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Interior Remodeling

Built-In Bench Seat For Your Shower

Are you looking to add seating to your shower? Are you overwhelmed by all of the different options?  Today we are talking about adding a built-in bench seat for your shower.

 

Built-In Bench Seat For Your Shower

Bathroom design has become very popular in the last decade and moving away from soaker and whirlpool tubs. Which were very popular in the ‘90s. Since then, people have found that they are using their stand-up showers more and tubs infrequently. Because of this, homeowners want large, luxurious walk-in showers installed. They want large showers to be connected with side shower jets, large rain heads, and steam. These are just a few of the available and possible amenities that can be added. Seating areas are becoming more popular as people begin to spend more time in their showers. Bench seating is also a great idea in master baths.

The seating options that people have a place in their showers are:

Portable Seating

This category has many options available, and they range from wood benches to lightweight molded plastic models. Because they are all portable, these seating options can be moved in and out of your shower as needed. Portable seating is an excellent option for people who have a smaller shower and don’t have space for a permanent feature. More abundant seating options can be stored in a linen closet and moved into the shower as needed, and a folding option can be stored in the corner of the shower. Their portability also has the added benefit of requiring no installation, which is essential to any DIYer or the budget-conscious, who are looking to save on bathroom remodeling costs.

Fold-Away Seating

This is a great option and is a step up from necessary, portable seating for your shower. Because it allows you to have full access to the entire shower footprint. Fold-away models are mounted to the wall and can be folded out of the way when they aren’t in use. While they are a permanent fixture, they only use space when in use.

Your style doesn’t have to be sacrificed either. While there are inexpensive plastic models for fold-away seating, there are many stylish designs, as well. Wood and metal options are available as well in many styles. While you will undoubtedly find a seat that fits your technique, it is also essential to pay attention to the weight rating of the model you chose. Many places are rated to hold only one person and only up to a given weight. Before installing, make sure that you talk to your contractor about installing a bench that is rated to carry the weight load that your family will most likely need.

Corner Niches

Generally placed in the corner of your shower, corner niches come in ledges of varying sizes. Unlike the last option, they don’t fold away but are still unobstructed, owing to their small size and placement. If you don’t have a lot of space for permanent seating, aren’t looking to be sit down frequently, or have a different use in mind, corner niches make a great option.

The smallest corner niches, often referred to as “foot niches,” aren’t intended to be sat on. Instead, they are designed to elevate the user’s foot, offering stability and making it easier to clean different parts of your leg or while shaving. While they can be sat on, they aren’t comfortable. Larger corner niches can also work as foot support and seating. While they aren’t comfortable either, they work if you want a permanent solution that won’t impinge severely on your available shower space.

Built-In Bench Seating

Bench seating is the most significant option available to consumers. Built-in benches, as permanent structures, offer the most space for sitting in your shower. Generally, they fit the entire depth or length of your shower. Therefore they can accommodate the most weight and can often seat more than one person. A large permanent built-in bench is the best option if you are planning to spend a significant amount of time in your shower. Especially if it is a steam shower.

Larger benches can also double as storage space. Mainly if they are out of the reach of jets and showerheads, decorative items, washcloths, folded towels, and other toiletries can be placed on the bench while still giving you room to sit down. This option is also the easiest to clean. Corner niches are easy to clean, as well. Since they are tiled to match the shower or are covered with granite or marble, they don’t have any difficult corners or edges to clean.

Naturally, benches require a decent amount of room. If you are planning on building a large shower, you will likely have the necessary space. Smaller showers can accommodate bench seating, but you will need to be prepared to sacrifice space. As well as possible direct access to any other shower amenities. And if you enjoy a steam feature in your shower, then a bench works great because it is similar to sitting in a sauna.

Lotz of Logic

It is essential to consider future needs if you are planning on staying in your home long term. Important considerations to remember are the placement of safety grab bars to compliment the seating area of your shower or wheelchair access. The last thing that anyone wants to do is build their dream shower and then have to change it later on down the road because of changing life circumstances. Future-proofing your shower design at the beginning of the remodeling is a smart move if changes happen to you then in life. When looking to install and remodel your shower to add built-in bench seating, it would be a good idea to look at painting tips and insights for your bathroom. So that you can either touch up the paint or completely repaint your bathroom at the same time.

Make sure that you speak with your contractor about your options in each of the categories. The contractors can help you choose the best seating option to fit in your available space, likely uses for it as well as design sensibilities.

Don’t forget, if you need an estimate on built-in bench seating for your shower, give me a call.   My team and I would love to be of service to the Northwest Indiana communities such as St John, Long Beach, Beverly Shores, Lake of the Four Seasons, Schererville, Kreitzburg, Michigan City, Grand Beach, and New Buffalo, and all of Chicago area for 30+ years.

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Bathroom Remodeling Costs

When remodeling any part of your home, there are usually anticipated and unexpected bathroom remodeling costs. Because remodeling can be such a complicated process, it is easy to overlook these costs unless you remodel parts of your home regularly. Today we are going through the expenses you should consider in advance of remodeling your bathroom.

 

Bathroom Remodeling Costs

When remodeling your bathroom or any other room in your home, it is important to be prepared to know what these common hidden bathroom remodeling costs there are.

Waste Removal, Permits, and Drawing

When remodeling people don’t think about waste removal until the last minute. While it won’t break the bank or your renovation budget having a dumpster or a bagster is a good idea. Especially since remodeling involves a lot of debris throughout the demolition process. The dumpster companies will help you select the right one for your project and budget. No matter which one you choose, dumpster or a bagster, make sure that it is included in your renovation budget.

While you may not need a project, it doesn’t hurt to check with your municipality to see what their codes are. Especially if you are planning on moving electric, walls, or water. It is a good idea to not skimp on this because problems may come up later on down the road if you plan on selling your home. If you live in an unincorporated area, you will have to get city permits as well as local permits. And ending up working with two municipalities.

If you are planning on moving walls during the remodeling process, it is important that you have engineering or architectural drawings done. This is to make sure that you can be structurally sound and do the project. The majority of kitchen or bath cabinet designers will do the drawings for you on simple projects. For complicated remodels an architect should be involved.  Having the drawings done will help with resale down the road.

Vent Pipes, and Water Valves

When remodeling your bathroom be prepared to move vent pipes for the exhaust fan especially if you are upgrading it. The goes for the kitchen as well if you are upgrading the exhaust fan system. It is important to budget for this because it is often overlooked.

Over time old stops and valves can get corroded, and you may have to replace them. When replacing the tub in a bathroom the plumbing will need to be redone since you will be going from two water supplies down to one water supply valve. Especially if you are removing a large whirlpool tub and going to a large walk-in shower, with no tub, the water supply will need to be changed.

Bad Electric, and Water Damage

Often when the home was initially built there were different codes in place. Creating an extra job to be done with updating bad electric behind the wall so that they are up to code and you can live there safely. When remodeling it is common to see the wiring done wrong when opening up walls. This is because some people hire contractors that don’t follow code and cut corners so that the cost can be cut down. Because of that, the electrical wires need to be taken care of then and there.

Water damage often happens behind cabinets by a sink in the kitchen or behind dishwashers. The damage creates wood rot or mold issues in the floorboards. You will need to have the damaged areas fixed and removed immediately so that you can place down the new flooring and it won’t be placed over wet, rotten wood. In bathrooms, water damage can happen below tile because of poorly drained sinks or showers. You need to be prepared because this comes up often. While it isn’t a large increase in the budget, it can happen.

Changing Up Original Drawings

Making changes to the original drawings should be something that you avoid, if possible. Once selections have been made, and contracts have been signed with the installers. Changing the original plans, once they are in place, because it will delay your project, run up costs, and you may have to deal with local municipalities. And the remodeling contractor won’t be happy with the delays.

Lotz of Logic

Don’t be afraid to remodel your bathroom or kitchen. When planning your remodel to make sure that you plan your work, and work your plan. By planning out your bathroom or kitchen remodel ahead of time, you can consider any additional costs ahead of time. This is so that you can have little to no hiccups when starting to remodel your bathroom. Make sure that you have accounted for as much as possible, including money for anything that you can’t account for. Doing this will help you make sure that your budget will be as “crush-proof” as possible. And now is a great time to look into adding things to your shower.

Don’t forget, if you need an estimate on bathroom renovations, give me a call. My team and I have been serving Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Oakbrook Terrace, Lombard, Carol Stream, Westmont, Willowbrook, Woodridge, and all of the Chicago area for 30+ years.

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Painting Tips And Ideas For Your Bathroom

Are you looking to repaint your bathroom? But are unsure of where to start? You’ve come to the right place then because today we are talking about painting tips and ideas for your bathroom.

Painting Tips and Ideas For Your Bathroom

One of the biggest challenges found in your bathroom is peeling paint on the ceiling over the shower and tub. This is often because the drywall wasn’t primed properly. To fix this problem, it is best to scrape off the peeling paint or pull down the drywall altogether and then place a new drywall up. Once the peeling paint is taken care of it is best to prime it properly with a good, high-quality latex primer. A good quality primer to use is Guardz since it is designed to help stop paint from peeling. Peel Stop is another primer that works well with stopping paint from peeling over your shower or tub.

Another significant problem that is found in bathrooms is mold. This is often because of water collecting in a particular spot or where moisture occurs. Outside edges of the tub or shower, and where the edge where drywall meets the tile floor are two familiar places to find mold. Mold often forms there because of either the shower doors weren’t closed correctly or because the shower curtain was stuck. Ceilings are another place for mold to grow because exhaust fans often aren’t vented properly. Once any mold is discovered in your home, it is important to make sure that it is properly cleaned up.

Cleaning The Walls And Picking Paint

Before applying paint or primer to the bathroom walls, it is important to clean them. This is because hairspray and byproducts of wax stick to the walls and doors when applied. So it is important to use denatured alcohol or sandpaper to clean the walls. Another step to follow, before painting your bathroom walls, is to look at the seams in the drywall. Spackling any showing drywall seams will help reduce the lines showing once the walls are painted.

When picking out paint, you want to pick something that is mold resistant. At Benjamin Moore, their Aura Bath and Spa paint is an excellent product that goes on great. It is very DIY friendly. Another great paint from Benjamin Moore is their Regal Select – Eggshell. The paint adds a nice sheen to the walls and can be easily wiped off and works well in larger bathrooms. Regal Select – Matte, from Benjamin Moore, gives your bathroom a nice look, especially if there isn’t much wear and tear happening in there.

If you are looking for paint at Sherwin Williams, their Emerald and Duration Home paints are good options to pick from. It is very durable and goes on great. These paints are great if you are looking to freshen up your bathroom and make it look new again. They are a top of the line product and are a good quality product to use when investing your time and money into a project like re-painting your bathroom. By using a high-quality product, it will make your job easier to do.

Changing Out Lights, Shower Fixtures, And Exhaust Fans

When repainting your bathroom, it is important to take a look at your light fixtures because this is a good time to replace them. Especially if the fixture is just a strip of bulbs going across the top of the mirror. Or if it has a brass color to it and you want something more contemporary.

Take this time to change out the doors on your shower as well. Especially if the doors are older and have the clunky metal frame going around the edge of it.  Frameless shower doors are a classic style that people are going with. Stock sizes can be picked up at the hardware store with clear glass, or you can invest in thicker glass and more customized. You may spend a bit more on these items, but they will make the bathroom pop.

Changing out the exhaust fan is a good idea to do as well during this time. Broan is a good system for exhaust fans. Look into purchasing a larger fan to help remove the moisture from the bathroom. 5×10, 5×12 is the standard size for exhaust fans. Also, look at the cubic feet per minute on the exhaust fans to determine how much air you want to be pulled out of the bathroom when the fan is on and how large you want it to be. When installing a new exhaust fan make sure that it is vented properly so that you don’t have problems in the future. Hire a professional to install the fan for you if you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself. It will make a world of difference.

Lotz Of Logic

When sealing off your baseboards along with the tile or where tile meets the base of the shower use clear silicone to caulk these transition areas. It creates a nice clean barrier along the base in case water splashes out.

Don’t forget, if you need an estimate on painting your bathroom, give me a call. My team and I have been serving Hinsdale, Oak Brook, LaGrange, Darien, Western Springs, Burr Ridge, Hawthorn Woods, Lake Bluff, and all of the Chicago area for 30+ years.

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Bathroom Renovation Ideas for a Small Budget

Want to sharpen your bathroom vanity remodeling skills, but money and your budget are usually the deciding factors. Then it is time to look at several options to help you decide if it will be better to do it yourself or hire a professional to help you with your bathroom renovation ideas for a small budget. Today we will be discussing three options to consider when remodeling your bathroom.

 

Bathroom Renovation Ideas For A Small Budget | Restoring Bathroom Vanities

When it comes to restoring vanities in bathrooms merely giving them a refreshed look makes a big difference. Especially if the vanities are a dark wood or have paint peeling off of them. Giving the room an old weighted look and feel. While restoring the bathroom vanity is a good option, there are two other lower-cost options to consider as well. Even if you aren’t doing a full bathroom remodel it is important to look at the cost before you start.

Painting The Vanity

The first option is just applying a coat of paint to the vanity, which is the least expensive of the three options. Before you begin painting the vanity is essential to clean and prepare the surface properly. As well as collect all of the supplies that you will need.  To start the supplies that you will need are sandpaper, paint rollers, pans and brushes, primer, paint, and a protective urethane coating to place on top. Painting is the easiest job for any DIYer to do and can brighten up any space.

Painting also gives you the most variety in terms of what you want the color to be as well as lightening up the bathroom. Repainting the walls is also a good option to do while you are working on the vanity and it gives you the chance to choose complementary colors for the walls and the vanity. If you want too, you can also apply a faux finish paint technique to the vanity to give it a fantastic look.

One of the options to use to apply paint to the vanity is a paint sprayer, and it is recommended that it be used, if you have one, to give the vanity and more clean look. If you don’t have a paint sprayer than good quality brushes and paint rollers will work just as well. It is also essential to have good quality paint and primer. Once you have cleaned the surface make sure you sand lightly and then apply the primer before painting. The sanding helps the primer and paint adhere better to the surface of the vanity. Applying a finishing coat or two of urethane after painting will benefit the vanity in the long run. Because it will stay looking its best for a long time.

Resurfacing The Vanity

The second option, if you choose not to paint the vanity, is to resurface it. DIYer’s can take on this project. But homeowners, more often than not, will contact a professional to do the resurfacing. Having a professional do the resurfacing is also less expensive than remodeling. The first step to resurfacing is to remove the doors and hardware from the vanity.  Wood laminate is often used when resurfacing the face of the vanity. New, matching, doors and hardware are installed as well. Which makes resurfacing an easy and budget-friendly project because the vanity doors and hardware are the only things that are being replaced. And the vanity isn’t being torn out and replaced, and the bathroom gets a new look.

Resurfacing also allows you to give the vanity a classic wood look that painting can’t give you. You can also give the vanity and bathroom a more modern look instead of a dated one.

Lotz of Answers

By being less expensive than a full remodeling, restoring your bathroom vanity gives it a more refreshing look. Just by simply restoring the vanity, it will also help you in the future should you ever think of selling because it will add value to the home. And make sure that you check out this testimonial from one of our customers.

Don’t forget, if you need an estimate on bathroom renovations, give me a call. My team and I have been serving Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Oakbrook Terrace, Lombard, Carol Stream, Westmont, Willowbrook, Woodridge, and all of the Chicago area for 30+ years.

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Ceramic vs Porcelain Tile

Many times when you are remodeling your home, the bathroom is one of the first places to be done. During the bathroom remodeling stage, many amazing additions can be used to make the room feel relaxing and beautiful. During this stage of remodeling, the subject of ceramic vs porcelain tile is a discussion that is held as far as which type is better to use in the bathroom. The study is based on whether or not the tile will be more decorative or functional in terms of if it will be getting wet or not.

 

Understanding Porcelain Tile

Porcelain started out in Italy as a form of art, it has slowly become a part of everyday life in homes. With a classy and shiny look, porcelain tile also serves several functions, one of which is being very durable. Part of what makes porcelain so durable is how it was made using a mix of clay, feldspar, and quartz before being baked at a high temperature. When the remodeling is finished, the tile will add a nice touch to the room. Because it can withstand and not absorb water, porcelain is the perfect tile to use on the floor and walls of the shower. Porcelain can also be placed in other areas, outside of the shower. That may be affected by water.

The quality of porcelain tile is another great benefit because it is the same all the way through. If the tile becomes chipped, the color will still be the same as on top. Having the color go all the way through is a great benefit since it won’t stick out in the event that the tile becomes chipped. During any bathroom remodeling porcelain is an essential part of it. If you don’t use porcelain than there is a risk of having damaged tiles in the future. When picking out your tiles make sure that you find a design that you enjoy and reap the benefits of having a quality product in your home. Especially since porcelain tile looks great on your front porch.

Obstacles of Porcelain Tile

Porcelain can be an obstacle for the DIYer, whether it’s your first time or your one-hundredth time. Because it is a rather delicate tile, knowledge and care are required when handling porcelain. And it is often best to let a professional handle the work. If done on your own there is a higher risk of cracking or making costly mistakes when handling and laying the tile. Because it is 30-40% more costly than ceramic, it is better to be safe than sorry when using porcelain tiles.

Understanding Ceramic Tile

When remodeling your bathroom, ceramic tile is a great material to include in the design. There is a large amount of space to be creative when choosing the colors, textures, and designs of the tiles. Ceramic has endless possibilities and is great to work with when bringing your dream bathroom to reality. When used with water, ceramic tile can be more sensitive and absorbs the water over time. As the tiles absorb the water, they can crack and begin to rise. When placing the tiles, make sure that they are in areas that don’t receive direct water.

The bathroom walls and other areas outside of the shower are good places to put ceramic tile. Being easy to install by a DIYer is one of the great benefits of ceramic tile. Especially since it is effortless to cut and fit into any space, which makes it such an excellent option for any home project. It is also more affordable and cost-effective when compared to porcelain, which makes it great to use when on a budget.

Because it is such a beautiful material, ceramic tile works best if it is not touching water. It is easy to make the tile look great as you place it in your bathroom yourself or having it done by a professional. Ceramic tile is a lovely addition to any remodel. Many components come with remodeling your bathroom, with the most important being the tiles. Before you start, make sure that you have selected the right tile for the right job. Once the job is completed, you can enjoy the refreshing, new look that you gave your bathroom.

Ceramic vs Porcelain Tile | Lotz of Logic

Bathroom remodeling is an exciting time. But you definitely want to pick out the proper tile for your needs. While it’s not as comfortable as carpeting, most people make their choices based on durability and budget. It is also a great budget saver to use in a mudroom.

Don’t forget, if you need an estimate on bathroom remodeling, give me a call. My team and I have been serving St. Charles, Warrenville, Wheaton, Winfield, Geneva, Batavia, and all of the Chicago area for 30+ years.

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