What's Trending in the World of Plumbing

The ISH Trade Fair , held every other year in Frankfurt, Germany, is the world’s largest exhibition of plumbing products. At ISH, held several weeks ago, there were 4,454 manufacturers from 96 countries.

More than 142,000 people attended the fair, and they saw new, cool and cutting edge products that will soon be available to you to help you create spaces that will wow your family and friends and provide a great sense of personal satisfaction.

• Finishes are being taken to new heights.
  

1. Almost every faucet and fixture manufacturer showcased new bronze and brass finishes with faucets and shower systems finished in bronze, gunmetal, pewter and black nickel.
   
2. Gold finishes were huge and in numerous varieties, polish gold, satin gold and rose gold, to name a few.
   
3. All shades and textures of black also were among the head-turning trends at the fair.
   

• Design elements, such as rings and cuts, are being incorporated into faucet bases.
  
• Small wall mounted sinks were the rage.
  
• The industrial look remains strong.
  
• Look for smart shower systems where at a touch of a button you can listen to music, adjust temperature, experience light and aroma therapies, produce steam and just about anything else you can imagine in a shower.
  
• Multiple purpose and functional showerheads wowed everyone.
  
• There were splashes of bright and bold colors on kitchen and bath vanity faucets.
  
• Mixed textures were another significant trend. Manufacturers finished lavatory bowls and tubs with matte exteriors combined with different colored polished and glossy interiors.
  
• Technological advancements.
  

1. Push button technology is becoming an industry standard.
   
2. The S box from Hansgrohe, available in the U.S. sometime next year, makes using a pull-out kitchen faucet easier and enhances its functionality. The hose is housed in a box and operated on a pulley system. This results in much smoother operation for pulling out and returning the faucet head. It also enables the faucet to be used as a pot filler.
   
3. Duravit will introduce its BioTracer watercloset in Europe next year. It is billed as the first app-controlled toilet for urine analysis. The toilet will send a report to a smart device providing an analysis of ten important health indicators ranging from blood glucose levels to the amount of protein in your system. The BioTracer reflects the exploding trend of health and wellness in the bath.
   
4. Grohe introduced an electronic shut-off value that will send a message to a smart device if any pipe or fixture in your home is leaking.