Bath Flooring Options

A bath remodel involves many product selections and decisions. There are pros and cons to different bath flooring options.  Plus, those product selections have a great influence on the remodeling price. 

Tile:  Tile is the most typical choice for a bath floor.  Tile is durable, water resistant, and comes in an amazing variety of colors, shapes and sizes.  Pricing can vary significantly from inexpensive to very expensive depending on the exact tile selected and the complexity of the pattern to be installed.  A good tile installation should include a tile backer board substrate to give rigidity and in the long term keep the tile from cracking.  To avoid slipping in a wet area bath floor tile typically has a textured or slightly textured surface.  In general tile is a mid-range cost selection but upgrades in the tile selection plus the optional addition of heating to the floor can increase costs significantly.

Stone:  Stone is similar to tile in many aspects but generally more expensive, and often the most expensive option for a bath floor.

Vinyl:  Vinyl is available as a sheet or in 12” tiles and in a variety of colors and designs.  Vinyl tiles are easy to install and especially a good choice for do-it-yourself remodels.  Vinyl is typically one of the least expensive bath floor options.

Laminate Flooring:  Laminate flooring is made of layers of paper and wood with a top layer picturing whatever surface you want the floor to look like.  It is typically inexpensive and easy to install.  While the top surface is water resistant, if water does penetrate, especially to the pad below, there is no choice but to remove and replace the flooring.  In general this may work for a powder room but is probably not a good choice for a full bath.

Wood Flooring:  Wood floors including hardwood such as oak or engineered wood floors, basically a layer of wood over plywood, are another choice for a bath.  Installation costs are mid-range.  If wood is used in a bath care should be taken to keep in dry and remove excess moisture from the surface.

Ten Luxury Bath Options

Baths are typically the most heavily used rooms in a home, often several times a day and possibly by several different people.  Many clients look to include some luxury features in the master bath.  The following is a list of ten options to consider.

1.       Upscale the sink. There are many unique design options available for bath sinks.  These include alternate materials such as glass, copper, bronze, stone, hand painted porcelain, or glass mosaic.  While undermount sinks are very popular, a vessel sink sitting on top of the vanity counter is a luxury choice.

2.       Upgrade the counter.  All the choices that are available for kitchen counters are also available for bath counters.  Luxury items include a variety of metals, stones, glass, and wood products.

3.       Multiple showerheads.  Luxury showers may include multiple jets lining the walls, fixed and adjustable showerheads, and rain showers from the ceiling.

4.       Steam baths.  Another luxury shower option is a steam unit included with your shower, or even a separate steam room.

5.       Sound and light.  There are multiple options possible with lighting for the bath.  And including a sound system is another option.

6.       Tile upgrades.  Luxury handmade tile, glass tile, and metal tile are among a few of the great variety of tile available for bath remodeling.  Tile comes in an amazing array of sizes, shapes, and colors allowing for many design options.

7.       Tubs.  Soaking tubs, especially the large claw-foot vintage tubs are popular again if you have the space.  Air jetted tubs with multiple small air jets are an upgrade to the traditional jetted tubs with 6-8 large jets.

8.       Heat.  Heated tile floors add an extra layer of comfort in a bath.  Heated towel racks or European style thin fin radiators are another good option.

9.       Frameless.  Frameless shower glass enclosures and frameless glass doors are a significant upgrade to the traditional metal frame enclosure.  Also consider a large walk-in shower without a shower door at all.

10.   Space.  A luxurious bath may require a larger space than the traditional bath.  Combining rooms, expending into closets, or even a home addition may create the large space to allow for multiple cabinets and vanities, separate tub and shower, steam unit, bath linen storage, or a make-up area.

Ten Cost Saving Bath Remodeling Options

The next series of blogs will review bathroom remodeling.  Improving your bath will improve the enjoyment of your home, add to your quality of life, and increase your home’s resale value.  By square footage, baths are often the most expensive room in a home.  With plumbing, electric, heating, tile, sheetrock, paint, accessories, cabinets, counters, etc. numerous trades and products are packed into a very small space.  There are, however, cost saving options for bath remodeling.  The following is a list of ten options to consider.

1.       Small changes can have a big impact- Your budget may not allow for a full bath remodel but small changes can make a difference.  Options including changing plumbing fixtures, changing the vanity and counter, painting, or changing a tub to a tile shower.

2.       Save on luxury items- Steam showers, jetted tub, heated floors, multiple shower heads, and frameless shower enclosures are all very nice but are a significant cost upgrade to a bath remodel.  A basic, well built, bath may meet your needs at a much more affordable cost.

3.       Consider plumbing options- Plumbing work and materials are a significant percentage of the cost of a bath remodel.  Leaving fixtures in their current locations is much less costly than reworking all the piping and plumbing rough-ins.  Plumbing fixtures come in a variety of finishes with standard chrome being the least expensive.  There is a huge selection of plumbing fixtures including toilets, sinks, faucets, showerheads, etc.  Your designer, plumber, remodeler, or plumbing supply showroom can help you with alternate and cost saving product selections.

4.       Limit the tile work- Older baths often have tile walls four feet above the finished floors.  Tile work is a large cost increase over painted sheetrock.  Consider limiting the tile work to the tub/shower and bath floor.

5.       Use pre-fabricated showers or tub surrounds- Tile is very nice but pre-fabricated fiberglass shower bases and tub/shower walls are fairly inexpensive to purchase, quick to install (saving labor costs), and easy to keep clean.  Certainly for a hall, kids, or 2^nd bath this will be a cost saving option.

6.       Install a tub/shower versus shower only-  A tub/shower is almost always less costly than the tile work required for a custom tile shower with a tile base.  Installing a tub gives you the floor and about 16” of wall.  Installing tile includes a vinyl membrane, sloped mortar sub-floor, cement backer board, waterproof membrane, and then the tile.  All added together this is a very labor-intensive process.

7.       Install a pedestal in place of a vanity- A pedestal sink typically is less expensive to install than a bath vanity.  A vanity includes the cabinet costs, the counter, the sink, and the labor to install each.

8.       Save energy and water- Installing energy saving lighting and low water use toilets and faucets will save costs in the long term.

9.       Have a design focus- Consider keeping the basic bath simple and inexpensive, white vanity and white tile for example, with a decorative tile pattern in the shower or on the floor, or a decorative vanity top and sink.  This can create a dramatic and unique bath while minimizing costs.

10.   Consider the accessories- Towel bars, toilet paper holders, towel rings and other bath accessories can create an updated look at minimum costs.  Similarly changing vanity hardware, window treatments, or door hardware can upgrade a bath again at a small cost as compared to a full bath remodel.  Even new bath linens can make a difference.

Kitchen Sinks: Materials 4-6

 This is a continuation of the previous blog reviewing kitchen sink materials. 

A wide range of choices are available for the kitchen sink.  We have come a long way from stainless steel or cast iron being the only options commonly available.  Below is a brief review of some possible material options and pros and cons of each material.

§         Engineered Materials including Solid Surface & Composite:  This category covers a wide range of options including solid surface materials like Corian or Swanstone, quartz, slate, or granite –acrylic composites, and cast acrylic.  The major advantage of solid surface kitchen sinks is their ability to be an integrated unit with the countertop.  Composite sinks fall into three main categories; polyester/acrylic, quartz composite, and granite based.

o        Pros – Solid Surface

§         Seamless joint with solid surface counter

§         Durable surface, deeps cuts or scratches are repairable

§         More forgiving to dropped objects than cast iron or stone sinks

o        Cons – Solid Surface

§         Not resistant to high heat or very hot pots and pans, can scratch or nick

§         Can be expensive, especially since they typically involve totaling replacing the counters as well as the sink

§         Installation and repairs require professional fabrication

o        Pros – Composite

§         Reasonable durability and resistance to scratching and chipping in stone composites

§         Available in a variety of colors

§         Stands up to heat better than solid surface

§         Acrylic composites are typically inexpensive

o        Cons – Composite

§         Acrylic composites are the lowest performing in terms of scratch and stain resistance

§         Granite based composite can command a premium price

§         Stone based composites are limited in color to a neutral palette.

§         Natural Stone:  The most common stone sinks are made from granite or soapstone, but there are also sinks made from travertine, marble, and onyx.  These are heavy, dense sinks and the soapstone is impervious to stains. 

o        Pros:

§         Strong, robust, durable surface

§         Good sound-deadening qualities

§         A unique and interesting style option

o        Cons:

§         Heavy and typically require custom built cabinetry for support

§         Some stones are porous and require sealing

§         Often expensive to purchase and install

§         Other:  Kitchen sinks are available in other materials including concrete and various metals besides stainless steel such as nickel, copper & bronze.  Other metals are often used for specialty sinks such as a bar sink. 

o        Pros Concrete:

§         Unlimited customization

§         Distinctive and unique style option

§         Can be incorporated with a concrete counter for seamless design

o        Cons Concrete:

§         Requires periodic sealing to avoid stains and to repel moisture

§         May show cracks and fissures over time.

§         Costly as they are typically custom made and include counter replacement

o        Pros Nickel, Copper & Bronze:

§         Non-rusting, visually unique

§         Copper will take on an aged patina depending on the type of care given

§         Nickel is harder and stronger than copper

o        Cons Nickel, Copper & Bronze:

§         Expensive to very expensive depending on size and design

§         May need polishing to retain bright appearance

Kitchen Sinks: Materials 1-3

A wide range of materials are available for the kitchen sink.  We have come a long way from stainless steel or cast iron being the only options commonly available.  Below is a brief review of some possible material options, including pros and cons of each material.

§         Stainless Steel:  Stainless steel kitchen sinks are still the most popular option.  They have broad appeal for their neutral, clean look and durability.  There are two main factors to consider in stainless steel. One is the thickness or gauge of the steel; the lower the number the thicker the steel, and the higher quality sink.  Second is the sound deadening ability.   Spray coatings achieve increased sound deadening along with special sound pads underneath the sink. 

o        Pros:

§         Very durable and long lasting, resistant to chipping and cracking, easy to clean

§         Available in under-mount or drop-in models and many innovative shapes & sizes

§         Provides a consistent look with stainless appliances

§         Affordable

o        Cons:

§         Thinner gauges may sound tinny and flex

§         May show dried water and mineral spots

§         Can scratch {less visible on brushed finishes}

§         Cast Iron:  These sinks feature an iron base coated with an enamel finish.  Traditionally white, they are available in an array of colors.

o        Pros:

§         Durable sink available in various colors, style, and quality

§         Easy to clean and maintain.

§         Have a glossy finish and nice sheen

o        Cons:

§         Can chip or scratch causing underlying iron to rust

§         Undermount installation more difficult due to weight and options are limited

§         Due to high degree of thermal conductivity hot water does not hold its temperature for very long

§         China:  Vitreous china sinks are also known as fireclay sinks.  They are made from material similar to ceramics that is fired under intense heat.  Like ceramic tiles designs and colors can be “baked in”.  Many farmhouse type sinks are made of this material.

o        Pros:

§         Repels stains, requires no special cleaning, and is scratch resistant

§         Decorative patterns and detailing can be incorporated into the design

§         Material is homogeneous; chips will not rust like cast iron

o        Cons:

§         Often expensive

§         Chips can occur from hard knocks with heavy objects

The next blog will review other options for kitchen sinks.

Kitchen Sinks: Installation Type & Features

There are basic and typical sink mounting techniques.

Top Mount:  This is the most traditional and simple approach.  There is a hole in the counter that fits the sink and the sink drops into the hole.  It is also called self-rimming as the sink has a rim that sits on the counter and supports the sink.  The rim needs to be caulked periodically around the edge.  The main disadvantage of a drop-in sink is the barrier between the sink and counter formed by the rim.  This often makes clean-up difficult and over time this edge may become unclean and unsightly.

Undermount:  Undermount sinks are fitted under the countertop and are much more functional from a cleaning standpoint.  As the sink hangs from the underside of the counter {or in the case of a heavier kitchen sink may have a designed cabinet mounting system} items can be brushed from the counter directly into the sink without any catch points.  Undermount sinks are typically used with stone or solid surface counters. 

Flush Mount:  This is the combination of the sink and counter using solid surface materials like corian. silestone, or concrete. Here, the counter and sink are fused together in a seamless design.  Installation is simple; the sink is already mounted and attached to the counter so when the counter is installed so is the sink.  A tile-in sink is also a flush mount with a grout line between the sink and tile but the two different surfaces flush.  Because of the issues with grout and maintenance tile counters are not a popular choice.

There are also many optional special accessories available with a new kitchen sink.  These include form-fitting cutting boards, drying racks, and colander baskets.  Many sinks have space for optional attachments such as lotion or soap dispensers, a pullout spray, or an instant hot water spout.

The summary message is that kitchen sinks are not all created equal.  They offer a wide range of options and features worth spending some time to become familiar with.  This will give you a better chance of finding a sink you will be satisfied with, will fit the look of your kitchen, and will make your kitchen more efficient.

Kitchen Sinks: Configuration and Size

Kitchen sink configuration refers to the sink’s overall design such as quantity of bowls, number of faucet holes, square or round corners, bowl depths, and sloped versus flat-bottom sinks.  Size is self-explanatory but I will review some of the size options and combinations to consider.  Both the size and configuration are important as they directly relate to use and effectiveness. 

The size of the sink or sinks and number of bowls relate both to the size of the kitchen and the usage.  A larger kitchen can easily accommodate larger or multiple sinks.  In a small kitchen a large sink may look out of scale and limit available counter space.  The number and combination of bowls in a sink are personal preference based on how you like to use the sink. 

• A single bowl sink can make washing larger pots or pans easier.  Larger single bowl sinks often take up as much space as double bowl sinks. 
• Double bowl sinks can make washing or prep in one sink and drying or a disposal in the second sink an attractive option.  Double bowls sinks can have two sinks of equal size or one large and one small with varying depths.  A new feature is a low-profile divider between the two bowls that allows a double bowl sink at times to function as one large bowl.
• Triple bowl sinks take up much more space and can be quite large.  Triple bowl sinks are typically combinations of various sizes and depths.

The number of faucet holes was reviewed briefly in the previous blog.  Basically the sink faucet holes need to match the faucet selected, plus any other counter top options such as soap dispenser, instant hot, or sprayer you may wish to have.

Square or round corners, bowl depth, and sloped versus flat-bottom sinks are other choices available. 

• Square corner sinks with flat bottoms are more modern and high tech but harder to clean. 
• Flat bottom sinks may not drain as well as a sloped bottom sink and can hold a small amount of water. If this is something that will bother you a sloped sink bottom is a better choice. 
• Deeper bowls seem at first a good selection but depending on your height, constantly reaching to the bottom of a deep bowl can be an annoyance and a problem.
• As mentioned above multiple sinks often have multiple depths and this can be increase functionality.

Bottom line is that you want a good looking sink but you also want a sink that works well for your personal kitchen use.  Various members of the family will probably use the kitchen sink every day, and several times a day.  Spending a little extra time and money to make the correct selection is a good first step.