A 5-Step Guide To Remodeling Bathrooms

An expertly designed bathroom will provide you with years of comfort and pleasure. However, perform an amateur and shoddy job and you'll get reminded about that fact every day! It's a tricky and delicate space with a lot of movable parts all crammed together, not to mention the large volumes of water ready to cause havoc any time.

Some of the tradespersons who assist you with your bathroom renovation project might not actually require a trade licence depending on your location within Australia. It is nevertheless important that all should be well qualified, properly insured and stick to the voluntary codes of conduct of their professional bodies. For instance, in Western Australia, majority of them are members of professional associations such as the Housing Industry Association (HIA) or the Cabinet Makers Association of Western Australia (CMAWA).

Your overall renovation project should meet basic requirements laid down by the Building Code of Australia for safety, health and structural soundness. Regardless of whether your bathroom remodeling requires an accredited contractor or not, you certainly will want to be assured that you are getting professional service. The following 5 steps will assist you take full advantage of the latest technologies, bathroom products and the trending designs.

1. Plan for the Unexpected

Hidden water damage is generally a frequent problem in most bathrooms. An experienced renovations contractor will undertake exploratory work early to sniff out any potential issues. However contractors won't see through your bathroom walls, so don't be expecting your contractor to catch each and every possible hazard. That's why it becomes essential to factor in a 10 to 15% cushion into your remodeling budget.

2. Select Suitable Surfaces

Your bathroom's surfaces certainly contribute more than just good aesthetics. These surfaces in addition take a lot of constant abuse. This is why we recommend the durable porcelain tile for your walls, floors and even for the sinks.

Besides porcelain, enamel-on-steel sinks are stain-resistant and durable. Stainless steel sinks, are also becoming popular for usage in the modern bathroom. Another durable option is the solid-surface sink that allows you to integrate your sink with the bathroom vanity countertop.

When it comes to the bathroom countertop, quartz and granite will offer you durability and visual appeal. Solid surfaces and laminate still remain a viable option as well as being cost-effective.

3. Consider Water Efficiency
Water is the main player in your bathroom. As you decide on your water bearing amenities, make sure that you observe the Australian Standards (AS 3740-1994) requirements for waterproofing and efficiency.

Thanks to the voluntary program named WaterSense by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), today faucets, showerheads and toilets have become additionally water-efficient. You may consult with your local EPA chapter to maximize on these efficiency gains for your bathroom.

4. Create Room on the Vanity

Given that grooming is the chief task at your vanity, it's essential that you get plenty of surface area for placing your beauty things. Whilst the double sink configuration remains popular, it may make more sense to just install a single sink and have more countertop space, besides the cost saving implications.

5. Provide Sufficient Ventilation and Lighting

Excessive moisture, besides being a health hazard by breeding mildew and mould, could also take a toll on your painted surfaces and bathroom finishes. At the least, a bathroom fan provides the best defence. The National Kitchen and Bath Association guidelines recommend a ducted ventilation system for bathrooms.

While a ceiling fixture is appropriate for general bathroom lighting, it may cast shadows. That's the reason you may also want to have sconces mounted on your vanity. You could have a dedicated task light for the toilet and shower. LED bulbs are strongly recommended.


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Babak is an experience designer at ACS Bathrooms. His vast skills have enabled him to give useful advice to anybody who visits ACS Bathrooms at http://www.acsbathrooms.com.au/products.html . You will glad that you sought her guidance during your remodeling project.