Remodeling a bathroom is so exciting. We have been talking about fixtures, lighting, and flooring but the one thing that people don’t think about is ventilation. 

Bathroom ventilation fans are typically configured to exhaust air between ceiling joists. Improper installation of vents along with placement, airflow, and noise level can cause serious problems to arise. Moisture can end up in dark spaces which in turn causes humidity to condense and could potentially cause mold and damage areas within the bathroom. 

If you are going to invest the time and money to remodel your bathroom, you must consider the importance of proper ventilation. It will save you money down the road. 

Air Flow and Noise Level 

Airflow is measured in cubic feet per minute. According to the Home Ventilating Institute, for every square foot of floor space in your bathroom, your fan should have 1 cfm. 

The noise level on fans is rated by sones which measure the degrees of loudness. The quieter, the better right? 0.5 to 1.2 sones means that the fan is quiet. Fans with sones over 4.0 are considered extremely noisy. 

A lot goes into choosing the right fan for your newly remodeled bathroom. A quality fan is worth the investment. Dealing with mold, excess moisture can become costly. Consider the type of enclosure with your shower and the steam and vapor. The proper placement is key here. 

Installation Tips

  • Centering the fan in a small bathroom is reasonable for proper placement. 
  • In larger spaces, two fans may be necessary. Consider the spaces with the most moisture
  • Ensure adequate insulation around the hose or metal duct that leads from the fan housing to the outdoor louvered cover. 
  • Allow a gap beneath the bathroom door so that there is proper airflow and that exhausted air is not trapped. 

About Masters Kitchen and Bath

Masters Kitchen & Bath has been providing top quality construction, cabinetry, and design on kitchen renovations and remodeling since 2004. We coordinate and manage development, ordering, and installation. Masters help homeowners get more enjoyment from their homes with new kitchen designs that blend beautifully with their new or existing home decor. Visualize your complete kitchen remodel by visiting our showroom. Our seasoned project manager will inspect your job site, listen to your specific needs and considerations, and offer you design suggestions that best meet your needs.

We are proud to offer beautiful, and American made Decora and Kemper Cabinets.

Masters Kitchen & Bath serve the following areas: Addison, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Chicago, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Elmwood Park, Evanston, Forest Park, Franklin Park, Glencoe, Glenview, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Melrose Park, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Norridge, Northbrook, Northfield, Oak Park, Palatine, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights.

Last week we discussed planning your bathroom remodel. In the next few blog posts, we are going to dig a little deeper and get specific with each aspect of the remodel. We are going to discuss lighting options, proper ventilation, and plumbing.  

Plumbing

Let’s get started with plumbing. Plumbing can increase the overall expense of the remodel if you decide to move the existing plumbing fixtures. You can save a lot of money by avoiding demolition and renovation of current plumbing lines. However, the caveat is if the contractor discovers old pipes or wiring that is damaged, you won’t have another option. If the plumbing requires replacement, then it would be an excellent time to make a move to a new location.  

Plumbers need to do what they do best- plumbing. It’s a good idea to ensure that the repairs are accessible. This means that the contractor has removed the drywall so that the plumber can get to the pipes. Lighting may also be an issue depending on where you are with the renovations. Make sure the plumber has adequate light. Ensuring that these things are considered will help make the process go smooth and cut down on additional costs.  

Some things to consider when maximizing your bathroom space: 

  • Pedestal sinks are a great way to help open up space and make the room look bigger. 
  • Pocket doors help maximize the floor space by sliding into the adjacent wall, unlike traditional doors.  
  • Glass shower doors help stretch visual space because you can see clearly through it without obstruction. 
  • Mirrors are а great way to make a space look bigger. One large mirror will help reflect natural light.

 

Lighting 

Bathroom lighting can illuminate the dark areas and add a subtle, soothing ambiance. Wall sconces above the vanity provide task lighting, which is excellent for makeup application and grooming. Backlighting is very popular and helps save on space. Mirrors are lit from behind, casting a warm glow on the abundant space.

Overhead and ambient lighting is very important. Think of your favorite bathroom from the last hotel stay or someone’s house you visited. Create a spa-like space when planning out your bathroom renovation. 

About Masters Kitchen and Bath

Masters Kitchen & Bath has been providing top quality construction, cabinetry, and design on kitchen renovations and remodeling since 2004. We coordinate and manage development, ordering, and installation. Masters help homeowners get more enjoyment from their homes with new kitchen designs that blend beautifully with their new or existing home decor. Visualize your complete kitchen remodel by visiting our showroom. We also offer consultations where our seasoned project manager will inspect your job site, listen to your specific needs and considerations, and offer you design suggestions that best meet your needs.

We are proud to offer beautiful, and American made Decora and Kemper Cabinets.

Masters Kitchen & Bath serve the following areas: Addison, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Chicago, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Elmwood Park, Evanston, Forest Park, Franklin Park, Glencoe, Glenview, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Melrose Park, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Norridge, Northbrook, Northfield, Oak Park, Palatine, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights.

Turning your dream bathroom into a reality can be done in a few simple steps. We are going to share a few tips that will help you do that. Careful planning to ensure functionality, amenities, and design, will help you get the bathroom you desire.  

 

The Plan

Is this a shared space? If so, you will want to discuss the remodel with the people that will use the bathroom to make sure you are all on the same page. Before speaking to a bathroom remodel professional, make sure you discuss budget and prioritize your list of wants and needs. Be realistic and set proper expectations. With any remodel, know that the process can take longer than expected and you must be prepared for the unexpected. It would be wise to allocate some of your budgets for those unexpected repairs. Once you have a solid plan in place, seek out a general contractor, or bathroom remodel professional to help with the next steps. 

Depending on the size of the project, a bathroom remodel can take anywhere from 30-90 days. 

Remodeling project managers have tools and programs to help you visualize your renovation. The project managers can help you with design elements, flooring, paint colors, cabinetry, lighting, and fixtures. They can also help manage all the vendors and installers. 

Bathroom Layouts

Bathrooms come in all shapes and sizes. Typically most bathrooms have a toilet, sink, and tub. Half baths (also known as powder rooms or guest baths) usually have a toilet and sink. Half bath remodels can be a lot easier than a full bathroom remodel. It’s also a quick way to add profit and value to your home. Half baths are generally found in common areas of the house. 

In some homes, you might find a customized bathroom that may have an extra sink, custom cabinets, and floors or, other unique features. 

Wet rooms have become very popular and found in newer construction or remodels. What is a wet room exactly? A wet room is a waterproofed bathroom with a shower area that is the same level as the rest of the floor. Wet rooms are great as it could eliminate shower doors for a walk-in shower feel. Some people prefer an enclosure and glass partitions are great to reduce the over splash. Remember, if you choose to go the wet room route, the entire bathroom should be waterproof. 

Attached bathrooms, also known as ensuites, are connected to a bedroom. A master bedroom typically has an attached bathroom. You can find ensuites in a jack-n-jill bedroom layout as well. 

With bathroom remodels, you can get fun and creative. Since bathrooms are enclosed spaces, you don’t necessarily have to match with designs throughout the house. 

About Masters Kitchen and Bath

Masters Kitchen & Bath has been providing top quality construction, cabinetry, and design on kitchen renovations and remodeling since 2004. We coordinate and manage development, ordering, and installation. Masters help homeowners get more enjoyment from their homes with new kitchen designs that blend beautifully with their new or existing home decor. Visualize your complete kitchen remodel by visiting our showroom. We also offer consultations where our seasoned project manager will inspect your job site, listen to your specific needs and considerations, and offer you design suggestions that best meet your needs.

We are proud to offer beautiful, and American made Decora and Kemper Cabinets.

Masters Kitchen & Bath serve the following areas: Addison, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Chicago, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Elmwood Park, Evanston, Forest Park, Franklin Park, Glencoe, Glenview, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Melrose Park, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Norridge, Northbrook, Northfield, Oak Park, Palatine, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights.

Are you considering a bathroom transformation? We’ve got five critical things to consider before you dive into a major bathroom renovation. 

First, ask yourself, what are the significant reasons you are considering a bathroom remodel. Are you looking for more space? Do you need to improve the lighting? Is the bathroom simply outdated and you want an upgrade. 

 

1. Lighting 

Bathroom lighting is more important than you think. On average, people spend one hour per day in the bathroom. One-third of that time is spent directly in front of the mirror. It’s essential to decide whether or not you will need aesthetic lighting or functional lighting. Correctly placed lighting around the mirror for shaving or applying makeup can make a tremendous difference.  

2. Storage 

For smaller and more confined spaces, you’ll want to utilize as much of the area that you can. People often choose to install recessed medicine cabinets to help save on space. If space allows, people often decide to recess bathroom shelves for towel storage. If storage is important to you, carefully consider installing a vanity with plenty of drawer storage rather than doors. Drawers are easy to organize. 

3. Toilets 

Wall-mounted toilets have become very popular. It’s a great way to save on space, and the tank hides behind the wall. Wall-mounted toilets are affordable and make your bathroom space look updated and modern. Although the wall-mounted toilet is a significant consideration, be sure this is the route you want to take. Due to the way the toilets drain, if this is the route you are taking, know that it’s not as easy to revert to the floor-mounted option. It would require a complete rework of the plumbing supply. 

4. Shower Stalls 

This is where the remodel gets fun! Between frosted glass, tiled half wall or full glass wall, you have a lot of great options. Is privacy important? Do you need a door or could you consider a walk-in shower? Whether this is a DIY project or if you hire a contractor, ensure both experienced with all aspects of shower stall installation. If the shower is near a window, it’s important that the windowsill is sloped correctly. You’ll want to ensure everything near and around the shower is watertight. When it comes to shower floors, smaller tiles are best because of the traction and ease of slope installation. 

5. Bathtub or Shower? 

Are you a bath person? If you said yes to yourself, then a tub is something you need to put into the bathroom remodel plan. Do you have enough room for a shower tub combo? For some people, bathtubs are not a necessity and can help save on space. 

There is a lot to consider when thinking about a full bathroom remodel. Speak with a professional to share what you envision for your renovated bathroom. A project designer can help you come up with a solid and realistic plan and help you determine costs and help you stay within your budget. 

About Masters Kitchen and Bath

Masters Kitchen & Bath has been providing top quality construction, cabinetry, and design on kitchen renovations and remodeling since 2004. We coordinate and manage development, ordering, and installation. Masters help homeowners get more enjoyment from their homes with new kitchen designs that blend beautifully with their new or existing home decor. Visualize your complete kitchen remodel by visiting our showroom. We also offer consultations where our seasoned project manager will inspect your job site, listen to your specific needs and considerations, and offer you design suggestions that best meet your needs.

We are proud to offer beautiful, and American made Decora and Kemper Cabinets.

Masters Kitchen & Bath serve the following areas: Addison, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Chicago, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Elmwood Park, Evanston, Forest Park, Franklin Park, Glencoe, Glenview, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Melrose Park, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Norridge, Northbrook, Northfield, Oak Park, Palatine, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights.

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