Common mistakes
A steamy shower in the morning is a nice way to ease into the day, but can cause other
practical problems. That steam accumulating in your bathroom can cause issues down the road
in the form of moisture buildup and mold – some where you can see it, and some where you
can’t. And we all know the frustration of trying to do hair or makeup when the mirror is fogged.
There’s the constant wiping to be able to see ourselves, or just resigning ourselves to wait for
the bathroom to air out properly. A good way to solve this problem once and for all is taking
advantage of doing a remodel to add a fan to exhaust all that extra humidity in the air. That way,
you’ll know you aren’t doing damage to your bathroom with every hot shower, and your mirrors
will be clear and ready for use as soon as you’re ready for them!
There are a variety of options depending on your needs and the size of your bathroom. We’d
love to discuss the possibilities with you, and you’ll be happy to see, well, yourself in the mirror,
no matter how hot you ran the water in your shower!
Drainage issues, etc
A project as complicated as a bathroom remodel has plenty of opportunities for someone
attempting to DIY the project to forget or overlook important considerations. That’s why it’s such
a good idea to consult with an expert while making your plans, even if you end up doing most of
the work yourself. (For further thoughts on DIY versus hiring a professional, read here!)
Not every drain is created equal, but odds are good it’s not something you think much about
until you’re showering in ankle deep water. It’s uncomfortable and adds risks to your showers
that can easily be avoided. If you come from a household that sheds a lot, or has animals, you
might want to consider a drain that is built for easy cleaning and that will keep hair from clogging
up your pipes. A large tub you can fill deeply will need a drain designed to empty a lot of water
quickly. An expert can help you decide what fits your needs best, so you don’t end up unhappy
with the end result.
When remodeling, you will probably consider changing up your light fixture to better fit the
aesthetic of the finished project, but getting the right lighting in the room is also important for
getting ready. We’ve all had that horrifying moment when we’ve glanced into a mirror outside of
our home and realized we didn’t look nearly as good as we thought we did – a nasty trick of
poor bathroom lighting! Updated lighting will ensure that your makeup always looks as good in
the light of day as it does in the light over your bathroom sink.
Measurements are a tricky and tedious part of a renovation, and while we may think we know
what measurements we need to take, there are good odds that, if you’re remodeling your own
bathroom for the first time, you’ll miss a few things that needed measurements and you’ll have
to waste time going home to get those numbers, or calling someone and talking them through it
while you stand impatiently in the aisle at the hardware store. It’s an accepted part of every
home project that you’ll make a few more trips to the hardware store than you’ll plan on, but
cutting at least a couple of those trips out is always a relief.
Finally, an expert can guide you on what materials are okay to buy cheap, and what you really
shouldn’t cut corners on. We discuss that a bit more here (Long Term Costs of Budget
Renovations).
Tile in a Bathroom Remodel
Tiles are beautiful and can be very flexible in terms of design and possibility. Everyone who has
ever been to a home improvement store has probably noticed how the aisle displaying tile
options stands out and is visually attractive. Unfortunately, especially if you’re planning to take
on your remodel yourself, tile can be a lot of extra work.
In addition to measuring the space you’re planning to cover in tile, you have to work out how
many you’ll need to fit into the space, and hope that the measurements line up. Cracking a tile,
or measuring incorrectly, can mean extra trips to restock, and more costs.
Also, professionals train to learn to install tile with precision, ensuring they’re laid carefully and
attractively, all lined up and measured out at regular intervals. It would be easy to leave sharp
edges raised above the rest of the wall, or uneven gaps filled in with grout for a patched
together look that’s not very appealing. The more types of tiles included in the design, the more
layers of complications. And of course, while grout isn’t perfectly waterproof, it’s going to last
much longer against the water in your bath when installed and waterproofed carefully by a
professional. Considering the danger of water getting into your walls, even if you take on the
rest of your bathroom remodel yourself, installing tile is a portion you might want to consider
hiring help for – or you might wish to think about other alternatives.
Tile alternative
We love educating our clients about products and options that will make their lives easier, and
wall panels (which we discuss in more depth here) are one of our favorites. They look great, are
significantly cheaper and easier to install, and last much longer. Imagine being able to clean by
only running a cloth along a flat surface, instead of scrubbing between every tile with an old
toothbrush! The only drawback is lack of flexibility in design, but as that flexibility in tiles comes
from their smaller size, and that smaller size contributes to the cost and the probability of leaks
longterm, we think the trade is more than fair! And many of the wall panel options are pretty
enough that no one will know they aren’t stone or tile!
Third Generation Restoration is proud to collaborate with Five Star Bath Solutions, offering our
clients access to their expertise, catalog of products and services, and lifetime guarantees for
the work we do for your bathroom.
For more step by step breakdown that will help you remodel your bathroom with minimal stress,
see our previous articles here and here, and continue on with the next installment here. Please
feel free to do deeper dives in our other posts on other topics as well! We’re here to offer you
help and guidance, even before you give us a call!
We are a home remodeling company located in Cincinnati, Ohio and we are proud to serve our
neighbors in the surrounding areas. It is our privilege to earn your trust and be allowed to turn
your home into the home you’ve always dreamed of living in, strong and beautiful for this
generation, until the third generation and beyond. Reach out to us and let us show you what we
can do for you!