Remodeling Your Bathroom

Bathroom remodeling ranks with kitchen remodeling as one of America’s most popular major home improvements. While a simple bathroom spruce-up involving a new vanity top, light fixture, and accessories can be done for under $1000, many people are choosing to yank everything out and start from scratch. A completely new bathroom can cost $10,000 or more.

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about bathroom remodeling:

Q: We have old toilets but they look fine. Is there any reason to replace them?

A: The toilet itself doesn’t wear out, but the flush mechanism in the tank may need to be replaced. When people do replace the entire toilet, it is usually for aesthetic reasons. Something to keep in mind is that the federal government outlawed the standard toilet homeowners have used for decades, so they are no longer being produced. Now, you must install a toilet that only uses 1.5 gallons of water per flush.

While this new requirement benefits Mother Nature, many people find that some models of the new toilets don’t flush well. So think twice before you decide to toss the old one.

Q: I’ve seen toilets advertised for $50 and others advertised for $500. Why such a big difference?

A: Toilets costing under $100 might not always be a good buy. Generally the flush mechanism parts are made of flimsy plastic that doesn’t last very long. Also, toilet manufacturers have had difficulty in getting the new 1.5-gallon toilets to flush properly. Generally, companies that have done the most research on improved designs are not the ones offering the very low-cost toilets.

In toilets costing more than $150, the cost is driven largely by aesthetic differences. There are now “designer” toilets that come in a plethora of colors. Some higher-end toilets also come with pressure-assisted flush mechanisms. Available for years in the commercial market, these toilets use compressed air to assist in flushing.

Q: From time to time I hear about something called “universal design.” What is it?

A: Universal design is based on the premise that we should design and build things that are useful and safe for everyone, no matter what their shape, size, age, or physical limitations. Bathrooms, with their slick wet surfaces, hard edges, and scalding hot water, are the site of thousands of accidents each year. Many of these mishaps are preventable through the application of the principles of universal design.

Q: How would universal design make bathrooms safer and more useful?

A: A well-designed bathroom does not have floors that get very slick when wet. It does have many grab bars to help people keep their balance and prevent falls. The bathroom should have enough space for someone to navigate with a walker or even a wheel chair. The sink or vanity should be positioned so that someone can wash their hands or apply make-up from a sitting position.

The shower should be equipped with a water pressure-equalizing device so that when a toilet flushes, someone in the shower doesn’t experience a sudden increase in water temperature. Also, the shower should have a seat.

A flexible hose attached to a showerhead makes it easier for someone with disabilities to wash. It also makes it easier to bathe small children or the family pet.

Q: What are the hottest trends in bathroom remodeling?

A: Many people are opting to install two sinks, eliminating one common source of family friction. Exhaust fans are now standard equipment. Bathtubs outfitted with soothing jets are popular for couples, athletes, and anyone who enjoys a long, luxurious soak.

Many people now isolate the toilet area from the rest of the bathroom with a partial wall or privacy glass. In bigger bathrooms, some people are installing urinals or bidets.

These days, people place more emphasis on decor and are more likely to have a large window and some variety in lighting options. In very high-end bathrooms, radiant floor heating is popular. Besides keeping your feet cozily warm, heated floors dry quickly.

Q: For a shower, what’s better: ceramic tile or fiberglass units?

A: Aesthetically, most people prefer ceramic tile. While perceived as classier, ceramic tile does have shortcomings. It’s harder to keep clean and it’s very unforgiving if there is any movement in the bathroom floors or walls. Ceramic tile also costs a great deal more.

On the other hand, ceramic tile, properly installed, has a useful life that can span many decades. Most fiberglass units are only good for a decade or two, though some last much longer. The fiberglass units can also be scratched and colors may fade over time.

Good luck with your bathroom remodeling project!