To mark the launch of the brand new iBox common 2 from hansgrohe PHPI hears about one of many first installations.
The unique iBox common fundamental set from hansgrohe was launched again in 2003. Designed to make becoming and sustaining hid showers easy, it has subsequently been utilized in over 11 million items. Drawing on invaluable installer suggestions, the most recent, up to date iBox common 2, was unveiled at this yr’s ISH and is now obtainable to buy throughout the UK.
Options of the brand new answer embody built-in flexibility to addresses awkward becoming eventualities, new recyclable building supplies, the elimination of the necessity to trim elements and the inclusion of each pre-mounted seals and pre-installed perform blocks.
We met with Tim Bridge, from Tim Bridge Plumbing and Heating in Yorkshire – who has been utilizing the unique iBox for over 20 years – as he fitted the primary iBox common 2 to be put in in a UK property, to search out out his first impressions.
Talking of this preliminary set up, Tim mentioned: “I’ve been utilizing hansgrohe’s iBox since I used to be 17, so it’s nice to see the subsequent technology coming by way of. Ease of set up has stored me returning to this fixing system time and time once more as I do know it simply works.
“My clients are likely to favour a hid unit because it meets the modern end they wish to obtain. For me, it shaves invaluable day off every set up and the round form means it’s nearly unimaginable to put in incorrectly.
“As I’ve been becoming the unique iBox for a few years, I’ve labored out my very own strategies to make it straightforward to make use of. As an example, trimming the entrance to the required depth and becoming the membrane can take me a matter of minutes.
“Nonetheless, the brand new model irons out even these elements which will have taken any time, making it much more easy to put in and match appropriately. And also you solely want two instruments – a screwdriver and an Allen key – to suit it.
“Proper from taking it out of the field, I noticed the upgrades. The iBox common 2 is neatly packaged as one, so it stays collectively as you elevate it out with no probability of dropping something on a busy renovation web site. Relying in your set up desire you may then merely slide the inexperienced again plate off the entrance and slot it on the again of the iBox 2 plate.
“The fixing plate, which is screwed inside wall has installation-friendly enhancements too. It’s nice to have a built-in spirit stage included to make it straightforward to make sure you’ve received it horizontal earlier than you lastly tighten any screws.”
Fixing plate
The fixing plate could be tilted by 5 mm increments, so it’s straight vertically too, once more utilizing the spirit stage on the highest to information installers to consider discrepancies within the wall, earlier than utilizing an Allen key to tighten. The pipes can then be reduce to measurement and put in for water supply on the sides, prime and backside.
Tim continued: “I’ve used many different kits through the years that depend on you setting the degrees by eye, so this can be a nice assist and makes it a lot much less fiddly, significantly if you’re working in a confined area. The Allen bolts are mounted to make sure they don’t fall out too – once more excellent if you actually don’t have an excessive amount of area to search out one thing you’ve dropped.
“One other key function that stood out is the truth that you may transfer the sliding sleeve ahead and backwards to go well with the depth of the wall, and with out the necessity to trim it as soon as in place. Merely modify the entrance part to the place you want it, add a backer board, and push it again in. The earlier hansgrohe iBox required chopping as soon as in place. Though, I had developed a fast methodology to do that, that is infinitely higher and faster particularly for these new to the business.
“Lastly, the brand new iBox 2 additionally features a mounted waterproof membrane, which may merely be connected to the wall earlier than tiling. Once more, this quickens the set up and ensures a watertight end with none trouble.
“All that is still is to suit one in every of hansgrohe’s modern, new end units as soon as tiling is full and the hid bathe is in. The gentle dice ending plate that will likely be used with this primary set up features a line throughout the centre – excellent to get the tiles lined up with so it pleases the attention. The set up I’m engaged on right here has been designed to permit easy accessibility for a wheelchair, and the great thing about this method signifies that I can join the iBox common 2 in a handy location giving larger flexibility of the place the showerhead and management are positioned, so it not solely seems to be nice however works completely for the client.”
The brand new iBox common 2 can be utilized with all present and future hid end units from Hansgrohe, for present end units, you want an adaptor; so, the iBox can stay in place ought to the lavatory be renovated, or the end set changed.