Home Improvement Design

What Is The Best Type Of Tile For My Bathroom?

admin — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:42:52 +0000

Tile bathrooms provide the most attractive, durable and cleanable surfaces available. They stand up to repeated soaking, easily wipe clean, and always stay fresh looking. While they take a bit of work to replace, tile surfaces are a great bet if you’re planning to remodel.

Not every tile is appropriate for your home, however. Bathroom tile comes in a range of sizes, shapes and materials that all provide different benefits and downsides. Depending on the look you prefer and how you use your bathroom, you may want traditional glazed ceramic, stone tile or even terracotta. Here’s what you should know.

Glazed Ceramic
Glazed ceramic tile is what most people think of when someone mentions tiling a bathroom. This tile is simple, attractive and cost effective. It survives impact relatively well and has a glossy surface that makes it easy to clean, though grout lines may pick up some dirt. Glazed ceramic tile can be slippery when wet, however, and tends to make a bathroom look very conventional. This type of tile offers the largest variety of colors and finishes.

Unglazed Ceramic
Unglazed ceramic tiles, including traditional red terracotta, provide an alternative to standard glazed tiles. This material has a rougher surface and more natural look than glazed materials. It is extremely durable and works very well in bathrooms with a rustic look. This material can absorb water readily, however, so it may be a good idea to glaze it for use in the bathroom. Like glazed tile, unglazed ceramic is relatively inexpensive.

Extruded Quarry Tile
The term “quarry tile” can be misleading. This material resembles the stone tile once mined in quarries, but is now produced using an extrusion technique and is made primarily of clay. Extruded quarry tile still looks a lot like stone, however, with a rough surface that makes it comfortable and practical for flooring. This material tends to be very porous, much like unglazed ceramic, and should be sealed before use in the shower or other very wet areas.

Stone
Real stone tile gives your home an elegant look and feel that ceramics can’t provide. This material offers a luxurious natural look and comes in a wide variety of colors and types. Granite and travertine are two of the most popular options. These tiles are relatively porous and may require sealant. Some stone tiles are also easy to scratch. This luxurious choice comes with an appropriately luxurious price tag, so be sure to budget carefully before you commit to using it.

Glass
Often used in mid-20th century bathrooms, glass is making a comeback for vintage looks. It offers many of the same advantages as glazed ceramic, with a transparency that can be appealing in walls or showers. Glass tile is more costly than its ceramic cousins, however. This material often comes in pre-designed sheets with patterns or color gradations built in. It works well on its own or in combination with ceramic and stone tiles as an accent.

Engineered Stone
This relative newcomer looks much like stone but isn’t as natural. Engineered stone tile is made up of tiny bits of stone in an epoxy-based matrix. This material is more predictable and water-resistant than natural stone, with a surface that’s harder to damage. It doesn’t look as natural, however. Some homeowners take advantage of this material’s man-made look, choosing “stone” tiles in bright, glittery colors. Engineered stone is relatively costly, but lower in price than natural stone.

Utilise the Latest Technologies for the Bathroom at Affordable Prices

admin — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:56:52 +0000

You at some point will have enviously viewed items such as furniture, fixtures and fittings for the bathroom, either in someone else’s home, possibly online or within a local bathroom centre and visualised something similar within your own home.

If this is true, but you never dared to invest in such niceties because of cost, then you will be extremely excited to hear that these luxurious items of sanitary ware are now readily available at prices you would never have dreamed to be true.

This is primarily due to countries overseas such as China and other manufacturing nations exporting these amazing accessories at affordable prices. Many bathroom suppliers have taken advantage of these opportunities, making it able for home owners to revel in luxuries that were once only available for the wealthy. Items such as whirlpool and Jacuzzi baths, steam showers and steam shower baths have all become popular accessories offering elegance to the bathroom and a whole new bathing and showering experience for the user.

The vanity unit is another feature that has increased dramatically in popularity over recent years due to their seamless lines and their extreme functional benefits. These aesthetically pleasing fixtures are admired by all and are great for implementing that additional “wow” factor to your bathroom.

The sanitary ware of old unfortunately lacked immensely in style and elegance, however manufacturers have realised this and in doing so have injected chic and glamour in to the proceedings to create a whole new range of quality products for our bathrooms. For instance toilets have taken a radical overhaul to such an extent that we can now purchase toilets that are wall hung, toilets with their cisterns concealed back to wall toilets and even small corner toilets that fit neatly within the smallest cloakrooms. You can choose from the traditional styled toilets that we all now or you can now go and purchase ultra-modern systems that even feature soft close toilets seats. Other more radical options come in the face of ingenuity with popular features such as the mirror. Mirrors have seen a whole new lease of life with the use of LED lights and illuminating features to mirrors that actually feature heating elements to ensure they keep fog free when residing from the shower or bath.

The realms of futuristic innovation and ingenuity has proceeded us with many bathroom suppliers now offering an abundance of elegant and functional products that will transform the dullest bathrooms in to havens for all to enjoy.

We Have Come A Long Way Since The First Bath

admin — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:24:52 +0000

The first actual sign of early plumbing goes back as far as 3000 BC to a set of copper pipes that was found beneath a palace in India and there is a long line of different baths and bathing systems that have appeared as the centuries rolled by. It was not until 1883 that the first cast iron bath appeared on the scene. This was made by the aptly named Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company and the Kohler Company. This set the modern standard for individual house baths and the development has progressed by basically adapting the materials and shapes of the baths.

The latest choice of baths is large and there is something for everyone, many of the designs have been brought about the size of the bathroom. In so many houses the bathroom has been the smallest room in the house so a large range of space saver baths have appeared, as the countries become more affluent and the bathrooms get larger so do the baths.

The choice of bath needs to be taken carefully and needs to take care of space, requirements and price. So often the choice is based on the choice of the heart and not the brain. It is lovely to have a giant Jacuzzi bath but it is impractical if there is little or no room left for the other bathroom essentials. Measure the room and work out what is required, a good internet site will give pictures of all the bathroom options along with actual dimensions. This makes it easy to plan your bathroom and the make the changes in the plan to try all of the different options that are available. This will allow you to see the space between the bathroom suite pieces and also allows you to plan the hot and cold water supply pipework and the drain outlet runs.

Make a list of what you require, that is to say how many family members are there and how many are children, do they like baths or showers or is a combination of bath and shower a preferential choice. Is there perhaps room to have both shower and bath installed? Consider the usage of the bathroom and decide the number of showers, baths and how many people have to wash. A separate toilet can relieve a great amount of pressure, a simple family of 2 adults and 2 children can put a great deal of pressure onto a bathroom first thing in the morning so get it right first time.

Using a Portable Hot Tub for Better Health

admin — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:02:52 +0000

Relaxing in a spa is one of the best ways to unwind after a busy day at work, after a hard workout, or just to have a few minutes of peace and tranquility. All it takes is a few minutes a day. A portable hot tub is a great way to enjoy this type of relaxation, at a fraction of the cost of a standard spa. These portable hot tubs are super efficient, since they can be used both inside and outside, and are very easy to set up. The heat and massage elements that you get in a portable hot tub can do wonders for your mind and body. In addition to being able to sneak in a few minutes of serenity, these portable spas can also provide you with a host of physical and mental health benefits.

Stress Relief and Sleep Benefits of Hot Tubs

The relaxation that hot tubs provide can lower stress levels. The soothing heat from the water, in addition to the feeling of being weightless, can reduce tension and give you a sense of calmness. Studies suggest that the increase in body temperature that a hot tub will induce can provide sleep benefits as well. Simply spending a few minutes in it before bed can off-set insomnia, and can help you get a good night’s rest.

Joint Pain Relief and Muscle Relaxation

Sitting in a hot tub provides a sense of weightlessness and buoyancy to the body. Such buoyancy takes the weight off the joints, and thus provides some degree of joint pain relief. Therapists and doctors actually recommend some patients who suffer from arthritis to submerge themselves in a spa for a few minutes a day to relieve pain and discomfort caused by the condition.

Muscles will also benefit from the weightlessness of being submerged under water. Any muscle pain or stiffness can be relieved to some degree by the warm water. The soothing jets also provide the muscles with a relaxing massage, which has therapeutic benefits to muscles and nerves.

Hydrotherapy in a hot tub can provide people with chronic syndromes, such as fibromyalgia, some relief as well. Conditions like fibromyalgia cause all-over body pain and fatigue, which can be alleviated to some extent with hydrotherapy from spas. One can further increase this benefit by incorporating some light stretching while under water.

Circulation and Blood Pressure Improvements

Those who suffer from high blood pressure can improve their condition by using a portable hot tub. The heat from the spa water causes the blood vessels to vasodilate – or open up – which helps to lower blood pressure. In addition, circulation can also be improved due to the heat and the massage from the jets.

Type 2 Diabetes Symptom Relief

Believe it or not, those that suffer from type 2 diabetes can actually reduce their symptoms by spending a few minutes a day in a portable hot tub. Studies have shown that type 2 diabetes patients who participate in this type of hydrotherapy on a regular basis have been able to lower blood sugar, lose weight and improve sleep. It is important to note that these particular individuals should be cautious and aware of their body temperature, both while in the tub and when getting out. Since drops in blood sugar are not very obvious to these individuals while in hot water, getting out of the tub should be done slowly and gradually in case their blood sugar level is so low that they would be susceptible to passing out.

Enjoy the relaxation benefits of a portable hot tub, and get some wonderful mental and physical health benefits at the same time!

What Are The Advantages Of Plastic Bathroom Wall Panels Over Other Cladding Methods?

admin — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:05:52 +0000

Wall cladding is not only used on the external walls but has become very popular on internal walls also. They are not only used in drawing rooms and bedrooms but also in the bathrooms. However, in the bathrooms plastic cladding is preferred over other cladding materials such as wood and stones as plastic cladding is water resistant and is easier to maintain and clean therefore it is more widely used in the bathrooms. These plastic cladding gives you an option of different textures, colors and styles this gives beauty to the bathroom walls as well as water protection therefore plastic cladding is the best choice for your bathrooms. It is a better option over tiles as it is easy cheaper and faster to install, does not need grouting and gives a much better look to your walls. It can also be used on your shower area as it is waterproof and thus can easily make your shower areas very beautiful and attractive. It is not only aesthetically appealing, it is also very easy to clean as it can easily be wiped and needs no expensive maintenance or cleaning.

Plastic cladding is available in these different categories and can be chosen according to the requirements of the customer. Polypropylene is a material, which fits into the budget and is very tough and cannot be destructed however it is easy to cut. It has to fit mechanically as adhesives cannot be used on this material. Thus, it can be used in areas, which are under rough use, and is a priced product. GF (Medium Density) PVC is another product available as it gives as excellent value for money.

It is fire resistant, can be good with adhesive, and can be cut easily. It is durable; it is hard and has a beautiful white gloss finished surface. The last option available is the Hi-D (High Density) PVC that is a heavy and a durable sheet. Adhesives can also be used on these and is fire resistant it can be easily cut with a saw and it has a hard satin finish. Plastic cladding is the best option available for bathrooms because of water resistance and beautiful designs with different looks available for the walls. This enables you to design you walls and the look of your bathroom yourself. Thus, bathroom wall panels are something to make your bathroom beautiful and attractive and keeping it water resistant.

This plastic wall cladding is made from high quality U-PVC and acrylic they are perfect for use in bathrooms and kitchens, it also provides insulation and prevents fungus and mould growth on walls. It is available in a wide variety of beautiful designs like Italian marble, which can be easily mounted on walls with any design with the use of panels. To install this decorative cladding on the walls we may use pinning, stapling or putting it direct on the walls, it can also be easily used if the walls are uneven and not painted.

Why You Need to Get the Appropriate Floor Tiles

admin — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:02:52 +0000

One part of the home that will always have a different theme is the bathroom. This is because most of the time, people use different floor tiles for their bathroom. Unlike in your living room where you may prefer larger squares of tiles, you may find it necessary to use a different type of flooring for the restroom.

The bathroom will never go a day without getting the floor wet. People use their bathrooms everyday to take a shower and clean themselves. When water stays on the floor, it can be a cause of accidents. Every year, thousands of people sustain injuries because of slip and fall accidents in the restroom. In worst cases, people may break their bones and find it hard to walk again. To prevent this from happening to your family, you will need to install better floor tiles for this part of your home.

When you visit stores, you will find that there are more than a dozen kinds of flooring available. From ceramics, stone, marble and many others, you can purchase a specific kind you think will be most beneficial. While renovating your bathroom with better tiles can be costly, it is all about choosing the right one. Make sure to get your money’s worth when you choose the type that can prevent accidents like slip and fall. Out of all the different types of flooring, mosaic tiles are the expert’s choice when it comes to providing safety.

Here are a few reasons why you should invest in mosaic tiles.

Durability and Maintenance

Larger tiles can accumulate dirt around the edges where each piece meets. It can be tough to clean this every time and the cycle will repeat every month. When you drop something heavy, they can crack and destroy the overall look of your bathroom. It can also be a cause of accidents. Mosaic tiles are easier to clean and are more durable. Unlike marble floors, humidity does not affect this type of tiles. Humidity can affect the luster and shine of tiles if it is in constant contact with your flooring.

Aesthetics

While this type commonly sports a uniform square design for each tile, it is available in a number of colors. Because of this, you can mix different pieces and create an artistic masterpiece by playing with the shades. If you want to make your bathroom more personalized, it is best to go for this type.

Great Investment

If you decide to sell your home in the future, you have to calculate the amount of fixtures added into the house. Some fixtures do not add to the value of your home. Using mosaic tiles, however, can increase the value of your home as most people look into this design when they are buying a house.

Consider these qualities when you go to the store and choose between which type to purchase.

What Are Some Steam Shower Features?

admin — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:09:52 +0000

Steam showers are a bit pricey and can go for even more if you add features. These features help improve the quality of your steam session and are worth every penny. Since every manufacturer handles marketing strategies differently, you can expect a whole lot of variations when it comes to features. Here are a couple of features that you are sure to come across on. Although there are many available in the market, the ones mentioned here are those that can really benefit the user.

Steam Timer
Electronic components are what make new showers great. With the addition of a steam timer, one can now keep his sessions in check. One of the most common problems facing steam sessions is the lack of awareness of the time. People who forget to turn off the steam after twenty or thirty minutes run the risk of damaging their skin.

It is quite common for people to forget the time during a steam session. This is because the environment is so cozy that people tend to fall asleep. Some try to remedy this by bringing alarm clocks or using their smart phones. However, that is not the best solution. Having a built-in steam timer helps a lot because it is easy to use and is not prone to getting wet unlike alarm clocks and phones. When the time you set on the timer is up, the steam generator is automatically turned off giving your skin time to cool off.

Steam Temperature Control
The temperature in steam showers is not always constant. There are some factors such as environmental temperature and altitude that change it. The same temperature may also not be comfortable to two different people. That is why some manufacturers offer a temperature control feature. This way, people can manipulate it to suit their preferences.

Foot Massage
Not all steam showers are equipped with built-in foot massages. Having this feature makes your session much more relaxing and comfortable. The foot massage can be used by sliding a person’s soles across the massage head. There are rollers on the head which massage the soles quite effectively. Plus, there are also hydro massage jets located on the foot massage head. These help improve the quality of the massage and also cleanse the soles very well.

A foot massage is a big help to people who have traveled or used their feet a lot. This includes walking, driving or playing sports. Since the body is always perpendicular to the ground, blood always flows to the soles. Relaxing them using the foot massage helps to give it sufficient rest.

These are only some of the numerous steam shower features that one can purchase later on. The important thing to note is that not all features will be compatible with your device. That is why it is important to read the manual and verify with the retailer if it is compatible. Likewise, it pays to buy only the vital features first and leave the decorative and nonessential ones for last.

Using Glass Block for Bathroom Showers

admin — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 07:11:52 +0000

One of the most dramatic looks for bathrooms today are colored glass blocks for bathroom showers. They can be used as a snail shower, shower doors and doorless showers.

A snail shower is a doorless shower with spiral shaped walls that leads to a compact shower space. Snail showers work great for small or large bathrooms. Elegant snail showers are designed with glass block. The name snail shower comes from the shape of the shower. The entry way is curved like a snail.

Showers built with glass blocks are not only stylish, they are practical and easy to care for. It is possible to do this project yourself if you are skilled at home remodeling. Best results would come from a bathroom contractor. If you chose the do it yourself route, check large home décor stores for ideas and design. You can also check websites, design centers, new home sales centers and kitchen and bath remodeling stores. If you are doing a total remodel in your bathroom, a shower using glass block will give your new shower a contemporary and elegant look. These shower doors are energy efficient as they let in the natural light. They are translucent, so you have privacy.

The style you choose will depend mostly on your personal taste, budget, and space requirements. You may want to remove the bathtub completely and go with a snail shower or tiled shower with glass block shower door. Depending on your color scheme, you can choose colors or translucent glass block.

This is not a project recommended for amateur do it yourselfers. If you do try to take this on yourself, there are kits available. The process is similar to laying tile. Although the directions may sound easy, there is a lot of margin for error for a beginner. This is a job for a professional. There are several contractors available that do an excellent job at reasonable prices.

Once you have picked out your design and your contractor, the work should take a few days to do properly. Hopefully you have another bathroom, since this job will be messy and time consuming for a few days. The results will be outstanding. Taking your old bathroom from a plain bathtub with shower curtain to a tiled shower area with glass block will be a dramatic change to your bathroom. This project will no doubt inspire you to continue with your work to remodel your vanity, floors and bathroom fixtures.

If you are fortunate enough to have a large bathroom and a large budget, the possibilities are endless. Glass block can be used throughout the bathroom to give a very elegant effect. To get a real idea how this would look in your home, check out a 5 star hotel! These hotels spare no expense in designing luxurious elegant bathrooms. You can use these ideas to modify your plans to fit your bathroom space.

Once you see these designs and start picking out your new bathroom with glass block, you will never want to go back to an old fashioned bathtub with a shower curtain.

What You Should Be Considering As Your Bathroom Tiles Ideas

admin — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 05:49:52 +0000

When you are looking for some bathroom tiles ideas, you probably visit the local bathroom and tile store and check out their static displays to try and gain some inspiration or ideas for your project. Tiles have come a long way in the past twenty years or so, what was once considered a practical option to be used as a splash back around a sink or one row high around the bath, is now considered to be a design choice and the market is huge for the consumer. Tiles offer a hard wearing practical and beautiful solution as a floor and wall covering in a bathroom.

When coming up with bathroom tiles ideas, you will need to decide first as to which type of tile you want, whether it be ceramic, porcelain, glass or natural stone. You can choose any of the tile types to use in a bathroom installation but you will need to be informed of the implications and characteristics of each tile type to avoid potential failures which are costly and disastrous. Prior to installing your tiles, you will need to evaluate the suitability of the substrate, whether that be the wall or floor and consider if it needs any extra strengthening or waterproofing. The tiles may be too heavy for your wall substrate type, or you may be wanting to use glass tiles which require a different type of adhesive and a professional technique when being fitted to avoid unsightly voids and shadows behind the tiles.

One popular solution for a bathroom is to create a wet room, which is basically a walk in shower room that is much more comfortable than the enclosed shower types. These can be created to suit virtually any room type as long as a few simple rules are followed. The room will need to be waterproofed (tanked) to provide a seal and water leaking downstairs or next door. The tiles will need to have falls created if they don’t already exist in the substrate, to allow the water to drain and the water to not pool in an area.

Natural stone tiles provide a beautiful timeless finish to your bathroom and are available in several different guises which provide differing characteristics and wearing grades. You must understand that natural stone will vary across a batch and will need a cleaning regimen that includes sealing occasionally to keep them in great condition. They can be used on walls and floors, but there are some quirks inherent with stone that will need to be aware of in regards to fixing them as they have higher requirements than the standard ceramic or porcelain tile types.

People that have bathroom tiles ideas may consider mosaics as their tile choice as they have a timeless quality and suit almost any available space. They are available in glass type finishes, porcelain, natural stone and in various sizes. Because of the nature of mosaic, care will need to be taken when fixing them to avoid adhesive squeezing up through the joints and achieving contact with the adhesive of every piece of tile is quite difficult if inexperienced. Remember if using mosaics in a wet area that has no tanking system installed, that there is a higher potential for water to ingress into a water sensitive substrate and cause a potential failure.

A truly designer space can be achieved when tiling a bathroom, with relatively inexpensive tiles by using a large format white tile with a matching sized colour tile used as a contrast horizontally or vertically. White tiles can look a little clinical when used exclusively to tile a bathroom, consider using a striking contrast floor tile that matches some other fittings.

You can find a few bathroom tile ideas here, but the possibilities are endless in what kind of space you can create with tiles. By combining different tile types cleverly with each other and having a little designer flair, you will be able to achieve a beautiful long lasting tiled bathroom that will stand the test of time.

Vanities for Small Bathroom Suites

admin — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 04:01:52 +0000

Bathroom suites are greatly enhanced when they are furnished with suitable vanities and vanity tops. Designer vanities are available in a wide variety to suit different bathroom styles. Vanities can also be installed in cloakroom suites to keep them clutter-free and improve their appearance. Regardless of their size, all vanity units are basically utility pieces with shelves and tops to accommodate the bathroom essentials.

While designing new bathroom suites, it is important to consider a vanity with sink top, as it will add an element of compactness to the bathroom. A corner vanity is ideal for small bathrooms, as it stands neatly against the adjacent walls of a corner, occupying minimal space. Proper compartmentalization ensures that the vanity unit serves its purpose. For instance, a few side-by-side drawers below the vanity top can help organize the grooming items. On the other hand, a few adjustable shelves can accommodate tall items like bottles. Separate boxes for towels and other bathing accessories will add to the utility. Shelves can also hide unsightly pipes and give a tidier and more organized look. Besides, open shelves near the vanity mirror can be a nice addition to place items that need to be handy. Modern vanity units come in several materials and colors. Wood has been commonly used, but granite, marble and glass are also becoming popular. Wooden cabinets with classic white veneers are perfect for small spaces, including cloakroom suites. This is because laminates and veneers of light colors give a better look for small spaces. Frosted glass doors are also common in modern units.

When it comes to vanity tops, there is again a broad variety to suit any kind of bathroom suite. The basic difference between different tops is the material, which may be wood, synthetic, granite, marble, glass or slate. Each material has its own advantages and drawbacks, but the selection depends on personal choice, budget constraints and the conditions it will be subjected to. For instance, wood is likely to be damaged by moisture, while synthetic materials like plastic are likely to be ruined by heating appliances. When it comes to stone tops, marble renders a very attractive shine and elegance, but it must be kept away from acids by instantly wiping off any liquid that may fall on it. Granite is considered to be the most durable as it is not damaged by heat or moisture and is scratch-resistant. Recycled glass is considered an eco-friendly option and it allows different colors and shapes for modern bathrooms. But, the space under the transparent top may not serve as a storage space, and glass requires careful handling as it is fragile.

Vanities and cabinetry for bathroom suites can be ordered online as Internet shops sell some of the latest models. However, it is important to make a precise mention of the dimensions and material before placing an order. Further, wall cabinets and vanity units must preferably have the same material and design features in order that the design elements in the bathroom suite remain coherent.

We have a range of modern and contemporary bathroom suites and cloakroom suites to suit your home. Choose from our impressive range of suites in various shapes and styles to suit any home and design perfectly.