The office washroom is one of the most visited, and universally used areas of the entire office. With that in mind, the design and creation of this busy space should be a top priority.
Materials are an undeniably important factor. Taking into account the absorption abilities of your desired material and offsetting it with the overall level of use will help you avoid issues and heavy repair costs further down the line.
In addition to other obvious criteria required of washroom materials, such as being hardwearing and easy to clean, materiality also underpins positioning the aesthetic to appeal to the chosen target market. For example, Mayfair offices targeted at investment funds clients will require very different materials to those aimed at the tech crowd in King's Cross & Fitrovia.
Below, we have highlighted a few of these primary areas (cubicles, lockers, and vanities), with a guide to appropriate material selection.
Cubicles
Our range of luxury full-height washroom cubicles are designed to suit both low and heavy-office use. Regardless of your design and requirements, you will always find something to suit your personal taste in terms of style and finish.
Features you should look for in durable washroom cubicles include sturdy but discreet fixing details, a wide range of colours, and easily interchangeable parts, in case of any future damage. At Maxwood Washrooms, we take pride in ticking all those boxes. Our cubicles remain functional and long-lasting, whilst easily retaining scope to incorporate bespoke detailing to fit the aesthetic of your chosen look and feel.
Our washroom cubicles are available in the following materials:
Glass
A classic. Often considered to be of superior quality, glass finishes will add a touch of luxury to any washroom. At Maxwood, we use toughened glass to ensure greater durability; certain to withstand the test of time and the inevitable occasional knock. Super-easy to keep clean and low maintenance, our finishes can also be coloured to any RAL colour to match your requirements. We also offer various surface finishes such as the etched finish which is very matt, or the reeded finish which has a fluting pattern.
Metal
Looking for a more industrial, ‘edgy’ feel? Or conversely, a little luxe colour pop? Consider metal finishes - whatever your brand, they can be a huge design advantage. They are also highly versatile, surprisingly hardwearing, and easy to clean. Metal is super stylish and often used in trendy boutique hotels for a more ‘edgy’ look, or for luxury detailing to match taps and accessories. PVD metal also comes in a variety of different shades - meaning your washroom can be as unique as your brand.
Wood veneer
With its wide range of cool-to-warm shades and abundant textures, wood is a hard material to match. In fact, it remains one of the most desired materials of all time.
No matter your personal taste or brand style, wood remains a stylish, eco-friendly option. Whether your theme is luxurious-classic or urban-retro, you’ll always be inundated with suitable options to complement your decor. It is a must have for eco-friendly organisations that are taking strides towards improved sustainability.
Did you know? We source particle board, MDF, plywood and other such boards from suppliers with FSC accreditation.
On the flip side, some wood finishes tend to deteriorate if they absorb too much water, so it is essential to speak to a professional who can advise on the best applications for vendors within your project. Overall, highly luxurious, timeless, and versatile; wood is durable, resistant and offers longevity.
Laminate
Once considered an inferior material compared to modern hardwood, laminate has come on leaps and bounds over the last decade. It’s now considered to be one of the hardest wearing, stylish surface materials there is.
Not only that, but laminate is renowned for its resistance to damage. Due to its enhanced performance properties, it is resilient to scratching, abrasions, impact, and general surface wear. Solid grade (or compact) laminate is 100% waterproof and is virtually indestructible. High pressure laminate (HPL) will also withstand medium-to-high use, but care should be taken to prevent excessive water absorption at the panels edges because this can cause the core panel material to swell and warp under extreme circumstances. However, laminate remains an ideal material for commercial washrooms and is pleasantly affordable, without the need to compromise on longevity and durability.
Available in numerous colours and finishes to suit any existing décor or design, including textured woodgrain effects which are getting more realistic by the minute.
Lockers
Though predominantly designed for security, lockers are now viewed as an ideal canvas to add a splash of style to your washroom or changing area design. Whether continuing your brand identity or opting for a hint of flamboyant colour within your washroom, your lockers and changing facilities offer the perfect opportunity to add some flare to your office washroom.
Available in wood veneer, metal carcass and laminate, choose from a selection of shades within our vast colour range.
Wood veneer colour recommendations: From classy dark wood to textured neutrals, take a look at Fumed Oak and Ash.
Metal Carcass colour recommendations: Flamboyance is key, with shades including Royal Blue, Yellow and Pumpkin.
Laminate colour recommendations: Incorporate texture with Spring White Speckle or opt for warmth with Mountain Pak or American Beech.
Vanities
Vanity units enhance any washroom with practicality and aesthetics. Available in bespoke styles and materials to suit any budget, a well thought out vanity unit can miraculously elevate your existing décor. This is your opportunity to incorporate a spot of luxury into an often-ill-considered area within your office space. Our range of finishes are designed for durability, hygiene, and elegance. They include:
Corian
A solid surface with a soft touch; Corian is ideal for vanity units due to its durability, seamlessness and infinite flexibility; it can be thermoformed into virtually any shape. Its streamlined design equates to an easy-clean, meaning that high levels of hygiene can be employed and maintained. Free from dirt traps and mildew-resistant, it is also easily repairable in the event of any accidents. For longevity and cleanliness, Corian is the way forward.
Corian colour recommendations: Sleek and simple; choose from classy Neutral Concrete or go textured with Pebble Terrazzo.
Quartz
For a hint of luxury, look no further than Quartz. Quartz is a type of technical stone where small amounts of resin are used to bind natural quartz particles together. The result is a hygienic, durable, waterproof finish that retains a luxurious natural stone feel and looks stunning in any washroom. The ultimate in elegance.
Quartz colour recommendations: Sophisticated monochrome at its best. Choose from clean Iconic White or elegant Charcoal Soapstone.
Terrazzo
Of Italian heritage, Terrazzo comprises of sustainable marble chippings bonded within concrete or resin for the ultimate earthy appearance. Sustainable, durable, hard-wearing, and customisable, Terrazzo is ideal for dazzling washroom users with elegance!
Terrazzo colour recommendations: Add a hint of Mediterranean class to your washroom with calming Verde Alpi or be daring with Murano.
Concrete
The ultimate material for creating the well-known ‘industrial chic’ aesthetic, concrete vanity tops are timelessly stylish. Provided they are well-sealed, concrete will last a long time under medium—to-high use but due to its weight, high-strength structural bracket supports are essential.
Please contact us for our full range of concrete finishes.
With so many material options available to you, you might feel spoilt for choice! Before making a decision, be sure to consider the following:
- Traffic-level of the area and the environmental condition. Will there be a large or minimal footfall? Is it a dry/wet area?
- Durability. The level of use can contribute to long-term degeneration, so ensure that you opt for durability that is best suited to usage.
Regardless of your choice of washroom material, our options will make a fantastic, hygienic and enriching addition to your washroom. For the full list of materials and colour ranges, please contact Maxwood Washrooms, or visit https://www.maxwoodwashrooms.com/finishes.