Kitchen/Bath Industry Show Product Preview: Hansgrohe Croma showerheads

Showering and bathing use lots of water. Indeed, Americans consume more than 1.2 trillion gallons a year to get clean, estimates the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

So in this Age of Green, Hansgrohe has introduced adjustable spray showerheads to its lineup. The manufacturer claims the Croma C 100 (shown) and Croma E 100 showerheads give the full, drenching coverage of standard high-end models yet use nearly 30 percent less water than the government-mandated maximum of 2.5 gallons per minute. (Note that there isn’t a WaterSense label for showerheads, indicating that a product uses much less water than a conventional model, but the EPA is aiming to have one for qualified products in spring 2009.)

Both Croma showerheads offer normal, massage, and intense turbo spray settings. The Croma C 100 offers a traditional style is available in those finishes and polished nickel and oil-rubbed bronze. The Croma E 100 has a contemporary look and comes in chrome, brushed nickel, and polished brass. They’re available at bath and kitchen showrooms nationwide and cost $60 to $94.—Kimberly Janeway

Essential information: Before you shop, learn about the different types of showerheads and the factors that affect performance. And watch our video from the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show on the latest trends in the bathroom.

Turn your bathroom into at-home retreat

Given the current depressed housing market, Americans are more likely to stay in their current homes than to move. But they’ll continue to pump money into their condos, town homes, and houses: U.S. consumers are expected to spend in excess of $170 billion on remodeling projects in 2008, according to Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies.

The bathroom remains one of the most commonly fixed-up rooms. One trend in recent years has seen bathrooms converted into getaway spaces as consumers bling out their baths with whirlpool tubs, steam and multihead showers, high-style sinks, faucets, counters, and flooring, and other fixtures and surfaces once found only in high-end hotels and resorts. And, of course, the bathroom has become a multimedia center just like the kitchen, as manufacturers add music and video to their bathroom gear.

At last week's 2008 Kitchen/Bath Industry Show, we saw of the latest bathroom offerings, including the Hansgrohe Pharo Showerpanel SkyLine,  the Brondell Swash Ecoseat toilet seat, and the SonicSplash audio option from Lasco. Learn about these and other products in our video (right), featuring Bob Markovich, Home editor of Consumer Reports.—Steven H. Saltzman

Essential information: Use our expert advice when you’re shopping for a new toilet and refer to our Ratings (available to subscribers) to find the right model for your home. Also learn how to remodel a bathroom for less and avoid common project mistakes.

Shopping for a mattress remains business as usual

Many ads for innerspring mattresses are appropriately dreamy. Attractive people are shown sleeping or lounging in their beds—and, of course, smiling. The advertising come-ons tell shoppers to “Have a good night’s sleep on us” or promise that when it comes to mattress shopping, “It’s all about You!”

So buying a mattress should be a pleasant experience, right? (Watch our video report, right.)

But it isn’t, say many of our readers, who find buying a mattress frustrating and tell us that they are not sure they’re getting a fair deal. A big contributing factor to these problems, as we noted in “Why Consumer Reports Doesn't Rate Specific Models of Mattresses,” is that the model names of the top mattress brands differ from one store to the next, so there’s no way to truly compare models. What’s more, even for mattresses that retailers claim are similar, significant differences exist in quilting, padding, and springs, according to our experts.

We thought some of the nightmares would end when the spokesman for a major U.S. mattress manufacturer—let’s call it Brand S—told us in January that his company was going to revolutionize mattress shopping. “We recognize that there’s confusion. We’re changing that. Retailers now require that they be able to name their own mattress,” said the spokesman of the change, which was slated to go into effect this spring.

The manufacturer was planning to introduce the same branding from store to store: A queen-size Brand S ExtraDreamy firm mattress you’d test out at store A would be exactly the same (except, perhaps, for price) at store B and store C. “When consumers walk into the store, they’ll see a [Brand S] mattress at one retailer and the same at another—it will have the same [Brand S] branding,” promised the spokesman.

The manufacturer would recommend that all its retailers use the Brand S mattress name on their store signs but, according to the spokesman, retailers could still call the mattresses whatever they wanted on in-store signage.

This move could shake up the industry, so we called several major mattress retailers for comment. Two didn’t call back after repeated tries, and the spokesman for a third wouldn’t allow his comments to be published.

But our phone did ring just a day later. It was the spokesman who’d informed us of his company’s radical plan. “[The company] is trying to change this, but if a retailer says they won’t take the mattress—they don’t want it—then that’s their decision,” he said. The manufacturer wouldn’t be changing its branding policy.

We asked him what the company’s decision would mean for mattress shoppers. “For the consumer, nothing has changed,” he explained.

That’s unfortunate. But we’re working on ways to help you shop for mattresses, so stay tuned. In the meantime, read “How to Buy a Mattress Without Losing Sleep” (available to Consumer Reports subscribers) for expert advice on selecting the mattress that’s right for you and analyzing prices.—Kimberly Janeway

International Builders'€™ Show Product Preview: Gem-Loc Premiere Edge

Laminate countertops have gotten better looking in recent years, thanks to the use of vibrant colors and patterns that mimic pricier materials. But their edge treatments have generally lacked innovation. The new Gem-Loc Premiere Edge, made by Loti Corporation, is a unique hybrid alternative to the standard-issue laminate edging with square or beveled edges.

The manufacturer claims Gem-Loc is the first edge material to combine a laminate face with solid-surface edging with rounded corners. The result is a near seamless molding designed to minimize the unattractive black line of square laminate edge treatments. By softening the transition, the edge treatment becomes a design element, rather than an eyesore, says the manufacturer. What’s more, says Loti, Gem-Loc can be color-matched to a countertop from just about any laminate maker.

Maybe most important, Gem-Loc is designed to be more durable and easier to install and than beveled laminate. That’s because the edging is applied slightly higher than the countertop and then filed flush, eliminating the precision required on beveled jobs.

This edge treatment retails for about $6 per square foot. Across an entire kitchen, Gem-Loc should run only $100 more than beveled edges, according to a company spokesperson.—Daniel DiClerico

Essential information: Visit our kitchen-planning guide for expert advice on countertops and many others elements of kitchen remodeling.

International Builders'€™ Show Product Preview: American Standard FloWise Toilet

The latest low-flow toilets use even less water: California now requires that a residential toilet use 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf), 20 percent less than the 1.6-gpf standard in effect elsewhere nationwide.

The American Standard FloWise (shown) is among the first commodes to meet the new California standard without requiring a second, water-saving mode. It also carries the EPA's WaterSense label for high-efficiency toilets—€”akin to an Energy Star qualification—€”and is eligible for rebates in drought-prone areas.

This gravity-fed toilet is green without being wimpy, claims American Standard, thanks to a funnel-shaped, piston-action flush valve that helps accelerate incoming water; the valve is similar to the one on the company'€™s Champion models, a line of gravity toilet that did well in our last toilet report.

The FloWise retails for $395 in white and is backed by a 10-year limited warranty. We'll see how these American Standard models and other lower-flow toilets fare in our next toilet test.—€”Bob Markovich

International Builders' Show Product Preview: Kohler Express Vanities

A vanity will add style and storage to your bathroom, but getting that bulky piece home from the store, schlepping it to its location, and assembling the piece can prove challenging.

The Kohler Express installation system, available on the Alberry, Chalkstripe, Clermont, and Westmore vanities, addresses those inconveniences. This patented setup (shown partially open) uses a patented hinge design that allows you to stow the vanity relatively flat in your car, lift it more easily through a doorway, and essentially snap it into shape. Even better, there'€™s no charge for delivery and installation.

Vanities with the express system costs $450 to $700; countertop and sink are sold and installed separately. The vanities are available at Kohler showrooms and at major retailers nationwide, including Home Depot and Lowe'€™s.—€”Daniel DiClerico

Essential information: Our report on bathroom makeovers includes information on countertop materials and a primer on how to avoid common remodeling blunders.

Why Consumer Reports doesn't rate specific models of mattresses

Among people who bought a mattress in the last two years, one-third can't recall the brand they purchased, according to Synovate, a market-research company.

That weak brand identity might be a result of the confusing nature of mattress shopping. Unlike refrigerators, cars, or other big-ticket items with specific models that you can easily compare at different stores and dealers, mattress are sold in a way that might give you nightmares.

The model names from the top mattress brands such as Sealy, Serta, Simmons, and others change from store to store, so there's no way to truly compare models. What's more, our research has revealed that even for mattresses that retailers claim are similar, significant differences exist in important characteristics, including quilting, padding, and springs, all of which affect comfort and firmness.

Given this lack of consistency—Brand A's ultra-premium firm queen-size mattress sold at one national retail chain will have a model name and composition that are different from Brand A's ultra-premium firm queen-size mattress sold at another retailer—it's impossible for us to be able to make an apple-to-apples comparison that will be useful to you. And that's why we don't publish Ratings of specific models of mattresses, as we do for the hundreds of products we test each year.

Despite that, we have a lot of useful information about mattresses. Read "How to Buy a Mattress Without Losing Sleep" for expert advice on choosing the right mattress, analyzing prices, understanding how mattresses are made, and for tips on getting the ever-elusive good night's sleep. Be on the lookout for more in-depth coverage of mattresses in the next year.

"It's difficult to compare mattresses unless you cut them open," says Eugene Schayer, who worked in the mattress industry for 46 years, including stints in the marketing department of two major mattress makers. "The retailers demand exclusivity of the cover and label. They don't want their product shopped." Even the Better Sleep Council, which is paid for by the mattress industry, says that buying a bed can be confusing because "it's not easy to see what's inside."

Our testers do delve inside to analyze mattresses. For one mattress report, we dissected mattresses to compare the construction, including in-depth analysis of padding, quilting, and springs of mattresses that retailers told us were similar. We found that when retailers claimed they were selling mattresses similar to those found in other stores, the mattresses often differed. We've also found in past mattress studies that except for the cheapest models, all mattresses are likely to be sturdy.

In our most recent study, we looked at alternatives to conventional innerspring mattress from Duxiana, Select Comfort, and Tempur-Pedic. Couples slept at home on the three different mattresses for a month at a time, while about five dozen panelists tried them out in our lab as they would when shopping.

Based on the findings of our panel tests, we concluded there's no best mattress for everyone—sleep comfort is very personal. So take time to find the mattress that's the most comfortable to you.—Kimberly Janeway

Essential information: Learn how to shop for a new bed and make your mattress last.

Universal design can make a safer bathroom

An estimated 34 million Americans care for a parent, relative, or family friend over the age of 50, according to a recent survey conducted by National Alliance for Caregiving, a research and policy organization, and Evercare, a provider of health plans for frail elderly, disabled, and chronically ill Americans. That number is expected to grow as more baby boomers move into retirement.

If your parents will be moving in to your home, you might want or need to accommodate them by remodeling a bathroom following universal-design guidelines. (See our Bed & Bath page for more information on bathrooms.)

Before you start your project, read the advice here from Mary Jo Peterson, a universal-design expert in Brookfield, Connecticut, on how you can make the bathroom work for everyone in your family:

DOOR
Simple solutions. Switch a doorknob to a lever and remove or countersink the doorsill between rooms. Also, since a wheelchair typically requires a doorway 34 to 36 inches wide, install an open-out door or fold-flat hinges—they might provide a wide enough access.

Upgraded option. Use twin 18-inch pocket doors, which slide into the wall on each side.

FAUCET
Simple solutions. Avoid rounded, smooth faucet controls, which can be difficult to grip. Look for antiscald features.

Upgraded options. Faucets with wide levers or a spout with a single-handle control look good and are easiest to use.

SHOWER STALL
Simple solutions. Use a curtain for stand-alone showers. Angle the floor to direct water toward the drain. Put controls near the entryway so they’re reachable from outside. Use textured tiles, grab bars, and a seat.

Upgraded option. A built-in seating platform adds security and a spalike feel. Read "Go for the flow" for  information on showerheads.

SINK
Simple solutions. If the bathroom has two sinks, consider adding one that’s taller to reduce bending. To allow adequate knee space beneath, a sink should be at least 29 inches high by 30 inches wide.

Upgraded options. Four-legged consoles, including recessed or countertop bowls, are a trendy alternative to vanities. A wide console can accommodate a wheelchair, as can a wall-mounted sink and a sink counter that leaves space below itself.

SUPPORT GRIPS
Simple solution. Use grab bars in the toilet and bath areas. Anchor them in 3/4-inch-thick plywood behind the drywall.

Upgraded options. Some companies offer grab bars in a range of colors. These bars are made of nonslip nylon, a better choice than metal.

TOILET
Simple solutions. Install a taller, comfort-height toilet; it’s a plus for anyone with a bad back or weak leg muscles. And an elongated bowl is more versatile than a round one. Remember, a wheelchair requires a space at least 30 inches wide by 48 inches deep in front of the toilet.

Upgraded options. A wall-mounted toilet can be installed at any height. An open-ended toilet-paper holder is simpler to use than a spring-loaded holder. Learn more about toilets in "Comfortable and efficient."

TUB
Simple solutions. Build a tub into a “deck” someone can sit on before getting into the water. Put controls and faucets on the sides of the tub, and install a hand-held showerhead on the wall or deck.

Upgraded options. Ease entry to the tub by installing grab bars and an undermount tub.

More safety information: Smooth, glazed ceramic tiles can be slippery in the wet bathroom environment. To prevent slips and falls, be sure the floor, shower area, and tub have slip-resistant finishes. Also consider adding a rubber bath mat or stick-on strips. To prevent burns from hot water, install antiscald valves in the shower or tub.