Melinda Rizzo
From smart, small changes to big impact renovations have those bathroom investment conversations up front with your interior design and construction contractor professionals.
Curb less shower or bigger than big tile? How about a standing tub, floating vanity or solid double vanity with plenty of elbow room and storage space galore?
There are many, many details that go into a bathroom renovation. It’s important to have a roadmap for your current and future needs, as well as a firm grasp of your likes and dislikes.
If you plan to sell your home in the near future, distant future – or aim to age in place – those life stages are additional factors to keep in mind when planning a new or refurbished bathroom space.
“People are thinking about the long haul,” said John Gemmi, owner of Gemmi Construction Inc., in Buckingham Township.
While the choices may seem endless – cabinets, sinks, showers and tubs, flooring, fixtures and fittings, materials, lighting and more, let your needs and wants drive a bathroom re-do or complete renovation.
“Clients are adding smart lighting and toe kick lighting, which is soft LED lighting that puts a glow across the floor” for night time trips to use the bathroom, Gemmi said.
And the bathroom layout is getting more attention from clients, as well as its ease of use.
“When we design a bathroom (or any space in a home), we look at the space as an opportunity to help the client express their personality through colors, materials or textures,” said Derek Schroeder, production manager at Rolf Schroeder General Contractors, Inc., in Ivyland.
Tile
Waterproof and durable, tile has been a perennial choice for bathrooms for centuries.
Traditional Building.com reports tile being used as early as the 4th century BCE (Before the Common Era) in the eastern shore area of the Mediterranean – or Holy Lands – now known as Israel and Palestine.
Tiles may be made of clay, stone or glass glazed and fired at high temperatures. Ceramic tile is the most common type of tile found in today’s homes; especially in the bathroom.
“Large format tile is huge right now – and these are single tiles measuring two by four foot,” Gemmi said.
Porcelain tile is often used for shower walls, and he said tiles sized at 12 x 24 inches is common.
“Tile size should be relative to the size of the room, and strike a balance between the size of the tile and the size of the bathroom,” Gemmi explained.
Schroeder said both bathrooms and kitchens are popular spaces for rich marble-like products, and its signature veining, without the maintenance of natural marble.
“We have been incorporating a lot more quartzite in our projects, since it is as hard and durable as granite but brings the movement, interest and rich veining – we all know and love – about marble,” he said.
Nancy Gracia, an interior designer and owner of Bare Root Design Studio Inc. in Newtown said Moroccan tiles, which require a specialty contractor for installation, are entering client conversations.
“Explore the materials you think you want to use, then make the decision if that is where you want to spend the budget. Ask yourself if it’s worth the bang for the buck,” Gracia said.
Moroccan, Zellij or Zelige tiles capture the colors and designs of Moorish artwork.
These patterns and settings convey an Old World look and feel to any room in which they are used.
Moroccan tiles are costly, so keep this material and its use in mind when crafting your bathroom budget.
Heated flooring; shower types and controls
What could be cozier than stepping out of a warm shower or bath and onto a toasty heated floor?
Heated flooring is becoming more requested by clients, according to Gemmi.
And Schroeder said clients are asking for more heated floor systems that can be controlled from smartphone devices.
With smart systems the shower can be turned on, temperatures can be adjusted and the shower spray can be ready before you step into the spray.
“On and off, temperature functions, whether that’s a body spray or hand held; rain head or shower head, with some systems you can control up to six functions and customize settings for various shower users in the household, Gemmi explained.
Leigh Nunno said advances in shower head types and designs are a huge plus in bathroom fixtures and fittings.
“People like to incorporate a standard shower and a rain head and a hand-held, which is really great for cleaning the shower,” said Nunno, a Realtor and associate broker at Melissa Healy Group at Keller Williams Real Estate in Doylestown.
She said mindful placement of the on/off toggle or faucet control located inside the shower stall can make a big difference.
“Placing the on/off switch for the shower at the entry, rather than under the fixture, so it is not under the neck of the face of the faucet” is a smart move, she said.
A protective coating can be applied by a professional to dramatically reduce water marks, soap scum and mineral build up, keeping your shower glass sparkling.
Source a glass company skilled in applying protective polymer coatings, or a specialty glass company for information about specialty protective shower glass finishes.
Schroeder said updated technology is being driven by consumer – and manufacturing firms—to reduce water consumption and conserve water resources.
“Shower heads and faucets are using less water [and] they are still giving the end user the same experience,” he said.
The water closet
Gemmi said when possible – either because there is a large enough space, or the layout allows – clients want a separate room for the toilet, known as a water closet.
Most water closet rooms do not have a wash basin or sink, but are positioned in or near the primary bathroom and are enclosed spaces for the toilet alone.
Schroeder said toilets in general, are using less water per flush. Dual flush toilets help conserve water, too.
“Toilets are coming with cleansing features, automatic flush, and proximity open/close sensors to help increase hygiene,” he explained.
Sensory faucets turn on and off, or work on demand and humidity detectors for exhaust fans may also turn off after moist air is removed from the bathroom, Schroeder explained.
Addressing costs early in the process
Gracia said she’s been surprised by primary bathroom renovation costs.
“It’s become more of a luxury space; and clients want to incorporate luxury materials,” she explained.
Natural stone is being used in showers and beyond countertops to create high end wall coverings.
“Slab stone showers increase cost and large format tile” also increase costs, she explained.
Gemmi advised having the budget conversation up front with your interior design and construction professional to set expectations and identify what you truly want out of a new or renovated bathroom space.
“I always start with the shower, as many eliminate the tub these days,” Gracia explained.
From shower heads, spray heads and hand held shower extensions, the bathroom can be an experience and she urges clients to think through the “bells and whistles” they really want.
Showers and fixtures may drive the rest of the material and style choices in the bathroom, too, from chrome to brass or black: polished or matte, so getting the shower right is an important first step to a beautiful bathroom installation or renovation.
Schroeder said bathroom inspiration often comes from a favored vacation spot, where a resort or spa vibe is the desired effect to recreate on a daily basis.
