The Art of Bathroom
Remodeling
Renovating bathrooms can be a challenging task as it involves intricate details. To pull off a successful bathroom remodel, one needs to visualize the desired room layout and then work backwards from there. There are so many transitions between materials involved in this process that, without proper planning, things can go really wrong.
FULL HOUSE REMODEL / SAUGERTIES, NY
The majority of our luxury bathroom remodels in 2024 consist of walk-in showers made with frameless glass, attractive tile patterns that feature inset niches, and well-sourced, thoughtfully designed fixture placement.
Now, let’s walk you through our process for remodeling bathrooms.
Design
We start the renovation process by creating a design crafted by our team. Our approach involves the creation of floor plans and elevations in the cutting-edge Chief Architect software. This design tool empowers our clients with a precise visual representation of the envisioned final outcome. Through these details we aim to convey crucial aspects of the project such as spatial arrangement, transitions, and informed material selections.
In addition to the aesthetics, the design phase is the time where all the nuances and necessities come together. We need to make sure that everything is comfortable to walk around and that there are no unnecessary obstructions.
When it comes to fixture layout, certain questions need to be asked:
Is the primary purpose of this space for bathing or showering? Or both?
Is the client tall and in need of a showerhead that can accommodate their height?
Will the client go into their later years with this bath, in which case it may be worth considering a zero-entry shower and grab bars?
It’s our job to ensure that the renovation is both aesthetically pleasing and
functional in the long term. This initial consultation on the needs of the customer
will determine how we proceed with the design process.
Drain and Pan Options
Designing the floor of a shower offers numerous possibilities due to the range of tile options, the advancements in drain designs, and the expertise of our builders and finishers in creating a cohesive look. Let’s explore the different factors involved in this process.
The Floor: Curb vs. Curbless
When designing the shower floor, the first question that needs to be addressed is the presence of a curb. Normally, a curb is about 3-6 inches high and is covered in either tile or solid stone. Its purpose is to contain the water within the shower area. However, a curbless shower, also referred to as zero-entry, does not have a curb. In this case, the bathroom floor tile seamlessly extends into the shower, giving a flush appearance.
Opting for a curbless shower is a more upscale choice as it involves restructuring the framing to align the shower pan with the surrounding floor. Additionally, waterproofing measures need to be extended further into the room, essentially creating a wet-room. These factors increase the cost of a curbless shower upgrade by several thousand dollars.
For customers on a budget, an alternative option is to consider a pre-made fiberglass shower pan. This option saves money on both tile cost and labor.
Drain Options
When it comes to the appearance, we always rely on Schluter Drains. They integrate seamlessly with the Schluter shower pans and offer two options: regular 4″ covers and tileable drains (our favorite choice). A tileable drain is the most inconspicuous of all the options; instead of a piece of metal in the floor, there is tile with a small reveal around it, allowing water to drain into the system. These tileable drains are also removable with a special tool allowing the customer to clean them when needed. The location and styles of drains are usually flexible, but they may be constrained by field conditions like existing framing and plumbing in the area.
EXAMPLES OF CENTRAL DRAIN DESIGN
EXAMPLES OF LINEAR DRAIN DESIGN
Tile Options
Tile trends in 2024 are focused on stacked subway tile, handmade tile like Cle, large format, natural stones, and mosaics. There are endless options available. We exclusively obtain high-quality materials from our trusted vendor, Sherwood Tile, located in a convenient central location in Newburgh, NY. Their showroom is fully stocked, allowing you to see and feel the design and texture of the tiles you intend to purchase. When you schedule an appointment with them, you will have the opportunity to choose your desired tiles, grout, shelving options, and floor transitions. Our design team collaborates closely with Sherwood to ensure that your bathroom vision is viable and successful.
Please consult a trusted installer or contractor before buying tile on your own, as purchasing from stores like Lowes and Home Depot may result in low-quality products that have structural problems and are poorly cut, leading to difficult installations. Another problem we have encountered with external vendors is receiving tiles from different dye lots, which may cause significant issues during installation, even if the differences are subtle.
Important reminder: It is always advised to purchase a bit more tile than you initially calculate. There is no situation more frustrating than realizing you have insufficient tile during installation only to discover that it is no longer available or currently unavailable.
Shelving Options
When it comes to storing your shower products, there are two options available. You can either use standard shelving made of metal or glass or you can upgrade to a tiled niche that is set into the wall. The majority of our shower builds include a tiled niche, and nowadays they have been growing in size, often extending the entire length of the shower wall.
There are various ways to design the niche. Sometimes it is framed with a metal trim-piece that is cut at an angle. Other times, the wall tiles continue seamlessly into the niche, eliminating the need for a frame. Another option is to frame the interior of the niche with a solid-surface material, similar to a window jamb. The possibilities are endless and depend on the client’s desired design. The only limitation for niche design is that it cannot be located on an exterior wall. This is because there would be no insulation in that space, which could allow cold air to enter during the winter.
Our team will guide you through integrating the niche with the tile design and help you choose the appropriate materials to frame it.
Important: It is essential to ensure that any shelving or sill in a specific area has a slight incline. If this is not the case, water will accumulate and cause problems in the long run.
Glass and Door Options
Frameless glass enclosures are the ideal choice as they maintain the water within the shower while also displaying the unique design without the obstructive frames commonly seen. Many pre-made systems come with glass panels that are ” thick, but we always enhance this to a thicker ½” when constructing our customized panels. There are various options available when selecting the glass panels, including complete transparency, frosted glass, or even panels with decorative patterns. A suggestion we consistently make to our clients is to apply a protective film on the glass panels, preventing corrosion over time. Although this is a small additional expense, typically costing a few hundred dollars, it is a worthwhile investment.
If the client does not want or need a door, they can opt for a rain panel, which is a single piece of glass. However, if they choose this option, it is important to take into account the need for proper waterproofing around the shower area since it does not provide the same level of protection as a full glass system.
The typical price for one rain panel ranges from $1000 to $1500.
The price range for a frameless glass inclosure is between $2500
and $3500.
We also integrate other contemporary glass systems into our shower designs. We
offer sliding glass doors with barn-door hardware and clear glass rails as an
alternative option.
Heating options
All bathrooms must have a form of heating. This can be achieved through a ducted system connected to the main home heating system, a baseboard heating system, or even a heat source integrated into the bathroom fan/vent. The top-tier choice, offered by Schluter, is a radiant heating system. Who wouldn’t want to keep their feet warm in winter? These systems come with a sleek Wi-Fi enabled thermostat that can be controlled conveniently from a smartphone.
It is crucial to consider heating in the bathroom due to the presence of various water lines and plumbing elements. Ensure you take this into consideration when planning the design of your bathroom.
Important: It is essential to ensure that any shelving or sill in a specific area has a slight incline. If this is not the case, water will accumulate and cause problems in the long run.
Vanity and Fixture Options
When choosing vanities, you have the option of installing high-quality pre-made vanities from popular stores like CB2 and West Elm. Alternatively, you can visit the Timber Millwork Division and create a custom vanity. The selection process forvanities typically begins by considering the client’s specific needs, such as fitting into a small area or accommodating a double sink for a couple. Design options include farmhouse-style, furniture-style, traditional, and floating vanities. These vanities can be painted or have a wood finish.
The selection of fixtures is based on both individual style preferences and the available budget.
Showerheads: The design begins by considering the requirements. While a single shower head may suffice at times, detachable wands are increasingly preferred. Besides being useful for bathing, they prove to be very convenient for cleaning the shower. Rainhead options are also well-liked, and if clients expect to shower together with someone else, multiple shower heads can be installed.
The popularity of wall-mounted faucets as a design choice is increasing, and they can be deck-mounted on the vanity top or mounted on the wall.
Toilets have become an essential aspect of contemporary bathroom design. They vary in simplicity and complexity. Wall-mounted toilets are favored for their space-saving nature, easy maintenance, and modern aesthetic. Additionally, clients have the option to enhance their toilet experience by upgrading to a bidet equipped with remote controls and heated functionality.
We can assist you in deciding how to utilize your fixture allowance effectively with our personalized spreadsheets and nearby vendor showrooms.
CONSTRUCTION
Framing Rough-In
The process of creating a beautiful and well-done final product starts with the framing. If we had our way, we would frame the entire room in TimberStrand LSL Studs. These are stranded structural studs (similar technology as an LVL beam) that are perfectly straight: no crowning, bowing, or disuniformity. This gives our tile-setters and finished carpenters the flattest possible surfaces to work with. However, TimberStrand LSL Studs are expensive, so we have to be selective in where we use them, but ideally throughout the tiled areas. If the floors and ceilings are significantly out of level, we also recommend re-framing them.
During the bathroom’s framing stage, our carpenters must take the entire bathroom layout into account. Modern plumbing fixtures require very particular blocking elements and certain heights and depths, and wall-mounted faucets and toilets are becoming increasingly popular. Recesses in the walls for medicine cabinets and niches need to be properly framed out prior to plumbing. There are key elements of blocking that always need to be added in a bath remodel, such as blocking for the shower glass door, grab bars and towel hooks, and the vanity (especially if it’s floating!).
Waterproofing
While there are a few great shower systems out there, we are a complete sucker for the entire spectrum of Schluter Waterproofing products. Their Kerdi wall-board system is lightweight, strong, and easy to install. Their line of pre-sloped shower pans offer different styles for different tile patterns.
Finishes
Bathrooms are constructed from a carefully selected combination of materials and elements. It’s critical that tile, glass, wood, metal and everything else come together seamlessly. Achieving a well-finished result starts from the initial framing phase and should be considered throughout the entire construction process. It’s here that the beauty of the design really becomes evident.
