Bathroom remodeling tips
A really great bathroom must be a reflection of the homeowners’ personal style along with the comfort and functionalities that are truly needed and desired. From fixtures and amenities to tiles, shower enclosures, and lighting, remodeling a bathroom is a huge yet exciting project. Through careful planning, the right contractors, and choosing the right design, the remodeling project can make a homeowner’s dream come true. Oak City Glass, a bathroom remodeler, shares some useful tips for a bathroom remodeling project.
1. Create a budget
A bathroom remodeling is an investment in one’s property and life but without a solid budget, costs can spiral out of control due to labor costs and materials.
The best bet is to research local custom building costs, set a realistic budget, and try to stick to it. To create a budget, homeowners must the following factors into consideration:
- Is the homeowner planning to sell the property within a few years?
- Does the homeowner intends to change the location of plumbed-in items?
- What parts of the new bathroom are absolutely essential?
- What can the homeowner afford to invest?
In case homeowners are planning to sell the house in a couple of years, heavy investment into the remodeling of the bathroom is unnecessary. Having said that, remodeling of excessively worn out or outdated bathrooms can earn the homeowners up to 70% return rate upon the sale of the house.
2. Choose the type of bathroom
Bathrooms come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and layouts. Homeowners may or may not want to change the type of bathroom they have already. Consulting a bathroom remodeling contractor may help. Here are the three broad categories to choose from:
a. Standard Bathroom
A standard bathroom or full bath contains a sink, toilet, a bath, shower, or both. Homeowners remodeling or adding a master suite often go for a luxurious spa-like space with skylights, a soaking tub, and a separate steam shower.
b. Half bath
A half bath, or powder room, is a small space that has only a sink and a toilet. Building a half bath, over and above an existing full bath, can allow the homeowner some privacy when guests arrive beside the convenience of two baths. Half baths don't require a lot of space and help boost the value of a home as well.
c. Wet bathroom
In a wet bathroom, the shower isn't in a separate cubicle or behind a curtain. Wet baths are completely waterproofed, including the floor, cabinets, and walls. Wet baths can look sleek and modern, make efficient use of space, and are a durable way to build a bathroom. They may cost a bit more than the other two types of bathrooms though.
3. Develop a bathroom layout
Depending on the shape and size of the area available, there are countless variations in bathroom layout. An existing layout if liked by the homeowner can be retained to save costs. Rearranging plumbing fixtures, for instance, will drive the cost up. Creating a half bath from scratch or building a full bath will decide the layout. The materials that will be used for the customization are other factors that will determine the layout. Homeowners may choose to add countertops, cabinets, bathtubs to their bathroom. In the case of a wet room, waterproofing materials may be needed.
When the space is small, the layout options become limited. It is wise to consult a professional to help make the most of the space without sacrificing what is essential in the bathroom.
4. Wish for a bathtub or shower enclosures?
Traditional bathrooms usually have bathtubs, but now most Americans prefer showering over soaking in a bathtub. But everyone's needs are different. Homeowners who are good at taking full advantage of a relaxing bath can fit in a bathtub during the remodeling.
For those who prefer showers, glass shower enclosures, especially the frameless ones, are a popular choice as they offer a feeling of spaciousness as there is no obstruction of light or the line of sight. Low maintenance and easy to customize according to any size and shape of the bathroom, glass shower enclosures are a great investment during remodeling.
5. Consider lighting
Lighting can make or break the aesthetics and utility of a space. Natural lighting is always wonderful. It makes a bathroom seem brighter and airier. A skylight, traditional or tubular, can do wonders for the lighting effect. Natural light also allows one to see their true skin color and tone. When the sun sets, artificial light will be needed. Install soft lighting at head level at the vanity, recessed LEDs on a dimmer switch, adequate lighting in the shower area, pendant lighting for the centerpiece effect, and indirect lighting strips to the tile work to create the perfectly lit bathroom. The choices are endless.
6. Ventilate
Bathrooms are always prone to dampness. All bathrooms need efficient ventilation to keep mold from growing. Mold can have serious health effects on the occupants if left unaddressed. Ventilation can be achieved with windows and window vents and exhaust fans. Externally vented exhaust fans on timers are also a good solution to ventilation problems.
7. Make it luxurious
From heated floors and rails to sleek, wall-mounted toilets, cabinets, and washbasins that open up the space, a bathroom can be as luxurious as the homeowners want. These additions can make a dramatic difference in the look and feel of a modern bathroom.
With these tips in mind and with the help of a professional bathroom remodeler such as Oak City Glass, homeowners can acquire the bathroom they wish for.
Why Oak City Glass?
Oak City Glass is focused on providing its customers with high-quality glass products, services, and support. A small, family-owned business, Oak city Glass aspires to be known for its hard work, excellent craftsmanship, and unmatched customer service.
The company specializes in:
- Shower enclosures - 10 years of experience installing a variety of shower enclosures including framed, semi-frameless, hybrids, 3/8 custom, serenity (barn door style), and bypass shower enclosures.
- Residential glass - All residential glass needs from insulated glass replacement, replacing broken or fogged IG units, mirrors and tabletops to custom shower enclosures.
- Commercial glass - Servicing store-front doors and other door hardware to install custom 1/2 inch glass entries and 1/2 inch glass walls, sneeze guards, mirror walls, and commercial door services.
- Bathroom remodeling - From changing a simple loose tile to a complete bathroom remodel. The team specializes in tile, granite, painting, flooring, carpentry, trim, wood rot replacement, real estate punch list, sheetrock, and more.
- Glass shield barriers - Sneezeguard, a new feature, is a ¼" clear screen, acrylic material, that is ideal for anti-virus protection and helps comply with social distancing in commercial spaces.
For more information or any commercial or residential glass service, call Oak City Glass today at (919) 710-8662.
