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Should I Install a New Countertop?
A lot depends on the condition of what’s there now. Tile is the most common countertop in bathrooms, with synthetic marble running a close second. Laminate, once a commonly used surface, has declined in popularity over the past two decades. Of course, for upscale homes, stone is in demand.
In older homes, the tile may still be in great shape, since it’s less likely to take abuse in a bathroom than in a kitchen. But the colors and style may be old-fashioned or undesirable. If that’s the case, you’ll want to put in a new countertop.
If the synthetic marble has burn marks, rust, or other stains on it, you will probably want to replace it as well. Although many burns and marks can be removed by sanding, the depressions and rough surface that result can be even more unattractive than the original mark.
Similarly, old laminate usually should be replaced. It may have faded and, if so, is not a feature that will add to the quality of your bathroom.
Should I Install a New Sink?
Unless the existing bathroom sink is an antique with high value, always replace it when doing a major renovation. A new sink will add freshness to the bathroom.
Add a new sink even if you decide to keep the old countertop! Often a slightly oversized surface-mount sink will cover over the area damaged when the old sink was removed.
Be wary of metal sinks in bathrooms. They may be fine in other areas of the home, but they lack the elegance needed in this area. A fine porcelain sink is usually a ~ good choice, although (if you can afford it) stone is unsurpassed.
Should I Install New Cabinets?
Cabinets are less critical in a bathroom than in a kitchen. For one thing, there are far fewer of them. The eye sees much more of the countertop, shower, and tub than the cabinets.
You may be able to get by with painting or restaining old cabinets in a bathroom, whereas you couldn’t possibly get by with this in a kitchen. It depends on how big a renovation you want to do.
Should I Install a New Whirlpool Tub?
Before you install a whirlpool tub, consider the following:
- Will you use it?
- Do you have the room?
- Can you afford it?
If you simply replace a tub/shower with a new one, you’ll have only the basic chore of retiling or reinstalling a plastic unit. However, if you change the configuration by adding a whirlpool or shower, you’ll need to run new plumbing and possibly a new dedicated electrical outlet. In an existing home, that can be difficult and expensive.
Beware of adding bathroom fixtures on a slab floor. In J order to create a new drain, you may have to raise the tub/shower, cut into the cement slab, or both-a difficult and costly procedure.
Keep in mind, however, that newer homes, particularly upscale models, regularly include elaborate whirlpool tubs. No major renovation is really complete without one.
Sometimes the existing tub/shower is in good condition, but is covered by a shower curtain only. Installing a sliding door onto the tub/shower combo may be all the renovation that area of the bathroom really needs.
Should I Replace All the Fixtures?
Always put in new fixtures, even in a minor renovation. Replacements include:
- All light fixtures
- Faucets, outlets, and drains on tub, shower, and sink
- Handle on toilet
- Door handle
If you haven’t renovated a bathroom before, you will probably get sticker shock when you find out the price of high-quality bathroom fixtures. For a whirlpool tub, for example, a Roman-style faucet can easily cost $500 or more. You could spend thousands on upscale fixtures for the whole bathroom.
On the other hand, you can get durable fixtures for relatively little. A good-quality Price Pfister or Moen low-cost model (these come in a wide variety of prices) sink faucet assembly sells for around $50 to $100. Just remember, however, that people who see your bathroom rarely can tell if you spent $50 or $500 on the toilet or sink, put they instantly can tell a high-quality fixture from a cheap one.
Should I Retile the Entire Bathroom?
Tile is commonly used on floors and walls of bathrooms. When you renovate, the question is whether you should keep the old or go with new.
The answer depends, as always, on the condition and appearance of the existing tile. You will stand to get your money back and more if you replace tile that is:
- Chipped or broken
- Old-fashioned in design or color
- Too low (doesn’t come up the wall far enough)
For a high-quality job, and an unlimited pocketbook, you may want to use stone. The goal is always to get a good appearance as well as an efficient bathroom. You want to be able to enjoy it while you live there and to recoup your money when you eventually resell.
What about a New Toilet?
Toilets are strange creatures. We really don’t want to spend a lot of time talking about them or even using them, yet they are, in reality, a focal point of most bathrooms.
A new toilet will improve any bathroom. New toilets are available in a wide variety of colors and designs. While a common toilet can be purchased for well under $100, a modern toilet with a striking design can easily cost $1000 or more.
If you replace a toilet only, be sure the new one has a bigger footprint than the old. Otherwise, you’ll be able to see where the flooring was under the old toilet-and it won’t look good at all.
For an unusual feature in a bathroom, install one of the high-tech toilet seats from Japan. These are cushioned and blow warm air and/or water! They are, however, rather pricey, starting at about $1500.
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