Durable Materials

Properties of the Material:
Sanitary ceramic is heat resistant and doesn’t fade in the light. The smooth, hygienic glaze resists abrasion and scratches. With WonderGliss, the burnt-on surface treatment, washbasins, toilets and bidets retain their appearance and clean surface for a long time. Residues such as limescale or dirt flow more easily off the smooth surface into the water. With HygieneGlaze, toilets and urinals attain the highest standards of hygiene. The innovative, durably burnt-on ceramic glaze is antibacterial effective up to 99.9%.

DuroCast® is a further development of a mineral composite which, in its four different versions, offers some specific advantages compared to conventional materials. The mineral composite materials DuroCast® Plus, UltraResist and Smooth are primarily made up of natural minerals and a resin binding agent. DuroCast® Nature is made of polyurethane mixed with marble powder – and, like DuroCast® Smooth, has a colored gelcoat finish.

The raw materials are mixed in an automated process and then prepared for casting. This creates a homogeneous casting compound that is then poured into the respective molds. The casting process is followed by two drying stages: The liquid casting compound is cured in the first step, hardening in the mold in a heat chamber. In the second step, the product is removed from the mold and tempered to reduce stress on a separate rotating bearing in a furnace at temperatures of up to 176°F (80°C). The final curing of the DuroCast® material takes place during this phase. Once they've cooled, the finished products are sent to the polishing booth for the finishing touch.

Because it dries at such low temperatures, DuroCast® emits much less CO₂ during production compared to energy-intensive ceramic production.

The homogeneous DuroCast® Plus ceramic material is colored white with pigment throughout its entire thickness. It's durable, stable and also allows for the easy repair of any signs of wear and tear. These repairs will be invisible if carried out properly. Another advantage of the material is the slip-resistant texture of the finish, which is always an important feature in the bathroom.

DuroCast® UltraResist with its two finishing coats, has a flawless finish, which also makes the material the perfect solution for bathroom items that see a lot of heavy use. With its non-porous surface, DuroCast® UltraResist is extremely easy to clean and relatively resistant to scratches and dirt buildup.

With its outer gelcoat, DuroCast® Smooth has a durable, easy-to-clean and UV-resistant finish that makes a big impression with its outstanding material properties in addition to the wide range of finish options. The gelcoat makes it possible to create a variety of color patterns and unusual textures – with a choice of glossy or matte finish. This gives the outer section of our Millio toilets, for example, a unique design.

DuroCast® Nature is recyclable and has a durable and easy-to-clean gelcoat, the matte versions of which offer the highest level of slip resistance. Not only is it pleasant to the touch, but the non-porous surface also creates an elegant finish that opens up a wide range of bathroom design possibilities thanks to the modern colors available.

Another advantage of the DuroCast® Nature ceramic material is how easy it is to install: Shower trays from the Sustano series can be adjusted during installation on-site without any extra effort, and they can be shortened side-to-side by up to about 4 inches (100 mm). The shower trays also don't weigh much, which makes them easier to handle on the construction site and reduces transport-related CO₂ emissions. These products can be returned to Duravit or sent to a local recycling center at the end of their service life.

As a base material for bathroom furniture with decorative surfaces, Duravit uses three-ply chipboard panel¹ with a PEFC (PEFC/04-31-2357) quality seal. Melamine resin decor² is used as a coating material, either textured (wood surface haptic) or smooth, depending on the execution.

¹ Wood chippings are glued and pressed at high temperature under pressure to form panels in varying thicknesses. The outer areas of the cross-section are more tightly compressed than the middle layer. The entire manufacture of the panels is carried out beforehand by the supplier.
² Printed paper is soaked with melamine resin, dried, and then joined to the base material under high pressure at high temperatures.

As a base for bathroom furniture with decorative surfaces, Duravit uses three-ply chipboard panel¹ with a PEFC (PEFC/04-31-2357) quality seal. HPL2 is used as a coating material, either textured (wood surface haptic) or smooth, depending on the execution.

¹ Wood chippings are glued and pressed at high temperature under pressure to form panels in varying thicknesses. The outer areas of the cross-section are more tightly compressed than the middle layer. The entire manufacture of the panels is carried out beforehand by the supplier.
² HPL stands for high-pressure laminate, a laminate made by pressing several layers of paper with hardening synthetic resin under high pressure.

As a base material for bathroom furniture featuring real wood veneer, Duravit uses three-ply chipboard panel¹ with a PEFC (PEFC/04-31-2357) quality seal. Real wood veneer² is used as the coating material. It is pressed together with a melamine carrier and glued to the carrier with white glue. The surface is subsequently sealed with PU lacquer to make the surface moisture-resistant.

¹ Wood chippings are glued and pressed at high temperature under pressure to form panels in varying thicknesses. The outer areas of the cross-section are more tightly compressed than the middle layer. The entire manufacture of the panels is carried out beforehand by the supplier.
² Real wood veneer is a thin layer taken from a piece of tree trunk and applied to a support board, and is considered one of the finest items that can be manufactured from wood.

As a base material for bathroom furniture with lacquer surfaces, Duravit uses MDF board¹ with a PEFC (PEFC/04-31-2357) quality seal. UV-resistant lacquer in matte or high luster is used as the coating material, and is applied in several layers per spray application. The lacquer used is resistant to saliva and perspiration in accordance with DIN 53160.

¹ Steam is used to open up the wood chippings into fibers, followed by the same production process as for particle board (gluing and pressing at high temperature under pressure). The entire manufacture of the panels is carried out beforehand by the supplier. The surface and edges of Duravit bathroom furniture are resistant to water splashes and increased atmospheric moisture. With meticulous workmanship, the surfaces are sealed and made water repellent. The care instructions accompanying each piece of bathroom furniture should be carefully observed.