Category Archives: bath & Shower Products

Bathroom Shower Tile Ideas

December 29, 2011

Nowadays designing the bathroom following different themes has become a trend. To make your bathroom look luxurious yet comfortable, you must choose tiles of perfect colors. you must also go for a proper bathroom shower tile ideas as it will add up to the splendor of your bathroom. these shower tiles are found in various shapes and designs and each of these designs is found in different price ranges.

Thus, while selecting your bathroom shower tile ideas, firstly you will need to decide on your budget and then select the materials accordingly. you can get bathroom shower tiles made of different materials, for example, stone, cobble stone, marble, glass etc.

Very common mistake that most people make is that they spend many bucks for buying beautiful curtains and accessories. you must realize the fact that, having a great bathroom shower tile idea can provide a wonderful ambience to your bathroom at a much lower cost. Choosing the right color of the shower tiles will depend on the size of the bathroom. If the size of the bathroom is small, it is preferred to use light color tiles, as due to more reflection of light, the bathroom will seem to look bigger.

There is also another easy process of decorating your tiles. you can change the colors of your old tiles by painting them according to the theme you chose from different bathroom shower tile ideas. you can use multiple colors to make the bathroom look more attractive.

The painting procedure must be carried out carefully. It is advisable to use enamel paint for the shower tiles as they are highly water resistant and also resistant to frequent changes of temperature which are quite common for any bathroom.

You can also make the painting procedure easier by using stencils to decorate the area around the shower. Stencils are very convenient to use, cheap to buy and are available in any local crafts store. you can buy the stencils according to the theme of your decoration. The popular themes available are waves, beach balls and others.

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Asia Sentinel – Politics, Romance Intertwine in Indonesia

December 2, 2011

  Father, daughter in wedding rite (photo credit: Jakarta Globe)

Two powerful political families unite in matrimony

Indonesians are agog over the wedding of the century so far, traffic jams and all. It is a gala affair that began Tuesday in Jakarta and is due to span the next three days, with the union of the son of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the daughter of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Hatta Rajasa. Inevitably the nuptials have stirred gossip that the marriage is more political bargain than culmination of a love affair. It is being described as a “new Cikeas Dynasty,” a reference to the president’s home in West Java. the union is said to have been engineered by Kristiani Herawati, the president’s wife, in the hopes of eventually seeing the couple’s youngest son, Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, 29, follow his father to the presidency. the bride, Siti Ruby Aliaya Rajasa, was said to be studying in London when called home for the marriage. under this scenario, Hatta Rajasa, the chairman of the moderate Islamist National Mandate Party (PAN), would be nominated in 2014 to replace SBY, as the president is universally known, as the country’s chief executive in national elections. PAN has already announced that Hatta, a seasoned political veteran who has served in four different cabinets and is one of the president’s closest advisors, would be nominated as the party‘s candidate. that works for the president. the Democratic Party, which he heads, is in a shambles over a continuing scandal involving bribes allegedly paid to some of the party’s top officials in the building of the athletes’ village for the Southeast Asian Games, due to conclude tomorrow in Palembang. There appears to be nobody at this point in the party with the stature to succeed Yudhoyono as presidential candidate. There had been worries, in fact, that the scandal could destroy the party. Some of the reformers who came into politics with the president have been irrevocably tarred. Hatta appears to be the most credible alternative at this point to take on a resurgent Golkar, the party created by the strongman Suharto. Golkar is now headed by the powerful coal tycoon Aburizal Bakrie, who has made no secret of his ambition to run. if Hatta can win, serves the theoretical and obligatory two terms and term limits then end his political career, Edhie, also known as Ibas, would be 39 and presumably seasoned enough to follow him into the presidency according to the gossip mill. Whether the reports have any credibility, President Yudhoyono felt called upon Tuesday to deny that the pending marriage was indeed intended to cement a coalition between the Democrats and PAN. According to the so-called “love coalition” speculation, the marriage was designed to create a bond between the two parties. certainly, whether it involves the marriage of two political parties, it does involve the marriage of two cultures – Javanese and Sumatran. Yudhoyono hails from Pacitan in East Java while Hatta is from Palembang in South Sumatra, the site of the ill-starred games. In any case, Yudhoyono told reporters, the marriage was his son’s personal choice. “We ask for Allah’s blessing upon our plan to marry our sons and daughters Edhie Baskoro and his choice Siti Ruby Aliya Rajasa on November 24, 2011,” he told reporters. Political coupling or no, the three-day ceremony has Indonesians excited. Thousands of guests were invited, with an Islamic prayer and a siraman (translated as “splash of water”) shower ceremony at Yudhoyono’s private residence in Bogor, then followed by another at Hatta’s home in South Jakarta on Tuesday. a convoy carrying the groom’s family visited the bride’s to formally seek her hand. since the two homes are roughly 100 km. apart, Indonesians braced for traffic jams in an already chaotic city as the presidential convoy and ambassadors, politicians and dignitaries raced between the two locations. Police, however, said they would keep traffic distraction to a minimum. Festivities are to resume tomorrow with the official union at the Cipanas Palace in West Java before 1,000 guests. the reception is to be held Saturday at the Jakarta Convention Center with 3,600 invited guests. the president has said that no public funds are to be spent on the ceremonies, and that in fact he will be at his desk throughout. “We all understand that for the ordinary citizen, it’s reasonable to take a day off for a wedding in the family, but as the head of state the president can’t do this,” a palace spokesman said. the spokesman added that the stream of politicians, ambassadors and other VIPs would not disrupt regular traffic. “We’ve planned it so that the guests first gather at a rest stop at the 45-kilometer point of the road. from there, they will head together in a convoy escorted by police so that there will be minimal disruption to the traffic,” the spokesman said. (With reporting from Jakarta Globe)

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Installing a Tub Surround

November 23, 2011

If your tub/shower enclosure has seen better days, why not give it an update? One of the easiest, cost-effective ways to replace your dingy enclosure is to purchase and install a shower/tub surround kit.

Why panels?

These handy kits generally come with three or five pieces. if your enclosure is perfectly square, a three-piece kit (with a back panel and two side panels) is the way to go. but if you’re dealing with crooked walls or walls that aren’t plumb, the five-piece kit (with a back panel, two corner panels, and two end panels) offers more flexibility.

Not only are these panels water-resistant, they’re also easy to clean and will almost instantly revive your bathroom-what’s not to love about that? and they come in a variety of materials, from solid surfacing to pressed fiberglass. Though thicker panels are usually more expensive, they’re more stable and easier to work with.

Prep work.

Before getting to work, protect the bottom of your tub from dings and scratches with a heavy cloth. if your current shower interior is solid, flat, and in good structural condition, you can install the panels over the existing material (just be sure to give it a good cleaning first, and scuff tile with sandpaper so it’ll better grip the adhesive). For drywall, cut out damp sections and replace it with a moisture-resistant version. if you’ve got a tile surround, simply stick loose tiles back in place with ceramic-tile adhesive. but if several tiles are loose, just remove them altogether and replace them with moisture-resistant drywall.

Now comes the tricky part: removing the showerhead, faucet, and spout-as well as other accessories such as wall-mounted shelves or soap dishes.

Using a tall piece of cardboard, make a template of the side of the tub with the bath fixtures. Measure the exact locations of the faucet handles, showerhead, and tub spout. Cut holes in the cardboard, hold the cardboard up to the wall to make sure the holes align with the fixture placements, and mark the locations on the surround panels.

Installation.

Measure your walls and trim your panels accordingly. Following manufacturer’s instructions, apply the adhesive, then attach the panels to the walls and let them dry thoroughly. Replace the hardware, and seal joints with caulk.

For more detailed instructions, check out Popular Mechanics and This old House. or watch this step-by-step video, courtesy of HGTV.

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Building Shower Pans – 7 Steps

October 23, 2011

Building shower pans is something you can learn to do. Building shower pans is a great skill to learn or maybe you just want to understand how it’s done.

Here are the basic steps for building shower pans.

1. Repair damage.

If you’re replacing a shower pan, fix damaged places. Usually you find damage to the sub floor around the shower floor pan. Remove and replace rotted material. if water has harmed walls or ceilings in floors below, repair that at the same time. to avoid these problems in the future, shower floor pans must be built properly. You can do it right yourself.

2. Rough in shower drain base.

Tile floors are not water-proof. They’re water-resistant. Exposed grout and mortar absorbs some water. Mix the mortar properly, or it will crumble and fail over time. also, there are different grades of mortar. Consult your dealer or read the package directions to make sure you have the right grade for your application.

It’s very important that the shower drain be properly installed. the water that weeps into the mortar must reach the drain. Rough in the drain base here.

3. Build the shower floor pan mortar base.

Build your shower floor slope now. the slope moves the water to the drain which prevents mold, fungus and odors caused by standing water. Build a two inch thick base sloping toward the drain. let the base cure before the next step.

4. Shower pan liner membrane and drain top.

A waterproof shower pan liner membrane goes on top of the mortar base. the shower pan membrane is a rubber-like material and is waterproof and resistant to household chemicals. the membrane extends up the sides of the shower wall several inches. Folding the liner in the corners is a trick to building shower pans

5. Install the second shower pan liner mortar bed.

Install a second layer of mortar over the liner membrane and reinforce with wire.

6. Build the shower curb.

Build any threshold forms and pour mortar mix to establish the shape.

7. Install your ceramic tile.

When the second coat of mortar cures, install a coat of thinset.

Then install your tile. let the thinset cure and then you can install the grout.

Now laying tile is an art, but there are tricks you can use to get your joints even and get your cuts done right.

Tricks for building shower pans:

There are several places to make mistakes and a lot of questions can come up when building shower pans.

How do I build a threshold?

How do I get the right amount of fall in the floor?

How is the pan attached to the drain?

What kind of mud is best and how do I mix it?

How do I get the liner in the corners?

How do I run the pan up the walls?

What about making cuts? what kind of saw is best?

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How to Choose a Custom Shower Base or Pan

October 2, 2011

If you’re looking to choose a custom shower base but have found yourself overwhelmed with options you’re not alone. Mud set pans, extruded or expanded polystyrene, solid surface Corian and cultured marble are just some of the more common options. Identifying your choices in not the problem – it’s finding the best option for you that can be tough. In this article you’re learn 7 steps to guide you through this decision.

Step 1 – Identify your options – In the past the most frequently used custom pan was a mortared mud set (it did not require specialized materials and many tile setters were familiar with the method). although there was a lot of familiarity with this approach the failures with this system became all too common as well. now systems like expanded and extruded polystyrene and solid surface bases are gaining popularity for their ease of installation and long term performance.

Step 2 – know how the location of your bathroom will impact your choice – if your project is located on the second floor with stairs that are difficult to maneuver it may literally be impossible to use a heavy solid surface or cultured marble unit because of their weight (and the ability to fit the pan through the door may not be possible). If access is tough then the mortared and expanded/extruded polystyrene systems are best.

Step 3 – Determine how important a completely waterproof base will be to you- Solid surface and expanded polystyrene bases are 100% waterproof and factory made as one assembly. In the case of a concrete base it is hand made at the job site and it’s long term success is totally dependent on the knowledge and skills of the homeowner or field installer (note: there is a heavy price to pay for a failed installation – the entire base and enclosure system will often need to be removed and there may be water damage in the subfloor and rooms below).

Step 4 – Figure out your budget – it may be tempting to select the cheapest custom shower base (this is the mud set style) because you might say who’s going to see it anyway, but if the unit fails you’ve got big problems (see step 3). For excellent waterproofing at a good price a ready for tile expanded polystyrene or cultured marble selection may be best. Solid surface Corian is usually the most costly option.

Step 5 – Determine if you’re going to do it yourself or hire a professional – If you’d like to save money and do it yourself it’s best to stay away from labor dependent and skill intensive mortared bases (yes – they’re cheap – but if you do it wrong you’ll be stuck with a seriously high repair bill). For DIY projects consider bases that are premade in one section to your specifications like solid surface and expanded polystyrene units. If you hire an experienced bathroom remodeling contractor they should be skilled in installing most of the different types of bases.

Step 6 – Consider how you want to finish the floor- Ask if you’d prefer a solid surface or tile floor. If you like the look and feel of tile the mud set and extruded/expanded bases will all work. If you love tile but hate grout use a high performance urethane grout vs. the typical sanded grout. Urethane grout is highly resistant to water, comes in premixed buckets, and does not require the maintenance of needing to be resealed. The advantage of Corian and cultured marble bases is the base also is the finished floor.

Step 7 – think long term – consider accessible Universal design options – Let’s face facts – custom bases are not cheap. so you should consider how you can design your pan and enclosure to work for your entire family over the long run of owning the home (no matter what their age or physical abilities). to design your base to be useable by everyone you may want to add a barrier free or ramped entrance. these can be used by someone who needs a roll in shower – or anyone else in your family as well.

Now that you’re equipped with these 7 steps you’re ready to make the best selection for your custom shower base project.

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Sit Down Shower Unit or a Bathtub: Which Should You Buy?

September 16, 2011

One of the most difficult things to decide on when it comes to the type of shower fixture that you should add in your bathroom is choosing e whether to have sit down shower units or a bathtub. There are so many things to consider in order for you to make an informed decision. the best thing to do here is to get the basic information on both the tub and the shower stall, and decide for yourself which one you’d rather have in your home.

Let’s start with the sit down type shower units. Shower stalls, particularly the sit down type, are great if you want to have a shower in your bathroom without having the rest of the room drenched with water when you use it. And if there are physically challenged people living with you, sit down showers can be great additions in your home. Shower stall can be fitted with hand railings for easy and convenient access, keeping the needs of disabled and elderly family members in mind. A shower chair can also be installed for added convenience and comfort when using the shower.

Bathtubs can also be a good choice, especially to those who like soaking after a tiring day from work. if you enjoy long and relaxing baths, a number of soaking tub varieties is available in the market today. Tubs can come in myriads of styles and sizes to suit everyone’s discerning taste. There are even tubs that you can choose to have if you or one of your family members has special bathing needs. There are tubs with doors and seats that can help the handicap or elderly to take long and relaxing baths with ease and comfort.

But if you cannot decide on having either a tub or a shower stall, or you just can’t live without both bathroom fixtures, then you can opt for a shower and bathtub combo unit. as the name suggests, this unit combines a shower and tub in one big unit. this way, you can have enjoy a quick shower when you’re in a hurry, and a relaxing bath when you want to pamper yourself after a long and tough day. the downside, though, is you’d need a big space to accommodate a shower tall and a tub. that said, this would be an impractical choice for those with very small bathrooms. So, if you are one of those people that need to work with small bath spaces, then you really have to decide whether you will go for a sit down shower stall or a small soaking tub.

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Building a Shower Pan – The Mud Method

August 19, 2011

Building a shower pan the traditional way relies on skill but not much money. Other more modern methods are more costly, but require less skill. The traditional way to build showers is not only cheap to do, it’s also flexible.

Custom shower pans can be quite easily built using standard masonry methods. That’s because every masonry shower is just built from scratch a layer at a time. What’s so puzzling about the construction of shower pans is that the more important parts are buried. They are down inside the floor.

The critical pieces of a masonry pan are two layers of mortar, a liner membrane and the shower drain itself. Here’s how it goes.

Above the subfloor goes a bottom layer of mud. It’s called deck mud and it’s simple to make. It’s just a mixture of sand, portland cement and water. It’s just moist, not really wet, when installed. They key to this layer is the slope. It’s sloped at about 1/4 inch per foot. You’ll see why next.

Over the dried first layer is installed the liner membrane itself. that liner is a special vinyl sheet that’s waterproof and forms what is basically a pool that will catch any and all water that seeps through the shower floor. You can’t see this layer in the finished floor, but it;s what holds the water back. It’s over the sloped mud layer so the water that makes it to the liner flows down toward the drain.

That drain is sealed to the liner sheet so the connection is waterproof. Here’s why the drain is tricky. There are two sets of drain holes in a tile shower drain. The top drain you can see in the floor. The other drain holes that catch the liner membrane run-off are buried down inside the shower floor?

Do you wonder how buried drain holes could catch water? That’s a mystery of shower construction that’s not so puzzling once you understand it.

Then the final mud layer goes right over the shower pan. that layer is the base for the tile itself. It’s also sloped like the first layer to route water right to the floor drain.

Building a shower pan is a step-by-step layer-by-layer process. The tricky part is the key components are buried and out of sight.

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Creating a Curved Glass Block Walk in Shower Wall and Base

August 3, 2011

Curved glass block shower walls have become the rage – they look sleek, are easy to clean, eliminate the cost of a door and the need to clean around the tracks of the door and are less expensive than tempered bent glass. With that said the design of a rounded glass bathroom wall is not the easiest thing to do. To begin you’ve got to design an integrated shower system where the curvature of the base will work with the block units (note: the blocks cannot be cut). In this project it’s critical to design first and let your construction process and products follow your goals for the finished look you desire.

This article will provide 6 1/2 design steps for a successful radius shower wall:

Step 1 – Determine what you want your curved wall(2) to look like – first measure the total space (depth x width) you’ve got to work with. To have a radius bathroom wall you’ll usually need a minimum of 34″ of shower depth to have adequate room to get into the wet area of the shower. Consider if you want a corner or bench shower seat or leg ledge. get our a tape measure and see if you want a tight or more gradual radius (the tightest radius with glass blocks is usually a 1′ dimension measured from the inside of the wall) or even a serpentine (S-shaped) type wall.

Develop a rough drawing of your shower with the approximate size (depth and width), wall shape(s), and accessories desired (benches, leg ledges etc.).

Step 2 – Identify what material you’d like on the floor of the shower – More luxurious custom showers are usually done with tile, terrazzo, or granite floors. Less expensive shower bases are made of acrylic.

With a tile floor you can either construct a mortared mud-set pan base (which is time consuming and more prone to quality and leakage issues down the road) or get a prefabricated expanded polystyrene base which is 100% waterproof, ready for tile and specifically designed for the curvature of the glass block shower stall or enclosure.

An acrylic shower base for blocks is premade and available in two sizes – 72″ x 51″ and 60″ x 34″. The colors of these bases are white and biscuit and come in left hand and right hand entry designs.

Step 3 – Consider how tall you want your walls to be – most completed block shower walls are 80″ and after they are set on the curb of the base (which is usually 4″ to 5″) bring the finished height of the wall to 84″ – which is equivalent to a standard shower head. for side block walls with corner seats and leg ledges the most common height is 64″ (the benches and seats are 16″ tall from the inside of the base and putting the block on a partial 16″ high wall will allow the 80″ rounded wall and the side 64″ wall to match up).

Step 4 – Evaluate any special needs for a roll in barrier free shower base – Stepping over a curb (even one as small as 1″) can be a major obstacle for some people. Barrier free and roll in shower bases can be designed to help those who have difficulty getting into a standard shower the opportunity to have a cool and functional shower. although acrylic bases for blocks are usually not possible in roll in designs (they are premade with 4 – 5″ curbs) the expanded polystyrene bases can be custom designed with any person’s specific needs in mind.

Step 5 – Add the cool – the color, design, and patterns to make your project stand out – why settle for a generic looking wall when you don’t have to? Colored glass block, etched glass, and unique patterns, sizes and block shapes can bring a unique style to your finished project. Design in “the cool” so you don’t have to limit yourself to the standard blocks you may have seen in your local market.

Step 6 – Purchasing the base and walls – It’s best to buy the shower base and the wall(s) from the same supplier or contractor – this way you can require they guarantee the base and the walls will fit together. Since curved glass block shower base and wall products are a niche market make sure your supplier has actual pictures and projects they can show you with rounded walls (a comment like “I did a block shower project a few years ago” should not inspire the confidence you should demand for a specialty job like this).

The most common failure in radius glass block shower wall projects are poorly designed and constructed bases that don’t match up with the block walls. This problem can cause a block installation contractor to make joints between the blocks that are either too big or too small, or have to use a strange grouping of blocks which don’t look good together.

Premade glass block panels can be made in either straight, curved, or step down designs that make it possible for many contractors and handy homeowners to accomplish this project. Try not to do a rounded wall project using the old-fashioned block by block installation process (unless the design is very tricky) – the quality is often lacking with an inexperienced installer and may cause you to have to redo the wall.

Step 6 1/2- if the project is causing you sleepless nights – This project should not, and does not, have to cause you sleepless nights. if you’re unsure of your design or your ability (or your potential contractor’s ability) to complete the project get help. a glass block supply and installation specialist can help you through the details, supply you with pre-made base, wall, accessories and unique design blocks to turn your conceptual project into a stunning reality. Don’t be stubborn, call or email for help before you get too far.

Now that you’re equipped with these 6 1/2 steps you’re ready to design and order your curved glass block shower wall and base.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Foti

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Tiling shower ceiling?

July 22, 2011

What procedure to use to keep the tiles from falling from the ceiling before the mortar dries.

You should be using special tile adhesive made for tiling ceilings.

The mortar that you are using really needs to be mixed so that is it very sticky and you can add a glue that is sold at any home depot or flooring store. ceilings suck as far as tiling them.

cut kickers, or braces, to hold them. i.e. 1×2 pine sticks are sufficient. cut to estimated lenght, usually 1/8 to 1/2 inch longer. counter tops, and solid step benchs help limit material used in this way. also once placed, kickers can be "shared", by placing at edges of tile to hold two to four (corners) at once.

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Small Bathroom Remodeling – Thinking Outside the Box

July 15, 2011

Many articles and websites offer small bathroom remodeling ideas, but few think outside the box. Thinking outside the box is what it takes to truly make some noticeable changes in a smaller bathroom.

The standard suggestions of

  • Using lighter colors, which helps make the space seem larger and brighter.
  • Use shower curtains or clear glass to open up the room.
  • Using mirrors to give the feeling of space.
  • Install a pedestal sink, instead of using vanities or cabinets.
  • Doors that open outward or sliding doors.
  • Putting in a smaller toilet

work well, but often time, they only give the illusion of a larger bath. While these suggestions should be strongly considered, I would like to go further and think a little outside the box. what you really want is more room, not just the illusion of more space. Small bathrooms are usually in smaller homes, where square footage is in great demand. On the same token, homeowners who would spend $50,000 to create an addition, would simply rather move into a new home where a large bathroom already exist.

Adding more Space

1. if you have a closet located next to you small bathroom, consider creating a bathroom entrance and closing off the existing doorway. Depending where you fixtures are located, you could possibly install a sliding mirror door, which once again, adds the illusion of more space. In adding an bathroom entrance to your closet you have created more elbow room.

2. you could raise the ceiling if you live in a single store house (or the bathroom is located upstairs). Climb up into the attic to double check there are no major units to move or a wall is not a load bearing wall. if free and clear, you could create a higher ceiling by removing the original ceiling (sheetrock and wood studs) and raising the ceiling up to the inside of the roof.

While you are at it, consider adding a sunlight. Natural lighting increases the feel and look of any room.

3. if you have a window in your bathroom, consider taking out the window and putting in a small bay window. They have some that include a window seat and others, where you can put plants in.

4. if one of your bathroom walls are located on an outside wall, you could cut out the wall and install a single door or even a small French door. This new door would take you outside. Surround the outside with a small privacy fence, put down stepping stones and plant a garden. When the weather is right, you could even open up the doors to let fresh air in or step into your miniature garden area.

Be sure to install an exterior door (weather proof) and make sure the door opens outward.

5. Buy and install a new shorter tub that will save space. Tub manufacturers still make short tubs that fit in the corner. Normally, these tubs are deeper, so you still will be able to soak away those aching muscles. Some homes are taking out the whirlpool and installing claw foot tubs. these tubs too, come in deeper and shorter styles.

6. Remove the tub all together if your family never uses the bathtub. once again, corner showers save space and can be bought in easy to install shower modules.

A new wave, are showers without walls or doors. The shower head points down and comes out of the ceiling and a shower head causing a rain shower is used. This reduces the splash out circumference area, which keeps water from splashing onto sinks or toilets. you would need to tile the walls and surrounding areas and make sure that the area is waterproof, but once done, it really increases the space. since this is a custom shower, you would need to contact a tile company to discuss feasibility and cost.

7. Widen the bathroom entry door, this way when it is not in use, it will look larger. The doors you could consider, would be a larger entry door, French doors, bi-fold doors and even double bi-fold doors.

8. Look at the adjoining walls of the bathroom and if possible move the wall a foot or two out. a couple of feet is all it takes to dramatically make increase the size. if you would like, only move the wall the length of the bathroom. This way you would create a large niche that is also becoming popular.

Whatever you choose to do, get those creative juices flowing and start thinking outside the box. Remodeling a small bathroom can be a fun and exciting project, that will increase the value of your home.

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