1.) Choose the right contractor:
Selecting the right contractor for a bathroom remodeling project in Dayton, Ohio is the crucial first step and can make the difference between a successful and enjoyable process and a never-ending nightmare of regret. Make sure the bathroom contractor you select is qualified and capable. Apples to Apples estimates often differ, as great quality and customer service cost more to give you than little attention to detail and no customer service.
Remember that many times in life you get what you pay for. Be sure to compare more than just Scope of Work when comparing estimates and researching and verifying your Better Business track record.
2.) Proper pre-planning:
Sound familiar from college? Well, it applies to everything, including bathroom remodeling. There is a lot of coordination to do in typically small spaces when remodeling the bathroom. Sure, a good contractor will do most, if not all, of the coordination for you, but it’s a good idea to go over the steps yourself before construction.
Planning the process yourself will not only make you more informed about it, it will also make you more informed and more capable of making good decisions regarding your bathroom remodeling project.
3.) Functional Work Triangles:
Work triangles generally apply to kitchen remodeling, but they also have value when remodeling the bathroom. “Working triangles” refer to the distance between your bathroom’s functional amenities, such as the toilet, sink, showers and tubs, and storage. Creating the right amount of space between these items can make your bathroom functional and comfortable, as well as create a feeling of openness and space.
4.) Choose the right materials:
With the rise in popularity of big box stores came a tactic of new options, making material selection a stressful experience for some remodeling novices. A good contractor will help you select the right material for the right location with aesthetic appeal, texture, durability, and cost in mind.
By properly installing the right materials, they should last the life of your home. The right materials can make all the difference in the world and it’s painfully obvious when you select the wrong ones.
5.) Waterproofing and Concrete.
Properly waterproofing the concrete deck will create a durable medium for tile installation. Reputable contractors only remodel bathrooms using moisture resistant gypsum board for dry painted surfaces and concrete backer board for areas that will be tiled or exposed to wet conditions. However, hanging the cement board alone is not enough.
Joints and corners should be taped and finished with ASTM-approved mortar similar to finishing drywall. Doing this waterproofs the system allowing your walls to not rely solely on finished tiles for waterproofing characteristics and creates a second moisture barrier.
This simple and low cost step will add decades of time to the life of your bathroom. Ask your proposed contractors how they intend to waterproof the cement board. If they leave this step out of the answer, or say, “the tile is the waterproof system”. move on to the next guy.
6.) Get Great Lighting:
Adequate lighting is essential for bathrooms. The right lighting can dramatically improve the look and function of your newly remodeled bathrooms. Using a diverse selection of lighting such as 6 inch can lights, 4 inch can lights, recessed lighting, wall sconces, under cabinet lighting, and vanity lights really liven up the space and add a sense of elegance. that only great lighting can do. The more lights and types of lights you use, the more spectacular the aesthetic appeal.
7.) Select the right border:
A bathroom trim is very important. Bathroom trim types include; baseboard, casing, chair rail, wainscoting, crown molding and around the edge of the mirror. The right combination of trim separates good bathrooms from great bathrooms. There is a fallacy that all the details of a house must match. It’s just not true. Updating a bathroom’s trim package can provide big design dividends while revamping a bathroom and setting it apart as the most elegant room in the house, as it should be.
8.) Flow of hardware and accessories:
Not many things can destroy a bathroom remodel like mismatched hardware and fixtures. There are several finishes to choose from when considering which one is best for your project, such as chrome, brass, brass and chrome, nickel, brushed nickel, stainless steel, brushed stainless steel, antique bronze, brushed bronze, and oil rubbed bronze. It is essential that all the elements of your bathroom have similar finishes. Ignoring this will confuse the view, create a unified look, and detract from the appeal of your bathrooms.
9.) Remember the little things:
Small things are commonly overlooked and then come together at the end. One of the biggest consumer complaints regarding bathroom remodeling is that the contractors either did not include or forgot to hang the towel bars, robe hooks, toilet paper dispenser, and soap dishes. The exclusion of these elements often results in their mixing in dysfunctional ways.
Including the little things in the initial pre-planning process allows you to select and order the right pieces for your project with finishes that match your hardware and accessories. Please note that Moen’s brushed nickel does not always match the brushed nickel finish from Kohler and other manufacturers. Ordering all of your things from the same brand at the same time at the beginning shortens the overall time for your remodel, ensures the finish matches, and adds value to your home’s bathroom.
10.) Don’t overdo it:
Bathrooms are often limited by space, regardless of their size. Crowding too many things into your bathroom will not increase its beauty or function. Instead, focus on selecting high-quality products, proper design, and excellent installation. Quality over quantity is the best approach mode. There are thousands of great bathroom products available, try not to put them all in your bathroom at once.
Also avoid too many accents in the tile work. Often times, weather people are carried away by the beauty of a tile pattern or tile trim detail and throw it all over the place, resulting in an almost dizzying busy effect. Focus on the cohesiveness of the material and the minimalist design and you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve, without breaking the bank.