Your Bathroom Remodel Questions
Below are questions provided to me by DIYers like yourself about bathroom remodels. If you want me to answer your question please send it to your DIY Guy or add it to the comment section below. I can’t promise that it will get published but I do try to answer them all. Here are their “bathroom remodel question” answered.
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Q. I really like pendant lights, can I use them in a my bathroom? K. Johnstone, Pasadena, CA
A. Yes, absolutely. However, the usage is a little different than in a kitchen or elsewhere since the space is a bit more constrained. Check clearances of nearby items to start such as linen cabinet or medicine cabinet door swings. Also, be sure that there is enough clearance at the vanity area; hate to hit it with your hand while coming your hair.
I have used them successfully in guest bathrooms and master bathrooms since these rooms tend to benefit from a little more bling. One guest bathroom I remember the pendant gave a prism effect when lit. It looked great.
Q. In my shower the what is the “turn off handle” called? S. Tuttle, Jeffrey City, Wyoming
A. This is the volume control shower trim (in most showers or tub/showers). So in the standard shower or tub/shower this handle(s) which can be a single handle or double handle serves two purposes. The first is to turn the water on and off. The second is to control the temperature which is done as you continue to rotate the handle. This decorative piece is referred to as finish trim because it goes on last to cover up the rough valve that is in the wall behind it.
When it comes to valves I recommend selecting the pressured balanced. In some areas, like California, this is the minimum standard. While in other areas it is an option. Basically, is automatically balances the pressure between hot and cold water so it remains consistent. Why do you need this? Ever take a shower when someone in the bathroom flushes the toilet or turns on the dishwasher and suddenly you have way too much cold water or you get a blast of hot water? Bet you have. Well this won’t happen any more with the pressure balanced valve.
Q. Do I need a GFCI outlet in my bathroom? M. Nettleton, Palm Springs, CA
A. Yes, you should. In some areas it is required by code so any remodel with a permit will require this outlet. It is usually included when any licensed contractor does the work. But, for a DIYer it is just a good idea.
The outlet contains a sensor that monitors the flow of electrical current through the outlet. When there is a disruption in the current the sensor activates shutting off the outlet stopping the flow of electrical current to the appliance. In plain english, when you drop your hair dryer in the sink, it will short out causing the electrical outlet to shutoff so you won’t get electrocuted. Outlets around any sink should have an GFCI outlet.
Q. Here is my bathroom remodel question: I want to install and undermount sink, what kind of countertop can I use? S. Agostinelli, Chicago, Illinois
A. An undermount sink is a great choice. But, you’ll need a countertop that can have a finished edge around the sink since it will be exposed. So any of the ‘stone’ tops are a nice choice: granite, quartzite, or quartz. Another option would be the acrylic materials like a Corian or Zodiaq by DuPont. Cultured marble is another option.
With the acrylics and cultured marble, or similar materials, they often have an option of an intergrated sink. This is a sink made out of the same material that is made as part of the countertop. If you are looking to update your bathroom this kind of sink would not be your choice because it was very common in the 1980s and 1990s. With the stone tops you can use porcelain or glass undermount sinks that you purchase separately.
Another seldom thought about option is wood. A nice wood top sealed properly looks really nice in the right setting. Also, there is no problem finishing the sink edge. Additionally, this is one of the few tops that can be done completely by you. Further, if you want a backsplash, no problem. Because a quick run through on the table saw can create a 1/2″ to 3/4″ thick piece at your desired height. Finally, for you DIYers doing the design and managing your project there are companies that will provide you with finished tops ready to install.
Q. Can I install my bathroom tile on the plywood subfloor? K. Stonel, Bay City, MI
A. No. If you had a concrete floor then yes. But when you have a wood subfloor then your need an underlayment. The purpose of the underlayment is to provide a more rigid floor that will prevent cracks in your tile. I say rigid, but maybe a better word is stable. Plywood can move with the house as it naturally shifts or settles. Plywood may lift or separate slightly at the seams which can telegraph through to the tile.
Consequently, by adding a layer of separation between the tile and plywood floor you prevent this from happening. A common material to use is cement backer board. Other products exist like the Ditra or Kerdi Waterproofing Tile Membranes by Schluter. If you are interested in adding heated floors then you might consider something like the underlayment by Prodeso which is designed so that you can run the heating elements throughtout underneath the tile.
To keep it simple add a layer of cement board on top of the subfloor (after removing your toilet). I would suggest putting it under the cabinets also if you are replacing them. But if not just run it up to the toekick and side of the cabinet. There is a process to installing cement board, so be patient (mortar bed, install sheet, screw down, tape and mud joints).
Q. Can I use a wood frame around my mirror in a bathroom with a tub and shower? A. Vanders, Amherst, Massachusetts
A. Framed mirrors are a beautiful addition to any bathroom. If you have a bathroom that is generally humid then I recommend working toward solving that issue. It is typically a ventilation problem. With that being said, by all means add a framed mirror.
In general I have used 3 types. The first one is to purchase a framed mirror from my local retail store or online company. These mirrors will come in predetermined sizes and colors. Another option would be to purchase a frame from a mirror frame company which can be cut to your size and installed around the mirror of your choice or you can select your frame trim material locally and cut it to fit your mirror. The other option that I have also used is to get the mirror made to the size I want with the frame trim detail I like specifically for the project. I have successfully used all three options, just depends on the circumstances.
Q. My bathroom remodel question is, What paint sheen is best in a bathroom? R. Head, Naperville, Illinois
A. Semi-gloss paint is ideal for bathrooms because it is easy to clean and is tough enough to handle the consistent humidity levels in a bathroom. Then you would paint the ceiling, walls and trim with the same sheen in the bathroom. But you don’t have to use the same color everywhere.
Paint tip. Keep the ceilings the same color throughout the house. Then use the new color for the trim (baseboard and case moulding around doors and windows throughout the house). I prefer to use one color for all the doors, if painted; but it may not necessarily be the color of the trim moulding. Walls on the other hand are a good way to change the mood of the room, so here is where I select my specific wall color from my predetermined color palette.
Even subtle color changes can make all the difference from looking like a designer selected your colors or the local painter stopped by with some extra paint from his job 10 years ago. So let your inner designer shine through.
Q. What is the proper height for the mirror? L. Ramirez, La Mesa, CA
A. I like to use a mirror as an accent piece in the room. So in the case of a bathroom, let’s say a hallway bathroom, I would space the mirror as follows. In a room with an 8′ ceiling I would leave a gap of 2″ above the backsplash and 2″ below the bottom of the light fixture (the lowest part of the fixture). Then on the sides I would leave a space of 3″ to 4″ from the wall and end of the cabinet. But for a wide mirror frame leave 4″ and for a narrow frame leave 3″.
If you have a 9′ ceiling the space between the backsplash and mirror would be increased to 4″; same for the space above between the mirror and light fixture. The side space would increase by 1″ on each side.
Design Note: In bathrooms, traditional or transitional styles, I like to go with a 4″ splash with the same material as the countertop, generally quartz. With a more modern design reduce the splash height to 2″ for a sleeking look.
Light fixtures are generally too low when installed by the builder. In rooms with an 8′ ceiling I place the fixture junction box (electrical box) centered at 86″ from the floor. But for bathrooms with 9′ ceilings I place the junction box at 92″ above the floor. Finally, in almost all cases if the fixture has hanging lamps (light bulbs) they are installed with the bulbs in a downward direction.
I would like to hear from you. What bathroom remodel question do you have about your upcoming project? Please add them in the comments section below.
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