Have things gotten a little out of date and worn in your bathroom? Remodeling can do more than update the way your bathroom looks: it can also improve the way it functions. Faucets, for example, are an important element and it’s important to consider more than just “eye appeal.” As bathroom contractors, we consider a variety of factors to help our clients choose a faucet that’s perfect for their newly remodeled bathrooms. Here are some of the things to look at:

Handle Style. Faucets come in both single- and dual-handle models. Single-handle models allow you to adjust the water flow and temperature with just one hand. Faucets with two handles generally provide more design flexibility and more precise temperature adjustment. Handle styles can vary dramatically in shape or design, and on some faucets, handles can be switched out according your bathroom remodeling design.

Finish. The finish and color of the faucet should coordinate with the décor of your remodeled bathroom. While chrome remains popular, other choices include nickel, stainless steel, enamel-coated colors, ceramic, pewter, gold, platinum and bronze. You can also choose between brushed or polished finishes. Remember that brushed finishes show fingerprints a little less!

Spout Style. The style of the spout should be determined by the size of the bathroom sink. While larger spouts have design impact, you may find that a more compact, lower-profile spout will make it easier to wash your face or hands.

Faucet Construction. The reliability and durability of a bathroom faucet is determined by its valve quality. As all bathroom remodeling contractors will tell you, the best faucets have solid brass, brass-based metal or corrosion-resistant workings. Compression-valve faucets are very reliable and can be maintenance-free. And remember, installing a high quality, name brand faucet now, can be less expensive than buying a cheaper model and having to replace it sooner.

Scald Protection. Anti-scald features include safety devices that restrict how far a hot water handle can be turned, valves that balance the hot or cold water pressure, and thermostats that maintain a pre-selected water temperature. Like most experienced bathroom contractors, we advise clients to consider this a “must” when remodeling a bathroom that will be used by children or older adults.

Hands-free. Hands-free electronic faucets are becoming increasingly popular from a convenience and energy-savings point of view. They use motion detection to turn on and off. Again, this is a “plus” in a children’s bathroom or in remodeling a bath for anyone with arthritis or mobility issues.

Visit our website to learn more about our bathroom remodeling services!

When you call in a bathroom remodeling contractor, you want more than just a new bathroom. You want a bathroom that looks new, too. Achieving that means doing more than just having new cabinets and fixtures. You also want a fresh look for the “footprint” of your bathroom.

Remodeling today is about opening up floor space so that rooms feel airier. In the bathroom, this trend can be seen in a variety of ways. Here are three ideas to consider for updating your own bathroom to have a more open, spa-like feel:

• A free-standing tub. Bathroom remodeling today often means rethinking those built-in Jacuzzi tubs. Today, these big, blocky elements can look clumsy and dated. Instead, like many bathroom remodeling contractors, we have more and more clients asking for elegant free-standing tubs. These can be sculpted and ultra modern, or contemporary takes on the classic claw-footed tub. What makes the look especially fresh is having the tub “float” by placing it on an angle with space on all sides rather than flat against the bathroom wall.
• A large, open shower. Again, many of the bathrooms we’re remodeling have a dated look because the showers are too small and blocky. Even having a glass door and a glass wall look old-fashioned today. What updates the look is going larger and with a much more open feel. Some of the extra space can often come from removing the large built-in tub as described above. Showers also include amenities like a built-in bench with walls of seamless glass (none of those outdated brass or chrome edges from the ’80s and ’90s!). Another trend is doing away with shower doors by constructing the enclosure to contain the water.
• Cabinets and vanities that float. Today’s freshest looks for bathroom remodeling include cabinets that have legs instead of having doors go all the way to the floor. Vanities themselves sometimes have no legs at all – they are constructed as ledges without floor supports. Open shelving adds to the open feel. Vessel sinks remain popular because they also lift up the look of the bathroom instead of weighing it down.