Redoing Your Bathroom? Read This!

08 Dec 2020
Redoing Your Bathroom? Read This!
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( Source : This Old House )


Photo by Stacey Brandford

If you’re happy with the current layout of your bathroom and all it needs for a refresh is a coat of paint, new plumbing, light fixtures, and modern hardware, you can expect to pay under $5,000. At the other extreme, a major down-to-the-studs renovation might run you $30,000 to $40,000. Whether you’re planning a modest bathroom makeover or a major gut and remodel, our expert tips, beginning with the simplest fixes and leading up to a complete overhaul, will help you get it done right.

Choose the Right Paint Sheen
In years past, you had to use a glossy or satin paint wall finish to lock out persistent bathroom humidity. But today many manufacturers are producing specialty paints in on-trend matte finishes that are formulated with anti-microbial additives to protect against moisture and mildew. These paints may cost up to two times more than standard latex-acrylic. So if you want to save money, go for glossy. The best way to prevent mold and mildew is to stop it before it starts with a properly vented exhaust fan ducted to the exterior. And don’t use the shower for at least 24 hours before and after painting to ensure that no moisture disrupts the paint-curing process.


Select the Faucet First

The sink faucet—or in some cases the tub faucet—is the most visible hardware in many bathrooms, so start by choosing it, and then match the shower set, toilet flush lever, towel bars, and other hardware to the faucet’s styling and finish material. Ergonomic lever faucets are the easiest to use for people of all ages—and you can find them in styles from modern to vintage.

Think About Your Storage and Counterspace Needs
Your choice of sink and vanity go hand in hand to determine how much storage and counterspace your bathroom provides: A pedestal sink offers a slim and traditional silhouette that’s ideal for small bathrooms, but it has no vanity for storage and very limited counter surface. A vessel sink is a bowl that sits on top of the vanity—often a repurposed piece of antique furniture—so there’s plenty of room for drawers and storage space inside, but little usable counterspace on top. A traditional vanity offers both counterspace on top and storage space down below.

Make Flawless Flushing a Priority

If you haven’t shopped for a toilet in recent years, you’re in for a surprise. Heated and LED-lit seats, built-in bidet functionality, water-saving and self-cleaning features are just a few of the high-tech options you’ll need to evaluate. But flawless flushing should be your first priority. Go to map-testing.com to check any toilet’s ability to get the job done with just one push of the handle. Look for toilets with a Maximum Performance (MaP) testing score of 500 or higher; this group includes many WaterSense-rated toilets, which are high-efficiency models that use as little as half of the 1.6 gallon-per-flush legal limit.


Flatter Yourself with the Right Light
While recessed or surface-mounted ceiling lights are critical for overall room lighting, they’re unflattering for self-reflection. Task lighting on either side of your over-sink mirror is ideal. Fixtures should be placed at eye level (around 66 inches) and ideally spaced 36 to 40 inches apart. If there’s no room for side sconces, install a long fixture on the wall above the mirror.
Pick Porcelain
Cement and encaustic tiles are all the rage these days, but they can be pricey, they’re harder and more expensive to install, they’re prone to etching by acids and harsh detergents, and they require annual sealing. For high quality, affordable, and easy-to-care-for surfaces, the gold standard is porcelain. The toughest versions are practically crack- and stain-proof, and you can find tiles that convincingly mimic the look of handmade ceramic, natural stone, and even wood floors.

Go for Non-Slick Surfaces
Some tiles create a serious slipping hazard when they get wet. To ensure your bathroom floor doesn’t get dangerously slick for people stepping out of the tub or shower, choose tiles with textured surfaces, matte finishes, or sand-containing glazes. Another option: small tiles with lots of grout lines can add traction to the floor.




 


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