The True Cost of Washroom Downtime
When a washroom is temporarily closed, it’s easy to view it as a minor inconvenience. A maintenance issue. A broken lock. A plumbing fault. A damaged cubicle. Something that will be fixed in due course. But for the people responsible for managing buildings, the reality is often very different. Behind every unavailable washroom sits a […]
Single-Sex Toilet Provision: Current UK Guidance Explained
Separate male and female washrooms are now the default expectation across most UK settings, backed by four overlapping sources: Building Regulations in England, the Equality Act 2010 as clarified by the Supreme Court, the EHRC’s statutory services Code, and long-standing workplace and school premises rules. The position has moved quickly since 2024. A new Part […]
Why Do Washroom Sightlines Matter?
Conversations about commercial washroom design usually centre on capacity, accessibility, finishes and hygiene. However, one factor that shapes safety, user confidence and compliance just as much is often left until too late: sightlines. Sightlines refer to what can and cannot be seen into, out of and within a washroom. Getting them right means balancing two […]
A Complete Guide to Washroom Layout and Space Planning for Commercial Buildings
A well-planned washroom layout in commercial premises can help you make better use of your available footprint while providing accessible, hygienic facilities for customers or employees. Considering the different elements of your washroom early in the project can help create a layout that works for your requirements now while allowing for changing needs in the […]
The Complete Guide to Comparing Washroom Cubicle Systems
When specifying washroom cubicles, it’s easy to get drawn into colour charts, finishes and headline prices. But the most successful washroom projects are rarely judged on how they look on handover day. They’re judged on how they perform years later, often across dozens of sites and thousands of daily users. Whether you’re specifying for education, […]
IPS Panel Systems Explained: Pre-Framed vs Site-Framed
A commercial washroom may only be one part of a building, but the quality of its design and installation can have a significant impact on project timescales, maintenance costs and the overall user experience. One of the most effective ways to create a clean, modern washroom environment is through the use of Integrated Panel Systems […]
Designing washrooms for volume, vandalism and maintenance
Every washroom is designed for someone. The question is whether it’s designed for occasional use, or for the demands of every day use for the next twenty years. Most washroom failures don’t start with bad materials. They start with an assumption made at the design stage that never gets tested against real conditions. A specification […]
Reducing Risk Throughout a Washroom Project
Washrooms rarely make the headlines on a project. But ask any project manager where the late-stage problems tend to surface, and washrooms come up more often than their size on the drawings would suggest. Tight service spaces, multiple trades converging in a small footprint, and a specification that has to satisfy compliance, durability, and design […]
Toilet Cubicle Configurations Explained: Layouts, Types and Best Uses
There’s a lot to think about when specifying a new washroom. How should it look? Who is it for? Is it easy to clean and maintain? One of these considerations is getting the right toilet cubicle configuration for your space and needs. Getting your commercial washroom layout wrong will have a significant impact on privacy, […]
Equality Act FAQs
What has actually changed? Following the Supreme Court’s 2025 ruling in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers — which confirmed that “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 means biological sex — the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has updated its statutory Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations. This is […]
How to Standardise Customer Experience Without Disrupting Trade
For retailers, distribution centres and warehousing operators, washrooms play a bigger role in customer and workforce experience than many people realise. Used by shoppers, delivery drivers, contractors, office staff and warehouse teams alike, they often shape perceptions of the wider site. Clean, well-maintained facilities reflect professionalism, while poor or inconsistent washrooms can undermine an otherwise […]
Equality Act Update: What the New Code of Practice Means for Your Washrooms
Toilets don’t usually make national news. But over the last year, changes to equality law have put washroom design firmly on the agenda for offices, schools, hospitals, leisure centres, retailers and public buildings, basically any building that provides toilets for public use across the UK. And everyone is trying to understand what the latest EHRC […]
DfE Early Years Design Guidance 2026: What it means for School Based Nurseries
The Department for Education’s new Early Years Design Guidance (July 2026) provides an important insight into how nursery environments within schools may be designed in the future. However, before considering its implications, it is important to understand the scope of the document. This guidance has been developed specifically as a design primer for school-based nurseries […]
Part T Toilet Layouts Explained: Common Compliance Mistakes
Why Toilet Layouts Matter More Than Most Designers Realise When discussing compliance with Part T of the Building Regulations, many project teams focus on fixture numbers, accessibility requirements and sanitaryware specifications. However, some of the most common compliance issues stem from something far more fundamental: the toilet layout itself. A poorly planned layout can undermine […]
Reducing Refurbishment Cycles: Why Lifecycle Performance is a Key Driver in Washroom Specification
In high-traffic environments, washrooms are one of the most heavily used, and most frequently refurbished, areas of any building. Yet the market is shifting. Increasingly, specifiers and clients are prioritising durability and lifecycle performance over short-term cost savings. For organisations looking to reduce disruption, improve sustainability, and control long-term budgets, the goal is clear: extend […]
The Complete Guide to Wash Troughs for Commercial Spaces
Sinks are a mainstay in washrooms, but there is another option that has quietly been growing in popularity. Wash troughs provide a practical alternative for your handwashing needs, especially in high-traffic commercial washrooms that need a streamlined, efficient solution. They are designed to support multi-user handwashing, and are increasingly specified across a wide range of […]
Accessible Toilet Facilities: A Complete Compliance Checklist for Commercial Spaces
Accessible toilet facilities play a vital role in keeping commercial environments safe, inclusive and legally compliant. Whether you are a facilities manager, contractor, specifier or responsible for ensuring your washrooms are fully accessible, a full understanding of accessible washroom design goes far beyond just meeting basic standards. They require careful planning, practical layout decisions and […]
Why Good Washroom Design Is the Foundation of Good Hygiene
When hygiene is discussed, the focus is often on cleaning routines, handwashing practices and maintenance schedules. All of these play an important role in keeping washrooms safe and pleasant to use. But, long-term hygiene starts earlier than many people realise. The design of the washroom itself has a significant influence on how clean and hygienic […]
The Psychology of Privacy: Why Cubicle Height Matters More Than You Think
When we think about washrooms, we tend to think about durability, hygiene, and design. But there’s something far more influential that often gets overlooked: how the washroom makes people feel. Privacy isn’t just a nice to have, it’s one of the biggest drivers of comfort, confidence, and overall user experience. Whether it’s a nursery pupil […]
Dunhams Washrooms Celebrates Win of Excellence in Manufacturing Award
Dunhams is proud to announce that they’ve been recognised with the Excellence in Manufacturing Award, marking an important milestone in our long-standing commitment to quality, innovation, and customer‑focused manufacturing. This achievement reflects decades of continuous investment in advanced production technologies, meticulous engineering, and a dedication to delivering washroom solutions that set industry standards. As a […]
Washroom Panel Guide
This panel guide gives a quick, easy breakdown of the main parts that make up a washroom system. Each label points to a specific component so you can immediately see what’s what, ideal if you’re not familiar with terms like duct panels, pilasters, or duct shadows (shadow gaps). For example, duct panels hide the pipework, […]
Specifying Cubicles for High-Traffic Washrooms
High-traffic washrooms are some of the most demanding environments in any building. From shopping centres and airports to schools, caravan parks, and commercial offices, washroom cubicles must withstand constant use, moisture, cleaning chemicals, and occasional misuse, while still looking presentable year after year. For architects, designers, and facilities managers, specifying the right cubicle material is […]
5 Washroom Design Trends Shaping 2026 and Why They Matter for Modern Commercial Spaces
Commercial washrooms have changed more in the last few years than in the previous decade. They are no longer simply functional spaces but are seen as a direct extension of brand experience. As buildings evolve to support wellbeing, sustainability, hybrid working and stronger brand storytelling, washrooms are becoming a critical part of the overall experience. […]
What You Need to Know to Choose the Right Shelving for Your Commercial Washroom
There is no single piece of UK legislation that explicitly states that all commercial washrooms must contain shelving. However, several standards and regulations either indirectly require it or strongly recommend it, particularly where accessibility, medical needs (e.g. Colostomy Bag Shelf), or family use are concerned. Depending on the type of washroom, shelving moves from being […]
Buy Cheap, Buy Twice: Why Cutting Corners on Washroom Systems Costs More in the Long Run
When it comes to managing budgets, every business faces tough decisions. Facilities managers, architects, and contractors often look for ways to reduce costs without compromising quality. But when it comes to washroom systems, choosing the cheapest option is rarely the smartest move. In fact, it can lead to higher costs, more headaches, and even reputational […]
How to Reduce Breakdowns and Vandalism in Your Washrooms
Creating a washroom that is both durable and vandal-resistant requires thoughtful design, materials, and maintenance. Here’s how we approach this challenge: 1. Design for Visibility and Supervision Open-plan layouts Position communal hand-wash areas facing external corridors which enhances visibility, making it harder for vandalism to occur undetected. Doorless or semi-enclosed designs for communal areas further discourage […]
Does Your Washroom Make the Right Impression?
When it comes to employee and guest satisfaction, businesses often focus on product quality, customer service, and ambiance. However, one crucial aspect that many businesses overlook is their washroom facilities. A dirty, poorly maintained, or inadequate washroom can leave a lasting negative impression, potentially driving people away for good. The Impact of Washroom Hygiene on […]
The Value of Refurbishing Your Campsite or Holiday Park’s Toilet & Shower Block
When holidaymakers seek out the best campsite or holiday parks in the UK, there is more information than ever available to help guide their decision. As well as traditional rating systems, websites such a Trip Advisor can make or break a holiday site as guests feedback honestly on everything from customer service, price and location to […]