Shower Tray and Shower Enclosure Installation

Making the decision to install an additional shower in your home takes some careful planning and the first consideration is where you plan to install the new shower unit.

If you are not using the existing space where the bath tub presently resides then the location of the new shower must facilitate the plumbing in order to leverage adequate water flow and waste, otherwise the project becomes two folded as new pipes will have to be installed and routed.

• Selecting the right shower tray

Depending on available space and budget there are numerous shower enclosure and shower tray options to choose from. Shower trays come in an array of dimensions from square, rectangular and quadrant for corner units with coinciding shower enclosures to ensure conformity in the bathroom. Purchasing a shower tray made from acrylic filled with heavy weight stone cast resin is one of the best choices, since they are durable and quality produced these trays are free from shrinkage and cracking. Their practical design offers a skid resistance base and provides ample standing room when showering.

Water drainage from the shower tray should also be taken into account at the design stage since the shower tray sits at floor level means the waste hole will need to be recessed. To make the installation less labor intensive it is recommended that you either seek the advice of a professional or hire a contractor to install the primary plumbing.

Keeping in mind when it comes to installing the shower tray it is always best to fit the shower tray first before purchasing the shower enclosure since tiles and sealants can alter the size of the shower tray. Furthermore, never comprise value and quality when it comes to sealing the shower tray. It is extremely crucial to use a watertight sealant around the shower tray; improper application of silicone sealant may cause your shower to leak causing extensive water damage in the bathroom. Also, depending where the shower is located, water can seep through the floor, destroying the ceiling to the room situated below the shower unit which could lead to expensive repairs.

• Installing the shower enclosure

Once the shower tray has been installed only then should you choose a matching shower enclosure. Today’s top trends in shower enclosures are easy to maintain frameless glass designs and since there is no frame there is less chance of lime scale or dirt build up in these styles of enclosures. Prior to selecting the shower enclosure, make sure proper measurements haven been take to allow for the additional height of the shower tray to balance out with ceiling space, this is extremely important especially if your have a low ceiling. Before the actual installation of the shower enclosure, carefully examine it for solid construction, placing the enclosure on the tray only to later find out there may be design flaws in the unit will lead to double duty and frustration. Testing the enclosure for leaks is suggested, according to shower manufacturers, spay bottle testing is one of the best methods to test for leaks. By simply spraying between the glass and the adjoining frames will determine if in fact there are any water leaks, at which time the unit is returned in exchange for a new one, preventive measures prevent additional work.

By Shelley Murphy

Designing A Bathroom For Children

Think of how much fun you and your children will have designing a bathroom especially for them or even adding an addition onto the existing bathroom and making it their own special room. Even large homes have small bathrooms with insufficient space so if you can annex an adjoining hall closet or bedroom this can solve some of the space issues. If you enlarge the room what better way to utilize the additional space by providing your child with his or hers own bathing or wash area. By allotting a designated area to young children could alleviate some of the morning traffic when everyone is trying to get ready at the same time.

In order not to incur a greater expense, if possible try to break down a wall that attaches to the plumbing wall. This means you don’t have to worry about installing new plumbing since it is less expensive to install new bathroom fixtures where the existing pipes run. Now that you have added extra square footage, it’s time to organize the bathroom. You may not be able to install a separate bathtub or shower, but you can install a new sink, some added storage cabinets for their bath toys. Partitioning off the bathroom so it gives them the feeling it is uniquely their own place, can be done by installing retractable sliding doors that are quite safe or build a divider wall.

Be practical when choosing a bathroom theme

Now if you have the luxury of an extra bathroom that can be designated strictly to the children, then the design options are endless. So where to start? This should be a joint decision between parents and children. It is recommended to go with a theme that is inspirational to your child or children. First select the color, pastel pinks and blues may not always work if it is a unisex bathroom. Bold colors tend to work well with an all white bathroom suite. White ceramic tiles with some rows of solid colored tile will help in creating a consistent look from the shower to the sink area without distorting the theme. Try to stay away from decorative tiling with animated images, remember children do grow up and their taste in bathroom décor will change. Be practical in your decision making, you may want to sell the house one day. Having to replace a complete shower wall covered with Mickey or Minnie Mouse could be very expensive.

Designing a child’s bathroom can be done on a budget. Providing you don’t go out on a limb and decide to turn the bathroom into one big theme from taps to sinks because they will get tired of this look. It’s easier to paint over a wall than to replace tiles and more practical to stick with white neutral bathroom furniture. Also consider adding shelves into the wall of the shower or bathtub these spaces can hold soaps and bathing toys for children.

By Shelley Murphy

Design Bathrooms on A Budget

Creating a stunning bathroom complete with all the luxuries from whirlpool baths, a double basin vanity to radiator towel warmers, finished off with glam bathroom fixtures and accessories for the ultimate dream bathroom is every homeowner’s desire. When starting to explore your options for creating your prestigious space you should start with a wish list of desired needs. The two points of interest at the top of your list will be budget and space, and then sub-dividing the list into two categories, “what can I live with” and “what needs to be replaced.”

Most often we tend to visualize everything brand new and over look the fact that by simply replacing small fixtures such as a new basin mixer tap can bring new life to an existing pedestal sink. When you look at the big picture, you not only save money especially if you are a do-it-yourself person, but you also save on having to purchase a new sink freeing up funds for other necessities such as a new bathroom mirror or new bathroom accessories.

If you are looking to give your shower a modern contemporary look, durable solid glass constructed doors is not only an affordable way to update the look of your bathroom, but allows you to do away with traditional plastic shower curtains and gives the bathroom a sense of spaciousness. Shower/Bath glass enclosures is also a fashionable way of dressing up your bathroom, they are easy to install and much easier to clean than cloth or plastic curtains. Finding solutions to meet both your needs and spending allowance for your bathroom remodeling projects, doesn’t mean compromising quality. Purchasing one good quality item, such as a whirlpool spa bath may mean looking at the “what you can live with” check list in finding items in your bathroom that can be refinished.

Refinish Bathroom Furniture and Save Money

New bathroom furniture does not necessarily mean the physical purchase of a new bathroom cabinet or wall mounted vanity, try refurbishing the cabinet or vanity instead. With a number of commercial products that can easily strip away old paint and wood finishes makes for an easy-to-do weekend bathroom project, with a little sanding and a fresh new coat of paint, varnish or wood lacquer, you will be surprised with the new look of your bathroom cabinet or bathroom vanity. Also determine who will be using the space, will it be a family bathroom or a tranquil place to relax and unwind. Setting clear goals will aid in deciding the bathroom design you are trying to achieve. If there are water works happening in your bathroom meaning children who splash around during bath time, then you most definitely want to think about using durable materials such as acrylics and ceramics. Baths that are filled with Stone Cast Resin with twinned skinned acrylic are far more durable than cast iron or steel where acrylic is less prone to cracks and scratches and pottery only bathroom suites are less susceptible to damage and stains compared to wood finished bathroom suites.

When it comes to space often rearranging the layout of your bathroom to either create the illusion of space or open the space for more functionality to accommodate the family is a workable solution. Today’s baths are available in a number of sizes and shapes, corner baths are an excellent choice for space conservation since they fit tightly into any corner of the bathroom creating a unique focal point and again are ideal for the price consciences consumer.

Turning a dull bathroom into an enchanting delight comes from inspiring ideas which can easily be seen on the internet or by taking a trip to a bathroom shop. Get advice from the experts and do some price comparison. If you are out and about shopping around for bathroom products remember to bring the necessary items to avoid several trips, paint swatches, tile samples, measurements including a floor plan, existing hardware if you plan to replace bath/shower or basin taps for exactness rather than guessing, and pictures of your existing bathroom, this will help with your selection and give you a visual sense of how the bathroom will look. Finally, while trying to get the maximum utility out of your bathroom, always balance out your needs with your bottom financial line and not to stray from your budget.

By Shelley Murphy