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Top 10 Bathroom renovation tips
1. Choose elegant fixtures.
A pedestal sink with graceful lines is more attractive than a blocky cabinet vanity. A classic claw-foot tub is like bathroom sculpture. Even enclosed in a deck, the simple lines of the lip have an inherent beauty that surpasses most acrylic versions.
2. Sit in a bathtub before buying it.Bigger isn't always better. A 60-inch tub is fine for most people. It offers enough room to stretch out and provides a secure foothold, so you don't float into oblivion when the tub is full. Assess the angled back and lip for comfort and neck support -- a tub for two people slants at either end and has taps in the middle. If you only have enough space for a small tub, buy an extra-deep one.
3. Select durable flooring. Ceramic, marble and stone tiles are all excellent durable and water-resistant choices for a bathroom. Subfloor heating coils will make these hard surfaces warm. Well-sealed hardwood floors offer natural warmth and act as a foil for the other hard, cold surfaces in a bathroom.
4. Hang a stylish mirror.One beautifully framed mirror over a sink is more attractive than many surfaces covered with mirror. Supplement it with a wall-mounted adjustable makeup mirror, and consider installing a lighted, mirrored shaving niche in your shower stall.
5. Use found space.Take advantage of space between wall studs by recessing a tall storage cabinet into the wall to maximize vertical storage while saving floor space. The cabinet should have an interior depth of at least three inches and a door flush with the wall.
6. Build a shower area. Consider building an open-concept shower area that doesn't need a curtain or door and is less confining than a standard shower stall. In addition to well-designed drainage, a ceiling-mounted rain showerhead and/or a high wall-mounted showerhead that splashes less water will keep the area outside the shower drier.
7. Share space for added function.In homes with back-to-back bathrooms, a shared shower with access doors to each of the bathrooms maximizes limited space. Or turn a closet located next to a bathroom into a small ensuite with access to the neighbouring bath.
8. Design lighting that works. Good lighting is imperative. Combine halogen pot lights with wall sconces beside or over the mirror for lighting with no shadows. Always install dimmers.
9. Buy a quality toilet.When buying a toilet, it's not necessary for you to spend big bucks, but you don't want to scrimp too much, either. You can get a good-quality one-piece toilet for about $400. Models with elongated bowls and seats are usually most comfortable.
10. Incorporate luxury into your room. If you're fortunate enough to have lots of space to work with, indulge yourself with an expanded spalike bathroom that includes a dressing room -- a haven for privacy and relaxation. Outfit it with a television, fireplace, exercise equipment, makeup vanity and even a large comfortable occasional chair upholstered in thick white terry-cloth.
Clawfoot tub accessories
Clawfoot tub accessories will make your bathtub for functional, comfortable, and/or beautiful. There are many different sorts of clawfoot tub accessories. An example of a few popular clawfoot tub accessories is: coasters for the feet (these will prevent damage to your floor), clawfoot feet, mounted towel rails, mirrors, tub caddies, and soap dishes. The clawfoot tub accessories that you choose depend on your bathroom décor and which items will actually be most useful to you. You may be surprised at how many clawfoot tub accessories there are available – you may have to check specialty shops, though, to find some of the best clawfoot tub accessories. |
One Heck of a Year End!
"We just completed 2 cruise ship projects in 2 different countries at the same time". Talk about crazy!
It wasn't exactly our usual bathtub, tile or counter top refinishing job but we have done large projects for this company before and they were so impressed with our work that they "Just wanted us" because of our work ethic, experience and our ability to take on many different types of problems in several different locations. Our "Git er Done" attitude helps too!
When our people get together for this kind of a project (Refinishing tubs, sinks, tile and countertops) they work like you rarely if ever see anymore. It turns into a "My tubs/sinks/countertops are better than your's are" type of contest with several different camps as to
"Who is the Best/Baddest tubber in the land". (By the way the 2 best/baddest sprayers on the last big countertop refinishing project were Lucas Weppler of Rochester, N.Y. and Greg Fowler of Plainfield N.J.).
"If the project's work load reguires 16 hour days then "So be it" is what Levi Weppler's (Large Projects/Quality control manager) motto is.
This means:
1. That it will be done using only Hawk laboratory products. We have used/tried hundreds of products over the last 21 years and Hawk Labs is "The complete package" as far as consistency and reliability are concerned in the bathtub refinishing industry. It doesn't really matter that Hawk is the most expensive product out there because; in the long run what matters is the quality and longevity of the finished product (It only took us 16 years to learn that one! ).
We have all our project needs manufactured for the last few years now by Hawk Labs. That in itself says alot!
2. "You can rest assured that it will get done on time and under budget with the Quality that we have come to be known for".
"Levi Weppler"
3. Just for the record we are Very proud of all of our people who have helped with the wild and crazy cruise ship projects. Thank you to each and every one of you. (Yes, even you Buck).
Now, the grizzly details:
 
The first and by far largest/longest project was a complete tear out and rebuild of 256 shower pans on the Norwegian cruise ship "Spirit" that was in dry dock in Mobile, Alabama. We were given 21 (Straight) days in which to complete the project and had to bring in a dozen of our best boys and girls for this one. It takes a special person to work 16 hour days for 21 straight days and not whine about it. They are all tougher than I am.
It took a few days to get the rhythm but as usual things quickly turned into another contest as to who could what the fastest/best or who worked later or started earlier. These kinds of competition are fun but but must be kept in check or someone will end up working 24 hours straight and then be sick for a week.
The food was the usual "mystery meat in some sort of sauce with a lot of rice and lamb. The bread was always fresh and the salads were very good (Thank God!).
Levi Weppler was given the thankless job of making sure everyone was doing what they were supposed too, all the while doing as much as anyone else.
This was difficult as the shower pans were spread over several "football field sized areas" on several different floors.
The second project was refitting 14 common area handicapped bathrooms from top to bottom.
 
Tom Cavileer;  (currently being choked by Charlie); That's "1st" Sargeant Cavileer U.S. Army Reserve) ran this puppy and we never heard a word from them until they got back from doing the 14 common area bathrooms that had to be "LOWERED" 12 inches to meet the new American standards.
Apparently they had WAAAAAAAAAAY too much fun and were quite
worn out when they got home. (I heard that Steve Young
of Barrie Ontario won the local limbo contest 4 nights running). Congratulations on your flexibility.
This is a picture of Lucas and Andrea both holding Andrea's nephew. I promised to put a picture of her up and this is the only one I can find of her.
 
Anyway, Thanks to all our people for bringing in the new year with a substantial bang.
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