Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010

So, the time has finally come to remodel your bathroom. You can see it now, your watching the sun set over the water while inside your shower, as four shower heads simultaneously grace your skin with water at the perfect temperature and pressure. This oasis inside of your bathroom washes away more than dirt, it washes away the stresses and worries of the day along with it - and then you wake up and realize you better start looking for a shower since the contractor wants to start the bathroom remodel in just a few days!

Perhaps your tastes and budget don't warrant the extravagance of the shower above but we all deserve a bathroom that is comforting and functional. Bathrooms regardless of how elaborate all pretty much have the same components: showers, tubs, sinks and toilets; so the shower you choose for your bathroom remodel is going to have a big impact on the bathroom itself and your quality of living when using it. That being said, choosing the right shower for you is important. We can begin this journey by looking at what types of showers are available and the benefits they offer.

TUB & SHOWER COMBINATION'S

Perhaps your bathroom space is not large enough to accommodate a separate shower and tub. For those of you faced with this dilemma, consider installing a shower/tub combination. These combination showers are available in pre-fabricated modules and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. A more popular option is to tile the tub surround in a material of your choice that provides a more elegant look and feel. One common problem with combination showers is the door. The least expensive and most common option is to install a shower curtain. Many people do not like the look of shower curtains. Although many extravagant curtains are now available on the market, at the end of the day it is still a curtain. The other option is to install glass panels or doors. These glass doors can be installed as sliding doors or as a hinged door, usually with one active and one inactive door.

SHOWER STALLS

Pre-fabricated shower stalls are available in a variety of colors, textures and layouts. Some feature recessed nooks for storage, or benches for sitting and relaxing. These showers typically come in one piece units, or in separate pieces that have to be assembled and include a shower pan, shower walls and sometimes a ceiling. Shower stalls can be installed between three walls or in a corner and range in sizes from 32" to 64" - but can also be custom ordered to accommodate special requests. These showers are affordable and very easy to install. Another benefit of these showers is that you will not have to maintain the surface as you would a traditional tile shower as there is no grout.

CUSTOM SHOWERS

When it comes to custom showers, the sky is the limit. A custom shower can be built anywhere there is plumbing access. Custom showers can be designed to fit any room or budget. A skilled craftsmen can build a shower pan to fit your preference, or pre-fabricated shower pans can be purchased. The obvious benefit of a custom shower is the versatility that comes along with it. You will not have to give up an features that you may want, or include any features that you will not use, they are built to suit. The shower can be tiled in any way you like, utilizing intricate patterns, colors and materials how you see fit. The opening of the shower can also be customized with a one off glass door, or even tapered glass blocks. The obvious detriment to a custom shower is going to be the cost. Purchasing the raw materials will be more expensive than buying a pre-fabricated shower but the real cost will be in the labor. Depending on the size and intricacy of your custom shower design, it can take a very long time to properly create it. Just construction a custom shower pan can take four days easily, as it has to be properly layered, graded and cured. You will also have to keep an eye on the grout, this will require annual resealing and eventually re-grouting. The biggest benefit to a custom shower lies in its name - custom. A custom shower can tie in with the room decor more so than any pre-fabricated shower and also will add much more value to the remodel.

When it comes time to purchase your shower for your bathroom remodel, take your time and do your homework. If the shower is your personal get away each day after work, than investing in a custom shower may be the perfect choice for you, if your remodeling a bathroom that is seldom used then a pre-fabricated shower may be just the product you need at a price you can afford. Regardless of which type of shower you choose, it needs to be correctly installed. We would love to help your choose and install your new shower, call us today to find out more.

Sincerely,

Paul Adrianse
Owner