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Without a doubt the bathroom is the
most used room in the home by both family members and guests, as
well. And while your goal is not merely to make a good impression on
visitors it helps to have a clean, functional bathroom that will not
promote cringing when a guest asks to use it.
Simple bathroom remodeling, where the
main entities stay where they are, is not tough. This would include
keeping the tub, and maybe putting up a new tub surround and
hardware, as well as toilet and sink. If they are in good shape and
the basic white new adornments around them might very well make the
bathroom seem like a new bathroom remodel.
Vanity
Vanity cabinets are items which may
require changing out because they are made from wood or wood-filled
products that can rot. In many cases the sink can be reused unless
it's one of the older acrylic types which crack and yellow. Home
supply stores have great vanity-sink replacements which start at
under $125. With some plumbing skills you can hook this up in a very
short time.
Shower/Tub
If your shower-tub fixture is chipped
you can get a tub refinishing kit for under $50 at the home supply
store. These are available in a variety of colors and will prevent
the removal of the fixture. However, it is important to get behind
the wall and see if there are any water leaks. If you have an old tub
surround or cermalite board you should take it off to check for rot
from any leaks that may have occurred. You can do this without taking
out the tub. The drywall can be replaced with proper greenboard or
cement board and a new tub surround put on. This should spruce up
this area.
If there is rot behind the walls then
your remodel will have to stop until you get this fixed. The tub will
have to be taken out but it can go back in after the wall and, if
necessary, the floors are fixed.
Flooring
New bathroom trends show that floor and
wall designs are being made from the same material – tile. And
this tile can be as big as 16”. Some alterations can be made in
the patterns but rural European styles with light browns and terra
cotta designs are popular. If you decide to go with tile in a small
bathroom make sure it is light colored. You don't have to break the
bank to get a good quality tile and, in a small space like a
bathroom, it's not that hard to put in.
The odds-favorite for price and
simplicity is vinyl. Since a bathroom is a small are on small sheet
should do it and it's easy to put down yourself. Just make sure the
fllor is level and the subfloor is not rotten.
Lighting
One of the cheapest ways to improve the
look of your bathroom is with lighting. The old dressing room light
design is not only old-fashioned, it's an energy hog. Three light
sources should do it. The first is an overhead light, a fluorescent
to flood the area. Next, you should look at sconces on each side of
the mirror because the combination of this and the overhead light
would provide enough facial light. If you need more you can always
bring a portable make-up light. If you have a larger bathroom the
last would be right beside the show-tub.
Ventilation
The overhead ventilation fan is an
important part of the moisture control in your home. This is
especially true in older homes which do not have a central HVAC
system to remove moisture from the home. Fans are measured in
cubic-feet-per-second (cfs)and the most common is the axial or
propeller fan which can move large volumes of air at very low
pressures. A normal-sized bathroom would require a minimum of a 50
cfs fan. In addition, fans can be noisy so get one with a low sone
rating. The new fans are also more energy efficient so changing out a
fan is a wise move for the low price.
Windows
Older
homes had windows above the bathtub because showers had not been
widely used. As homes put int showers the windows became detriment
because they tended to rot and allow water to leak down the walls.
New vinyl windows for a bathroom, rated low E and argon-filled, sell
for less than $125 and can really spruce up a bathroom. If the window
is in the shower area you will have to check the wall for leaks when
you take the old one out. Sometimes the leaking has gone on for years
and the wall integrity has been compromised. This is a structural
issue and must be dealt with. It could just be as easy as replacing a
couple of rotten stud pieces with grafts above an below the rot.
Hardware
Hardware
is to cabinets and bathrooms as chrome trim and detailing are to
cars. They finish and highlight the place. These fixtures –
taps, towel racks, toilet roll racks and drawer pulls - are available
in classic, brushed metals and shiny ones. In addition, get low-flow
shower heads and good-quality, non-drip taps.
Treatments
Window
treatments, towels, mats and shower curtains can be coordinated for a
great finishing look. Even if the tub is not in great shape the
curtains will keep the eyes away from the blemishes.
In addition
there are a lot more inexpensive additions like a designer mirror and
an opaque-glass french door which would finish off you concept.
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