Bathroom taps are a key part of any new bathroom design, today on the market there is every conceivable style and shape. In years gone by you could tell the age the tap originated from just by its look, Georgian, Victorian etc. Today you can get all of the old retro styles as well as the modern types.

In the past taps were an item purely of function nowadays taps are made into a feature of a wash basin or of a bath, be they chrome or gold plated, modern or retro, lever or standard turn taps. Your choice taps say something about you.

Whatever style of bathroom tap you’re after if you look hard enough you’ll find it. There are literally thousands of styles available. You can now get taps that produce filtered water, taps that have a light in them which turns on when the tap is running

Most modern homes go for taps which are both elegant and durable, as well as something that can stand the test of time and not look too out dated in two or three years. I’ve known people who when they wanted to change the whole feel of their bathroom they’ve simply removed the taps and themed the bathroom around the new taps, much more economical than replacing a whole suite.

Italian design and manufactured bathroom taps are generally very good quality as well as being affordable, Italian styling is always popular with a hint of cutting edge fashion.

Most plumbers merchants, previously solely interested in trade business have now opened their doors the man on the street and realised the market for good quality bathroom accessories is growing hugely each year. Most merchants now have a plush showroom with every conceivable bath, shower as well as a collection of bathroom taps to compliment all bathroom suites and tastes. Here you should be able to find the style you are looking for as well as being able to try before you buy. Trying before you buy is very important where taps are concerned, you don’t want to buy a tap that judders and grinds every time you turn it on, generally with taps when they’re fitted they stay fitted for a few years at least. Don’t be put off from buying taps online though, still use your plumbers merchant to test the tap, get his very best price, they will offer discount if you ask, check out the web to see if you can find the same tap and compare prices from there.
Ensure taps are kept clean and free from grit, if grit gets into the mechanism it will wear away the moving parts and greatly reduce the life of the taps, as well as this it is advisable that you handle the taps with great care so that you ensure a longer life of service and make sure that every care is taken when fitting the taps.

In these days of progression and choice where every conceivable type of tap is available one thing is unavoidable, one day you will be woken up in the middle of the night by the dripping of a far off designer bathroom tap.

I try to pass on my musings on life and experiences in a way that people may find interesting to read.

www.designer-bathrobes.com

You may not always agree with my writings but I hope to inform.

Harwood E Woodpecker

So you have finally decided to attempt the dreaded remodeling of your old bathroom. Today giving your bathroom a face lift is much easier that it used to be. No more need to dread it. With the tools and products we have at our disposal today remodeling your bathroom is almost a breeze. We all want a nice, comfortable place to zone out after a long day at work and what better place to do that than in your own bathroom.

Lets start with the quick clean up, grab a anti mildew cleaning spray and clean the whole bathroom. For those of you that have tiles, no need to remove them. Clean them very thoroughly with the mildew cleaning spray then for my little secret. We all know of those new “bleach pens”. take the bleach pen and go over all the grout between the tiles. This will kill mildew (if there is any) as well as clean out all the crud and dirt that just does not want to come out. Your grout will be white again and look like new.

Next is a simple and really cleans up the look of your bathroom. A fresh coat of paint. Clean your walls, fill any cracks or holes with some putty and then apply a new coat of your favorite color. Don’t rush with the paint job, a clean cut paint job will make the bathroom look that much nicer.

For those of you that have the caulking around the bath tub and it’s peeling off or is stained this might be the easiest thing to fix and it will make a world of difference. With an exacto knife or a razor blade, carefully slice off the existing caulking and then clean the area. then with new caulking, try to evenly disperse the caulking along the sides of the tub. Then moisten your finger and press it down all the way around the tub, to make a nice smooth finish.

Now that that’s done, its time to think about the main furniture in the bathroom (the focal point). A new bathroom vanity can do wonders when remodeling your old bathroom. Today, bathroom vanities are made of solid hardwood and are very durable, not to mentions modern and very stylish. Today’s bathroom vanities bring a certain elegance and style to your bathroom. With a large range of looks, colors and styles there is a bathroom vanity that will complement your style. From simple tempered glass counter tops to luxurious marble you are sure to find one that you like. Most bathroom vanities are available in a set including the matching mirror and side cabinet. If you have the space, a side cabinet is a great addition to any bathroom. It adds style and some much needed storage space in most cases. Also made of solid hardwood, the side cabinet is a very durable and stylish piece.

All in all a renovation of your bathroom can be simple and if you are planning to sell, a small investment can really increase the value of the house.

Written by Ken Haligua on behalf of http://www.shopbathroom.com We sell high quality bathroom vanities and accessories at very reasonable pricing and shipping is always FREE.

Other than the kitchen, the bathroom is the most used room in the house. But unlike the kitchen, a well-designed, decorated, and accessorized bathroom is more than just a place for personal hygiene. With creative bathroom decorating ideas you can turn your bathroom into your own personal spa-like retreat where you can escape from the world, relax and rejuvenate yourself.

There are two main considerations for decorating a bathroom. First, if you’re in an older home remodeling bathroom ideas are more challenging because older homes typically have much smaller bathrooms then homes built over the last 20 years. Still, decorating a small bathroom can often be easier because small subtle changes can have a much larger visual impact. The second consideration is the amount of money you’re willing to spend.

The Details in the Budget

Whether your bathroom is large or small one thing is certain, you’re going to have to spend money if you want an updated bathroom. How much money you need to spend depends to a certain extent on the size of your bathroom and how much updating you feel you need to do to give the look and feel you desire.

If you only have a couple hundred dollars to spend then generally you’ll be limited to mostly cosmetic changes such as paint, hardware and accessories. Though this may not be much money to spend, don’t discount the effect that a new coat of paint, some new hardware on the doors and drawers, and some additional accessories such as an inexpensive prints or new towel racks may have on your bathroom. Often that is all that is necessary to give your bathroom a very fresh and updated look.

If you’re willing to spend a little more money, say $300-$600, then your budget could also include things such as shower curtains, rugs, upgraded towels, additional storage units and/or mirrors, and perhaps even additional or upgraded lighting. Throwing a beautiful rug on your bathroom floor, and adding storage units and unique mirrors can definitely change the look and feel of your bathroom. And since we all judge the quality of a hotel by the quality of their bath towels, having those plush bath towels in your own bathroom certainly goes a long way to making your bathroom feel more luxurious. Updated light fixtures can also add that additional touch of elegance that can really set your bathroom off.

Beyond this point, ideas for bathroom remodeling tend to include the more costly aspects of decorating including changing out fixtures, sinks, toilets and bathtubs, and adding additional furniture. If you’re somewhat handy you may be able to replace the sink and tub faucets on your own, perhaps to the more currently popular darker oil rubbed looks or polished nickel. Beyond that, replacing sinks, vanities and bathtubs will generally require a contractor and/or plumber. You must be very careful when using a contractor since this is typically where the cost of bathroom remodeling can quickly jump by thousands and thousands of dollars.

A couple of other options available that can offer some bathroom remodeling help include simply resurfacing your bathtub instead of replacing it. Resurfacing is only a one to two day process and can generally be done for around $500 or less. Re-grouting or re-tiling walls is another option that can easily brighten the bathroom for minimal cost.

Finally, one of the newer methods of giving your bathroom an updated look is the installation of acrylic liners over your old bathtub. Your bathtub is measured to ensure a perfect fit, and an acrylic liner is molded and inserted over the old bathtub. This method can even be extended to the shower and walls and can this give your bathtub, shower and walls a totally updated and new look. Acrylic liners can cost anywhere from $700 to well up into the thousands depending how much you want to have done.

Our bathrooms, unlike many other rooms in the home, tend to be very personal to us. It’s the first place we go in the morning and the last place we leave at night. We spend a lot of time in our bathrooms, and we want to come away feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Great bathroom decorating ideas don’t necessarily have to be expensive, they just need to provide a bathroom that is warm, inviting and comfortable to be in. A well designed bathroom helps us prepare for the day ahead. Update and Enjoy!

Cindi Collins is a mother, writer, and part time interior designer. If you enjoyed these decorating ideas you can find additional bathroom decorating ideas at Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

Are you looking to add a little oomph to your bathroom but are not sure how you want to do it? The answer is simple. It’s probably something you’re never even thought about. What can it be you may ask? The answer is new shower doors. They are easy to install and can dress up your bathroom.

With a hundreds of door style types available, you’ll have numerous choices of glass styles and hardware finishes. Depending on your budget, your tastes, and your home’s design, you may want to consider some styles of glass which are beyond the plain pane variety.

• Obscured or frosted glass offers privacy with an opaque view of the world.
• Etched glass either plain or obscured puts some tasteful flair on display.
• Glass blocks provide eye-catching decorative highlights as well as privacy but at a higher cost.

They are pretty simple to install as long as you take your time and pay attention to what you are doing. Follow these steps and be sure to follow these in the correct order listed and you’ll be singing a new tune in your new-looking shower.

Starting off -

• Measure the inside area for the shower door first and then transfer the measurement to the track.
• Using a hacksaw cut the track 1/16″ shorter for an easier fit. Use a miter box for straight edges. You may need to round off the corners with a file if your shower has rounded corners.
• Center the track in place on the shower or bathtub sill, and secure it with tape.
• Snap the side rails into place and don’t forget to use a level to check for plumb
• Mark the holes for mounting the jambs, along the both sides of the curb.

Mounting the Door Frame -

• Now, remove the curb and jambs.
• Drill the mounting holes, using a 3/16″ drill bit. Mark the holes with an awl to make a dimple for your drill bit. You will need a tile-cutting bit for tile walls.
• Tap the plastic wall anchors into place. Wipe any remaining dust from the work surface.
• Apply caulking inside the lines for the track, and set the track in place. The track has weep holes on one side for draining. Try to keep them on the inside of the shower.
• Set one side rail into place, and secure it to the wall with screws. Slide the header onto the other side rail, and slide the other end of the header onto the rail on the wall.

Installing the Door -

• Install the rollers on the door by screwing them into place. The doors hang from these rollers and allow them to slide along the track. They are installed in diagonal slots so they can be easily adjusted.
• Install the inside door closest to the showerhead. This prevents water from leaking through the gap and dripping onto the floor.
• Set the bottom of the door into the shower area. Push the top part into the track letting it hang from the rollers. Then, hang the second door and push both doors to one side. Set the center guide in place, and drill a pilot hole through the side of the tub. Secure the guide with a screw.
• Place rubber bumpers over the screws in the side rails.
• Attach the handrail to the door.
• Caulk the corners where the sides meet the wall and where the track meets the sill.

For more information on topics such as this, check out Magsforless at www.magsforless.com.

They sell a variety of magazine subscriptions on gardening subjects along with hundreds of other magazines on any subject you choose.

With an extensive list of cheap magazines to choose from and the cheapest prices available, they stand out from the competition.

If your home includes a small bathroom, and knocking out walls is not an option, then you’ll need to consider the best ways to maximize space and making that space look bigger.

Maximizing the Space

In terms of your bathroom fixtures, you should probably just keep the basic arrangement unless it absolutely does not work. Removing and replacing bathroom plumbing fixtures can be a big job, and there may not be that many options in a small bathroom for a new arrangement. However, you might want to consider replacing older fixtures with the new smaller fixtures that have been introduced. Another improvement to consider is replacing your current fixtures with new combination fixtures. Several new combo fixtures are available now to perform several functions within one space. It might even be possible to add a steam bath, a sauna or a whirlpool in a remarkably small space.

Another way to maximize the space of a small bathroom is to get rid of any accessories that are taking up floor space. You might get away with using a towel caddy or a plant stand in a larger bathroom. But having extra things on the floor beyond the basics really isn’t a good idea. Try to find items that provide similar functions which can be attached to the wall or hung from the ceiling.

Making a Small Bathroom Look Bigger

Let’s start with color. Light colors make a room look bigger. Of course, the lightest color is white. But if you don’t like the idea of a white bathroom, pale colors often work as well as white. Another option would be to add an occasional row of pale colored tiles in the midst of white tiles. If your decorating budget doesn’t allow for replacing the tiles right now, it is possible to paint them with paint made just for that purpose. Painting your tiles and adding a new shower curtain could make a big difference in the perceived size of your small bathroom.

The next trick for making your small bathroom look larger is to add any design elements that draw people’s eyes upward. Additions like crown molding or high shelving add to the illusion that the room is really bigger than it is. Surprisingly, large floor tiles instead of small ones also give the impression of a larger room. Another trick for enlarging the room is to use clear shower doors. If you can see all the way to the back wall when you go into the bathroom, your eyes will be fooled into thinking the room is larger.

There are several options for dealing with a small bathroom. In terms of maximizing the space, think multifunction, hidden spaces and high spaces. To make your small bathroom look larger, use pale colors, high decorations, and lots of glass and mirrors.

Article provided courtesy of My Bathroom Guide - a resource for bathtubs, shower stalls, and bathrooms.

Spring is here and we’re again focussing our attention on our homes - inside and out. The ‘trend that sees no end’ is the porcelain vessel sink and it’s heating up the home fashion runway!

If you’re planning on a bathroom reno or starting from scratch, we anticipate that you’ll be looking at one of these truly artful pieces to enhance your bathroom decor. These vessels are being elevated to bathroom sculpture and will have you and your guests talking for some time. It’s the new focal point in bathroom chic!

We’re taking a second look at the white porcelain sink and we hope you do as well. We all have memories of the ones we grew up with, which were tiresome and nondescript, but the new porcelain vessel is keeping pace with its current contemporaries and enjoying a steady ‘re-trend’ as elegant and functional bathroom art!! We reviewed our resources, and asked industry experts a simple question. Why!? Why would we consider the ceramic vessel sink as a focal point in our bathroom when there are so many other materials and exquisite styles to choose from? Stone, handblown glass, mexican Talavera and much more? Come on now, convince us!

The appeal had a ‘wow’ factor which was unanimous: 1. durability 2. versatility 3. affordability 4. style-ability.

Manufacturers have looked to the past and kept the best in terms of practical features. They knew that most consumers still had a sense of appreciation for a fresh, sparkling, hygenic look which were the practical and functional features of the past. However, a much needed makeover was what was required. So what we’re seeing today is a revamp in form and color - truly intelligent designs are taking center stage in fashion magazines everywhere. We love these ‘re-trends’!

Because of the potential to add height to your existing counter, vanity cabinet or console, you may wish to consider bathroom furniture with a height between 28″-34″. Bathroom vessel faucets will also be a consideration. Are you looking for wall mounted or deck mounted faucets. Wall mounted may mean you need to consider new plumbing. Deck mounted may work beautifully with existing plumbing. If you’re starting from scratch, evaluate both models. Some vessel sinks will naturally work better with one style or another, but your favorite online or brick ‘n mortar experts should be spending time with you to review all your options. If you’re not getting satisfaction, then we say ‘upgrade’ your expert!

With our attention on renovation and costs, it makes economical sense to suggest to our homeowners to work with what they already have. Why throw the baby out with the bathwater (wow!…did we just make that up or what!). Our decorating experts say that adding expense isn’t always the best plan of action, when a tiny adjustment may be all that is required. What we’re saying is, no need to also purchase a new tub and toilet. You need a strong focal point to start with and then add features such as tile, color and decorating touches. You’ll soon be in your own spa-within-home getaway retreat that you so rightly deserve. And by the way, we know that style and affordability can be said in the same sentence here! These porcelain sinks just keep getting better and better. If you like formal or contemporary, there are no shortages of designs or color! We know our time is precious and we’re happy the internet has made it possible for us to make the best and highest use of our time. We want a more simple plan for you and your home life. So really have fun with this and happy decorating.

Lynn Gray is an entrepreneur, web publisher, facilitator, past owner of an actual brick ‘n mortar home furnishing store, international selling artist and facilitates courses for women starting out in business and often coaches them for free.

http://www.exquisite-bathroom-vessel-sinks.com is her first website.

Bathroom and toilet officially speaking is a bathroom unit. A space it takes makes only 6-8% of the general flat area, but considering its importance it is out of competition. It is possible to imagine an apartment without any room or even without a kitchen (there is no kitchen as such in “studios”, it is joined with the living room), but it is quite impossible to imagine an apartment without a bathroom unit. Major repairs of a bathroom unit is technically quite a difficult task, it is not a joke. You should leave this work only for highly skilled specialists.

At first, if a quality of mounting and finishing works can be checked by anyone (for example, a wall is curved, a window or a door does not close, or tiles are put roughly), then a quality of plumbing mounting, sewage and electrical systems you can’t check.

And secondly, as a result of bad work your neighbours can be flooded, constantly clogged sewage system, short circuit failure in the electric wiring due to the contact with water and other serious problems.

We have already written a lot about floors, ceilings and walls, therefore I will remind you briefly that all the materials must be water proof, and there must be damp proofing on the floor. It is also very important to observe the geometry of your bathroom; otherwise it will be difficult to put tiles and to place sanitary equipment in a right way.

Electric wiring and electrical equipment.

A bathroom and a toilet impose the special requirements on everything that is related to electricity. An electrical equipment, used in a damp room, must have grounding, wiring must be three-wire (phase, zero, ground). Lamps, wall outlets, switches are used with the degree of protection.

Water supply and sewage system.

Steel, copper, metal-polymeric and polypropylene pipes are used for hot and cold water supply. PVC pipes are used for the sewage system. Water is cut off by ball stop valves. If plumbing specialist uses screw-thread connections, it is important not to brick them up in a wall to have an access to them. The welded connections of steel pipes must be grounded to avoid corrosion. It is necessary to put pre-filters on all water-pipes to avoid damages of expensive sanitary equipment. It is better to set filters with drainage, as it facilitates their service.

While connecting towel dryer “childish” error is the wrong supply of hot water. If sanitary technician says that it is impossible to supply hot water to a towel dryer, trust him and set an electric towel dryer. Sewage-pipes are mounted with a slope of about 5% and if possible avoid corners of 90°. I strongly recommend buying all the pipes and sanitary engineering armature only of the known producers and preferably in the specialized shops. Revisory access holes for the maintenance of plumbing-sewage system must not be too little, otherwise their purpose is lost and in case of some problems it will be necessary to break the walls. All of these are basic moments of plumbing and sewage system mounting, and in general all of this must be the business of your sanitary technicians.

Let’s discuss ventilation.

It is obligatory to mount drawing ventilation. What should be considered when buying a ventilator? First of all it is its power, it must correspond to the size of a room, and second it is its noise (measured in decibels). Both descriptions are specified on a ventilator.

Sanitary engineering equipment. Here we will discuss mixers, water heaters, ceramic bathroom fittings and etc.

For a shower and a bath pay attention to the models with a thermostat. There are two regulators in them. One regulates a temperature, and another regulates water pressure. To my mind, it is exceptionally convenient.

Pay attention to toilets flushing systems, which are wall mounted, and wall toilet sinks for them.

Electric water heaters.

They are divided into running and storage. Running water heaters are smaller, but are more powerful, than storage ones. It can reach 16 kW. Having a lot of other electric devices in an apartment can create heavy load on your electric system.

Whether to have a spa or not - I will not advise anything, because a good bath is a very expensive thing and it’s up to you to decide, whether to pay £1000-£3000 for it. I will only tell you, that connection of a spa does not differ from ordinary bath connection. I hope that these information will help you during repair works, when buying materials and dealing with builders.

Arthur Prudent is a developer of Builders London: bathroom, kitchen installation - web site offering all aspects of builders services.
Builders London: Major repairs of bathroom unit.

A large bathroom with a huge window overlooking a terrace with Japanese garden of stones for the majority of us is still an unreal dream. We always want more than we have it seems. And in severe city conditions even a relatively large bathroom never appears spacious enough to realize all of our projects. But what is different today is the desire for functional space-efficient ideas which are attractive and stylish too.

So A kingdom is too small, as the well-known stepmother from a fairy-tale Cinderella told. What if we try to solve a problem using internal space? If there is absolutely nowhere to take square meters from, then it is possible to try to get them virtually, simply creating their visibility.

Development of modern systems of installation allows placing all of the items of sanitary equipment not on their usual places, but where we need, that will allow getting if not meters, then at least a few tens of centimeters. A winning solution is having not only corner bath, shower cabin, but sink and toilet as well. If it is possible, try to place a bath or shower cabin fully or partly in a niche. After that you should pay attention to bathroom equipment. For a small bathroom it is possible to choose the specially developed programs, mini bathroom equipment, occupying less space. There is a special doll’s house effect, when everything seems larger relative to the diminished objects.

Leave the walls free from huge elements, only light glass, metal, rarely wooden shelves can be used. You should not misuse too much accessories. It was considered for a long time, that ceramics of large size was preferable for small space. Nevertheless, it was proved, that mosaic makes small room visually larger. An interesting idea is to use stained-glass windows usually fitted in not too deep built-in niches and illuminated. Then it seems that there is not a blank wall, but a window to a unique, even magic world there.

The most simple and accessible method to move apart the scopes of the reserved space is considered to be a mirror. It optically increases it exactly twice, because it reflects the size of a room. And the smaller is the bathroom, the larger should be the mirror. Mirrors can be not only on their traditional places above a sink, where they, certainly, play an important role, but also everywhere on the walls, even replacing them, if it does not cause negative emotions for owners. And what if there is a desire to luxuriate in foam bath, not feeling weight of a ceiling?.. Well there are some other ways for this purpose, including multilevel false ceilings with special illumination, stained-glass ceiling, with a view of star sky or something else pleasant to look at…

With the right planning, even the smallest of bathrooms can appear larger, and provide storage space.

Trying to extend the space around us at least visually, we are trying to compensate what we miss in real life. Sometimes it is successfully and sometimes not. Until a large bathroom with a huge window overlooking Japanese garden, finally, becomes a reality.

Arthur Prudent is a developer of Builders London: bathroom, kitchen installation - web site offering all aspects of builders services.
Builders London: bathroom space

BATH PANELS - TYPES & FITTING GUIDE

The following is intended as a guide only and cannot be taken as a definitive or binding document. Manufacturers’ instructions when available should be followed, and the installer should be qualified and have an amount of experience and ability.
Bath panels are available in several materials, and the usage as well as the bath installation should be fully considered when selecting a panel.

Acrylic panels - Main advantage waterproof.

These are moulded sheets manufactured by the bath companies to accompany their bath ranges. The sizes are limited and will allow little or no adjustment to height; it is therefore imperative that they are supplied for fitting at the same time as the bath.
The fitter must check that the height restriction will not affect the plumbing requirements ,and that the floor is relatively level. An allowance for the thickness of the floor covering should also be considered.
Some acrylic panels are supplied with clips that fit to the floor or under the bath rim, but it is advisable that a sub frame is constructed to keep the panel in place and assist reinforcement. Front and end panel combinations are relatively easy as most acrylic panels have moulded ends for this reason. Use ‘Velcro’ to hold the panel in place which allows easy access to the plumbing.
Cut with a fine tooth saw if necessary.

Aftercare - Clean with soap and water.
Small scratches can be polished out with a rubbing compound.

Veneered or ‘wrapped’ panels - often available with loose plinths which allow height adjustment.

The usual thickness of these panels is between 15 and 20mm, which means that with some bath constructions the support legs and cradles can obstruct the panel. An initial check is advisable, remembering to take into consideration the loose plinth which is fixed to the back of the main panel (effectively doubling the thickness at this point). A flush finish is advised. Although it is not incorrect to have the panel protruding over the bath rim, this will result in water collecting on the ledge and, in time, penetrating the panel.
Although these panels are relatively solid, a sub frame of at least floor and wall battens should be used.
The advantage of a loose plinth cannot be under estimated. With the correct order of installation being recommended as:

1. The bath
2. The plumbing.
3. The floor covering
4. The bath panel

As the panel is left until last it needs to fit precisely. A loose plinth allows the tolerance lost with a fixed panel.

Adjusting the height of the panel with a loose plinth.

Measure the panel and plinth height, and allow for the plinth to fit and fix behind the main panel with a suitable overlap (normally a minimum of 40mm); this gives the maximum height. Now measure the height of the bath from the floor to under the rim at both ends; if these vary and the bath is level then the floor is probably out. If the floor is not yet fitted, it is best not to fit the bath panel, but an allowance could be made if the schedule won’t permit the delay.

Cutting the panel.

Wherever possible cutting should be avoided. It compromises the water resistance of the finish, and can allow water behind the finish, causing lifting, and will also allow water into the sub structure of the panel. Take special care when fitting a sectioned or detailed panel into a recess, to centralise the panel, by cutting both sides equally.
Where cuts are necessary mark and score the line to be cut to avoid splintering. Use a fine tooth saw.

Seal all cuts with a waterproof varnish; failure will invalidate the warranty.
Silicone along these cuts when the panel is fitted as it is inevitable they will be splashed.
If the bath or its frame prevents the panel sitting completely under the rim, the panel can be notched or machine rebated (if the obstruction runs the full length of the bath as with softwood strengthening battens fitted under the rim of many baths). A rebate must never be more than half the thickness of the panel frame, or encroach into any panelled detail which is thinner than the frame. The rebate must then be sealed with varnish and the top edge with silicone sealant.

Product Aftercare

Always remove water splashes after use. Use only a soft cloth.
On polyurethane or other manmade finishes use soap and a soft cloth. On wood and wood veneers check any cleaners used are suitable.
Never use bleach, neat disinfectant or household bathroom cleaners.

For more information on bath panels or other bathroom products please visit Bathroom World

To a plumber, the difference between one bathroom and another is a matter of degrees; some baths are bigger, some have more fixtures, but in the end, everything flows downhill. Get the fresh water in, get the wastewater out - mission accomplished.

But planning a bathroom is much more than just connecting the pipes. There are many possible configurations and types of baths and a large number of finishes and fixtures to select. And it’s one of the most expensive rooms in the house.

We all know what a bathroom is used for - that hasn’t changed - but baths today are designed for specific users. In today’s homes the “masters” of the house usually have a private luxury bath, and their children often have baths of their own. Another bath may be set aside for guest use, and if the home has a lower-level recreation room, there will probably be a conveniently located bath to go with it too.

The Muck Stops Here You probably didn’t’ grow up in a house with a utility bath but your mom wishes you did - it’s the bath that comes between the muddy kids and mom’s nice, clean floors and gives dad a place to wash his golf clubs (other than in the kitchen sink). Ideally, the utility bath is part of a family entry/mud room area, probably between the garage and the kitchen. It’s also often combined with the laundry room - the basin can do double duty as a washtub. A toilet and a basin are the only necessary fixtures; add a small shower if you’re a frequent gardener or if your kids often find their way to the creek in the backyard.

Two Kids, One Pail Of Water Upstairs baths come in a wide variety of configurations. The basic “hall bath” has a sink, toilet, and tub and is accessed by two or more bedrooms through a common hallway. A hall bath can be as small as 5 feet wide by 8 feet long.

But because the hall bath has all of the fixtures in one room, only one person can use it at a time. A better solution is the compartmentalized bath - a slightly larger version of the hall bath that places one or two basins in a separate room from the toilet and tub. Now one teenager can use the tub or toilet in privacy while another uses the basin. It’s a far more family-friendly arrangement and doesn’t take up much more space.

Separate baths for each bedroom are the ultimate in convenience and privacy, but nearly as good is the “Jack-and-Jill” bath. Young Jack and young Jill share a common tub and toilet, but each has a private basin, countertop, storage drawers, and mirror. Usually that basin is accessible directly from the bedroom and provides a private dressing and grooming area for each child. It’s a great way to keep teenagers from fighting over the basin and countertop space without the expense of two separate baths.

Domain of the Master The big whirlpool bathtub was the centerpiece of the luxury “master bath” just a few years ago, but in many designs its’ prominent place is challenged by the luxury shower. In fact, we’ve recently been asked to design several new homes with a big shower but no tub at all in the master bath. It’s a bit unusual, but why install a tub you’ll never use?

The large showers we’re designing in homes today are hard to beat for relaxation. Most have multiple showerheads and body-spray fixtures; all have large built-in bench seats. A few have steam units and built-in media centers.

The greatest luxuries in these baths are privacy and personal space, so every luxury bath has a separate basin and countertop space for each of the owners. They’re occasionally side-by-side but often they’re completely separated from each other. Every luxury bath must also have a private toilet room - an absolutely essential feature if more than one person is to use the bath simultaneously.

American Standards It wasn’t long ago that the average American home had no more than two baths - one upstairs and one down - but as the size of homes has grown, so has the number and complexity of baths. It’s not uncommon today to find four or five baths in a home, each one dedicated to a specific occupant or specific use. Careful consideration of who’s using which bath will help to make your home more convenient and comfortable for everyone in it. Even the plumber.

Richard L. Taylor, AIA is a published author and recognized expert in Residential Architecture. He is President of Richard Taylor Architects, a 5-person firm in Historic Dublin, Ohio. Residential Architect - Luxury Home Plans