The Ins and Outs of Bathroom Fixtures

The bathroom is one of the most used room in the house. There are many different styles of fixtures you can use in your bathroom. it all depends on your taste and the style of house you live in. Budget also comes to mind.

Generally a bathroom will have a tub-shower enclosure, a commode or toilet, and a vanity with a sink. If you are building a new home, check with your contractor and get some measurements from the blueprint so you will know what you can use. Anyone remodeling their bathroom will have to know he measurements and layout of the bathroom they are remodeling. Measure and make sure the tub you want will fit in the space. Likewise the vanity cabinet will need to be of proper size.

A person must also decide on where everything is going so the rough-ins can be done. Electrical rough-ins also need to be taken care of before closing the walls.

The bathtub and shower are generally the most important fixtures to a homeowner. This is where the homeowner can relax in peace after a long hard day at work or even at home taking care of the kids. Most homeowners, in this day and time, prefer a whirlpool tub with jets that can massage their whole bodies. Keep in mind that you might need a faucet for a whirlpool tub if this is what you prefer. A regular tub faucet may not work.

Always keep in mind the space you have to work with. You can get a tub as large or as small as you want. A standard tub in the United States is 60 inches from end to end.

So you have decided to have the shower and tub separate. You can now pick out a shower making sure you have the right measurements for the space you have. There are many different types of showers. You can buy one that fits in a corner, one that fits along one wall, or one that is curved.

There is no limit to how you can configure a shower. If you are comfortable in doing so, you can actually build a shower right there in your bathroom, You should makes sure you have a good under-layment meant to be used in wet locations. If done correctly, your shower will drain properly to a drain in the center. Mark out where you want your shower and make sure the tile or whatever you use for the floor, is sloped slightly toward the drain. This will ensure proper draining of the water.

The walls also need an under-layment that is water proof and mildew resistant. If tile is used it must be properly sealed and the corners should be caulked with a silicone base caulking which is water resistant already.

One of the most overlooked fixtures for a bathroom is the ventilation fan. The actual use of the fan is to rid the bathroom of moisture caused by the steam of taking a bath or shower. Many believe it is only used to get rid of odor and that is their only purpose. I would suggest a high volume low noise fan-light combo. Though they come together as one single unit, the light and fan can be switched separately. The light is good for general lighting but not to be used for a specific task such as for shaving.

Ventilation fans can also come with a heater. Heaters come in handy on those cold days when it comes bath time. They can heat the bathroom up very quickly.

Task lighting should be installed around the mirror area of your bathroom. This will be used for shaving, styling hair, clipping nose hairs, etc. . . Make sure the electrical work is done by a licensed electrician and inspected according to the building and electrical codes in your area. Depending upon your taste, the light fixture should be in a style that fits in with your faucets and overall general appearance of your bathroom.

The vanity or Lav as it is sometimes called should also be chosen according to taste and functionality. Most Master Bathrooms have double bowl sinks so two people can be getting ready at the same time and the counter space is not cluttered. There are also many different styles of sink bowls a person can use. There are many lavish bowls that look more like a work of art.

The toilet will be used more than anything in your bathroom. When you choose your new toilet, go for comfort and looks also. If a person has trouble standing from a sitting position for instance, get a commode that sits higher than normal. Make sure you get a low flow toilet also to save on your water bill. If you are simply replacing the commode, you can find instructions here.

The electrical work should always be done by a qualified electrician. The bathroom especially is a place where you do not want to have issues with electricity. Any outlet within six feet of the sink or tub is supposed to be on what is called GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interruptor) outlet. The reason for the GFCI is to turn the power off if something that is plugged in comes in contact with water. If you have watched a movie before where someone might drop a hair dryer into a tub of water while someone was in it, you would watch them get electrocuted. With a properly installed GFCI, this cannot happen. The power will turn off on the outlet as soon as the dryer hits the water.

Remember, no matter how great your bathroom may look, functionality is the key to having successfully remodeled or built your bathroom. It makes no difference how beautiful it is if you cannot use it.

Always keep in mind, that if you have a person in your home that is handicapped, to make sure and make it easily accessible for them. Have fun with your bath remodel and make sure you do not flush your money down the toilet.