Massachusetts Bathroom Remodeling – Incorporate Going Green Elements

As you are setting up your bathroom remodeling plan, it is wise to incorporate going green elements as much as you can.

We are a wasteful society and have developed the attitude of ‘there is more where that came from’, unlike past generations who tended to be more frugal and eke every vestige of usefulness before throwing anything out.

In relation to our bathroom remodeling plan, we might endeavor to re-purpose whatever we can and still get a pleasant result, while adding in some new going green factors.

So what can we re-purpose?

When remodeling a bath, it is probably wise to replace the toilet if it has any age on it, due to water inefficiency. This will save you money down the road, since the newer toilets require less water per flush. These have greatly improved over time and some research will turn up those that will give you the most flush for the water spent, and lower your water bill as a benefit.

In most cases, the vanity top needs replacing since it gets a lot of use, but the base unit could possibly be salvaged with  some sanding and prep and either a fresh coat of stain or paint. I favor stain, as I think it holds up better especially in a household with children.

A bathtub in good condition can be given a fresh look by installing new shower doors, or a new surround. This also saves the pain of major demolition and the expense of removal, as well as the landfill issue.

Faucets and showerheads are now available in endless supply, finish, and with a variety of features including lower water usage. This again will save both on the water bill and the energy bill for heating more water to fuel them.

Light fixtures should be purchased with energy saving in mind. Now, this is a serious and imminent issue. Be prepared to buy light fixtures and fittings for your bathroom remodeling project that accommodate the (CFL) or compact fluorescent light.

Why do I say this? Because the incandescent bulb will soon be a thing of the past. There is some dispute over just when this will take effect in the US, but be assured it will be soon. Australia and some European countries already have the ban in place, and retailers are selling their existing stock like hotcakes, but cannot purchase more.

We can either convert now, and have proper fixtures in place, or be forced to make the change in the near future.

Each of these suggestions contribute to the going green movement in one way or another. And, if you are resisting the movement toward green efforts, then comfort yourself by knowing that each of these tips will save you money, and we can all use some help in that area in these lagging economic times.

Massachusetts Bathroom Remodeling – 8 Things to Consider When Planning a Bathroom Renovation

Bathroom remodeling has the second highest return on investment of any renovation you can do in your home. It is right next to kitchen remodeling for ROI.

A bathroom remodel can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars, to tens of thousands. It all depends on your budget, your home and your goals.

No matter what your budget, you have 2 goals with a bathroom remodel. To increase its beauty and to increase its function.

Here are 8 areas you need to consider whether you are thinking about just freshening up, or completely renovating your bathroom. The great thing about this list is you can choose to do 1, 2, or all of them in any combination, and still make a big impact on your bathrooms usability and look.

Cabinets

The first thing you are going to notice when you walk into your new bathroom, are the cabinets. New cabinets will improve your bathroom almost instantly.

Cabinet prices range a lot, from cheap particle board to custom construction. But, you can usually find something quite elegant for a reasonable price if you shop around.

Hardware

Even if you can’t afford to upgrade your cabinetry, new hardware will make a huge difference. Whether you have replaced your cabinetry or not, there are literally thousands of different items you can pick out to enhance your look.

It is amazing how a nice set of hardware will make even a mediocre cabinet look high end.

Fixtures

New bathroom fixtures, including faucets and sinks etc should be chosen to fit in with the style of the cabinetry and the overall look. You don’t want to put modern fixtures in with elegant old fashioned cabinetry and hardware.

Even if you can’t upgrade your cabinets, adding new fixtures, as long as they are a similar style, will make a big difference in the feel of your bathroom.

Flooring / Tile

There simply isn’t a better finish for a bathroom floor than tile. Usually bathrooms aren’t that large, so the cost difference over other options will not even be that significant. Its possible find inexpensive tile if you look around for sales. It is also possible to find very expensive, elegant tile, depending on your budget.

Another popular option is linoleum, but if you can find inexpensive tile, it will definitely have a bigger impact, for probably a similar cost.

Storage

Creating a storage wall is always a great investment. Bathrooms never seem to have enough storage, but by building a storage wall, you can get small items out of your way, and create an attractive display.

Mirror

Adding a big mirror to your bathroom will accomplish 2 things. First of all, it is a very practical addition, allowing you to get ready with ease. Second, it will make your small bathroom look larger.

Lighting

If your bathroom is bright, it doesn’t matter if it is small. It will feel bright and comfortable. There are many choices of different bathroom lights available starting at the very inexpensive and moving up to very extravagant.

Tub or Shower

In Massachusetts, bath tubs are not very popular, but they are gaining acceptance. Whirlpool tubs are built in many different sizes and shapes. They will fit into any spot where an existing tub exists, and often even where there is an existing shower.

These 8 improvements can be done on their own, or in combination with a complete Massachusetts bathroom remodel. It all depends on your budget and goals. But, if you want to freshen up your bathroom, these are the 8 areas you need to think about.

The first thing you need to do is determine your budget. And then, look at each one of these items to decide which you can change, and which you can not.

A bathroom remodel, whether small or large, will make your home a much more enjoyable place to be. And it will make your home more valuable when you go to sell.