take measurements and present all the available options—your welcome to add your own ideas. Show us an image of a bathroom you would like to emulate or use one of our standard designs.

Once we have built up a picture of how best to build your new bathroom, you’ll be written a free no-obligation quote. If you decide to use our bathroom fitting service, we’ll design a schedule to build your bathroom.

This allows us to pre-order materials, organise staff and build your bathroom within a specific timeframe. The goal is to build your bathroom in the swiftest, least disruptive way possible.

You’ll find our staff quiet, polite and tidy they are also highly skilled and experienced and will build you a smart looking functional bathroom that you’ll enjoy for years to come.

How We Build Your Ideal Bathroom

Your bathroom will look good and function well. We do this by designing each component at a time from start to finish. We start with the floor, then the walls both will meet the heavy demands of everyday use. Next, we look at the suite, shower and taps. Heating and lighting add the finishing touches to the bathroom, then we can add storage space if required in convenient areas. There are hundreds (even thousands) of different possibilities when it comes to bathroom design.

Flooring

Bathroom flooring is non-slip and waterproof. Before we lay any flooring, we’ll ensure the underlay is adequate (and watertight) for bathroom use. Inadequate underlay is commonly found in Essex bathrooms, a needless weakness we’ll rectify. The levels of grippyness and non-slip varies depending on the flooring material used. The actual colour and pattern of the flooring will depend on the overall style of your bathroom and the look you want to achieve.

Floor Tiles

Tiles are the most common bathroom flooring. Ceramic is waterproof and very robust. Bathroom floor tiles will last for years (even decades). Tiles are available in many colours, textures and shapes and mainly made from Porcelain, a sturdy ceramic less prone to chipping and cracking (compared to other ceramics). Some tiles are more non-slippery than others; it mainly depends on the coarseness of the surface. The smallest of floor tiles are grippy because of less surface area and more grout lines.

Vinyl

Vinyl is quick and easy to fit. There are many designs and colours available. Vinyl can be slippery when wet, so consider if there are children present or the bathrooms for an older person (bathroom mats are advisable or a grippier floor material such as rubber). Vinyl is available on rolls or as tiles of various shapes.

Rubber

Rubber is the softest of all flooring materials, so a good choice for children and older people. Rubber’s very hardwearing, 100% waterproof with excellent non-slip characteristics. Available on a roll or in tiles in various colours.

Concrete, Slate & Marble

Concrete is a very in vogue bathroom flooring material. Once laid, it’s treated to make the floor non-porous (this treatment has to be carried out every couple of years). Slate and Marble are other options that are expensive and require maintenance. Take the maintenance aspect into consideration before choosing these high-end floor materials.

Wood

Some bathroom styles will require wood flooring. While wood isn’t the best choice for a bathroom when it comes to waterproofness and non-slippiness, it can be fitted. Engineered wood is installed in these situations. However, you mustn’t get it too wet to avoid if you have children (children are notorious for splashing water over bathroom floors)

Walls

The design and colour of your bathroom walls will determine the essential mood and look of your bathroom. Walls must be waterproof around the shower and bath areas, so they are covered in a suitable material. Other areas can use the same wall coverings to match or use non-waterproof materials for a contrasting look.

Wall Tiles

The number one wall material, ceramic tiles, is non-porous, waterproof, and makes a bathroom look like a bathroom. Many colours, sizes and shapes are on offer. Tiles can be set in different patterns. The most popular is ‘linear’ and ‘brick bond’. Other styles include ‘herringbone’ and ‘basket weave’. ‘Modular’ patterns are possible with the utilisation of square and rectangular tiles.

Panels

Waterproof panels are a quick and easy method of covering bathroom walls. They look good also available in various colours and designs. Wall panels are hygienic and easy to clean. You don’t get issues such as grout mould (which sometimes happens with tiles if you don’t stay on top of cleaning). Panels are available in acrylic, laminate and PVC. Acrylic panels are the most expensive, while PVC is the cheapest.

Decorative Wood & Cladding

Areas away from the shower and bath can be fitted with decorative wood or wood cladding. All wood must be treated so it’s water-resistant. The bathroom must also have proper ventilation to prevent warping, mould and mildew. Wood adds colour and depth and is often used for finishing touches and achieving certain styles.

Paint

Bathroom paints available in many different colours and is made to resist water, moisture, steam and mould. Adding colour to walls or certain areas of walls can create dramatic effects, finishing off the bathroom’s overall look.

Bathroom Suites

The Bathroom Suite consists of a matching toilet, basin and bath. The suite picked will complement your bathroom’s overall look and design while being functional and up to the rigours of everyday use. Most bathroom suites fall into the ‘traditional’ or ‘modern’ category. ‘Traditional’ suites are more rounded and may feature distinctive lines, while ‘modern suites’ are flatter and square in shape. All suites are available in different sizes so you can make the best use of the space in your bathroom.

Toilets

Several types of toilets are available, the kind you choose will depend on your style of bathroom. A traditional victorian bathroom may use a high flush cistern (the most powerful flush out of all the toilets), while a modern bathroom may utilise a wall hung toilet where the cisterns hidden inside the wall. All new toilets are fitted with dual flush systems that conserve water.

Basins

The basin’s essential for hand washing, teeth cleaning and shaving. There are lots of types of basins to choose from, from the traditional pedestal design to countertop. Basins are commonly fitted into furniture (such as vanity units) or onto stands.

Baths

Most standard baths have a panel included, so the plumbings out of sight. Other bath types include corner baths, showerbaths, free-standing and pedestal. Shower baths are efficient when you want to incorporate a shower and bath in the same space.  Baths are mainly acrylic constructed, a hardwearing material that lasts many years. Baths can also be made from steel and even cast iron, copper, and stone; the latter are designer materials that are hard to source and expensive.

Taps

Taps are available in traditional and modern styles to complement your suite.

• Pillar – A pair of single free-standing taps
• Mixer – A single unit that delivers both hot and cold water
• Thermostatic – use both hot and cold water to prevent scalding, ideal for mixer showers
• Monobloc – A single tap that provides both hot and cold water

Showers

Most bathrooms incorporate a shower. Some are fitted over the bath (in which case a shower bath is usually fitted). Others are fitted in their own enclosure or a shower room.

Mixer Showers – Mixer showers can be incorporated with bath taps (thermostatic taps) or fitted independently. Thermostatic mixer showers mix hot and cold water to reach the desired temperature. Thermostats are used to maintain your preferred temperature and prevent accidents in case of the cold water supply pressure drops. Some systems allow for a shower pump used to increase water pressure.

Electric Showers – Electric showers take water from the cold water supply and heat the water instantly to a set temperature. The shower pressure will match your mains water supply pressure. Electric showers are not ideal for low water pressure areas.

Digital Thermostatic Showers – Safe showers that maintain temperature well. Controlled by a digital remote control so you can switch the water on and off while standing outside the shower.

The Finishing Touches

Heating, lighting, mirrors, bathroom furniture and storage finish off your bathroom. Heating can be supplied by radiators, heated towel rails or even underfloor heating. Lighting is designed to make the bathroom look good while providing for tasks such as shaving. You’ll likely want some storage for your towels and cleaning products. Again many options available for all. Our bathroom fitter will go through them with you.

Call – 01245 830075