Victory Home Improvement » bathroom

Bathroom Tips: How to Choose Vanity Cabinets, Faucets, Mirrors

victory — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 17:00:00 +0000

Before you begin your remodel project, you want to develop a plan that includes a detailed layout with measurements. This is needed to ensure all of your fixtures will fit as planned.

If you are working with a small budget, then you may want to use your existing plumbing layout. If moving the plumbing will create more useable space, then consider it, though keep in mind it can be expensive.

Bathroom Vanity Cabinets
The simplest way to update a bathroom on a budget is by replacing the vanity. There are many unique vanities to choose from, including contemporary styles with flat panel doors and drawers and stylish chrome faucets, to traditional furniture style pieces that can add character to any remodel project.

Make a list of your storage needs; this includes cosmetics, dental care, grooming, small appliances (hairdryers, etc), & cleaning products. Before you purchase a vanity, take precise measurements. If installing a pre-built vanity, it is important to measure the maximum allowed space and find a vanity that is a few inches smaller. Most vanity measurements include the counter top, which can in most cases be the largest point on the overall cabinet. If the top is made from a solid stone, such as granite or marble, it is very difficult and sometimes impossible to modify the top, even if it is too large for your space.

Faucets
Faucets can vary widely in price, and this is directly related to the quality. Going with the lowest price isn't always the best option for faucets. The finish on the faucet also determines its price (ie chrome is the least expensive and oil rubbed bronze is the most expensive). Also be certain that the faucet comes with ceramic disk vales, which have a longer life cycle.

Mirrors
Size and style are the two factors to consider when purchasing vanity mirrors. You need to have mirrors that are positioned in relationship to the lighting and big enough to reflect back at you. It is also important that the style and finish compliment your overall design.

Flooring
You want floor material to be resistant to moisture, a hard surface that is easy to clean, and also has some texture so that it is not slippery when wet. Many materials are used now in bathrooms; consider concrete, tile or wood.
Heated flooring is a great element to consider if you are replacing the floor. The best place for heated flooring is in the bathroom.

Lighting
This is the most critical component to consider when completing the layout of your bathroom remodel. Things to consider include:
Is there any natural light in the bathroom? Adding windows or skylights can be expensive.
Ceiling Lights: the most cost effective and efficient light source is recessed can lights; adding a chandelier or pendant lights can add elegance to your design. Ceiling lights are most commonly complemented by vanity lights.
Vanity Lights: these are the two to four bulb fixtures you install above the mirror.
Decorative Lighting: such as sconce lights, generally these are installed on the side of the mirror.

Bathroom Renovations Tops

victory — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:00:00 +0000

One of the most popular areas of a house to renovate is the bathroom. There are many different ways to renovate a bathroom, from small surface changes to completely gutting the room. With some forethought and elbow grease, there are renovating techniques the do-it-yourselfer can accomplish, while saving money at the same time.

The first rule in any renovation is to start with a budget, and stick to it. After a budget is set, one must decide on how serious of a project the renovation will be. Surface alterations can be done fairly quickly and cheaply, while rearranging the layout of the bathroom, such as moving the toilet to a new location, will be more labor intensive, and require a contractor to move plumbing lines. A complete tear out is the most difficult, as well as money and time consuming, but is sometimes necessary if several years of moisture has begun to rot the bathroom's wooden framework.

Hopefully moisture hasn't penetrated the bathroom's joists and studs, but it's quite possible that drywall will have to be replaced. Today there is moisture resistant drywall called greenboard. If a wall is being replaced inside of the shower, a cement backerboard must be used that moisture cannot penetrate.

Many bathroom renovations revolve around the shower or tub. For the do-it-yourselfer, installing a prefabricated shower enclosure or tub is possible. The other option is a tiled shower or tub, which involves building a frame from scratch, and is best left to a professional carpenter. Though prefab showers were once fairly basic, today there are a variety of styles, colors and textures from which to choose. The units can come in one solid piece, to minimize assembly, and also panels if the complete unit can't fit through the bathroom door (which is the case with many older homes).

There are a wide variety of flooring options for bathrooms, but steer clear of wood floors which will warp from the humidity. Ceramic tiles are the most popular choice for bathroom flooring, as it's completely waterproof when sealed properly. There are also almost limitless combinations of shapes, sizes and colors combinations of tiles and grout that will fit all tastes. All floors must be level before laying down tile, which can be easily achieved by mixing a self leveling compound that is then spread across the floor, evening out any inconsistencies.

A new sink or vanity can spruce up a bathroom as well. There are many popular styles, such as wall mounted sinks, pedestal sinks, and vessel sinks that are fairly easy to install. It's often possible to use the current sink piping to reconnect to an updated sink which can drastically change a bathroom's appearance.

Some of the most effective updating can also be the easiest to do. Changing all the hardware, such as drawer pulls, faucet handles, and shower heads, can make a great impact, especially when they are all pulled together with the same materials, such as stainless steel, bronze, or brushed nickel. The cheapest home improvement choice of them all- paint- can also give a bathroom a new feel. Ditching a bland, frameless mirror for a new, large one with a funky frame is also an easy fix.

Sometimes the cost of new bathroom features is the priciest part of a renovation, but looking beyond big box stores can save cash. The local craigslist may have a treasure being thrown out by another remodeler with a different taste. Ebay can work the same way. Buying discontinued tiles is another good money saving technique, but remember to pick up extras to replace damaged tiles in the future.

Most remodeling techniques can be learned, but a contractor may be necessary to deal with new electrical or plumbing lines- it will be worth the money for it to be done correctly, and they will follow building codes properly. Getting referrals from trustworthy friends is always advisable when looking for a good and efficient contractor.

What The Advantages and Disadvantages of Buying Your Bathroom Remodelling Supplies Online

victory — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:00:00 +0000

Have you recently made the decision to remodel your bathroom? Whether you would like to remodel every inch of your bathroom or just a small portion of it, you will need to buy supplies. The supplies needed, will all depend on the remodelling project you need to complete. For instance, if you are looking to have your bathtub replaced, you will need to order a new bathtub. Whether you need a bathtub, new flooring, or even new bathroom cabinets, have you decided where you would like to shop yet? If you are like many other homeowners, you may be wondering whether or not you should buy your bathroom remodelling supplies online.

As previously mentioned, the bathroom remodelling supplies needed will all depend on the type of remodelling that you are doing. The supplies that you will need will also help to determine whether or not you should buy your supplies online. For instance, is you are looking to purchase a new bathtub it may be a little bit difficult for you to buy a bathtub online. Of course, it is always possible to do, but you may find it costly. Depending on where you would be ordering your new bathtub from, it may need to travel across the country. If that is the case, you may find the cost of shipping or delivery to be quite expensive. In fact, you may also find it too much to afford.

In all honestly, the cost of shipping is really the only downside to purchasing your bathroom remodelling supplies online. The truth is that are, literally, an unlimited number of benefits to purchasing your bathroom remodelling supplies online. One of those benefits is the amount of time that it will take you to do your shopping. Online, you could easily find thousands of different bathtubs available for sale. If you find a bathtub, or any other bathroom fixture that you need, you could purchase it without even having to leave your home. You can also save yourself a fairly large amount of time by shopping online. If you have an idea as to what you are looking for, it is possible to find, order, and pay for your kitchen remodelling supplies in as little as a few minutes.

In addition to the amount of time that you can save, by shopping for your bathroom remodelling supplies online, you also have a better chance of finding what you are looking for. Whether you are looking to purchase a new bathtub, a new bathroom sink, a new toilet, or bathroom floor tiles, the internet gives you access to hundreds of thousands of different items. This means that whether you are looking for low-cost remodelling supplies, elegant supplies, or those that are custom made, you should easily be able to find what you are looking for online. You can get started with a standard internet search.

Although there are more advantages to buying your bathroom remodelling supplies online than there are disadvantages, you will find that the above mentioned disadvantage is a fairly large one. If you are shopping on a budget, it is best to look for online retailers that offer shipping discounts for their bathroom remodelling materials, supplies, and fixtures. If you are able to find one of these discounts, you could, without a doubt, benefit from doing you're shopping online.

Tips To Maintain Wet Rooms With Install A Second Bathroom

victory — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The world of bathroom design is constantly evolving and changing to meet the demands of homeowners. One of the most recent trends is the installation of wet rooms to create bathrooms that are elegant, stylish and practical. The use of wet rooms is especially suited to smaller bathrooms where space is at a premium. This is because by tanking a small bathroom it is possible to install space saving features like wall hung corner toilets and small sinks as well as being able to do away with the need for a shower enclosure.

Wet rooms are rooms in which the shower is level with the floor. This means that all of the water in the room is drained to one point through one plug hole. Some showers in wet rooms utilise elegant screens and shower heads that massage the body from a number of different angles. By using this type of design feature it is possible to create showers where style and comfort are a prerequisite, leaving the washer feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. For larger bathroom it is normally the practise to only tank the shower enclosure, this means that no loss of luxury is incurred but the overall style of the bathroom is enhanced.

As previously stated wet rooms are great if you want to install wall hung appliances. One of the benefits of this type appliance is that as they have no contact with the floor, cleaning is made much easier. All that is needed to give the bathroom a clean is to wipe a mop around; a process that takes no time at all in a wet room. It should be remembered however that wet rooms are most suited to second bathrooms, if you decide to convert your main bathroom you may in fact harm the value of your property. This is because most wet rooms do not have a bath, and most buyers want to see a bath in the primary bathroom.

If you have decided on a wet room design the installation is the next big issue. A poorly installed wet room can be disastrous for a house. This is because if leaks do occur it is likely that they will seep into the very core of the property, rotting timbers and support struts and in some cases leading to total instability of the home. To ensure this does not happen it is vitally important to use an expert installer who knows exactly how to handle the waterproof membrane and slope the floor in a way so no water collects in pools. Do not be tempted by cheap wet rooms, while they are sometimes expensive to buy and install, the price should act as an insurance of quality workmanship and materials.

Smaller bathrooms can benefit the most from wet room installation. This is especially true if you want to create a second bathroom with a shower. This is because by having a waterproof membrane throughout the room the need for a shower screen is negated, saving a great deal of space. In the industry, the installation of this membrane is labelled tanking and is a process that should be always carried out by a professional. The DIY approach is a possibility but as the effects of having faulty tanking can be so dangerous to properties, it is better to be safe than sorry and pay to have it installed expertly. This means researching fitters and suppliers, looking at their past work and assessing their costs to ensure you not only get a good deal, but also quality workmanship.

So for contemporary, stylish, easy to maintain and spacious bathrooms, the only option is to utilise wet rooms. While the cost may be slightly more than a regular shower, the space saved can be seen as a major benefit that will add value to your property in the long run.