Bathroom Remodeling – Choosing the Right Flooring For Your Bathroom
While many homeowners believe that flooring is more for aesthetics than anything else, your flooring services multiple purposes in the bathroom. When you’re getting ready to do bathroom remodeling you need to put careful consideration in the type of flooring that you’ll install. Very specific factors come in to play with the bathroom, from water retention and absorbency, stain resistance, safety when wet, overall durability, cost, how it fits with the design. Here’s a look into the different flooring options to consider while you prep for bathroom remodeling in your home.
Carpeting: While it might not seem like the best idea in an environment that is perpetually exposed to moisture, carpet is actually a great option for the bathroom – you just have to make the right purchase decision and do your homework on the carpet you want. You need to install carpet that is stain-resistant as well as milder-resistance. The backing of the carpet also needs to hold the water back so it won’t be absorbed by the padding. If this is in line then you have no worries about carpet installation in the bathroom.
Ceramic Tile: Ceramic tile for bathroom flooring is designed a little differently than the ceramic tile you would use on a countertop or backsplash. While those surfaces are smooth, ceramic flooring tiles are made with a textured surface to prevent slipping. It’s a favored option for floors because of the custom designs, shapes and more that are available – lending an opportunity to create a truly unique floor in your bathroom.
Laminate: Laminate is made of layers of material that have been bonded together for strength and durability, including resin and wood fibers. The final pieces are formed together into compressed planks with an image that’s imprinted on the surface. This allows a custom design in various material styles and colors, most commonly wood. It’s durable and easy to clean, making it an affordable and great option for many bathroom remodeling projects.
Hardwood: It’s an added expense, but it’s difficult to replicate the beauty and character that comes from a hardwood floor. It lends a great deal of warmth and comfort to the bathroom environment, which is beneficial if you’re the type to rely on your bathroom for relaxation after a long day. Even older wood floors can be easily refreshed and to ensure safety you can apply a no-slip finish in the bathroom.
Natural Stone: Natural stone is often cut into large tiles that are placed in various patterns across the floor in the bathroom. It’s common for tiles to be cut in 12″ squares but they can also come larger. Being natural stone it’s highly durable and easy to care for. When properly sealed the floor won’t absorb water and the surface is naturally slip-resistant making it a safe option for your bathroom flooring. The only downside here is that natural stone tends to get a little cold on the feet.
Vinyl: This has long been one of the most popular options for bathroom flooring, coming in sheets or tiles that can be easily placed and bonded to the subfloor. It comes in a variety of shapes and patterns to fit most designs and personal styles. While easy to clean, vinyl tiles have a lot of seams which creates potential for mold. The bonding glue can also give after time, causing your vinyl to release from the flooring.
Ultimately you’ll need to choose the flooring that best suits your personal preferences, your budget and the overall look of your room. If you’re not certain which type of flooring suits your bathroom, take the time to consult with a general contractor. They can help you make an informed decision on what material is best for your bathroom remodeling project.…
Finding the Perfect Sink For a Small Bathroom Remodel
Intuition tells most homeowners it is a simple matter to find the perfect sink for a small bathroom remodel. Not too long ago, this was true. But today, there is an array of possibilities. There is great variety in sink materials, installation styles, colors, shapes, and even hardware (or fittings and faucets). All of these factors will determine the suitability of a particular sink for your small bathroom remodel.
The sink you choose for your small bathroom remodel and the specific place you position it in the room will define a great deal of what else you can do in a small space. A new sink for your remodeled bath can cost as little as $100 or somewhat over $1,000. It is usually a good idea to decide how much you can afford to spend on a sink and decide on the major design features and style of your bathroom before you shop for a sink. This will help you stay on track when you see some of the trendy or flashy styles that are available. Keep in mind also that many stores display only the most popular styles and colors in their showrooms. It will probably be worth your time to ask about other options and to check online stores and manufacturers.
Materials: Most sinks are made of enamel, porcelain or china over cast iron or steel. These materials have been used for a very long time. Their durability and ability to resist stains and mildew have made them extremely popular. They are available in almost any color imaginable and any installation style. As bathroom design and décor has become more important in recent years, sinks are now produced in a wide variety of materials, including solid surface materials, acrylics, glass, metals, concrete, cultured stone and genuine stone. Consider who will use the sink when you decide on the material, because stone and concrete will be relatively high maintenance and need sealing and regular re-sealing and glass and metals can scratch easily.
Installation: Your decision to include or not include a vanity in your remodeled small bathroom will narrow your sink installation options.
If you are not using a vanity, your sink will probably be a free-standing or a wall-mounted style. These sinks use very little space, making them ideal for a small bathroom. They are also highly preferred in bathrooms fitted for accessibility. Whether they rest on a pedestal or attach to the wall, the plumbing will be visible (considered a downside by some). They also offer no storage space. In addition to actually requiring less space, these models make your bathroom appear larger.
If you are including a vanity, you might choose the smoothness and sleek continuity of a solid surface vanity top and sink. This is one continuous piece that includes the sink. This style is also possible with stone (granite, marble), cultured stone and concrete. Stone and concrete will require sealing and resealing. These sinks tend to be shallow as compared to some other styles.
Drop-in sinks have a rim that overlaps the edge of the countertop. These are inexpensive and easy to install, making them a great choice for the do-it-yourselfer. Look for a style that has some depth to limit splashing on the surrounding area of the countertop.
Under-mounted sinks attach to the underside of the countertop. These are very popular because they create a smooth surface that takes full advantage of every inch of surface space. This style of installation, however, limits your countertop choices to a material that is completely waterproof (no standard laminate or wood and no natural stone or concrete unless it is carefully sealed).
Countertop installation has become very popular in recent years, although this trend is beginning to wane. This type of installation uses specialty styles of bowls which sit atop a counter or piece of furniture. These styles tend to be costly and installation can also be expensive.
Current trends in bathroom design have focused on exotic materials, unusual shapes, vivid colors, and attempts to use furniture for vanities and cabinets. Small bathroom dimensions will probably prevent you from using furniture, unless you have been able to find a very small antique piece that can serve as your countertop.
Special considerations for small bathroom remodeling: One of the most important considerations in small bathroom design and decoration is maximizing space. This tends to suggest wall-mounted or pedestal sinks or very small and open vanities or surrounds for the sink. Color, shape and material will be largely determined by your style and design and your budget. Remember that lighter colors tend to make rooms look larger, as do vertical stripes. Think carefully also about what you want to be the focal point in the room – the sink, the shower, the tub surround, etc
To create the …
Choosing the Best New Refrigerator
Choosing the Best New Refrigerator
Kitchen remodeling is an expensive project, no matter what you decide to tackle. One of the most expensive decisions you’ll make is choosing new appliances. Whether you do replace all the appliances or just one, it’s a big decision. So knowing what options are available makes it easier and more doable.
The first question to ask yourself is, “do I need to replace everything or just one appliance?” The answer to this will affect all of your research and shopping. Obviously, the more you buy, the more you’ll spend. But some stores do have promotional deals when you make big purchases. The next question is brand preference. Do you have a particular brand name that you trust more than others? This may require some research. It’s easy to rely on what we’ve ‘always’ had. But it might serve you better to research which brands are most reliable and longest lasting. Asking friends about their experiences is a good start. Checking with a repairman to see which appliances are most reliable is another. Third, a consumer friendly magazine, such as Consumer Reports, is a good way to find out more information. The next question is about color. Are you going all white? Off white? Black? Or stainless steel? Some very high-end kitchens actually have appliances that blend in with the woodwork!
If you’d determined that a new refrigerator is in your future, there are still a lot of decisions to make. There are basically three types of refrigerator-freezer combinations available. One is the traditional freezer on top, refrigerator on the bottom model. The second is the reverse of that with the freezer on the bottom. And the third is the side model, which gives equal space to both. Another option for very fancy kitchens is a separate refrigerator and freezer. This is only for people, however with huge kitchen and huge budgets, who do a lot of entertaining. Otherwise, it’s just a waste of space.
Once you’ve decided which type meets your needs, you’ll need to choose whether it has an ice maker-water dispenser on the outside. This is a very popular option. But it also means there is more to go wrong and more to repair. Some families find this option a lifesaver, particularly the ice dispensing. Others see it as a dust collector or something for their little kids to play with. So keep that in mind when purchasing.…