Choosing bathroom materials and products

Choosing bathroom materials and products

The fun begins. Now that you have decided on your new bathroom design, it's time to start choose the colour, the vanity, cabinets, sink, tub, shower, fixtures, toilets, tiles and everything else in between to turn your dream bathroom into a reality. But beware! This is the costly part of the remodelling process. While you may have your dreams set on designer fixtures and furnishings, your budget may not stretch that far. The best thing about bathroom renovation projects is that you can get creative with your budget. If you can't afford the designer mosaic tile, go with a cheaper version but then shell out for high-end fixtures or fittings that will give that designer flair you're after.

Fittings

There are so many choices when it comes to bathroom fittings such as taps, shower heads, towel rails, soap holders, etc. From antique federation style to slick modern chrome, the right faucets can help set off the design of your bathroom. Changing the fittings can be a very economical way to update the overall look of a bathroom without having to spend a fortune. Innovative new products for the bathroom include water-saving shower-heads and taps, heated towel racks and fog-free mirrors.

Fixtures

Bathroom fixtures come in all shapes, sizes, materials and colours which means it can get confusing when it comes to shopping. While some people have a talent for combining styles, it is better to stick to styles which compliment each other. As a gereal rule you can never go wrong with white! Plan according to the space and budget available to you.

• Toilet You'll be surprised by the choices available today in toilet design. From traditional two piece tank and bowl, monobloc (one piece) to space saving wall-hung units where the tank is hidden behind the wall, toilets are designed to suit every taste and budget. Design features of toilets include: low maintenance one piece designs, water saving duel flushing (full or half flush) and rainwater systems.
• Sink Bathroom sinks or washbasins come in a wide variety of styles and materials. Porcelain is still the material of choice for sinks because it is non-porous, easy to clean and doesn't chip but more modern bathrooms are also incorporating glass, frosted glass, enamelled steel, stainless steel or synthetic materials such as Corian. Sink styles are determined by the space and design requirements. Pedestal sinks and free-standing sinks are good in small bathrooms as they take up less space than traditional sinks which are installed inside a cabinet or bathroom vanity. The biggest advantage of the non-free-standing sink is that the vanity conceals plumbing and provides extra storage space for bathroom accessories and items.
  
• Bath From the traditional rectangular bathtub to therapeutic spa baths your choices are endless, of course depending on the space. But space shouldn't be such a big a problem as it once was. Baths now come in a variety of shapes including corner models and shower combination units. Acrylic is by far the most widely used material for bathtubs but steel and cast iron are still available. Acrylic baths are popular for good reason, they retain water temperature longer than metal tubs, are easy to maintain and economical. One key thing to consider with any bathtub make sure that it will fit through the door frames within your home as well as the space inside the bathroom.
• Shower Showers can be custom built or bought as prefabricated units. Like baths they can be made or bought to suit any bathroom size or shape. One of the key elements of any shower design is the door - sliding, hinged, or panelled - which will be determined by the space you have available. Shower screens generally come in translucent, opaque or semi-opaque materials. Water conservation is a key consideration when installing a new shower. There are a wide variety of water-saving shower heads available as well as options such as steam generators, massage and multiple jet styles.
• Vanity Bathroom vanity generally has two functions to hold the basin or sink and to provide storage. Vanities can be bought in prefabricated sizes or custom built depending on your size requirements and budget.
  

Walls

Now that you've selected the fittings and fixtures for your new bathroom its time to think about the walls. They key thing to remember about bathroom wall covering is that the materials you choose need to be resistant to water, able to handle damp conditions, and be easy to clean. Options include:

• Tiles Bathroom tiles come in all shapes, colours and sizes. Tiles are generally used inside shower enclosures, on walls and floors of the bathroom. Tiles can be made of ceramic, glass, porcelain or natural stone. Each material is highly suitable for use in the bathroom and will have their own characteristics depending on the look you're after.
• Wallpaper If you decide to use wallpaper in your bathroom make sure that you use paper and paste that is suitable for damp conditions. If you have a small bathroom, it is best to avoid busy or bright colour wallpaper as this tends to make the room look smaller.  Go for subtle patterns or colours that will enhance the fixtures and make the room feel bigger.
• Wooden cladding The use of wood in bathrooms is becoming more popular as people move away from very clean stark modern designs. Wood gives the bathroom a more natural look and feel. Some woods are more suitable than others so be sure to look into waterproofing or using sealants to prevent mould build-up and rot.
• Paint Acrylic based paints are the most suitable for bathrooms. The choice of colour is endless. Generally, use lighter colours to make the space feel bigger.

Floors

Moisture is the number one challenge in any bathroom. While there are a number of flooring options for bathrooms, some options are better than others. Here is a list of the pro and cons of each:

Lighting and Power

Good lighting is essential in the bathroom. Natural light is best during the day so think about installing skylights or increasing the window size in the bathroom. You should always only install lights that have been approved for use in the bathroom as moisture is a big issue. Try to avoid fluorescent lights instead use halogen or incandescent lights.  To reduce the chance of shadows lighting should be aimed away from the mirror, not at the mirror. Power points should be positioned above waist level and away from water outlets. If you have small children make sure that the light switch is at a height they can reach safely.