The Counters Blog

If you’re planning on updating or renovating an existing bathroom, what would you like to see improved? If you plan on staying in the home for more than decade or for the rest of your life, building the custom bathroom of your dreams can make more sense. Take an objective look at your budget and take a realistic approach about what you can afford. Don’t skimp on items like the faucet, sink or toilet, for example, because this is a highly utilized area and you want things that are going to hold up. If you’re trying to do your bathroom on a budget, consider choosing just a couple of elements to remodel.It’s often essential to the home and the homeowner’s health that water-damaged or moldy structural elements such as the framing or subfloor be repaired prior to covering it again during the renovation process. An experienced bathroom remodeling contractor may be able to anticipate the possibility of these types of repairs, but it’s usually impossible to know what’s lurking beneath the surface until you look. Material costs can quickly add up, but they’re only a portion of your total budget. For instance, if you were interested in changing the location of the toilet, shower or sink, an experienced bathroom remodeler can help you determine if these layout changes would be prohibitively expensive for your budget. This can mean making sure your contractor uses tile-backing waterproof drywall (also known as green board) where possible, completely seals the floor and shower surround and applies sufficient waterproof caulk around tubs, shower pans and shower fixtures. Often used for showers, natural stone and travertine can actually be quite fragile and require special cleaning products.
Video San Antonio Pbra Bathtub Refinishing And Counter Tops | Duration 1 Minutes 46 Seconds Most sinks come in one of two styles, complete sink systems that feature an integrated faucet, spout or handle or sinks that feature three-hole setups to allow you to select your own sink fixtures. The type of sink you choose will directly influence the type of material you pick for your new sink. The most traditional material for a bathroom sink is vitreous porcelain. Granite and marble countertops are often more expensive choices. Depending on the style, size and material you choose, a bathtub itself can range from a few hundred dollars to many thousands of dollars. Conventional bathtubs come in a range of materials including enamel-on-steel, cast iron, acrylic and fiberglass gel coat. Installation options include freestanding bathtubs, bathtubs installed into alcoves and those installed on platforms. Walk-in tubs may be an especially good idea if you’re remodeling a bathroom to include safety features for an older resident or someone with limited mobility. The range of configurations for shower enclosures and surrounds are almost endless, but here are a few setups to think about with your bathroom remodel. These may be good product options if you’re seeking to install a new shower in an area such as a basement, as the one-piece configuration may cut down on time spent preparing the installation site or replumbing existing drain or supply lines. You can add glass shower doors and frames to an existing shower enclosure or bathtub/shower unit to give it new appeal while limiting the need for a whole-shower renovation. You may also need to clean glass shower walls and doors more often to prevent soap scum and mineral buildups. Tiles can be made of porcelain, granite and other stones, ceramic materials or even glass. Hire an experienced, professional tile setter to get the best results and don’t forget that you need to clean and seal grout on a regular basis to prevent mildew growth. While you take a shower, its patterns obscure your form from others while still allowing light to penetrate into the stall and more natural light into the room. When shopping for new toilets, don’t forget to measure both the new unit and your existing space. Strip lights installed over the mirror also ensure adequate, even light for grooming tasks. You can place recessed lighting anywhere, and it’s especially useful for lower ceilings. If you have a smaller bathroom, you can add multiple mirrors to convey the illusion of more space. Many homeowners choose gloss and semigloss paint and vinyl wallpaper for their water-repelling qualities. You’ll need to clean these floors regularly and seal the grout to prevent mildew from forming. Although possible, some flooring choices that may be used in other parts of the home may not work well in the bathroom, such as carpeting and wood flooring. Don’t hire unsolicited, door-to-door contractors or those who can’t prove their qualifications. Be aware that especially in bathroom remodeling, contractors will frequently find hidden problems. This is how the contractor will deal with the list of small items remaining to be completed at the end of the job. Answering these question will help give you a clearer idea of what you want the finished product to look like. For example, if every home in the neighborhood features just one bathroom, you could improve your home’s sales appeal by adding a second bathroom where one previously didn’t exist. If you plan on moving out of your home in the next five to seven years, a modest project that updates that bathroom for mainstream tastes may be a better option. Maybe you keep the floor but change out the sink to meet your budget. In any remodeling project, it’s a good idea to pad your budget with about 10 to 20 percent more money than you need for unforeseen problems that may be uncovered when work starts. Even a small leak from a feature like a toilet or a shower can cause large amounts of damage that can go unnoticed until floor or wall coverings are removed during a remodeling project. Other typical unforeseen problems can include out-of-date, inadequate or unsafe wiring or plumbing systems. The price depends on whether you build it in an existing space or build a new addition. Be patient, as you and your family may have to utilize your home’s other bathrooms or find alternative bathrooms outside the home if you only have one bathroom. When remodeling the bathroom, prevent structural damage and mold problems by making sure it’s waterproof.

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Bathtub And Counter Refinishing Austin, San Antonio, Dallas And Houston | Duration 1 Minutes 7 Seconds Because grout is porous, make sure the contractor seals that, too. Other materials, such as porcelain tile, may be more durable and easier to clean. Look for good bargains on decorative items that you can easily replace, such as cabinetry knobs, drawer pulls or lighting. Your remodeling project may include all or some of these features, so remember to plan where you invest your money wisely. A good rule of thumb is that the space in front of the sink and its cabinet or pedestal needs to be about 30 inches to allow for clearance. When choosing a sink that can receive differing types of hardware, purchase or select the fixture first to ensure it will fit in the new sink. Vessel sinks often come prepackaged with their own integrated faucet system or vanity. However, depending on the model, they may require installing the water supply or drain lines so that they’re hidden behind the wall, which can make their installation more difficult and expensive.

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Travertine Doctors | Restoration, Maintenance & Repair For Natural Stone Needs In San Antonio, Tx | Duration 1 Minutes 30 Seconds Granite and marble countertops are popular choices and can provide an upscale look to a new bathroom, but they come with some drawbacks. Because they’re porous, natural stone countertops can also be susceptible to stains if they’re not sealed on a regular basis. The most cost-friendly options include laminate countertops and ceramic tile countertops. However, changing the look of a bathtub by changing a few key features can dramatically alter its appearance. If you do decide to replace or renovate an existing bathtub or bathtub surround, plan to budget accordingly. When purchasing a new bathtub unit, don’t forget the additional costs of hardware, fixtures and installation, which is a job best left to a professional because faulty installation can result in water damage and mold or mildew growth. More exotic options include composite materials, wood and cultured marble. Soaking or garden tubs are deeper than conventional bathtubs, allowing the bather to immerse almost completely in the water. If you’re planning to renovate or alter your home’s shower, don’t forget that hiring a plumber may be necessary for any drain or water supply pipe alterations. But if the unit begins to leak water or deteriorate overall, you may need to replace the entire system rather than just one component. Be sure to think about all your options, including the metal frame materials, as they may corrode over time due to the constant exposure to water and steam.Synthetic shower surrounds offer many of the same easy installation benefits of one-piece shower units and maintenance is very easy. Sconces installed on either side of the mirror provide additional light for grooming. Wallpaper styles change quickly, and finding matching wallpaper down the road may be difficult. Much like any other tile option, you can choose from an endless array of patterns, sizes and textures. Vinyl flooring and linoleum floors are also waterproof, durable and easy-to-clean. By providing a rough idea of what you want the finished product to look like, the contractor can more accurately estimate the time and cost necessary to achieve your goal.

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Multispec_counter_top_refinishing__clear_coats_primer_sharkgrip_sharkthane_eah_210_822_9393 | Duration 5 Minutes 31 Seconds Make the effort to speak with the customers and ask them about their projects. Having an estimate in writing can help provide you recourse should something go wrong. Be cautious of businesses that list only a post office box address but no street address or that use an answering service. Don’t rely on the contractor’s word to know whether his or her license is valid. How will the project change your routine, especially with the bathroom? Check out these tips, regardless if you plan to replace, reface or refinish.

WOODWEB’S Finishing Forum by woodweb.com

Our air make-up unit becoming quite a problem since we moved into a new building. We have tried several tapes on top of the support bars, but they all seem to leave a rack mark. A portion of pieces when put next to each other have a noticeable different hue. I thought we had oak with pickled finish but may be an old (30) years maple species. I was going to change the fresh air intake for the spray booth, and wanted to know what others are doing for filters? I work for a small custom home building company in the northeast.It looks like someone ran the wood thru a rough planer with dull blades against the grain. We want to use only the spray gun, not wiping anymore, because it is a lot of chairs. Been considering for years to put in a moulding sprayer and offer our products ‘pre-finished’. Any advise from those of you that use it would be appreciated. Cougar guns and aren’t unhappy with them, but one of them has gotten old enough and beat up enough that we may be replacing it soon. The house is 4 years old and is being stripped and repainted for the third time now due to blistering paint. I didnt clesn my gun and everything froze in the lines, gun, etc back to the pump. Our customers are finishing companies, we currently do not do retail. I manage a shop out of which we build cabinets and built-ins. I would appreciate all recommendations on what works best for you. We are staining solid white oak chairs, and we are using a water based stain, a mediun brown. She keeps having streaks light and dark show up it the finish. Looks like fisheye but with a tiny dust spec that may be causing it.

Encinitas Cash Buyer by tomtarrant.com

Next we installed all new white vinyl dual paned windows and rear slider. It’s amazing to me that someone would put a brand new roof on and not fix all the rotten wood while they had the chance. The undermount stainless steel sink is a single bowl, zero radius style which is my favorite. There are only 3 homes on the market within a half mile right now. We took out a dumpster of demo stuff and scraped the popcorn ceilings first. Its good we took care of it now rather than have it pop up during the home inspection when we sell the house and then have to repair it after the house is painted. The kitchen layout is almost exactly how it was previously with the exception of added lazy susan, microwave, bigger pantry and a little more countertop space. We are doing a white ceramic subway tile backsplash with grey gout which you will see soon. I have already had potential buyers contact me for this house as well as agents who are hawking recent as-is sales looking for flips to sell their retail buyers. If you have a fixer upper you want to sell we pay cash and always buy as-is. You will have a new homeowner family there soon!