Unless you are a skilled plumber, leaving plumbing tasks to the pros is best. Ensure that all contractors are licensed and insured to protect yourself from costly surprises down the road.
Reusing or resurfacing fixtures and materials, choosing off-the-shelf options over custom pieces, and doing some DIY projects reduce costs. It is also wise to build a 10 to 15% cushion into your budget for unexpected expenses.
Ventilation is a key factor in bathroom remodeling. This room is high-humidity and uses a lot of water: shower steam, running sinks and toilets, and water from tubs concentrate moisture in the air that must be blown out or it will damage everything from wallpaper and paint to drywall and wood joists. Molds and mildew are not only unsightly, but they can also be unhealthy for you and your family. Moisture in the air will also corrode metal fixtures and lead to rusty sinks, bathtubs, and toilets.
Adding a fan to your bathroom during a remodel is a good idea for many reasons. You’ll save money on your utility bills if you can dry out the air and avoid moisture buildup. It’s also a good idea to run the fan regularly to keep the air in your bathroom as fresh as possible.
It’s also important to remember that your local building codes might require ventilation in bathrooms. It might be a good idea to check with your local code enforcement agency to make sure that you’re in compliance. Some areas might even consider a window as a way to ventilate the bathroom, but it’s generally not recommended. Window condensation can cause other problems, and the window isn’t always open enough to provide proper ventilation.
You should also think about ways to ventilate your bathroom if you don’t have outside access. Your contractor can probably recommend a vent that will exhaust moisture through your roof. Another option is to install a ceiling vent that can exhaust the air through a wall instead of a hole in your roof.
If your bathroom is on an upper level, you may want to consider floor heating as a way to ventilate the room while providing warmth. It’s also a great option for older homes with poor insulation and inefficient ducting.
If your bathroom will be expanded or significantly changed in floor plan, it’s important to get a firm price from your remodeling contractor early on. This will help you budget correctly. For example, you might need to pay for rerouting of electrical wiring; transferring or redrilling joists to accommodate new plumbing; or additional framing and drywall.
Lighting
There’s a lot to do during a bathroom remodel. Even if you’re going for a minor update, it pays to be thoughtful about how everything fits together and how your choices will look in the long run.
It also pays to think about how the room will be used. This will help you plan your lighting, as well as other fixtures and fittings. The lighting you choose will impact the overall feel of your bathroom, so it’s worth taking time to make a decision.
When planning your bathroom, don’t forget to leave room for a recessed fixture or two. These are great for creating a sense of depth and space, as well as adding an elegant touch to any bathroom.
Similarly, it’s a good idea to plan for some extra light in the ceiling. This can be done by leaving room for a light box, or by including a ceiling-mounted light in the design. This will provide extra light, which can be particularly helpful in bathrooms where there’s no natural light from windows.
Don’t forget to add some plug-in outlets. This will allow you to plug in things like hair dryers, electric toothbrushes and straighteners. It’s best to do this before putting the drywall up, as it’s much easier and less expensive to add extra blocking for electrical work at this stage.
Another thing to consider is the size of your vanity and other fixed furniture. Buying new furniture can be a great way to give your bathroom a fresh look, but if you’re on a tight budget it’s possible to reuse existing pieces for a less expensive renovation. This can be a great way to update a dated or damaged cabinet or vanity.
If you’re replacing a bathtub, shower or basin, it’s worth thinking about changing the style of taps and sanitaryware too. There are a lot of options available, from classic to contemporary. But don’t overdo it, as a complete change in style can detract from resale value.
It’s also a good opportunity to upgrade the heating in your bathroom. If your bathroom is cold and drafty, a radiator or towel warmer may be just the ticket.
Accessibility
Many homeowners choose to remodel their bathrooms so that they are accessible for people with mobility challenges. These bathroom modifications, often referred to as ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) or aging in place, can increase safety and comfort, and may help to reduce the risk of falls and accidents that are common among seniors. It’s a good idea to make these accessibility features part of your home improvement plan as early as possible. It is less expensive and more convenient to install these accessibility improvements than to add them later on.
One of the first changes that should be made is to widen doors to at least 32 inches. This can allow wheelchairs and walkers to fit through, as well as to easily turn around in the bathroom. Another common modification is to replace standard bathtubs with walk-in tubs. These provide a safe bathing solution for individuals with limited mobility and can be equipped with seating, grab bars, or other accessible features.
Other important safety measures include installing slip-resistant flooring, adding grab bars to the shower or tub, and lowering the sink. It’s also a good idea to replace standard light switches with motion sensors, which can be easier to use for those with vision problems.
While some of these aging in place bathroom remodel modifications are relatively easy to do, others involve more in-depth renovations and should be left to professionals. For instance, expanding a room to add a doorway that can be used by individuals using wheelchairs or walkers is a much more complicated process and may require the removal of walls and other structural elements.
Metropolitan Bath & Tile offers a range of accessible products that are as stylish as they are functional, including low threshold shower bases, permanent shower benches, and chair-height toilets. Visit our showroom to learn more about how you can create a beautiful, safe bathroom that will be perfect for you now and in the future.
Design
While a bathroom remodel should focus on the basics, there are plenty of ways to make your new bath look unique. Before you begin, find a style that fits with the overall look of your home and consider adding some extra features to improve your bathroom’s efficiency or comfort. Some upgrades include a dimmer for the light so you can set a relaxing mood while taking your bath or shower, and recessed lighting around the mirror to brighten up the room and illuminate your face when shaving or brushing teeth.
One of the biggest challenges when remodeling a bathroom is the layout. Moving fixtures such as the toilet, tub and sink can be cumbersome and expensive. The best way to minimize costs and disruption is to stay with the existing footprint. However, this may not be feasible if the layout needs to change significantly. Changing the footprint of a bathroom often requires major changes to the plumbing and wiring, which can be extremely expensive and time-consuming.
A bathroom should be able to deal with significant temperature fluctuations, moisture and chemical exposure. In order to do so, it’s important to use the right materials. Cheaper materials will not stand up to the harsh conditions and will need replacing sooner than high-quality materials. Using the right products will also save you money in the long run because they will require less maintenance.
Before you start your bathroom remodel, it’s a good idea to draw up a budget. This will help you avoid overspending and will ensure that your project stays on track. In addition, a budget will give you a clear picture of what you can and cannot afford. A professional designer can help you create a budget and avoid overspending.
Once you have your budget, you should decide what kind of remodel you want to do. You could do a small update such as repainting the room or replacing the vanity, or you could go big and add a walk-in shower or a new bathtub. You should also consider the architectural style of your home when choosing a color scheme and other design elements for the bathroom. You can find inspiration for your design in home improvement centers, bathroom showrooms and online.