Tag Archives: mapei

Looking to renovate my bathroom…

Looking to renovate my bathroom. What should I know before I get started? In what order do I do things?

I have an old house built a long time ago and it’s time to renovate bathroom. How do I get started?

Is it because you have to do a bathtub repair? Looking for bathroom renovation ideas? Is it a good idea to hire a designer or just ourselves? Wondering what the bathroom renovation cost might be? How do you know which renovation contractor to hire? Maybe I am looking for info to help me decide if I should or should do a bathroom remodel?

Are you trying to do it yourself and hire specialty trades? If the answer is NO:

  • Search for and contact a general contracting company OR a bathroom renovating company like us. and get yourself quote 2-3 quotes and go with the company you trust to do the job the most, NOT the cheapest, that doesn’t always mean that you’re getting what you want for the cheapest price. You may be disappointed when it is all said and done. 
  • The rest is pretty straight forward.

Are you trying to do it yourself and hire specialty trades? If the answer is YES:

1-  get your vision clear. Draw the new bathroom. Helps to use a graph paper instead of lined paper. Most importantly are you changing the location of anything or just where it is, just all new instead. Where the toilet will be located, shower location, jacuzzi tub location (built in or self standing), vanity cabinet or pedestal, electrical, etc.

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2- Once you have a drawing of your new bathroom layout ready. That means you’ve come across these ideas and have to decide things like:

    • Is the new floor area going to be tiled? Do you have enough underlay? There are certain codes we tile setting companies need to follow in order to guarantee the length of the installation will last you.
Inspirational Subfloor Thickness For Tile - underlayment diagram - Walket Site

Inspirational Subfloor Thickness For Tile – underlayment diagram – Walket Site

    • Next is the new revolutionary heated tile floor option. Once you go heated floor you never go back 🙂 Custmized areas for heat as well as split section with different heated settings. Inside the shower, on the bench, bathroom floor. We’ve done them all.

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    • Are you doing a standing shower? Will it have a fibreglass base? Or will you be doing a custom tiled floor shower.

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    • If tiled shower, you have the option of barrier less with lineal drain, or just center square drain.

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    • Looking to have a bench in the shower, triangular? Rectangular? How deep?

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    • Will you have a niche in the shower for your shampoo and soap, etc. There are different sizes for this and an option for different tile as backing for an accent.

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    • Plumbing wise, there are plenty of options. Single function, 2 function, 3, 4, 5, 6? The sky is the limit. Together with functions you also have options such as jets, how many; waterfall top location, or regular shower head; handheld option with rod.

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    • Are you interested in having a steam shower in your bathroom, that is also an option.

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    • Option for material on bench, barrier, niche. You could do tile, you could do granite, you could quartz. There are no wrong answers.

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    • Will you be having a jacuzzi tub? Self standing? Built into a wall? Next to shower?

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    • Vanity. Will it be a pedestal sink? Or a floating cabinet? Built in cabinet?
    • Window. Are you changing location of the shower? Are there any windows on the way? If so, you have to consider changing the location of the window, what covering material you have on the exterior of the door. Will you be able to find the same material? Will you have to improvise. This could turn into a domino effect for the exterior of the house.
    • Considering all the options we just went through, you have to consider the plumbing and electrical that goes behind all of it. Location of the lines, is it a frost wall where you want the shower head/fixtures, the wall would need to be extended. Availability of space in the electrical panel for the new lines needed for heated floor. Waterproof spotlight in the shower. All things need to be considered when thinking about all of that.

3- You have now made all your decision. Get all your QUOTES for specialty trades. Electrical movement if any. Plumbing movement if any. Quote for all the tile work. Quote for bathroom floor covering. Quote for glass. Quote for window, exterior work. Get pricing for new vanity, counter top, faucet, shower, light fixtures, mirror, finishing trim for towel rack, toilet holder, etc.

Let the fun begin. In what order do I do it all. Here goes the run down.

Demo

  • Rip out all floor coverings
  • Rip out all drywall and walls that will not be in the new bathroom blueprint.
  • RIP our old tub / shower, vanity, and clean it all. Blank Canvas.

*note: if you only have one toilet in the house, leave toilet in for as long as possible until you must remove.

Prep

  • Carpentry
    • ceiling, subfloor, window casing, baseboard, door casing, doors, shelfs, etc
    • Install plywood back on (IF there was any toilet, shower relocation)
  • Plumber Rough in.
  • Electrical Rough In.
  • General
    • Cover all walls back up. Install drywall where needed including new shower. 
    • Tape / Mud, finish and paint drywall.
  • Painter. 
    • Come paint all window, door casing.

Finishing

  • Tilesetter / Floor Covering 
    • Get all floor prepped and installed. Shower waterproofed and installed and grouted. 
  • Carpentry
    • Install new Vanity cabinet / Pedestal.
    • Cut and Install new baseboard
  • Counter Top Technician. To come measure the cabinet for final templating of the counter top.
  • Glass / Mirror Technician 
    • measure and template final size of the shower glass
    • Measrure and template mirror size
  • Plumbing. Finishing Stage. Finishing trim shower, vanity faucet, and drain line.
  • Electrical. Finishing Stage. Plugs installed, and cover plate on. Light fixtures installed. Heated floor thermostat programmable installed. 
  • Painter. Come in to do all finishing touches. Paint touch up baseboard, casing.
  • Cleaning Final Stage
  • Silicone tiled corner areas.

And that is a wrap. Finished bathroom and the next day ready for use

The Best Grout? Sanded Grout VS Unsanded Grout VS Other grouts

Tile installation is an important part of any home improvement project, and choosing the right grout will help complete the job. Grout is a material used to fill gaps between tiles and is an important part of ensuring the finished look of your tile installation. There are many different types of grout available, and each offers its own unique benefits.
 
The most common type of grout for commercial application is epoxy grout, which is a combination of resins and hardeners that creates a strong bond between tiles and can resist staining, cracking, and discoloration. Epoxy grout is resistant to water and humidity and can be used in wet or dry areas. It is available in a wide range of colors. It is not easy to apply hence it is a higher price point to use.
 

Cement grout is another popular option, and it is made from sand, cement, and water. It is one of the first options that came out and an older product. It is the most commonly used grout for tile installations because it offers excellent adhesion, strength, and a uniform color. Cement grout is also very easy to work with and can be used in wet and dry areas. However, cement grout can be difficult to clean, and it can be susceptible to staining and discoloration over time.

Unsanded grout is a type of grout specifically designed for use in areas where sanded grout cannot be used, such as with glass tiles, porcelain tiles, or marble tiles. It is made from a mixture of Portland cement, water, and other additives, and it is designed to create a strong bond between tiles without damaging them. Unsanded grout is available in a variety of colors, and it is easy to apply and maintain. It is also resistant to staining, cracking, and discoloration, making it a great choice for areas that are exposed to moisture or humidity.

Polymer-modified grout is a combination of cement and a polymer, which helps increase its strength and flexibility. It is also resistant to water, humidity, and staining, and it offers superior adhesion and color uniformity. Some of the brands of grout that we’ve used that are in this category are: Custom, Mapei, Laticrete, Flextile. Polymer-modified grout is also easy to apply and clean, and it won’t shrink or crack over time. Here you can find some of the projects we’ve used this product on.

Silicone grout is a newer type of grout that is becoming increasingly popular. It is a rubberized material that is flexible and offers excellent adhesion and color uniformity. It is also resistant to water and humidity and is easy to clean and maintain. However, silicone grout may be more expensive than other grout options and may require special tools for installation.

When it comes to choosing the best grout for your tile installation, it really depends on the type of tile you are using, the area where it will be installed, and your budget. Epoxy grout is an excellent option for most commercial tile installations, as it offers superior strength and color uniformity. Cement grout is also an ok choice and is easy to work with. However, if you are looking for a more durable grout, then polymer-modified grout or silicone may be the best choice. Whichever grout you decide to use, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper installation and maintenance.