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Whether designing a public building or a shared office space, a school or sports facility, the issue of privacy is of paramount importance when specifying washroom products. Whilst increased privacy is desirable, it will be accompanied by a higher cost due to the extra materials involved and this may influence which options will be considered for each project. Petal however offers a wide range of cubicle systems – delivering a tiered approach so that for every budget, a suitable privacy solution can be arrived at. With a vast array of finishes available these systems, designed with privacy in mind, can be executed without compromising the aesthetic appeal of the finished environment.

Deciding on the level of Privacy

The right to privacy is a given for all washroom users, however the scale of actions taken to protect it may be weighed up against the risk of a breach of privacy occurring. For example, in a gender neutral washroom or changing village the need for complete privacy is essential. In a non-public, commercial setting, the provision of enhanced privacy might be viewed by designers as a desirable feature for executive staff.

The Petal Approach

Whilst full height and maximum privacy is desirable in the majority of cases, cost can dictate that it is not a viable option. At Petal, although a host of bespoke solutions are available, we have developed a 3-tier approach to privacy in toilet and shower cubicle systems.

Standard

With 150mm floor clearance on cubicle doors and partitions, the Standard height ranges provide the traditionally acceptable level of privacy. However, with a nominal height of 2000mm as standard, a reasonable degree of privacy is still afforded.

Full Height

The middle tier option reduces the floor clearance to 20mm and total door height is available up to 3 metres. This extends the privacy further at both floor and ceiling level, without the premium approach of full height privacy. Partitions of matching 3m height are also available, although whether this height is replicated between door and partition is dependent on specification and can vary if desired.

The Line Ultra cubicle achieves a full height appearance with rebated doors featuring hardwood edges to accentuate the system’s unbroken smooth appearance. The use of rebated doors on this and other premium Petal systems further enhances privacy by eliminating gaps in the frontage.

The Duo Plus cubicle is a cost-effective alternative to systems with full height doors and achieves full height privacy to 3m by combining standard height doors with an overhead panel. This practical system in 12mm compact grade laminate is an ideal choice for many applications.

Floor to ceiling

Floor to ceiling cubicles provide the ultimate in privacy solutions for washroom facilities. Washroom users benefit from complete privacy as a totally enclosed space is created. Floor clearance will be minimum achievable, taking floor levels into consideration and the choice of inward or outward opening doors.

Floor to ceiling systems not only provide privacy in visual terms; also eliminating the carrying of noise across the bathroom area. Petal’s premium Esteem range, for instance, with its substantial 44mm doors, provides a sense of enhanced privacy in both visual and acoustic terms, whilst still ensuring a premium quality finish, with hundreds of options for luxury veneer, glass and laminate finishes.

Shower & Changing

Shower cubicles and changing rooms require an additional element of privacy, particularly in office environments, as people wish to shower and dress in the knowledge that they will have full privacy whilst doing so. In public spaces, additional measures are advisable to discourage acts of voyeurism, especially in gender neutral changing areas.

Materials are a pertinent consideration where areas of high moisture are concerned. This refers not only to showers and changing areas, but also to areas where cleaning regimes involve excessive moisture. In these cases, CGL or glass are viable options, with glass providing the ultimate in hard wearing sophistication.

Petal’s Elan Ultra system provides the perfect combination of aesthetic appeal and superior engineering, providing a hard wearing, flush fronted cubicle system worthy of taking centre stage in any premium project. Elan Plus glass shower cubicles provide the ideal system for areas of high moisture whilst maintaining a premium look and feel. These premium, maximum privacy doors, up to 2.5m high are all complete with well fitted locks and adjustable self-closing hinges which further add to the users sense of security.

Additional privacy

This level of privacy can be extended into urinals also, with the option to include modesty screens between units to create a sense of separation, particularly for high footfall areas. Care should also be taken during washroom design to ensure urinals are placed where the need to travel past them to access vanity units and hand towels is reduced. Additionally, wall returns will create privacy.

Privacy for Ultimate in User Experience

All of these sensitivities should be front of mind when specifying washroom materials, especially in areas of high footfall. The provision of a feeling of comfort should be uppermost in the mind when selecting cubicles, particularly for commercial, hospitality and entertainment venues, where an overall positive experience is of utmost importance to ensure return visits. Often a poor bathroom experience can be the element which can let even the highest specification venues down in design terms.

As Petal has demonstrated, the quest for privacy not only improves the experience for the user but can create the most visually dramatic results with flush fronted, floor to ceiling doors achieving the most stunning finish for any premium project.