Posts Tagged ‘bathroom contractors’

Where to Find the Best Custom Bathroom Tile Designs

Wednesday, October 15th, 2008

There are those people who feel most comfortable when they are going with the flow and work hard to fit in with everyone else.  For them, the local home improvement store will likely have the right bathroom tiles for their homes.  Then you have the people that like nothing more than to be different and be the subject of conversation in everything they do.  Mass produced bathroom accessories aren’t going to cut it for them.  If you fall into this later category, you might be wondering where you are going to go for custom bathroom tile designs.  Luckily for you, there are plenty of resources to get you the product you want and tons of options for style along the way as well.

Custom Bathroom Tile Designs

Many people make the decision to pick out a lot of their design choices for the bathroom before they even bother to contact a contractor.  If this sounds like you, the first stop you want to make in your quest for unique and fantastic custom bathroom tile designs is the computer.  You already know that online sources are wonderful for all kinds of information and finding great tiles is no exception.  Going online allows you to find an artist or company that specializes in custom tiles across the country with no trouble.  Your biggest problem with looking for bathroom tiles this way is going to be trying to not be overwhelmed by all of the choices. 

As easy as it is to find custom bathroom tile designs online, it’s important to not overlook local resources as well.  Most mid to large cities have an art community.  Visit art galleries or festivals to get a feel for the kinds of artisans that live in your community. You might find just the thing you were looking for among these talented people.  It’s not beyond the realm of possibility to find an artist willing to paint unique designs on plain ceramic tiles for your bath at a reasonable price. 

For more information on custom bathroom tile designs

Painting Plastic Bathroom Tiles Can Be Tough

Wednesday, August 6th, 2008

There are all kinds of advantages to buying an older home.  In many cases, they were constructed with longer lasting materials than the ones that are used today.  They often have character that the cookie cutter style homes of modern times just don’t have.  With that said, you also may quickly discover that some of the design materials used in your house are a bit outdated and as such, look rather unattractive and without style.  For example, in the 50’s and 60’s, people actually sometimes used plastic tiles in the bathroom.  They are waterproof and inexpensive.  If you have this kind of tile and want to make a change, painting plastic bathroom tiles is really your only option.

Painting Plastic Bathroom Tiles

It’s not the easiest thing in the world to start thinking about painting plastic bathroom tiles, since many home improvement experts regard plastic as a special nightmare all on its own, especially if you have never done this kind of project before.  Even the most competent homeowner is unlikely to have seen anything quite like plastic bathroom tile before.  For this job, you really would be better off hiring a contractor.  While you are going through the interview process, make sure you check for things like licensing and insurance, but also be sure the contractor has experience with this specific job as it can be a difficult one.  You sure don’t want to end up with an even more unattractive bathroom than you started out with.

Professional home improvement contractors know which type of paint, abrasives, and primers to use to give your tile new life.  The homeowners that choose to leave the plastic bathroom tile do so for its vintage look and to save money on their remodel.  If you would prefer to have the tile removed and perhaps some ceramic or natural stone tile put in its place, it’s important to remember that collectors are often willing to buy plastic bathroom tiles at fairly high prices.  There is no reason to just throw it away.

For more information on painting plastic bathroom tiles

The Truth about Marble Bathroom Countertops

Wednesday, June 11th, 2008

You have so many ideas for your bathroom.  You want to walk into your bathroom and feel like you just stepped into luxury.  There are several ways to accomplish this goal, but none quite do the job like marble bathroom countertops.  Most of us think of marble as a material you only see in the art museum used for the finest sculptures.  The truth is marble can be used to enhance the beauty of any room in your home.  All you need is some idea of the options open to you, an experienced professional contractor to install the marble, and know how to take care of it.

Marble Bathroom Countertops

Some people shy away from the idea of having marble bathroom countertops because they think marble is only available in the classic white color with elegant gray swirling.  Marble actually occurs in all kinds of colors and even different textures in nature.  You aren’t going to be limited by a lack of color choices.  Other people are worried about marble holding up to the vigor of everyday bathroom life, but if it is installed and sealed properly, this isn’t a concern either.  There are plenty of choices open to you in picking your marble countertops.

In most cases, a general contractor should be able to work with you on the installation of your marble bathroom countertops.  Just to be on the safe side, you might want to ask for job specific references and perhaps some pictures of previous marble work the contractor has done.  It does take some practice for even professionals to get this kind of job right.  Ask for personal references if you know someone who has had marble work done.

Daily care is as simple as washing the marble bathroom countertops down with water.  You might want to use gentle soap and water when the material is very dirty.  Now that you know the basics, your ideas can finally take shape. 

For more information on marble bathroom countertops

Taking Care of Marble Bathroom Tile

Wednesday, May 28th, 2008

Especially for people who like the idea of a luxurious bathroom, the thought of marble bathroom tile is most likely an exciting one.  Who doesn’t want to come home after a hard day, sink into a warm bath, and admire a view much like the one found in the world’s finest homes and hotels?  However, in addition to being a bit costly, marble bathroom tile scares lots of homeowners due to the fear that it is hard to take care of and not strong enough to stand up to the job.  Never fear, here is some information about marble you may not have known.

Marble Bathroom Tile

It would be unfair to say that marble is the perfect material for any bathroom. The reality is you wouldn’t want to use marble in a bathroom where children can be regularly found.  Marble is very strong, but like all of the other natural stones, it is susceptible to cracking.  Marble is great for use in a master bathroom, however.  Another advantage to marble is that it can be found in all kinds of different colors and even textures.  If you have something specific in mind, make sure you mention it to your contractor.  He or she likely has connections that the average homeowner doesn’t and can help you find exactly what you want.

Just in case no one else thinks to let you know taking care of marble bathroom tile isn’t as difficult as you may have heard.  There are certain things you should know about it though.  You never want to use strong cleansers, vinegar, or abrasive cleaners on your marble surfaces.  They can damage the integrity of the material.  Some experts might say to use water only however, a gentle soap and water mixture works just fine.  It’s important to rinse the area with clean water.  This step eliminates the problem of soap build up.

If you have the desire and the means, marble bathroom tile is a wonderful addition to any house.  Besides that, you deserve to feel like royalty in your own home. 

For more information on marble bathroom tile

Preparing for Jetted Tub Shower Units

Wednesday, May 21st, 2008

Everyone deserves a bit of luxury at home.  After all you spend a great deal of money to live there and your house should be able to give something back.  One of the first rooms to think about when you think about pampering yourself is the bathroom.  While a solid gold toilet may be a great extravagance, choosing one of the jetted tub shower units is more useful and won’t have your family and friends questioning your sanity behind your back.  Like any home improvement product, you have to do some homework before you jump into purchasing and installing one of these units.

Before you can do anything else in choosing from the jetted tub shower units, you have to consider the space in which the unit will go.  You need to pick a spot where the access panel will be easy and convenient to reach.  You should also consider the type of unit configuration that will fit into your space.  Most of these luxury units come in corner, alcove, or drop in designs.  One of them should fit well in the allotted space.

Jetted Tub Shower Units

While you may be dying to get the boring part over with and get to the soaking and relaxing under jets, with your jetted tub shower unit, you also have to be certain you have the proper support.  Jetted tubs obviously weigh more than their traditional counterparts and may require that you reinforce the flooring under the unit.  Make sure you check the specs on each product you consider.  If it exceeds 30 lbs per square foot, you would be wise to strengthen the framing and underlying floor.

Another consideration while choosing your jetted tub shower units is to decide how you are going to limit the noise levels.  Many experts set these tubs in plaster of Paris to minimize the noise from the motor and protect the tub’s occupants from vibrations from the jets themselves.  It helps to have a good idea of how you plan to correct this issue before you go through all the trouble of installation.