Your Bathroom Remodel

Archive for the ‘Showers & Tubs’ Category

A Japanese inspired garden bathroom setting can be one of the most relaxing and enjoyable.

Since space can be limited in some bathrooms you may find yourself having to choose between having a bathtub or shower.  You can get around this by installing a combination tub/shower, however there are some drawbacks to this idea.

Many bathrooms have the tub/shower combination due to a lack of space for both. The tub in these combos is often shallow; people who love a good soak generally prefer tubs with rounded bottoms. Soakers like the traditional claw-footed tub or whirlpool.

Some people, however, just aren’t into soaking; they are splash-and-spray types who prefer a separate shower if they can get it. They don’t like having to adjust the diverter knob, scramble over the edge of a bathtub, or slip around on round-bottom bathtubs. They like to be able to just step inside the shower and enjoy the luxury.

Functional and attractive fixtures characterize a successful tub area. Other features inviting bathers to linger in the water include a deck with towels, lotions, soaps, sponges, loofahs, and other bathing items within easy reach of the bather and glare-free lighting for soakers who like to read. A scented candle-lit atmosphere promotes meditation and a clear mind. Whirlpool baths also entice a bather to soak longer because of the massaging jets and relaxed muscles. As a bonus, installing a whirlpool spa adds to the resale value of your house.

Choosing the right bathtub or shower can be a big decision when remodeling your bathroom.

Do you want a tub/shower combination or separate facilities? Separating the two provides more comfort and convenience, but this may not be possible in a small bathroom. If you don’t have room for both, you might want to buy a prefabricated unit or plan a custom design.

Prefabricated acrylic or fiberglass units begin at about $200. A shower door may cost $180 or more. More expensive units starting at about $300 have a fiberglass base and glass walls. These units come in many different styles, sizes, and shapes.

Bathtubs also come in many different designs, beginning with the old-fashioned freestanding model that sits on a raised platform. The standard recessed tub has three walls fronted with a skirt. A 5-foot recessed tub made of enameled steel sells for about $100. A fiberglass unit costs about $120. An enameled cast-iron bathtub runs about $220.

A little bit about mold:

Remember to always keep an eye out for mold.

A shower is a great way to jump-start your morning as well as develop your singing voice. If you have or plan to install a stand-alone shower, keep in mind that:

1. A shower shall can be squeezed into 32 square inches, but 36 square inches is much more comfortable.
2. Your home should have at least one tub for resale purposes to satisfy buyers who love to soak or have young children.
3. You can add steam to your shower. Steam loosens tight muscles, increases circulation, and clears the sinuses.
4. By installing extra jets at different heights in your shower stall, you can have a full-body shower. This is a real treat!

Shower Plus

Dorothy and John Nelson, condominium owners, had a bathroom with a tub and a small shower. The couple hardly ever used their tub, so when they remodeled, the tub was removed to made space for a large walk-in shower. The new shower, enclosed with a curving glass-block wall, had a grab bar, a bench for pedicures, a fully adjustable showerhead, and a niche for shampoo and shower gel.

Originally, the bathroom didn’t have a window. The Nelsons had a flared skylight installed which now floods the space with natural light that sparkles through the glass wall of the shower. Delores Hyden, a designer, says, “Bringing in daylight makes the room appear much larger.” Two walls of the shower were lined with stone files and the rest of the room was decorated in forma wainscot. A wainscot-high partition was built at the far end of the vanity to hide the toilet.

A contemporary look and European flair were achieved with smooth finishes and fittings. Dorothy chose limestone for the files on the floor and walls. The limestone is inset with matte charcoal-gray slate cut into triangles and placed at random. To conserve wall space, a two-tier Euro-style towel bar was installed next to the shower. Pull-out shelves housing vinyl-coated wire baskets keep the bathroom tidy. Radiant floor heating under the files welcomes bare feet.