Bathroom renovations are in close competition with kitchen remodels for the most important improvement you can make to your house. Let’s face it, anyone purchasing your home wants to pretend no one has ever used the bathroom before and the newer and more attractive it looks the better. In the past couple of years, stainless steel has definitely ruled in kitchen design, both for appliances and even cabinetry and countertops. Now, its popularity is spreading to bathroom design.

As displayed in this article “Kitchen and Bath: Stainless Steel Tile,” stainless steel now comes in striking wall tiles. Choose between brick shapes, round mosaics, or columned squares and rectangles. The tiles have a porcelain core wrapped in stainless steel. The tiles can be used on the wall and are waterproof so they can also be used in showers. Just as you would use in the kitchen, you can also install stainless countertopping in bathrooms. …continue reading Stainless Steel in the Bathroom

Bathroom hardware includes all of the small accessories such as towel bars, toilet paper holders, soap dishes, mirrors, shelves, or grab bars. Nothing is more frustrating or indicative of a poor-quality installation than one of these items continually falling off of the wall. Following the right anchoring techniques along with using the right materials is key to preventing this from happening.

It is important to mount all hardware onto studs. You can purchase a stud-finder inexpensively to easily locate the studs behind the drywall. Most of your hardware should come with the appropriate anchoring systems. If this component is missing, you can purchase various anchor bolts or flush-mount hangers. These hangers attach to the stud and then the hardware fixture attaches to the hanger. …continue reading Anchoring Bathroom Hardware

As many of us who have ever tackled a remodeling project know, any room that has plumbing has the potential for hidden problems. Bathrooms are definitely one of the biggest culprits, and you better plan ahead for some extra expense in a renovation project.

Dry rot, mold, and mildew damage are some of the biggest problems you can expect to encounter. In many cases, portions of the walls may need replacing, leaking pipes fixed, and old fixtures replaced.

Faulty wiring is another potential problem area. Many older homes were wired before modern safety measures were in place for electrical lines. Over time, moisture can also corrode the wiring, causing fire danger. Plan for the possibility of replacing the old wiring along with new outlets, breakers, and fixtures. This may even entail running wiring long distances to reach the electrical panel. Modern codes require GFI outlets in bathrooms, which can be quite a bit more expensive than standard outlets. …continue reading Hidden Costs of Bathroom Remodeling