August 2020 - Our Thoughts

Revitalize Your Bathroom With Altair!

When it comes to helping your home feel truly luxurious, few rooms can have a bigger impact than the bathroom. While the bathrooms may not be as immediately visible to guests as your kitchen or living room, they are undoubtedly one of the most-used parts of the home.

As such, the bathroom should be both stylish and functional. To get the best of both worlds, having the right “building blocks” for your bathroom is an absolute must. From the bathroom vanity to your bathtub and shower enclosure, the right selections will make your bathroom a true joy to use.

Whether you are in the process of building a new home or upgrading an existing space, vanities and bathtubs from Altair Design Inc. will go a long way in helping you create the bathroom of your dreams. With an exclusive range of colors and designs, their products are sure to deliver.

About Altair

Based out of Ontario, California, Altair Design Inc. specializes in bathroom vanities and bathtubs. However, the company is rapidly expanding its product categories, with new options like countertops, LED and decorative mirrors, shower doors, and more now being introduced. These items will undoubtedly be the perfect complement to the Altair products you can buy right here from Kitchen & Bath Authority.

As with many of the other brands we carry, Altair is committed to delivering products that are built to last. To that end, each Altair product is covered by a one-year limited warranty. This warranty is available to the original purchaser, and covers all material and manufacturing defects that might occur during that period. The warranty is limited to normal residential use.

One thing is certain when buying Altair Design Inc. products — this is a brand that believes in delivering the benefits that every customer deserves when buying a new bathroom product. Design innovations, an attractive style, and lasting workmanship are the difference makers that make this brand’s product line a great fit for your bathroom.

Altair Bathroom Vanities

Currently, bathroom vanities are the biggest product line offered by Altair, with over 75 models available right here on Kitchen & Bath Authority. These vanities are available in several exclusive colors that are sure to bring a one of a kind look to your bathroom: jeweler blue, classic blue, royal blue, royal green, and rust black. All Altair bathroom vanities are pre-assembled, allowing for quick and easy installation.

Altair bathroom vanities do not include the faucet, drain assembly, or P-trap — however, all countertops are pre-drilled to ensure straightforward installation of these plumbing features. This gives you the ability to choose a faucet design that coordinates with the rest of your bathroom decor.

Altair bathroom vanities are available in several sizes and styles, making them ideally suited for everything from a full-size master suite to a small half-bathroom. These vanities are also easy to care for — soapy water and furniture polish will keep the wood clean without risking accidental damage. Protecting the wood cabinet from direct sunlight, hot appliances, and sharp objects will keep it looking like new.

For a full-size bathroom vanity, the Altair Georgia 537072-JB-AW 71.2 Inch Double Vanity Set with Composite Carrara White Stone Top with White Farmhouse Basin with Mirror, Jewelry Blue is a great example of what the brand has to offer. This show-stopping modern design features two ceramic apron-style sinks, bringing a hint of traditional farmhouse style to an attractive contemporary piece.

The composite Carrara white stone countertop, as well as the solid wood/plywood design ensure that this vanity will stand up to the rigors of daily use. Four soft-close drawers are ideally suited for organizing bathroom necessities, while the open bay-style shelf at the bottom can be used for decorations or for larger items like towels and toiletries. A stunning finish, brushed copper hardware, and dual matching framed mirrors make this an impressive centerpiece for your bathroom.

If you like this contemporary look, but are working with a smaller space, you’re in luck! The Altair Georgia 537036-JB-AW-NM 35.2 Inch Single Vanity with Composite Carrara White Stone Top with White Farmhouse Basin without Mirror, Jewelry Blue offers the same design, but in smaller dimensions suitable for a guest bathroom. A smaller double-sink configuration is also available.

Altair has several other bathroom vanity designs that embrace both rustic and contemporary design styles. The Altair Kinsley 536060-GR-CA 59.2 Inch Double Vanity Set with Carrara White Marble Countertop with Mirror, Gray is a great example of this. The sliding cabinet doors feature a crosshatch motif pair with antique-style hardware to evoke the popular “barn door” style design seen in many furniture pieces today. Three standard drawers further help you keep bathroom necessities organized.

The Altair Maribella 535048-RL-CA 47.2 Inch Single Vanity Set with Carrara White Marble Countertop with Mirror, Rust Black is another distinctive piece that combines both contemporary and traditional design elements. A traditional “cross buck” design on the sides of the cabinet pair nicely with modern elements like a flip-down drawer and a high-quality Carrara white marble countertop.

Of course, if you are interested in a full contemporary look for your bathroom, Altair has you covered there, too. The Altair Morgan 534060-WH-AW-NM 59.6 Inch Double Vanity with Composite Carrara White Stone Countertop without Mirror in White is a distinctive wall-mounted vanity that uses clean lines and subtly integrated brass hardware to bring a sleek look to your bathroom. The Altair Sutton 541072-RG-CA-NM 71.2 Inch Double Vanity with Carrara White Marble Countertop without Mirror, Royal Green is another example of clean, elegant lines in a free-standing vanity style. Rectangular under-mount ceramic sink basins blend seamlessly with the refined polish of this design.

These examples are just a sampling of the bathroom vanities Altair has to offer! With so many designs featuring a mix of contemporary and Americana styles, each available in multiple sizes and finishes, you’ll have no trouble finding an option that will look great in your bathroom.

Altair Bathtubs

After a long day at work, few things can be more relaxing and rejuvenating than a soak in the bathtub. As with its vanities, Altair Design Inc.’s freestanding bathtubs serve as a luxurious visual focal point to create a true spa-like atmosphere for your bathroom. A mix of contemporary and traditional styles make it easy to find the right fit for your personal design preferences.

As with bathroom vanities, Altair tubs do not include a faucet, leaving you free to make a selection that best fits with your bathroom decor. While most of the tubs feature an overflow hole, they do not have a pre-drilled area for the faucet. A freestanding faucet will be required. Drain placement also varies by model, with side and center placements available. Be sure to check the drain placement for your desired tub before making a selection, as this will affect how the tub can be installed in the bathroom.

If you’re looking for a contemporary tub design, the Altair 50367-BAT-WH-F Shaia 67 x 32 Inch Freestanding Soaking Acrylic Bathtub in White is a great selection. The seamless, sloped shape gives this oval-shaped tub a sleek, clean look that is perfectly complemented by the chrome-finish brass pop-up drain. The Altair 50671-BAT-WH-F Allegra 71 x 34 Inch Freestanding Soaking Acrylic Bathtub in White is another popular contemporary option, with gentle curves creating a shell-like shape.

If you’d like a tub that incorporates more rustic design elements, the Altair 50169-BAT-WH-C Geneva 69 x 30 Inch Clawfoot Soaking Acrylic Bathtub in White is an excellent choice. Ornate clawed feet, a sloped design, and a wider lip give this tub a classic feel, like something you’d find in a Victorian suite. The Altair 50567-BAT-WH-F Solace 67 x 31 Inch Freestanding Soaking Acrylic Bathtub in White is another great selection, with a wide pedestal-style base and a ridged exterior that helps it stand out from other contemporary options.

Altair tubs aren’t just meant to look great. They are also designed for easy installation with features like a flexible drain hose and self-leveling feet. This makes it much easier to put your bathtub into place (even for a DIY project), so you can use your new tub that much sooner. Just be sure to let the silicone caulking around the base cure for 24 hours before you use the tub.

Because the tubs are made with durable acrylic, maintenance and repairs are made that much easier. Soap residue can be removed after your bath with warm, soapy water and a wet wash rag. Should small scratches or stains appear in the surface, polish the affected area with Brasso. You can have confidence that your tub will stand the test of time, bringing a luxury look to your bathroom for many years to come.

Place Your Order Today!

As you can see, Altair products have a lot to offer for your next bathroom remodel. Stunning designs and quality construction with high-grade materials ensure that these vanities and bathtubs will bring lasting style to your bathroom, alongside the usability you need for your day to day bathroom routine.

When you order your Altair vanity or bathtub from Kitchen & Bath Authority, you get the best possible solution for upgrading your bathrooms. We offer the best available pricing on Altair and other popular bathroom brands, with discounts you won’t find anywhere else. Sign up for our exclusive membership program, and you’ll be able to unlock additional savings on a wide range of bathroom products.

Finally, we seek to provide the best possible service in helping you get the Altair products you need for your bathroom upgrade. Our friendly staff is readily available by phone or web chat, and we keep our product listings up to date so you can see stock levels and review scores for each product we sell. Don’t wait — place your order now so you can see how Altair truly helps you transform your space.

Could a White House Proposal Change Your Shower Head Options?

It’s estimated that about two-thirds of Americans shower every day. Whether it’s part of your morning routine or an essential for after you finish your daily workout, few things can feel more relaxing and rejuvenating than a warm shower.

While taking a shower may not seem to be all that controversial in and of itself, like many other industries, shower heads are actually subject to federal regulations, particularly in regards to water flow.

In 1992, the U.S. government enacted regulations that required shower heads to maintain a water flow of 2.5 gallons per minute or less at 60 psi. Designed to help conserve water (especially in the wake of severe droughts that occurred in the late 1980s), the proposal has spurred many bathroom product manufacturers to produce even more water efficient shower heads.

However, a recent proposal from the U.S. Department of Energy seeks to change that — and it could bring about changes to the way you take your shower.

What is the Proposed Change?

Under current regulations, the water flow limit of 2.5 gallons per minute applies to the entire shower head. If the change proposed by the U.S. Department of Energy were to go through, it would change this to a per-nozzle restriction.

This means that a shower head with four separate nozzles could conceivably achieve a total flow as high as 10 gallons per minute. As long as each individual nozzle had a flow of 2.5 gallons per minute or less, the shower head would be compliant with the updated regulations.

The proposed change follows comments made at a meeting by President Donald Trump, who is quoted as saying, “So showerheads – you take a shower, the water doesn’t come out. You want to wash your hands, the water doesn’t come out. So what do you do? You just stand there longer or you take a shower longer? Because my hair — I don’t know about you, but it has to be perfect. Perfect.”

This wasn’t the first time the president had brought up issues with low flow water fixtures. In a December 2019 meeting, he said, “We have a situation where we’re looking very strongly at sinks and showers and other elements of bathrooms where you turn the faucet on — in areas where there’s tremendous amounts of water, where the water rushes out to sea because you could never handle it — and you don’t get any water.”

In effect, the new proposal would serve to roll back the previous regulations, allowing manufacturers to make high-flow shower heads — a move that has already come under intense scrutiny.

Debate Surrounding the Shower Head Proposal

While the Department of Energy is still pursuing this proposal, it is expected that there will be court challenges that delay this regulatory change, or could keep it from happening entirely.

Andrew deLaski, Executive Director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP), wrote, “The existing shower head standard has spurred manufacturers to make devices that are more satisfying while using less water. That reduces our water bills, and it also reduces our energy use. Utilities require enormous amounts of energy to deliver water. Even more importantly, because shower heads deliver hot water, reducing the water flow through them cuts home water heating needs — which account for about a fifth of the average household’s energy use.”

The significant conservation efforts that have resulted from current regulations cannot be denied. It is estimated that the average bath uses 35 to 50 gallons of water. On the other hand, a 10-minute shower would use 25 gallons of water — and many low flow shower heads enable homeowners to use even less.

Even a slight increase in a shower head’s water flow — say, to 4 gallons per minute — would greatly reduce the water saving advantage of showering. While a difference of 10 to 25 gallons may not seem like a big deal on a day to day basis, that can add up quickly over the course of a month or year. Bathing doesn’t just use water — it also requires gas or electricity to heat the water.

Using less water for showering could help households save hundreds of dollars on utility expenses each year. A less efficient shower head might be more comfortable for some, but it could also be more costly in the long run. In addition to the potential impact on homeowners, many are concerned about how such changes could harm conservation efforts, particularly in drought-stricken areas like California.

Of course, complaints about the efficacy of low-flow shower heads aren’t entirely unfounded, either. Some assert that these shower heads don’t provide enough water pressure to take a quick, cleansing shower. This is especially true in states like California, which have stricter water flow requirements than the national standard. Stories of people skirting such regulations have gone on for years.

Such complaints exist for a reason — for many people, a shower is how they de-stress at the end of a long workday. A shower with weak flow hardly delivers the experience they need.

Shower Heads That Deliver Great Pressure at a Low Flow

Despite complaints and debate over low flow shower heads, the fact remains that in the United States, flow restrictions remain in place for the time being. The good news is that even though there are low flow showers that don’t deliver adequate water pressure, there are many that do. Innovations in shower design — especially improvement in aeration — have drastically improved the functionality of these shower heads.

One of the best brands at achieving this balance is Isenberg. Isenberg shower heads like the Isenberg HS1001WCP Universal Fixtures 8 Inch Solid Brass Showerhead / Rainhead With 12 Inch Wall Mount Shower Arm, Chrome and the Isenberg RHW.6SCP Universal Fixtures 6 Inch Rain Head with 7 Inch Arm, Chrome deliver an eco-friendly flow of 1.8 gallons per minute. Solid brass construction ensures that the shower heads are built to last, while rubber nozzles make cleaning easy.

These ceiling mounted shower heads use rain-style flows to help users achieve the exact pressure they desire. Isenberg “rain head” designs range in size from 6 to 20 inches, and several modern finishes are available to help you complete the look of your bathroom. Some Isenberg shower heads, such as the Isenberg MSS.20SCP Cascade 20 Inch Stainless Steel Flush Mount Rainhead With Cascade Waterfall and Mist Flow, Chrome also feature waterfall cascade and mist flows for a one-of-a-kind luxury experience. Mounting shower arms are also available for compatible rain heads.

Grohe also offers ultra-modern rain flow shower heads, though they manufacture shower heads with a more traditional look as well. Popular rain head models include the Grohe 26570000 Rainshower Mono 310 Cube Shower Head 1 Spray, Starlight Chrome and the Grohe 26457000 Euphoria 260 Shower Head 3 Sprays, 2.5 GPM, Starlight Chrome, which use the Grohe DreamSpray pattern to provide a wide, comfortable spray. The built-in anti-lime system also prevents mineral buildup, minimizing future maintenance needs for your shower head.

A great example of an affordable, yet comfortable shower head is the Grohe 26045001 New Tempesta Rustic 100 Shower Head 4 Sprays – 1.75 GPM, Starlight Chrome. This shower head allows users to easily choose from one of four spray patterns simply by rotating the spray face. This includes the lighter “rain setting,” Rain O2, which offers an air-infused spray, as well as pulsating massage and jet settings. These varied settings help users choose the option that is most comfortable for them, all while maintaining a 1.75 gallon per minute flow.

In addition to offering luxurious style and a variety of spray settings that help you make the most of low flow rates, Isenberg and Grohe shower heads are backed by a limited lifetime warranty. Warranty coverage for mechanical parts and finishes provide confidence that your upgraded shower head will look and perform great for many years to come.

Planning For Your Next Shower Head Upgrade

At this writing, it is uncertain whether the proposal from the Department of Energy will come to fruition. Even if the proposal is finalized, many manufacturers may be reluctant to produce higher-flow shower heads due to concerns about future regulatory changes or the environmental impact of such installations.

Regardless of what the future holds for the industry as a whole, you can count on great deals and great products when you buy your shower heads from Kitchen & Bath Authority. Our wide selection of shower heads will help you get the desired look and functionality for your bathroom. Choose from a range of finishes, widths, settings, and spray patterns to get the right fit for your shower space.

In addition to our discounted prices, we offer free shipping and financing to help make your next home remodeling project even more affordable. Discount codes and other special offers are also available for many products. If you sign up for our membership program, you’ll enjoy even more discounts.

The future can be uncertain, but your need for an enjoyable, refreshing shower won’t go away. Place your order for one of our high-quality shower heads today so you can get even more out of your bathroom experience!