Waterproofing (tanking)
Every wet area — full shower walls, splash zones, walk-in shower floors — receives a fully bonded tanking membrane (Aquapanel + Mapelastic or equivalent) before tile. Not silicone, not just board. This is the difference between 25 years and 2 years.
Substrate strategy
Walls: 12.5 mm cement-bonded tile backer on timber stud, taped and tanked. Floors: 22 mm ply overlay screwed to joists at 150 mm centres, decoupling membrane (Schluter Ditra), then porcelain tile. No flex, no crack-out.
Plumbing materials
Copper or polybutylene for hot/cold (push-fit on inspectable connections only — never buried). Soldered joints in inaccessible chases. Full pressure-test at first fix, recorded in writing.
Electrical zones
Bathroom IP-rated downlights, fan, mirror lighting and shaver sockets — all Part-P notified and certified. Zone 1/2 compliant fittings only, RCD-protected circuit, isolator outside the room.
Ventilation done properly
Continuous-run extractor (Vent-Axia Lo-Carbon Silhouette) ducted in rigid pipe to atmosphere via insulated route, condensate trap on cold runs. Sized to the room volume per Doc F — typically 15 l/s for a bathroom, 8 l/s for a WC.
Underfloor heating
Electric mat as standard in any tiled bathroom — 150–200 W/m² with floor probe and Heatmiser smart thermostat. Warm-floor luxury for under £600 fitted.
Suite selection
We are open-spec — work with any UK brand the client wants (Roca, Lefroy Brooks, Britton, Crosswater, Burlington, Vitra etc). We recommend the right valve/fitting brand for hard water (Darlington water is moderately hard) to maximise lifespan.