Showers, basins, loos and accessories?

[sbplanet]

I've started looking for shower enclosures - one fixed panel, one sliding door. But what brand/glass width.

What type of shower mixer to run off an oil combi - the ones with a rainfall and handset look good.

Shower trays, what's with the "acrylic capped resin stone" thing?

Basins, loo and vanity unit - what to look out for...

Help me avoid the 'oh cr*p I should have bought..." scenario. :)

Shower enclosure - Matki are very stylish, but are on the expensive side. Great if you are ripping everything out and starting with clean plastered walls. They don't cope well if there is any play or movement or walls aren't completely straight.

Good quality taps, showers etc - Grohe, Hansgrohe

Loo - don't think you need to spend tons. If you have any mobility issues you can buy 'comfort pans' which are higher than usual.

Thanks @Pollaidh
Not sure Matki would do then there's always 'play' in our walls! Perhaps a bit pricey too.

Do I need 8mm glass or is 6mm okay?
Wondering about getting a rimless loo, seems a good idea.

Was thinking more about Mira and Bristan - the plumber uses City Plumbing so would prefer something they stock.

Bristan taps are very good, but I believe they buy in the showers from another maker, not as good.

Aqualisa mixers are IMO the best. Especially the round ones, that they built their reputation on.

For WCs, people are often disappointed by weak flush of modern low-water-content loos, and I would not trust an unbranded import. I have been pleased with Twyfords, which is a long-established British brand (now part of a European group). They have a huge range so browse the online catalogue. Same for Armitage, which also keep old styles to match old house refurbs, and hotels.

p.s.

before choosing a shower, measure the water flow into a bucket, time it, calculate litres per second. Waterfall/drencher showers need a huge amount of water. Also IMO you need a big cube so you can step out of the gush to soap up.

"litres per minute" I meant.

Thanks PigletJohn.
Talk of Aqualisa always takes me back to my first house and the power shower I had installed, it was great! Prior to them everyone else's that I'd seen was more of the standard of 'caravan showers'! :D

We're kitted up ceramics-wise with IS and Twyfords atm and I always lean towards an 'old' recognisable brand. But most things are made 'in China' nowadays so I wondered about the quality of iFlo (made for TP & CityPlumbing)? I was thinking maybe the plumber would get better deals on them and they might be better value for money. All the while keeping in mind the 'buy cheap buy twice' mantra! :)

Think I might skip the rainfall/drench then as our water flow can be variable off the combi.

I'm doing two bathrooms and a downstairs loo and went to an independent. After falling over at the price... I ended up doing a couple of comparison shopping baskets online (took the spec from the independent and bought comparable) and got the lot for half the cost. Some of it is better stuff too!!
Grohe showers and WC's and 8mm enclosures with their recommended tray. Think I went with Mira taps but could be wrong