Getting Started With Bathroom Remodeling

Have you been saving up for a home improvement project but don’t know where to start? A bathroom remodeling plan might be the best way to begin thinking creatively about how to best utilize a small yet essential space in your home. While it could take years of investment and construction to update your entire home to suit your aesthetic and functional needs, just a few updates to your bathroom can make an immediate difference on a realistic budget and timeline.

While some of us might be satisfied with the simplest arrangement – a toilet, bath, sink, and mirror – there’s always potential for so much more. After all, this is the site of your morning routine and your before-bed rituals. Why not make the investment to create a relaxing, functional, and visually appealing space? You have thousands of options when it comes to selecting colors, textures, and fixtures, and your bathroom remodeling project is a fantastic way to take control of the place you inhabit.

When you begin upgrading your space, you should first decide whether you’ll want to go for a total refit (pull out all the existing fixtures and installations and start fresh), or begin with a few upgrades to your existing space and setup. A full bathroom remodeling project gives you the opportunity to totally rethink how you’re using the room, and a complete rebuild allows for maximizing shelving and storage space and making cleaning easier and more efficient. You’ll also want to consider making changes to lighting and ventilation. A window or skylight can add a welcome touch of natural warmth to a space that normally feels small and enclosed, and some basic electrical and duct work can do wonders to fight the mold and mildew that naturally begin to grow if you do not keep the room dry.

You’ll also want to consider what sorts of materials would look best with the existing aesthetic of your home and the statement you’re trying to make. It has never been easier to take advantage of the wide range of styles and designs available to homeowners, so take some time to think about the overall image you’re going for. Perhaps your style is a minimalist modern look punctuated by glass and stainless steel fixtures, or the classic touches of porcelain and a variety of textured fabrics. Your favorite design blogs or magazines can be a great place to start thinking about your options, and your contractor may be able to help you consider the best bets for your budget. You may even be surprised by some of the choices available to you, from walk-in showers with sophisticated drainage systems to state-of-the-art commodes that could even save money in the long run due to energy-efficient design.

Best of luck with your renovations!

About Vinyl Siding

Tired of repainting your house every 5 to 10 years? Vinyl siding may just be the right solution that you have been searching for. This type of siding will usually entail a lower cost upfront as compared to conventional siding such as a traditional cedar siding. Some may believe this exterior finish looks plastic in appearance, but many siding manufacturers have made great strides to give the product a more painted ‘wood like appearance’ with grain accents and a lower gloss finish.

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Over one-third of home exteriors in the US have this siding. When choosing exterior cladding, a budget friendly solution that is aesthetically appealing is what most homeowners look for. Past concerns with vinyl siding including yellowing, fading, rigidity and warping. Thanks to titanium oxide and other innovations, this siding is manufactured to resist weathering and maintain a fresh appearance over extended periods of time. Low maintenance exteriors on a home are also typically desired by most homeowners. Vinyl siding offers a piece of mind and is easy on the pocketbook. Let’s look at some of the various ins and outs of this exterior finish.

Color, Appearance & Other Options

In the past, vinyl siding was passed over because of the color fade over time. However, most siding manufactured today shows limited fading over the years. Another advantage of vinyl siding is the full range of color choices available. The Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI) has certified over 300 colors of vinyl for colorfastness. There are quite a few options available for this siding including fish-scale shingles, simulated wood grain, smooth panels and the list goes on. Different sizes in siding is also possible with the most common being 3, 5 or 8 inches.

The Elements

This type of siding can withstand sub-zero winter temperatures up to the hottest of summers. It is also built to withstand high winds and hail.

Installation

A unique advantage of vinyl is that it can be installed over nearly any type of surface. Even over stucco or brick. Vinyl siding isn’t for every home as it may not match the character and style. And, not all siding installers are created equal. The majority of siding companies offer comparable products, whereas the installer’s craftsmanship will vary much more. Because this type of siding expands and contracts more than other conventional siding materials, the more knowledgeable the installer is with this siding the better.

Maintenance

While vinyl siding does offer low maintenance, it may not be entirely maintenance free. Homeowners won’t need to paint or stain it like traditional wood siding, but the cleaning of the vinyl may need to be done to mitigate any grime or mold build-up. Simply scrubbing or power washing the siding will go a long way in giving it new life and maintaining it for years to come. If fading of the siding does occur, a coat of exterior latex paint can be applied (as major paint manufacturers have exterior paint products specifically designed for this type of siding). And, vinyl does have the ability to hide potential problems. When a house is sided with wood, the paint may chip or peel away when there is a problem.

Vinyl siding can be used in a variety of exterior home applications. This type of siding offers durability and often comes with a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer. According to the VSI, vinyl offers the lowest installation cost of all types of home siding. Whether it’s new construction or updating an existing home, vinyl siding offers a cost efficient and low maintenance alternative to homeowners. In most cases, vinyl siding will have a positive effect on the home value.