The True Cost of a Bath Liner

There are plenty of companies that offer tub liners. The familiar catch phrases "1/2 the cost of new," "no mess" and "a new bath in one day" ring out over the radio, television and in print ads. But...

   

The true cost of a bath liner goes far beyond dollars.

 

Many of us have the good sense to know that to cover up a problem does not make the problem go away. Yet, so many people look at bathtub liners as the inexpensive answer to a problematic tub/shower. They may look nice, offer a quick remodel with minimal inconvenience and fit a meager budget, but the true cost of a bath liner goes far beyond dollars.

   

Bath liners are thin, preformed plastic pieces that are placed over the existing tub and shower walls... as is. This creates two problems. Any existing water damage is given the opportunity to thrive. Uncontrolled mold growth takes off at lighting speed in the moist darkness, wrecking havoc on the health of the occupants. Headaches, coughing fits, nausea are all common complaints of homeowners whose homes are infected with mold. Any pipes leaking in walls continue to feed the mold and degrade the surrounding structure of the home.

 

The second issue comes from the liner directly. Since the liners are preformed plastic, it will not fit your tub tightly. A small gap may form between the tub drain assembly, your tub and the liner. As you shower, each step you take causes a shifting to take place and water is inevitably sucked up between the tub and the liner. This water will exchange itself with progressive showering, but the area will never dry. This creates an unhealthy environment where mold and bacteria proliferate.

 

By the time you are aware that there is a problem, the price of cleaning up the area has grown exponentially. What was once a $7,000 tub/shower project is now a complete gutting of the bathroom and possibly nearby rooms. The dollars add up, your health is in compromised and, in all probablity, your homeowners insurance will not cover the damages.

  

How is it that these companies can knowingly provide you a product that can compromise your home? Easy. They take no responsiblity for existing conditions. They promise nothing but a gimmick - "a new bath in one day" for less than what it would take to do the project right. You will not get a refund for the service or product because they delivered exactly what was requested of them as per their contract. If you have them remove the product, they will charge you for the added service.

Your best defence is to be educated and then vote with your dollars - you get what you pay for. If there wasn't a market for this charade of home improvement, these companies would not exist.

 

Normal wear and tear on a bathroom is going to happen. But don't be fooled, the signs of water damage are distinctly different than the signs of use:

  

• Tiles falling of the wall.
• Soft or mushy areas on the wall.
• Sour or musty smells, especially after a shower.
• Grout discoloration in select areas.
•  Salt peter or calcium build up in the grout.
• Difficulty keeping the bathroom mold free.

 

If you find any of these issues, call a reliable contractor to come out to your home to assess the space. The problem will not get better on its own and the sooner you have a repair, the less expensive it will be.

 

If you don't have water damage and are just looking for a way to zip up an outdated bathroom without the expense of tearing the room apart, I would recommend looking into tub spraying. Instead of covering up the area, tub spraying is essentially painting the tub with a fresh coat of enamel. This treatment can also be done to the wall tiles. The effect lasts for about 5-10 years, depending on the level of use the room sees.

 

Is there any bathroom that is a good candidate for a tub liner? If the tub/shower area is terribly outdated in a bathroom that sees limited to no use - then yes, a tub liner is an option. Otherwise, save your money, time and health.

Written for Imperial Kitchens and Baths Inc, by designer Stephanie Bullwinkel, CBD.

 

Let Go of the Design Vision, Keep the Money in Your Pocket

We're always looking for ways to save money when we are remodeling. Dare say it, no one want to be the chump who pays too much for their remodel. However, you also don't want to be the chump who pays too little and ends up with nothing or a project gone bad. Some of us have fairy godmothers looking over us as we shell out half of what the project should be and the job is a success - the other 80% of us? Well, our angels took a coffee break at the wrong time.



Typically, good contractors are expensive - just as good products are expensive. And as an added FYI - when you are buying home improvement products (just like everything else) the less expensive the product, the more likely it is not made in the US or Europe. Just because the brand name says "American" to you doesn't mean that the product is physically built here. Developing countries do not have to conform to the same eco-regulations as developed countries do - corporations do use this to their benefit. If MADE IN THE USA is important to you, then make sure the product is made here and not just that the manufacturer is a USA company.


Getting back to our topic - you may have a remodeling contractor in your area that you have heard great things about, but you are concerned that they are just too expensive for you and your home. Not necessarily so. You can get "deals" from high-class establishments, but there is a price for it. First, educate yourself by going online - go to the websites of well-known brands and see if they are having any promotions. Then, negotiating for a rock bottom remodel begins with these questions to your remodeler:

• Do you have any manufacturers that are currently offering incentives?

• Do you have anything in stock that you are looking to move on?

• My budget is only "x", but I need a new "y". Can you help me?

There is always at least one manufacturer, that the store represents, that is having an incentive program. If you have done your online homework, then you will be better apt to ask detailed questions like, "If I order a Corian counter made from one of the twelve promotional colors, do I still qualify for the free sink? And if not, which is the better deal for me? Is there a product similar to Corian that I should be looking at that could give me a better price point?"


Remodeling companies do sometimes have things in stock. We try hard not to, but it happens. Tile, in particular, has a way of hanging around the back rooms. Returning tile can be expensive and you have a short window to get it back to the warehouse (they don't want it back once they have sold off the dye-lot because it may not match their current lot). Non-returnable custom orders sit in corners because someone made a mistake on the color, size, etc (this can be common for vanities). Countertop shops alway have remnant pieces hanging around. If you are looking for stone tops, tell your remodeler that you are not interested in going to the stone dealer warehouse - you want to go to the fabricator's shop to see their off-fall (this usually only works for small tops). And then you have the few unfortunate cases where the client disappeared and never paid for the order.


Communication is key with your designer, remodeler, showroom sales, contractor - anyone and everyone you are dealing with for your project. If you share with them at the very start what your financial needs are then they can point you in the right direction.


So what is the catch? You lose some control in your project. Perhaps you envisioned your new bathroom in blue and cream with a large double bowl cherry vanity. The designer at your local remodeling company recommends two white pedestal sinks that have been discontinued and being sold at 60% and for storage they have a chocolate-colored linen cabinet in the back that was ordered for another client who changed their mind at the last-minute. You have a talented designer and you know that the new design would work well and look good - but it is not your dream room. However, this could save you hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars. You have to decide what is more important - the vision or the money.


Written for Imperial Kitchens and Baths, Inc. by Stephanie Bullwinkel, CBD.


Note: If you are interested in seeing an example of some of the current promotions available right now, take a look at this page on our website. Your local dealer may be able to offer something similar to you or they may have something completely different. The key is that there is always something going on with some manufacturer - you just need to ask.

Bathroom Design Challenge 1: A Hall with a View

Sometimes when I walk into a home, I really wonder what the architect was thinking. I would take a guess that at least 30% of American homes have the awkward situation of a hall that ends with a bathroom. If you’re fortunate, the view is of a towel bar or blank wall. If you are unfortunate, the view is of a toilet. Many of us choose to ignore and accept this vision, or we leave the door closed.

I remember one home we worked on about ten years ago, as you walked up the stairs to the second floor the first thing that welcomed you was the commode in the bathroom across from the landing. When we remodeled that bathroom, one of the things we did was move the toilet across the room to a more private location. Suddenly the view of the trees through the window took precedence.

Not everyone has the option to move a toilet. It can be very expensive or even architecturally impossible to relocate a toilet. So what other alternatives are available besides closing the door?

First off, think of the doorway as a frame. What are you framing? Many times, towels and towel bars are a part of the picture. While we try to make them look as pretty as we can, towels are just not interesting. Something needs to pull focus.

If you aren’t dealing with a view of the commode, place art work within the space – preferably something long and narrow that will fill the door frame. Since the doorway is your “frame,” I recommend something on canvas without a frame. The surrounding wall area becomes your “matting.” If you want to draw attention to this space, then paint the wall a dynamic color that contrasts the walls of the hallway. If you want this space to blend with the surrounding hall, then paint the wall a color similar to hall color. I would not recommend wallpapering this wall, most “mattes” around paintings and photos are solid colors, not patterns.

Take this a step further by adding an “Art light” to showcase the artwork. (This is great if you entertain and you find people asking where your powder room is.) A low-voltage MR-11 or MR-16 placed in the ceiling typically works best. Housings with an adjustable socket allow for maximum control in illuminating the artwork. For added drama, put the light on a dimmer instead of a switch.

The same applies, if you have a view of the toilet through the doorway. This time, hang a framed piece of art above the commode. The “Art light” should be aimed so that no light spills on the toilet. The sought-over effect is to draw attention away from the fixture.

You may be tempted to install the lighting yourself. However, I would recommend you find a contractor or electrician who has a history of installing these lights. The size of your artwork and the angle of light along with its beam spread will determine the type and placement of the housing. An incorrect housing and/or placement could result in a less than desirable result.

Written by Imperial Kitchens and Baths, Inc. designer, Stephanie Bullwinkel, CBD.

The Better Business Bureau Improves Rating System

Angie’s List has one, Service Magic has one, even the online YellowPages has one – it’s a rating system representing consumer confidence. From low to high, how does this company treat their clients?

The Better Business Bureau is now applying the same thought to their rating system. The old ratings were based on how a company resolved its complaints. But the limited information provided often left consumers in the dark and reputatble companies were misrepresented. Replacing "satisfactory" and "unsatisfactory", are insightful ratings shown as letter grades A+ thru F. The new system provides more specific information. Where Imperial Kitchens and Baths, Inc. once had a “satisfactory” rating we now have a more meaningful “A+.”

“In today’s tight economic times, these ratings not only spotlight the honest and ethical companies customers look for, but the ratings components also assist companies to see where their operations may be improved.” Says Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the BBB of Chicago and Northern Illinois.

The new ratings take into account 17 weighted factors, using objective information and actual incidences concerning the business. For more information about the BBB’s new rating system and specific rating factors, visit http://www.bbb.org/.

Update Your Bathroom on a Shoestring Budget

Many of us are strapped for cash, but we just can’t live with our bathrooms they way they are. So here are a few ways that you can update your bathroom now and buy yourself a little more time before you remodel.

1. Fresh Paint. Giving the walls and ceiling a fresh coat of paint is fast, cheap and virtually mess free. A gloss finish works well in bathrooms, but beware if you have any defects in your walls the gloss will accentuate the negative. Matte finishes have a tendency to mildew and show humidity streaks; however, several paint manufacturers have been working to solve this concern. Eggshell is a nice middle ground. It will give you a soft sheen that will not readily absorb moisture and will not draw so much attention to flaws in your walls.

2. Update and replace lighting fixtures. If your bathroom lighting is not flattering your face, it is doing you no favors. Applying makeup, shaving, etc. in poor light will not give you the look you are going for. When shopping for a new fixture remember that is the quality and amount of light that is most important, style is second… how many people are going to see your face today vs. how many people are going to see your bathroom?

3. Replace outlets if the present outlets are not GFCI. This is one of the most important safety issues in a house. Electricity and water should never mix. A ground fault circuit interrupter, commonly known as GFCI, will protect you if your hairdryer, curling iron, etc. fall into a sink full of water. A GFCI outlet is one that has two little buttons in the center of the face. GFCI outlets should be around anywhere you have water.

4. New towels, rugs, accessories. Are your towels miss-matched? Is your bathmat tired? Do the accessories around the room have a pitted or peeling finish? Accessories are generally easy to change with only the need of a screwdriver or Allen wrench. Colors and patterns of towels and bath mats can be the same or mix-and-matched as sets. Fresh towels not only look good but feel good too. To keep you towels at their best, do not wash or dry with fabric softener… the waxy buildup on the material will make them less absorbent.

5. Reglaze the tub. Some tubs cannot be reglazed, but if your tub is looking shabby it is an option worth investigating. Sometimes reglazing can add ten more years to the life of your bathtub.

6. Clean up old caulk and grout. Nothing contributes to the gross-out factor in bathrooms like moldy caulk and grout. More than just aesthetics, mold is unhealthy. Of course in humid areas, like bathrooms, it is a constant battle. Cut out old caulk, clean out the area, LET DRY, then recaulk. Clean grout with vinegar on a regular basis, using a soft small brush in troublesome areas (be careful not to scrub out the grout). Bleach applied with a cotton applicator once or twice a year can be beneficial as well, as long as your grout is color safe (test a small inconspicuous if you are concerned). If all else fails, you can regrout. If you don’t want to try your hand at this project, there are services that do this. Once your grout is clean, seal it with a grout sealer regularly to keep it looking good with minimal effort.

7. Reface the vanity cabinets. A general rule of thumb is that the larger the cabinet is, the more expensive it is going to be to replace. It you have a bathroom with a large vanity area, you may want to consider refacing the vanity cabinet, the cost can be half as much as replacing. Refacing involves replacing the cabinet doors and drawer fronts and then covering the cabinet box in a material that matches the new doors. While the interior of the cabinet looks the same, the exterior will give the whole room an updated look.

8. New solid-surface countertops. The countertop marketplace is flooded with new materials; it can be hard to decipher which material will work best. Laminate and cultured marble is the most inexpensive option, but are not the most durable. Solid-surface materials like Corian and Meganite are renewable, can have the sink bowl fused into the top, are easy to clean and offer a 10-year warrantee. You will pay a little more for these products up front, but the long-term investment will pay for itself over and over again.

9. New faucets. You can buy an inexpensive faucet as long as you realize that you are getting what you are paying for and may have to replace it again in the next few years. If you are looking for a long-term investment you will be looking for ceramic disc-valves, this will guarantee that you are never fiddling with a drippy faucet. You will also want a PVD finish; this insures that your faucet finish will not change color, peel or pit over time. Again, you will pay more for these faucets up front, but over time they end up paying for themselves.

10. Hang framed artwork. You can get “canned” art from almost any hobby or furniture store. But a trip to your community art galley can open your eyes to some local staving artists and you may pay about the same amount for an original as you will for a mass produced print. If you are having artwork framed tell the framer that the piece is going in a bathroom and the amount of light the room gets so they will use the correct materials for protecting your art. A frame boosts the importance of any image, if it is done right, even a child’s handprint can claim Picasso appeal.

A “Suite” Deal

With grown children off at college, many parents find themselves staring into an empty bedroom. Home value can be improved when empty rooms are converted into masterbaths, closets and dressing rooms for the master bedroom.


Imperial Kitchens and Baths, Inc. took an unused bedroom in an old Riverside home and transformed it into a masterbath and closet for the homeowner.

“At the time, my daughter was entering her teens,” says homeowner Susan Pierce. “Two women trying to get ready in the morning in one 5x7 bathroom was just not happening smoothly.”

Built over a hundred years ago, the second floor of the home housed three modest bedrooms and one small bath. The underused bedroom between Pierce’s bedroom and the existing bathroom became an attractive option for a masterbath and closet.

“Old homes are cursed with small closets,” says Imperial Design Principal, Ed Pudelek. “Today’s wardrobes demand more space for clothes and organizational systems. Many closets in older homes don’t even have a light.”

An important feature that Pierce was looking for in her own closet was incorporating an existing window so natural light would welcome her in the morning as she dressed for work. Pierce and Pudelek designed the room so that 1/3 of the bedroom became the closet while the remainning 2/3 became a spacious ¾ bath. The room’s existing closet was repurposed as a linen closet, while the closet in Pierce’s bedroom became the entrance to the new larger closet and adjointing bath.

The new bath had to fit in with the vintage of the rest of the home. Hiding the toilet behind a kneewall and the clear glass surrounding the corner shower make the room feel large and unencumbered. Subway tile in the shower is a classic transition between the new room and the vintage home. The main focus is on the vanity, which was designed to stand alone.

Uniformity between cabinets and trim is something that became popular in homes built directly after WWII; all wood products would be installed in the home unfinished. Then, because it would save time and money, the painter would stain the floors, cabinets and trim all the same color when he painted the home. This would not have been done in the time that Pierce’s home was built. Thus the gilded framed mirror and cherry cabinet purposefully do not match and stand within a foot or two of the window, to give it a furniture look.

“I have been living with my new master suite for a few years now, and I still wouldn’t change a thing.” Says Pierce. “It quickly became one of our favorite rooms in the house. After the remodel, it wasn’t unusual for me to find my daughter in here doing her homework on the tile floor.”

Creating a mastersuite in your home is an investment in your daily life. Elimiating frustrations and conflicting household schedules can lead to a smoother day over all. According to Remodeling Magazine (Cost vs. Value 2008-2009), when adding on a bathroom 56% of the financial investment can be expected to be recooped if the property is sold shortly after the home is improved. (And if you have lived in the home for two of the last five years, you could see a tax credit for the improvement at the time of sale.) Master suites are on the check list of many current home buyers.

Homeowners in the Chicago area can expect Bed-to-Bath convertions to start at about $30,000 (averaging about $40,000) depending on existing plumbing placement and product selection.

About Imperial Kitchens and Baths, Inc.

Since 1966, Imperial Kitchens and Baths, Inc. has been helping local homeowners with turning their house into their home. Imperial Kitchens and Baths Inc. specializes in the remodeling of kitchens, baths, basements and entertainment rooms. We are one of the few remodeling firms to boast a full custom cabinet shop on their showroom premises and a team of staff designers and installers. Family owned and operated, Imperial Kitchens and Baths, Inc. is a member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). For more information about home improvement and kitchen and bath remodeling, please contact Stephanie Bullwinkel at 708-485-0020.

About the National Kitchen and Bath Association

The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) is a non-profit trade association that has educated and led the kitchen and bath industry since 1963. With nearly 40,000 members and growing, the NKBA owns the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). The mission of the NKBA is to enhance member success and excellence, promote professionalism and ethical business practices and provide leadership and direction for the kitchen and bath industry. For more information, visit www.nkba.org.

How Much Does a Remodel Cost?

About once to twice a week I find a blog asking “How much?” How much is a bathroom remodel? How much is a kitchen remodel? How much to finish my basement? And this is best answered with… how much is a car?

It depends. What are you trying to achieve? What products do you like and in what finishes? What are you looking for in a designer or contractor? People who are practicing their craft are often less expensive upfront than the seasoned professional.

Unlike the car industry, the remodeling industry doesn’t have factory set standards and internal quality control. There is no government instituted lemon law for a botched remodel. It is our hope that companies who are affiliated with professional groups like NARI and NKBA are playing by the “best practices” standards and their pricing should reflect that. When you purchase a $10,000 car it is an economy vehicle, $30,000 is a mid range and anything above $60,000 is luxury.

My point is this; I could say a modest bathroom remodel is about $30,000. But your bathroom is 5x7, $30,000 would be a bit luxurious… while $30,000 in a 12x20 master suite would not go far. And to make matters even worse, your location also determines your investment figure. People who live in New York city are going to pay a lot more for a kitchen remodel than someone who lives in Sandwich, IL. Labor is more expensive in New York because the cost of living is higher. Not to mention working in a high rise is more expensive than working in a home. Just unloading tools and materials can take half a day when working in a high rise.

So, for a true idea on how much to expect your remodel to cost you, stop blogging. Most of the people who will answer you don’t have a clue – even if they are professional remodelers, they don’t know your space.  Call a few local contractors.  Give them the same detailed description of your space and what you would like to do with it. A veteran in this business will be able to give you ball park figure (ie. “Expect your bathroom to start at about $15,000.”) For a more definite estimate, have them out to your home. The Better Business Bureau recommends starting out with three bids on your project.

But you say that you don’t want to be completely in the dark before you pick up the phone. You would rather suffer sticker shock in private when you realize that your remodel will be twice what you have saved in the bank. Then the best place for a jumping off point is Remodeling Magazine. Every November they put out an issue called “Cost vs. Value.” This annual survey not only shows you the approximate cost of a particular remodel in your region of the US, but it will also tell you what kind of return you could see if you were to sell your home after the remodel. You can find this information on their website: Cost Vs. Value.

If you are improving your home with the intention to sell, remember that low-cost, low-maintenance improvements are where you are going to see the greatest return for your money. However, most of us remodel our abodes for ourselves; it is about investing in our happiness at home.


Written by Imperial Kitchens and Baths, Inc. designer, Stephanie Bullwinkel, CBD.

Kitchen Cabinets Resurrected

Reface, recover, renew, refresh – these are all words used to define a technique commonly used to update kitchen cabinets. I prefer to use the term “recover,” since it most accurately describes the process.

A recover involves removing the old doors and drawer fronts from your existing cabinetry and replacing them with new doors of your choice, wood or laminate. The faces of the boxes are then covered in wood veneer or laminate to match the new doors. The cabinets themselves are rarely distrubed. The result is a brand new look wihtout undergoing major construction. The video link at the end of this blog is to a time-lapse of a recover in process that we did in our showroom.

Can a kitchen recover really save you money? Yes, but not every kitchen is a candidate for a recover. The majority of cabinets in the space must be stable and solidly constructed. Poorly constructed cabinets are better off being replaced with new cabinets. The layout of the kitchen needs to remain approximately the same. Appliances and sinks will remain in their current location.

Removing a wall and/or changing the floor will not necessarily exclude a kitchen from being recovered, but it may incur some expenses that you would not necessarily have if you replaced the cabinets entirely.

Adding and replacing select cabinets to the existing layout may be a problem depending on the limits of your contractor. This is a question you should ask when getting estimates on your project, especially is you suspect your a cabinet. As in all remodeling projects, it is common for the less skilled laborer to charge less. Look for longevity, ask for referrences from other “recover” clients. Recovering cabinets is an art equal to that of a custom tailor.

If you do add cabinets to your existing layout, be prepared – the interior of the cabinets will not match the interior of the existing (as they are not part of the recover process unless specified). But the exteriors should be a seamless design vision between old and new.

Will the savings of a recover be half of what would be spent on new cabinets? It could that significant of a savings. The best way to find out is to have your contractors quote the project both ways.

Is a recover truely a” green” remodeling option? When you factor in the existing cabinets going to a land-fill, new cabinets being made from new timber, and then transporting those new cabinets in large cardboard boxes, which are mainly filled with air unless the cabinets are not ready-assembled. Yes, it is a greener option. Just the doors off the exisitng cabinets are going to waste and the new doors take up considerable less space on a frieght truck than cabinets. Then add to it that several door manufacturers and laminate companies in the US are taking the “green” initiative to heart and you have something you can feel good about. (Many cabinet companies are offering sustainable cabinetry options as well.) However, the glues used to apply the new veneer to the cabinets can cause irritation in senesitve people. The outgasing of these product is typically fast-occuring.

Will a recover be less of a headache than a “typical” remodel? Since the existing cabinetry will not be removed, a lot of time is saved in carrying in and out large casework. If the floors and walls are not distrubed then there is even less mess in your home.

While there is no reason this process can’t be used in a bathroom, it’s just not as common. Sometimes it is actually cost prohibitive. In the case of a single 36″ vanity, it can be less expensive, and less hassel, to just replace the whole thing.

Written by Imperial Kitchen and Baths Designer, Stephanie Bullwinkel (CBD).

Imperial Kitchens and Baths - Recover Video

Tankless Hot Water Heater Hype

Do you ever feel that you just can’t seem to get enough hot water out of your hot water tank? Are you ever stuck with a cold shower in the morning? Or do you have a luxury shower with body sprays and you find your luxury only lasts for about 5 minutes? Are you thinking that a larger hot water tank is the only answer?

Tankless hot water heaters have been very popular in Asia and Europe for many years and they are finally catching on in America. The idea is that you only heat the water that you use as you are using it and with that theory you could have an endless supply of hot water. Never run out of hot water again.

The number of fixtures/appliances that can operate on a tankless hot water heater varies from region to region. In warmer climates, the cold water coming into a home isn’t as cold as it is in cold climates. The colder the water, the more work the tankless has to do within the same period of time… the outcome, the hot water available to meet the demand is at a lower temperature. This means, provided they have the same tankless brand and model, a home in Florida may be able to heat 5 showers at once, while a home in Illinois may only be able to heat 2.5 showers.

Tankless hot water heaters are fueled by electric or gas. Units that feed hot water to the whole house are typically gas. If you are considering a tankless, be aware that depending on your average gas consumption during the coldest time if the year, you may need to increase the size of your gas meter. Not everyone needs a tankless. And you won’t necessarily save money with a tankless, though you may be able to take advantage of an energy tax credit (talk to your accountant). The main reason to go tankless is to achieve comfort, if your current tank heater isn’t working for your household.

If you decide that tankless is right for you, use a certified installer to ensure that the unit is installed correctly to keep your warrantee valid.

Written by Imperial Kitchens and Baths Designer, Stephanie Bullwinkel (CBD). Previously published in Imperial Kitchens and Baths Newsletter Issue 1.

Window to the World

Natural light in our home is usually something we desire. In fact, it is a major selling point in real estate. However, having a window in the shower area is not so favorable and can be down right annoying.
It’s not unusual to walk into a older home and find that the tub/shower has two shower curtains – one to keep waterout of the room and one to cover the ackwardly placed window. There are better ways to address this common problem.

Bathrooms need ventilation and before vent fans were an option, there were operable windows. Older homes often used the same windows in the bath area as they used in the rest of the home. This poses two problems, lack of privacy and wood rot from excessive moisture.

The quick and cheep way to tackle lack of privacy is to buy contact sheets for glass. This material will adhere to glass and create a semi-opaque appearance. It comes in a number of different textures like frosted and rain; it is available at many hardware stores and can be found online and in specialty catalogues.
The more expensive option is replace the window. New vinyl windows can be fitted with textured glass. New windows will also cut down on drafts and heat loss.

Vinyl windows are the best replacement window for the shower area. Metal windows can rust, while wood windows rot. Once you have decided to replace a window, the next step is to determine the window moulding.

Windows don’t need to be outfitted with moulding. Tile or other shower wall material can be brought up right to the window frame. But in many older homes, sometimes we want to maintain the original look to the home. A solid surface material, like Corian, can be custom fabricated to look like the original trim to the house. This works exceptionally well when the trim in the house is painted white (wood grains and stain finishes are impossible to match). The new moulding is easy to care for and is impervious to water, so mold and rot are no longer an issue.

Now is the time to replace your bathroom window if you find that ice damns build up inside the window during the winter months.

Written by Imperial Kitchens and Baths designer, Stephanie Bullwinkel, CBD.

ADA Bathrooms Now Have Tub Options

You need a bath – you just want to soak your aching _______, relax your ______ and unwind from the day. If you are sore, getting in and out of a bath tub can be daunting. But if you are in any way disabled, it can be impossible.
ADA bathrooms are typically designed for wheelchair accessibility. Being able to get in and out of a tub is not a requirement and often during a bathroom remodel for people with special needs, the tub is replaced with a larger shower void of thresholds and shower doors. Large showers litter nursing homes, which makes life easier on both clients and caregivers in the daily task of hygiene. But the physiological benefits of a long soak are lost.
It is a shame that many Americans who need hydrotherapy the most, can’t use it because of their physical limitations. A few tub manufacturers have developed a soaking tub with a seat and door system that allows accessability to people who cannot get into a conventional tub.
We perform about 1-2 remodels a year for people who have special needs and we recently learned that one of our trusted US manufacturers is now offering walk-in ”Experience” tubs.

One Piece Acrylic Experience Tub made by VitaBath
Whirlpool, bubblers, chromatherapy, aromatherapy and the like is now available for people who need it the most, with limited to no assisance needed from a caregiver. We are very excited about this advent in technology.
http://www.iwalkintub.com/
Written by Imperial Kitchens and Baths, Inc. designer, Stephanie Bullwinkel, CBD.

Kitchen Design Notes: Small Space Spice Solution

Kitchen Design Notes: Small Space Spice Solution