Mosaic tile is a very good alternative for bathroom walls and floors. What makes these 2 inch or less, mosaic tiles such a good choice for bathroom floors is the fact that mosaic tiles have a multitude of tiny grippy grout lines that act as a slip resistant foil to help prevent unnecessary falls in your bathroom. Mosaic tile is also great for bathroom walls due to the almost limitless creative decorative patterns and options you can incorporate into your bathroom wall and floor design. Mosaic tiles come in many different colors and in rectangles, squares, random design patterns and many different forms of geometric figures to add character to your bathroom. Mosaic tiles come in numerous different materials from porcelain tile, ceramic tile, glass tiles and stone tiles. And the best part about mosaic tile is that most require very little upkeep except for maybe terra-cotta tiles that requires that you seal them at regular intervals. Read the rest of this entry »

So your choices are to rip out your old grout and tile or restore your grout to an attractive uniform color using a grout colorant. Today’s grout colorants are easy to apply, can last for many years and best of all can make your bathroom look good with half the effort of re-grouting your whole lavatory! Grout color, whether you are purchasing a dry mixture or wet pre-mixed grout will already have the color mixed in. But if you want a specialized color, in most cases, grout color can be applied to your tiling grout mixture depending upon the type of grout you used, urethane grout or cement based grout. You can also change your existing grout’s color after it has hardened by purchasing grout stain or some form of grout colorant. If you are mixing a large amount of grout, to retain color consistency throughout your grout for both your floors and walls, mix all the bags of grout together that you purchased and store in a dry ready to use container. Read the rest of this entry »

When you need to make precise cuts to a required shape or size when cutting ceramic tile, you need to use a ceramic tile cutting tool. From simple manual tools, attachments to power tools to full fledged utility wet and dry saws, using a tile cutter is fairly easy if you use the right cutting tool for the job. Snap cutters, wet saws, tile nippers, diamond hacksaws, scribing or razor knives, board scoring/cutting tool, chisels, ceramic tile circle cutter, the choices are many. All you have to decide is whether you want to use a manual tile cutter or an electric tile cutting tool to get your tiling job done in your bathroom. Read the rest of this entry »

If there is one thing that can drive a first time bathroom renovator crazy, it would have to be the bazillion faucets and fittings for your tub and sink. From period styles to fancy finishes, to center-set fittings and deck or wall-mounted faucets, there is no shortcoming of faucet choices. And while it may be common sense that tub faucets and fitting must be compatible with the bathtub that they serve, it is still tempting to select a bathtub faucet based on its looks alone. First and foremost you should be thinking about durability, you want to get a tub faucet that will stand the test of time. Comfort is another factor that should be taken into consideration; big graspable handles will come into play when trying to turn the knobs with slippery soapy hands. And let us not forget about selecting the appropriate size and design of spout to fit your tub. Read the rest of this entry »

When planning a new bath, hiring the services of a professional bathroom planner can save you time and money because they know what they are doing. Bathroom renovation projects normally require the expertise of a variety of bath professionals and craftsmen to get the job done. Especially if you are contemplating a complete bathroom makeover, there are going to be many tough planning decisions that will not only waste your time trying to figure them out but you may not have the proper knowledge or the qualifications to make them. Professionals such as interior designers, architects, general contractors, design/build firms, finish carpenters, electricians and plumbers can help you make those hard-hitting decisions. It will be comforting to note that once all the solid bath planning decisions are made the rest of your bathroom construction resolutions will normally fall into place. Read the rest of this entry »

Premixed urethane grout is a relatively new product to the bathroom home improvement market. It is a handily convenient grout that comes premixed in a bucket ready to use without the hassle of having to pour and mix the dusty dry ingredients of traditional cement and sand based grout with water. Instead all you have to do is open the urethane grout bucket, fold in the sand and polyurethane resins together by stirring with a flat edge and you are ready to grout. The benefit of using urethane grout over cement based grout is that the urethane grout produces a stronger bond between its sand particles and is color and stain resistant. Unlike traditional cement based grout which if you add too much water to the mixture can not only reduce the strength of the grout but can also cause discoloration and mottling when the grout dries, urethane grout is premixed for you. While urethane grout is a great product, there are several issues you should consider when using urethane grout to remodel the tile in your bathroom. Read the rest of this entry »

When building a new bathroom or upgrading your existing bath, there are many ideas for bathroom ceiling upgrades that go beyond simply changing your lighting fixtures, adding a ceiling fan or painting your popcorn ceiling red. If you want to go beyond the traditional superficial touch ups and really customize your lavatory ceiling to meet your particular taste or lifestyle then these bathroom ceiling ideas are sure to stimulate your design senses. From vaulted ceilings to coffered ceilings, here are 5 innovative ceiling types you can use to spruce up your mundane bathroom ceiling. You can incorporate these ideas into your bath yourself if you are a handyman or hire a professional bathroom designer or contractor to help you bring your vision to life. Read the rest of this entry »

Power tools are essential for professional bath renovators and the every day handyman who likes to tackle DIY home improvement jobs in the bathroom and around the home. Power tools are great because they not only help homeowners save time but they also make the job easier since you are not exerting as much physical energy compared to traditional hand held tools . However, with great power comes great responsibility and you must remember that as efficient as they are, power tools still need to be handled with care otherwise they can lead to unnecessary misfortune or injury. Regrettably mishaps can occur and those are usually due to negligence, boredom, overconfidence or lack of experience. While most first time bathroom renovators sometimes forget that redecorating their bathroom can sometimes involve hard hats and steel toes, by keeping the following 5 safety concerns in mind, you will be able to work safely with power tools while performing your bathroom renovations. Read the rest of this entry »

When considering new bathroom construction or a bath remodeling project, one of the most important aspects is that the electrical portion of the work meets the code. While many homeowners do some of the electrical work themselves, it is wise to enlist the services of a licensed electrical contractor. Improper installation can wreak havoc on your property with fire or injury. Electrical wiring, circuit boxes, and fixtures can represent a severe hazard if not properly assembled and installed so it is extremely important to select a qualified electrical contractor for your next renovation project. Read the rest of this entry »

 Showers are one of the luxuries of the modern world that we sometimes take for granted especially when we compare this modern convenience to the old pull cord showers that were taken outside in a partially hidden enclave with only a bucket of cold water dumped from above to rinse your shivering body. So it comes as no surprise that consumers have readily embraced all the new technologies and innovations in shower design that have been introduced into the bathroom remodeling industry. Especially in recent years, bathroom suppliers have seen an increase in shower and bath sales, a sure indicator that more and more homeowners are looking to upscale their bathrooms in a big way. Read the rest of this entry »