Can't tell your MDF from MFC? Don't know what the WRAS do? Don't worry, help is at hand.
In our bathroom jargon buster, we'll explain all those unusual terms that you don't often come across in everyday life, until, that is, you start searching for a bathroom.
ABS
No, we're not talking Anti-Braking Systems as found on cars. When it comes to bathrooms you may see the term ABS used when it comes to materials used for the construction of items such as shower handsets. ABS stands for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene—more commonly known, to you and me, as acrylic.
Benefits
Inexpensive, mouldable, hard-wearing, resistant to scratches and staining, warm to the touch.
Our traditional style Winchester shower handset is manufactured from lightweight ABS and finished in chrome
CE marked to BS EN 14428
The CE mark on products indicates that the product complies with the necessary requirements of a European directive which in this case is the Construction Products Directive. This allows the product to be sold in any member state within the European Union and the UK.
To show compliance with the directive the product must be tested to the relevant European standard—for shower enclosures the standard is: BS EN 14428:2015. Shower enclosures. Functional requirements and test methods
To be allowed to apply the CE mark, the factory in which they are produced MUST have adequate Factory Production Controls to ensure a consistent product is always manufactured.
All shower enclosures must contain toughened safety glass, designed to shatter into small fragments if it suffers a hard impact, so as not to leave any jagged shards upon which serious injury could occur. Also as part of testing, it must be proved that the enclosure doesn't leak or corrode, and is stable and durable (amongst many other tests).
Benefits
If you see "CE marked to BS EN 14428", you can be assured that an enclosure has been tested and certified so it is safe for use.
You'll be happy to know, at Victoria Plum, ALL of our shower enclosures have been CE marked to BS EN 14428, comply with the necessary European standard, and all factories have been audited to ensure they have good Factory Production Controls.
MDF
This is a term many of you will be familiar with. It stands for Medium Density Fibreboard and is a type of man-made wood (sometimes referred to as "engineered wood") used in a wide range of furniture used across the whole home.
Benefits
Can be produced in a range of colours and wood-effect finishes, solid construction, inexpensive to make, easy-to-cut to shape.
The gorgeous Harrison white floorstanding vanity drawer unit and basin is manufactured from high gloss white MDF
MFC
This term is perhaps a little more obscure. It stands for Melamine Faced Chipboard and is used to provide thinner sides to certain furniture items, where thicker MDF isn't necessary.
Benefits
Lightweight, easy to shape and handle.
UF
Unless you work in the plastics or moulding industry, UF is most probably not a term you have ever come across. It stands for Urea-formaldehyde and is a form of resin, common in the manufacture of toilet seats.
Benefits
Very strong and hardwearing, can be moulded into a variety of shapes, easy to clean for hygienic use.
The Elsdon toilet seat is made from durable, hygienic UF
WRAS
The WRAS is the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme. Its purpose, according to its website, is "to contribute to the protection of public health by preventing contamination of public water supplies and encouraging the efficient use of water."
The WRAS provides an approval scheme for toilets, whereby they can check and certify that toilets are compliant with water regulations. You will find that many of our toilets come complete with WRAS approved cisterns for added peace of mind.
Still haven't found an answer to your question?
Check out our A to Z bathroom glossary or visit our help centre.
