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    23Aug, 2022
    5 Things To Consider When Buying Bathroom Fixtures

    Bathroom remodeling is an investment that can have long-lasting effects. When you’re decorating, make sure to choose fixtures for your bathroom wisely because they’ll help give the right atmosphere and feel in order to create a showplace of sorts! Buying the right bathroom fixtures can really make your home feel like it’s been redone. Installing new hardware is an important part of any renovation, but before you go out and buy all new things for this room in particular think about who will be using the bathroom. Will there be anyone with special needs? Someone with limited mobility?

    Here are some factors you need to keep in mind before deciding on your bathroom fixture:

    1. Bathroom Theme

    You can create any theme you want in your bathroom. This is because there are so many different types of vanities and fixtures available on the market today, all with their own unique styles that will match whatever look suits YOU best. However, be sure to settle on a theme and stick with it. Have a clear direction and stay on course. For example, if your chosen style includes antique brass fixtures then make sure there are Antique Brass Bathroom Fixtures like sink bowls or toilet seats in addition to any other items of furniture appropriate for this type of décor available to allow you some diversity of choice.

    When designing the space, it is important to consider what will make a transition from one area in your home or office. For example, if there are family photos on display along the walls leading up to the bathroom, you may consider adding photos in the bathroom too. This will make the transition from one area to the next less stark.

    2. Light Fixtures

    When it comes to the fixtures of your bathroom, you have two options. You can either do an overhaul and take out old lights for new ones or just change out some bulbs in them so they look better than ever. Light can really set the mood and make for a relaxed experience.

    Young-woman-relaxing-in-comfortable-bathtub

    3. Make It Comfortable

    Make sure to select your fixtures with comfort in mind. You should pick out a bathroom vanity and other pieces that will add relaxation so you can enjoy the time spent inside. When you are in the shower, do not forget to enjoy yourself.  You should always select your fixtures so they can make a relaxing atmosphere and add comfort while using them.

    4. Size Matters

    You want to make sure that you buy the right size fixture for your bathroom. You don’t need an oversized vanity if it’s going in a small room, and vice versa. Take some time to plan your space and get in touch with some local remodelers that can really bring some experience to your bathroom remodel. This is something you’ll want to get right, the first time.

    5. Material Choices

    You may be surprised at all of the different types and styles of bathroom fixtures available. This is an area that you will want to consider carefully, as it can significantly change your room’s aesthetic appeal – not just aesthetically but also structurally! So take some time thinking about what type of materials would work best for both function (how well they hold water) AND appearance; then go ahead with selecting them from our extensive catalog.

    The Smallest Room in The House

    The bathroom is one of the smallest rooms in your house and it’s also among those with the highest repair costs. A renovation can make this space more valuable, adding both design elements as well light for a brighter atmosphere that will leave you feeling great about how things were done.

    22Aug, 2022
    Bathroom Remodeling Project – Get Steamed About Prefabricated Shower Stalls

    The prefabricated shower is one of the better home improvement innovations to come to the aid of modern DIYers and building contractors. Prefabricated shower stalls come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are ideal for both residential and commercial homeowners alike. Most are square or rectangular in shape and have three walls with one side open for an entrance. Others are triangular with a diagonal front and fit quite nicely into your corner. These units are installed in the same way as any other plumbing fixture.

    Accessibility With a Prefabricated Shower Stall

    The good thing about a shower stall is its accessibility. A family member with a disability or mobility issues can easily roll right into the shower without a threshold and bathe in a wheelchair or on a folding seat installed in the shower. They can use bath safety grab bars to steady themselves and clean and rinse with a hand-held shower head and hose. You can even get units that are fully enclosed and can be used as a steam shower. The seams are virtually invisible and leak-proof, which ensures product longevity and years of easy cleaning.

    The other good thing about shower enclosures is that there is no tiling involved, no grout to attract mold or mildew and you can get the look and feel of ceramic tile at a fraction of the cost. Most are easy to clean thanks to their gloss acrylic finish. All you have to do is use a clean cloth or sponge and wash with mild soap or detergent and lukewarm water. Rinse well and spot dry with a damp cloth or chamois.

    Prefabricated Shower Materials

    Prefabricated shower stalls are usually made of fiberglass with a finish of acrylic or some other form of plastic. Most units are not free-standing and must be attached to your walls but are so quick and easy to install you can have your shower stall up and running by the end of the day. You can also purchase units with or without doors. An important thing to remember is to get a prefabricated shower stall that comes in sections or else you may have a hard time getting it through your bathroom door, unless you have a large bay window or double bathroom doors then the size will not be an issue.

    Shower Fittings

    Don’t forget your shower fittings; this is where you can customize your shower faucets, showerheads, and knobs based on your style and the functionality you want. It’s sometimes a good idea to visit a bathroom showroom so you can test out all the different models and compare their styles and operation. Last but not least, most prefab shower stalls have shelves and soap dishes already molded into the wall which is a great space saver so things aren’t hanging out. If your shower stall is fully enclosed don’t forget about lighting, try to get one with a built-in overhead light which is preferable. Bathroom ventilation is also an important factor because you don’t want mold invading your bathroom because of all that condensation.

    Whether enclosed or open a prefabricated shower stall will be a welcomed addition to any bathroom, so why not include one in your next bath or shower renovation?

    Facts-About-Bathroom-Remodeling-Everyone-Should-Know
    22Aug, 2022
    Facts About Bathroom Remodeling Everyone Should Know

    Remodeling your bathroom can be a lot of fun. It can also make for an excellent long-term investment in your home. The problem comes down to people getting very frustrated with the process very quickly. Some fail to realize how much cost can potentially be involved.

    modern-bathroom-remodelOthers make the mistake of not researching enough remodeling companies. They wind up with a company that fails to make the deadline, costs more money than was originally agreed upon (which can certainly happen, but there’s a fine line between unforeseen costs and being taken for a ride), and in some extreme cases actually causes substantial damage to the home. Haven’t we all heard some bathroom remodeling horror stories at one time or another? You don’t have to settle for less, and you can indeed avoid the vast majority of pitfalls that await any homeowner taking on the task of having their bathroom remodeled.

    It’s simply a matter of keeping several key things in mind. It’s important to keep a realistic head about you as you go through the whole complicated process. Remodeling your bathroom can be an exciting experience, but many homeowners run into intense frustration. It’s almost always because they simply didn’t plan enough, or took some aspect of the process for granted. There are times when hiccups are inevitable, but there is something to be said for planning as much of the endeavor as possible.

    It’s also extremely important to make sure you choose the right contractors for your bathroom remodeling project. This in itself has certain criteria. Keeping these criteria in mind can make things a lot less of a hassle. It’s just common sense that choosing the right bathroom remodeling contractors in your area can make things a heck of a lot easier. Many of the headaches people experience when remodeling a bathroom revolve around one simple fact: They didn’t choose their contractors carefully enough.

    Choosing your contractors need not be difficult. You just have to know what you want, which means doing a ton of homework beforehand, and you have to be willing to do your homework. If you’re truly looking to get your bathroom remodeled, then it’s time to get started.

    Planning Your Bathroom Remodeling Project

    Everyone would like the chance to be able to spruce up their bathroom and turn the space into something that looks like a new room entirely. What people don’t want to do is wind up spending an arm and a leg. People who don’t understand how potentially expensive a remodeling project can be are often met with intense aggravation once the project is underway. Poor budgeting can add considerable expenses, leave you wishing you had never taken on the project at all, and sometimes even railroad the project entirely.

    Keep this in mind: Any kind of ambitious bathroom remodeling job is not going to be cheap. A mid-range remodeling job can potentially cost you as much as ten grand. This can include a new toilet, a tub with tile surrounding it, an attached solid surface double sink and vanity, a ceramic tile floor, a recessed medicine cabinet, and vinyl wallpaper.

    A more elaborate remodel can involve extending into the established space by 8 square feet, moving things like the toilet and tub, replacing everything with more high-end models, adding things like a bidet and an exhaust fan, and much more. This is why it’s so critically important to know exactly what you want, how much the materials are going to cost, and how much the contractors are going to charge you for everything.

    If you don’t know exactly what you want, or if you’re unsure of what needs to be done to get the bathroom you want, relax. These are things you can easily discuss with the contractor that you decide to hire.

    Mason-working-on-a-bathroom-renovation

    There are some cases in which the price climbs to 20 or even 30 thousand dollars. It really depends on things like the size of the home, what kind of remodeling you want to do, the materials used, and the contractors you hire.

    Do you have to spend that kind of money to get the bathroom you’ve always wanted? Of course, you don’t. The beauty of remodeling bathrooms is that there are possibilities for everyone and every budget. Getting a remodeling project off the ground on a tight budget is actually much easier than you might be inclined to think.

    The trick is simply to know all about compromise. What is absolutely essential to getting the bathroom you’ve always dreamed of? What can you do without? These are questions you should do your best to answer in the planning stages.

    The last thing in the world you want is to have a budget of 8 thousand dollars, start the project, and realize that due to poor planning the project is now going to cost 10 or 12 thousand dollars. This happens to people far too often, and you don’t want to find yourself in this category. This is particularly true if the work is well underway, and there’s absolutely no way in the world that you can go back.

    What do you do in those situations? Unfortunately, many people wind up just having to suck it up and pay for whatever extra costs come up. It’s worth mentioning again that some extra costs can sometimes just be impossible to avoid, but by no means should you pay several thousand more than you expected.

    Planning your bathroom remodeling project as much as possible is important for avoiding this, but so is making sure you choose the right contractor.

    Finding A Contractor

    Your next step will be to find a contractor for your remodeling project. This isn’t really all that difficult, but people too often choose rashly and find themselves stuck with shoddy contractors. This means that the work will be subpar, and all your time and money will have been wasted.

    Modern-clean-bathroom-interior-details-with-wooden-furniture-and-mint-tile-wallsThink a remodeling project is expensive? Imagine how costly it would be to have it done all over again. And that’s assuming you can even afford such a thing. Many people wind up stuck with a bathroom that was worse than the original.

    In order to avoid this, make sure you do a few simple things when seeking out reliable contractors:

    • Do your homework, and then do it again. Check out reviews of contractors in your area, find out what their reputation is like, what their level of experience includes, how long they have been in business, and what their rates and costs information are like.
    • Try to come up with as many questions for a potential contractor as possible. It’s almost a certainty that you’re going to have some, and it’s important to keep in mind that there’s really no such thing as a stupid question.
    • Understand that any contractor you hire will want to first come to your home, check things out, and advise you on how to go about getting the work done.
    • Make sure your contractor understands exactly how much money you’re willing to spend. Bad contractors will pretend to listen and then hit you up for dozens of little costs later. A good contractor will listen to you, and keep in mind your budget from start to finish.

    Your New Bathroom

    It can take time and careful planning, but you’re certain to get that new bathroom you’ve been wanting for years. You can make it happen simply by moving through the ins and outs of the project very carefully.

    22Aug, 2022
    Green Bathroom Remodeling Tips
    green-bathroom-remodeling-tips

    People are increasingly interested in ways that they can reduce their negative impact on the environment. Although many do things like recycling and using LED light bulbs, there are a number of ways you can help the environment when bathroom remodeling. 

    When it comes to water and electricity usage there are few rooms in the house that are as wasteful as the bathroom. If you are thinking of remodeling your bathroom then you should know about some ways to make it greener.

    Cut Down on the Waste

    Many people do not realize just how much water they use in the bathroom. As much as thirty percent of a household’s overall water use occurs in the bathroom. There are many ways you can cut down on this usage just by changing some of your bad habits, such as:

    • Leaving the water running while you brush your teeth
    • Flushing the toilet multiple times for one use
    • Taking long baths or showers
    • Starting the shower before you are ready to get in

    There are just a few of the ways that people waste water in the bathroom. In addition to cutting out these bad habits, there is equipment that can help you use less water. A truly “green” bathroom will have a low-flow toilet, as well as sinks and showerheads. You can also cut down on water use by ensuring that leaky toilets are fixed immediately.

    A leaky toilet could waste hundreds of gallons of water per day. You could even set up a system by which usable wastewater (from sinks and showers) is collected and used on the lawn and in toilets. You should speak to a professional plumber about all of the ways you can cut down on water waste in the bathroom.

    Get a Better Toilet

    Toilets, especially in western countries, are a large source of waste. Since clean water is used to flush the toilet, you are essentially flushing away perfectly good water each time you use the bathroom. Here are some toilet tips that will help you cut down on the waste:

    • Get a low-flow toilet
    • Install a toilet that employs a dual flush mechanism that uses less water for number one than for number two
    • Add a urinal. Urinals are a great way for men to cut down on water waste, as they do not require flushing for urination
    • Install a bidet. This may seem counterproductive, but studies have shown that bidets actually use less water than trying to flush toilet paper. In addition, bidets have a number of health benefits, as they are known to reduce the rate of colon cancer and hemorrhoids.
    • Install a composting toilet. Those that really want to go the extra step can actually buy a toilet that separates liquid from solids to create valuable composting material

    Lose the Tub

    A great way to make your bathroom greener is by getting rid of the bathtub. People waste a lot of water and energy when they take long baths, not to mention the fact that tubs are often very slippery and pose an injury risk. If you want to keep your tub then you should build a separate shower stall.

    A small shower stall will not only cut down on the amount of water you use but can also be made safer than a slippery tub. A bath can use up to seven times more energy and water than taking a shower, which is why a truly green bathroom remodel will not involve installing a luxury bathtub. Getting rid of the tub will also save you a lot of valuable space that you can use for storage or other things.

    Modern-bathroom-interior-without-tub

    Reduce the Amount of Hot Water

    People don’t realize that as much as ten percent of their electricity bill can go towards heating up water. To reduce this amount you should change some bad habits like always washing clothes in hot water and cutting down the amount of hot water you use while washing your hands or taking a shower. In addition, there is some equipment you can install during your bathroom renovation that will help reduce your cost and impact on the environment. Here are a couple of things you can do:

    -Use solar. You can now buy solar water heaters that are not that expensive or difficult to install. The upfront cost of installing a solar-powered water heater will be more than offset by the long-term savings. Not only that, but you will be drastically reducing your carbon footprint in the process.

    Use a waste-heat recovery system. You can actually install a system that will use wasted warm water to preheat shower water, thus cutting back on the amount of energy it requires to take a hot shower.

    One Bathroom is All You Need

    Many homeowners feel that they need a bathroom for every bedroom in the house plus one for the guests to use. This is simply not true, as most households can get by fine with just one bathroom. Even when that extra bathroom is not being used it could be eating up valuable natural resources in the form of water and electricity.

    If you are thinking of adding another bathroom, then consider remodeling your current one instead. If you really think you need more than one then you should make one bathroom for bathing and showering and one for the toilet. This will reduce the overall amount of time that people spend in the bathroom. Also, it will be cleaner, as your toilet will be separate from the place where you shower and bathe.

    Lighting Matters

    Water waste is not the only problem with the modern bathroom. If you are doing a bathroom remodeling project that you want to be green then you also have to consider the lighting. Bathrooms usually have more lights per square foot than any room in the house, as people want to be able to look at themselves closely in the mirror.

    To avoid wasting energy you should install lighting fixtures and bulbs that make use of the latest green technology. This would include using LED light bulbs that are more energy efficient and last longer. You could also reduce the number of lights necessary by placing them strategically.

    man-washing-face-bathroom-basin

    Making the Most of Your Sink

    Another concern for your bathroom remodeling project is how to best use sinks. One great way to make your sink greener is by installing a system that uses wastewater from the sink in the toilet. Wastewater from sinks is known as “greywater.”

    Although grey water is not safe to drink or to water your garden, it is perfectly safe to use to flush your toilet. This cuts down on the amount of fresh, clean water you are wasting every time you flush. If you really want your bathroom to remodel to be green then you need to consider all of the latest designs to save water.

    Talk to a “Green” Pro

    The best way to learn all of the techniques for remodeling your bathroom in a green way is by talking to a professional. Try to find a bathroom remodeler in your area that has experience with green practices and how to build a green bathroom.

    They can likely give you a number of additional ways to cut down on your use of water and electricity. They can also give you ideas about which building materials are safest for the environment. Having a green bathroom will drastically reduce your expenses, as well as your impact on the environment.

     

    22Aug, 2022
    The Top 10 Reasons To Hire a Licensed Contractor

    General-contractors-for-construction-opt

    1. If you contract with an unlicensed person or company, then you are liable for any job injuries or accidents caused by the work.  For example, what if a worker is seriously injured?  What if the work being done causes a leak that floods your house?  What is the work at your house that causes damage to a gas or electric line?  Are you prepared to be sued?  Most often, a homeowner’s insurance will not cover these losses.  Because the contractor is not legal, you are liable.

    2. Because uninsured contractors have no liability insurance, your remodeling investment is not protected from faulty materials or workmanship or from theft from the job site.  Be sure to be named on your contractors insurance as an “also insured”.

    3. Unlicensed individuals leave you unprotected against a mechanic’s lien. If the contractor you hired to do the work doesn’t pay his suppliers, they can put a lien on your property.

    4. A licensed contractor knows many trades, has been tested by the State of California and is bonded. Oftentimes, unlicensed contractors are unlicensed because they do not have the business skills and qualifications to become licensed.  You want a good business owner with whom to work.

    5. Individuals not licensed do not have workers’ compensation insurance protection on their jobs, which means you do not have this additional protection.

    6. The California State Contractor’s License Board (CSLB) will help investigate claims and disputes against licensed contractors at no cost to the homeowner.  CSLB maintains a database online where you can check the track record of your contractor.

    7. Unlicensed individuals can not apply for permits on the job for which you hired them. A licensed contractor can use his or her experience and knowledge in obtaining required permits from the city, a task that requires more time and considerably more expertise than the homeowner might realize.

    8. A licensed contractor is required by law to guarantee their work for a period of 10 years.  For some conditions, there is a lifetime guarantee.

    9. Contracting is a complex business involving lien laws, municipal codes, safety regulations, and personal liability.  Work with a professional who understands these complex issues.

    10. A Contractor’s License shows that the contractor wants to do things the right way– professionally and legally.