4 Things to Consider When Renovating Your Washroom.
Renovating a washroom can be an exciting but daunting task. Whether you're looking to do a cosmetic upgrade to more modern finishes or fully change your design and layout, it's crucial to consider certain key factors before jumping into the project. By doing so, you can ensure a successful and satisfying outcome. Here are four important things to keep in mind when renovating your washroom.
Timeline
While washrooms are generally one of the smaller and quicker renovations for a homeowner to take on, the length of the project is entirely dependent on the planning stage. Ensuring your contractor fully understands the scope of the project along with pertinent details such as the age of the building, flooring and wall substrates, and any potential water damage issues is extremely important.
Additionally, with more recent supply chain and manufacturing delays, ensuring enough time for material purchases is essential. Some tiles, vanities, and trim kits require weeks of lead time — so ensuring your preferred materials can be delivered by your project start date is paramount.
Waterproofing
Proper waterproofing techniques are crucial for maintaining the integrity and durability of a washroom. Many people assume that a tiled shower perimeter is completely waterproof, but this is not the case. While many popular tile materials are essentially waterproof, the grout in between each tile is a porous material. Without a proper waterproof membrane behind the tiles water can seep through grout and create water damage, mold growth, and structural issues down the line.
There are different methods to waterproof a shower, some more cost effective and durable than others. Some popular waterproofing methods include liquid membranes such as Red Guard, and foam backers or sheet membranes such as the Schluter Kerdi System. Level Custom Build suggests the Schluter Kerdi System over other methods of waterproofing due to its reputation of lasting durability and low likelihood of failure.
Ventilation and lighting
Considering an upgrade to your ventilation and lighting when renovating your washroom is a good idea. Advancements for both fan and lighting options have probably been made since your bathroom was last renovated or built — meaning there’s likely many more efficient and attractive models available now.
Today's bathroom ventilation fans have a number of options that help make operating them more quiet, convenient, and efficient. Features such as integrated lighting, heaters, humidity and motion sensors, and manual controls may be great options for your personalized needs. Look for a fan with a sone rating of one or two to ensure your ventilation isn’t too loud.
Your washroom renovation is a great time to consider if the existing lighting setup is meeting your needs. Considering if your needs for lighting are based around tasks (ie. makeup, shaving), ambiance, or a combination of both is a good place to start. You can speak with your designer or contractor to find options for these needs, including: recessed lighting, LED mirrors, dimmer switches, shower niche and tub LED strip lighting, and more.
Maintenance and upkeep
Considering your commitment to cleaning is a consideration when deciding on your bathroom materials. High traffic washrooms require regular cleaning, but choosing materials wisely can help with the duration and intensity of that cleaning.
When it comes to tiles, keep in mind that the larger the tile and smoother the surface the easier to clean. While small penny rounds, hex mosaics, Zellige tiles, and pebble stones are very trendy and attractive — they are considerably more high maintenance and may require specialized cleaning tools. Opting for a large format porcelain, ceramic or natural stone may be a smarter choice for your space and schedule.
Considering your grout colours can also help with the appearance of a clean washroom. At Level Custom Build we rarely recommend a stark white grout (which tends to naturally yellow and collect stains over time). Instead, we opt for an off-white like Mapei’s Avalanche which ages with far less colour distortion.
Lastly, be sure to pick a shower trim kit and faucet that stand the test of time. While matte black looks sleek and stylish, some cheaper painted pieces can start scratching and peeling after exposure to cleaning chemicals and scrubbing.
While bathrooms are one of the smaller projects a homeowner can take on, they can still be overwhelming for people new to the renovation process. At Level Custom Build we pride ourselves on open communication and education for our clients to fully understand the process, materials, and what quality means to us.
Visit our contact page to get a quote started for your bathroom renovation project.