--- title: "Bathroom glossary: technical terms explained | Nuevabaño" description: "Rimless, concealed frame, IP44, CRI, tempered glass, walk-in shower: the bathroom terms you meet when choosing sanitaryware, explained simply." url: https://www.nuevabano.com/en/glossary/ language: en --- # Bathroom glossary The technical terms you meet when choosing a toilet, a basin, an LED mirror, a shower or a bathtub, explained simply. ## Anti-fog (demister) A heating element behind a mirror that keeps the glass clear of condensation after a hot shower. [Read more](https://www.nuevabano.com/en/collections/led-bathroom-mirrors/luz-square/) ## Back-to-wall bathtub A bathtub with the look of a freestanding model and one flat side that sits against the wall. It uses a standard wall-mounted tap. [Read more](https://www.nuevabano.com/en/blog/torino-muro-back-to-wall-bathtub-renovation/) ## Click-clack waste A basin waste with a plug that opens and closes by pressing on it. Versions designed for basins without overflow are used on countertop basins. [Read more](https://www.nuevabano.com/en/collections/countertop-basins/evona/) ## Colour rendering index (CRI) A score up to 100 that measures how faithfully a light source shows colours. Above 85, skin tones and make-up colours look natural. [Read more](https://www.nuevabano.com/en/blog/led-bathroom-mirror-colour-temperature/) ## Colour temperature The colour of white light, measured in kelvin (K). Around 3000 K gives a warm white, 4500 K a neutral white and 6500 K a cool white. [Read more](https://www.nuevabano.com/en/blog/led-bathroom-mirror-colour-temperature/) ## Concealed frame A steel frame with a built-in cistern, hidden in a stud wall or a false wall. It carries the weight of a wall-hung toilet, sets its height and holds the flush mechanism operated by the flush plate. [Read more](https://www.nuevabano.com/en/collections/wall-hung-toilets/) ## Copper-free mirror A mirror whose reflective silver layer is protected without copper. In a humid room, it resists the black spots and darkened edges that appear on ordinary mirrors. [Read more](https://www.nuevabano.com/en/collections/led-bathroom-mirrors/) ## Countertop basin A washbasin placed on top of a worktop, a vanity unit or a shelf, so that its whole shape stays visible. Its height adds to the height of the worktop. [Read more](https://www.nuevabano.com/en/collections/countertop-basins/) ## Fixing centres The distance between the two threaded rods that hold a wall-hung toilet on its frame. The standard value is 18 cm; the bowl and the frame must use the same value. [Read more](https://www.nuevabano.com/en/collections/wall-hung-toilets/vega-square/) ## Freestanding bathtub A bathtub that stands on its own, visible from every side, away from the walls. It needs free space around it. [Read more](https://www.nuevabano.com/en/blog/torino-freestanding-bathtub-planning/) ## Horizontal outlet A toilet outlet that leaves the bowl towards the back wall. It is the standard configuration for wall-hung toilets, connected to the drain through the concealed frame. [Read more](https://www.nuevabano.com/en/collections/wall-hung-toilets/) ## IP44 An ingress protection rating: protected against solid objects larger than 1 mm and against splashing water from any direction. [Read more](https://www.nuevabano.com/en/collections/led-bathroom-mirrors/) ## Level-access floor A shower floor at the same level as the rest of the bathroom, without a step, sloping towards a drain. It must be waterproofed before tiling. [Read more](https://www.nuevabano.com/en/collections/walk-in-shower-screens/) ## Out-of-plumb adjustment The margin of a wall profile that compensates for walls that are not perfectly vertical. Corsa and Aire Walk-In allow ±20 mm on each side. [Read more](https://www.nuevabano.com/en/collections/shower-doors-and-enclosures/corsa-sliding-door/) ## Overflow An opening near the top of a basin or bathtub that drains away excess water before it spills over. Many countertop basins have none and use a non-closing or click-clack waste. [Read more](https://www.nuevabano.com/en/collections/bathtubs/torino/) ## Quick-release seat A toilet seat that lifts off its hinges without tools, to clean the hinge area properly, and clicks back into place. [Read more](https://www.nuevabano.com/en/collections/wall-hung-toilets/vega-round/) ## Rimless toilet A toilet bowl without the inner rim under which water usually flows. The open, smooth surface leaves fewer places for dirt and limescale to settle, and is quicker to clean. [Read more](https://www.nuevabano.com/en/blog/vega-round-rimless-wall-hung-toilet/) ## Sanitary acrylic A plastic material used for bathtubs and shower trays: warm to the touch, light and easy to clean. Light surface scratches can usually be polished out. [Read more](https://www.nuevabano.com/en/collections/bathtubs/) ## SMD LED A surface-mounted LED soldered directly onto a flexible strip. SMD 2835 refers to a chip of 2.8 × 3.5 mm, widely used for even, efficient backlighting. [Read more](https://www.nuevabano.com/en/collections/led-bathroom-mirrors/luz-round/) ## Soft-close seat A toilet seat whose hinges slow the lid down so it closes gently and silently, without slamming. [Read more](https://www.nuevabano.com/en/collections/wall-hung-toilets/vega-square/) ## Stabiliser bar A metal bar linking the top of a fixed glass panel to the wall, which keeps the panel rigid. [Read more](https://www.nuevabano.com/en/collections/walk-in-shower-screens/aire-walk-in/) ## Tap hole A pre-drilled hole in a basin that takes a single-hole mixer. A basin without a tap hole is used with a wall-mounted tap or a tall mixer on the worktop. [Read more](https://www.nuevabano.com/en/blog/evona-vs-felis-countertop-basin/) ## Tempered glass A safety glass heat-treated to be several times stronger than ordinary glass. If it breaks, it shatters into small blunt pieces. [Read more](https://www.nuevabano.com/en/collections/shower-doors-and-enclosures/) ## Walk-in shower A shower without a door, protected by a fixed glass panel, with an open entrance. It is often built on a level-access tiled floor. [Read more](https://www.nuevabano.com/en/blog/aire-walk-in-shower-layout-ideas/)