Glossary
Bathroom words, in plain English
Shopping for a bathtub or vanity can throw up unfamiliar terms. Here is a short, jargon-free guide to the words you will come across, explained the way we would explain them in the showroom. Every term links to a fuller page with examples, quick answers, and related terms.
- Acrylic
- A lightweight, moulded material used for HERA bathtubs. It retains heat better than steel or cast iron, resists moisture, and can be refinished, which suits Singapore's humidity.
- Apron
- The finished front panel of a bathtub that runs from the rim to the floor, hiding the base and any fittings.
- Basin
- The washbasin or sink set into or on top of a vanity. A ceramic basin is one of the tops you can pick with a HERA vanity set.
- Built-in bathtub
- A bathtub permanently installed against walls and tiles, also called a drop-in or alcove tub. Fitting or removing one requires renovation, unlike a freestanding bathtub.
- Ceramic basin
- A basin made from fired, glazed clay that is hard-wearing and easy to clean. It is one of the tops you can pick with a HERA vanity set.
- Condo
- A private condominium apartment. Most Singapore condo bathrooms fit at least a 1400mm or 1500mm HERA bathtub, and many take the 1700mm size.
- Cut and seal
- One of the HERA bathtub shapes, designed to sit neatly against a wall or into a corner while remaining freestanding.
- Drop-in bathtub
- A tub lowered into a built surround or deck. Like other built-in formats, it needs renovation to install or remove.
- Flexible drainage outlet
- The adjustable drain hose that connects a freestanding HERA bathtub to your existing floor trap, so no new plumbing is needed.
- Floor trap
- The existing drain in your bathroom floor. HERA bathtubs connect to it directly, which is why installation needs no plumbing changes.
- Freestanding bathtub
- A bathtub that stands on its own in the room rather than being fixed to walls. It connects to existing drainage and can be moved at any time. See our bathtub guide for the full range.
- Hacking
- Renovation work that breaks up tiles or screed. HERA installation involves no hacking, no tiling, and no waterproofing work.
- HDB
- A flat built by Singapore's Housing and Development Board. The smallest HERA bathtub, at 800mm, fits even a compact HDB bathroom comfortably.
- Live load
- The weight a floor carries in use, including water and a person. A filled HERA bathtub with a bather is about 300kg, well within standard HDB and condo floor capacity.
- MDF and particle board
- Engineered wood boards that can swell or peel in wet conditions. HERA vanities use solid PVC instead, so they hold up to bathroom humidity.
- Mixer
- A single tap that blends hot and cold water, also called a tap. Tap fittings are sold separately from vanity sets.
- Overflow
- The opening near the top of a bathtub that drains excess water to stop it spilling over the rim.
- PVC
- Polyvinyl chloride, the solid waterproof material used for HERA vanity cabinets. It does not warp, swell, or peel in a humid bathroom.
- Reinforced internal frame
- The internal structure that supports a HERA acrylic bathtub, giving it rigidity and its load rating.
- Side column cabinet
- A narrow storage cabinet about 700mm high, roughly waist height, that pairs with a vanity for extra bathroom storage, built from the same solid PVC.
- Soft-close
- A mechanism that slows a drawer or lid so it closes quietly without slamming. Standard on HERA vanity drawers.
- Static load
- The weight something can hold at rest. Each HERA vanity drawer is rated for up to 30kg static load.
- Vanity
- A bathroom cabinet that holds the basin and provides storage. HERA vanity sets include soft-close drawers and a top of your choice. See the vanity and storage guide.
- Wall-hung vanity
- A vanity mounted on the wall rather than standing on the floor, leaving the floor clear beneath it for a lighter, more open look.
- Waterproofing
- The membrane under bathroom tiles that stops water reaching the structure. Because HERA bathtubs are freestanding, they need no new waterproofing.
Still not sure about a term?
Message us on WhatsApp and the team will explain anything, usually within 15 minutes during showroom hours. Or read the full FAQ.