Master Bath Design

Your home has been in need of a bathroom remodel, and the time to start the process has arrived. Whether remodeling a master bath or a guest powder room, there are quite a few factors to consider. Unless you are a homeowner who has extensive remodeling experience, hiring a professional who works through the process on a daily basis will prevent your dream bathroom from turning into a nightmare.

THE FLOOR PLAN

When thinking of the new floor plan of your bathroom renovation, consider how the space can be utilized best. How many times have you taken a bath in the garden tub in the past year? If you aren't utilizing the tub, there is approximately 5 feet by 3 feet of space that could be used to enlarge the shower, add a linen closet, or add a make-up vanity. Is the toilet the first thing you see when you open the door? Typically the bathroom door remains open, a direct view of the toilet is not the most pleasant view. A killer feature wall, beautiful vanity, or an elegant freestanding tub are all ideal focal points to your bathroom retreat. 

 

MATERIALS SELECTIONS

When selecting materials for your new bathroom think about the overall feel you are going for. Are you wanting a spa-like retreat, a rustic cottage feel, or a sleek modern vibe? The tile, vanity, lighting, mirrors, and plumbing are key factors in creating the bathroom you have envisioned. Something to consider is what you would like the focal point of your bathroom to be. Splurging on a beautiful accent wall, a gorgeous freestanding tub, a sparking chandelier, or eye catching mirrors can be a worthwhile investment to bring a special flare to your bathroom. Spending a few extra dollars on a couple of select materials can be done in a way that doesn't break the bank and makes the space extra special. 

Lighting

Lighting in a bathroom should not only create ambiance, but also provide proper illumination for shaving or applying make-up. Recessed LED can lights throughout the ceiling brightens the space making it feel larger and also saves energy. Adding a dimmer for the can lights allows you to control the mood of the room. Task lighting is also necessary in a bathroom to illuminate the work space of the vanity. Proper lighting at the mirror should brighten the face with minimal shadowing to make shaving, make-up application, brushing your teeth, or hair styling easier. 

Tile: Ancient Material In Modern Day Designs

Throughout history tile has been utilized in interior and exterior spaces for both its beauty as well as its durability. The use of terracotta tile hand shaped from mud and clay of river banks and baked by the heat of the sun have been found in Mesopotamian architecture, and decorative tile has been found to date to 4000 B.C. in Egypt. Later, the Egyptians discovered that firing clay tile in kilns at high temperatures made the material more water resistant and stronger. The art of developing and manufacturing tile continued in Roman, Greek, and Asian architecture. China and the Middle East developed unique styles from a product made with white kaolin clay known as porcelain. The Persians revived the ancient Egyptian technique of ground quartz formulated with a mixture of white clay and glaze which most influenced the production of ceramic tile. Asia perfected the quality of detail by the use of glazes which later influenced the production and use of tile in the Dutch, Spanish, Italian, as well as other European Countries. As European colonists settled in North and South America, tile production rapidly evolved in these colonies also. Only the wealthy were able to import tile for their homes in the 1800's primarily for fireplace surrounds. By the turn of the century, tile was no longer a material for the elite. Tile application exploded in the utilization of foyer floors, bathrooms, and kitchens for sanitary purposes. Tile murals were applied for designing public spaces as well as "subway tile". The affordability and use of tile continued to spread world wide and by the 1980's, North America became an important market for tile manufacturers. Within the past several years, the tile industry has revolutionized. Computers, robotics, and machinery produce most porcelain tiles today in a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles; however, there are manufacturers that are partial to the ancient art of the handmade tile.  

Today tile plays a significant role in designing interior spaces of a home as well as commercial spaces. Tile is the longest lasting flooring product on the market. With proper installation and care, tile can last a lifetime. Tile has evolved from simply a sanitary surface to a pivotal element of design in a space. Due to innovative production, tile is available in a large range of sizes from small penny rounds to four foot by eight foot pieces. In addition to size, technology has allowed the industry to produce tile with unique textures as well as color. With this new technology comes experimentation of alternate materials such as glass, metal, wood, and leather being crafted into tile shapes which are integrated into tile designs. Machinery, such as the water jet, has allowed tile to be cut into intricate shapes that were once thought to be impossible or incredibly time consuming to produce. This new product provides a vast range of design applications in any space. Along with aggressive innovation in tile production and design, manufacturers of materials such as adhesives and grouts, as well as sealers and cleaners are working just as hart in making tiled surfaces the easiest surface to maintain in a home. Combined with no volatile organic compounds (VOC's), its antimicrobial surface, and insect resistance, tile is the most sensible design option for quality floors and walls.

Reviewing and researching new developments in setting materials, tile production, tile installation, and trends allows the team at BARRON Tile and Stone to provide its customers with the most current products available. Team members attend the annual International Coverings Tile Show to remain a step ahead in what is to come in the tile industry. Participating in workshops for the latest developments in installation materials and techniques allows us to provide quality results for our customers. Observing and conversing with manufacturers around the globe enables the team to see where the future direction of tile design is heading. The BATTON Tile and Stone team works hard to provide a unique showroom experience to its customers. The vast selection available provides design opportunities for any application and space. Visit us in person to experience Moore Counties largest, most innovative showroom, or visit us online at www.barrontile.net.                   

Outdoor Tiled Areas

We live in an area of the country that is awesome.  We still have all 4 seasons, (the leaves by the way are just starting to turn and they are going to be beautiful), and the winter summer extremes are not to harsh.  This makes having an outdoor living space very popular for a lot of our residents.  We get asked to do tile work in quite a few different areas.  We tile covered porches, non-covered porches, raised decks, BBQ counters, patio table tops, sidewalks and even a driveway or two.  Due to the outdoor exposure of these areas, there are extra precautions to take when making tile selections and picking an installation method.

First of all we want to make sure that we pick a tile that is a porcelain.  These tiles have a near zero absorption rate.  This is important as moisture can seep into a ceramic tile, and then if we get weather below freezing the expansion of the water can pop the glaze off the tile, or if the moisture is under the tile it can compromise the bond to the substrate.  Next we want to make sure that the tile has a slip resistant finish on it.  We get pine pollen that falls a couple times a year and leaves a light dusting of very fine powder on everything.  This can make a smooth surface very slippery.  We also want to consider color. A dark tile will absorb heat all day long and then radiate it onto the house and the occupants of the deck making a once cool evening feel to hot to be outside.

Second we want to consider the surface, or substrate that we will be adhering the tile too.  Some people think that the hardest thing a tile guy does are tile showers.  And we do see a lot of failures due to improper install techniques in tile showers.  But I think that I have seen more deck failures relative in numbers then shower failures.  Most of the failures we see have to do with water seeping in and getting the deck material wood wet, which then makes the wood expand letting in even more water, and then the tile bond starts to loosen as a result.  We see better results on concrete areas, but we have seen a good deal of failures there as well.   Did the concrete have enough time to cure, was it sound to start with, was it level, etc?  One of the products that we just love here is called Ti ProBoard.  We have been using it here as a replacement for the traditional treated plywood with cement board on top and then either a waterproof roll-on membrane or a sheet good membrane.  We actually are so happy with the product that we wont tile an exterior deck without it.

Third we want to consider how the color and style of the tile match or compliment the exterior design of the home.  We come out to the clients home and spend some time talking about the different ways the light will reflect off the tile, the tone of the color, the slip resistance, the way that it will be edged, how it ties into the other adjoining surfaces, etc...

And finally we want to make sure that we pick the right grout for the area.  Color, durability and density are all factors that we consider for use in an area that gets beat on by the sun, rained on, snow sits on it at times for weeks, pine pollen falls on it, mold wants to grow on it, etc.. Grout gets treated fairly harshly in an outdoor environment and bad grout can ruin the prettiest of  tile jobs.

If you would like a free in home consultation to pick our brains on what you could do in an outside area, please call our office to set up an appointment.  (910) 673-3884

Information on Ti-ProBoard can be found here
http://www.finpan.com/products/ti-proboard/ti-proboard/

Tile Trends

Tile Trends, the short version.

Todays tile manufacturing processes have made the tile market explode with optoins.  We have water jet cutting machines, laser etching, automated mosaic assembly, high definition printing, new glazes, better kilns, and all in all better design people being drawn to the industry because of it all.  Back only 10-15 years we were a showroom of mostly basic beige and gray 12x12 tiles with a few 18x18's for our really cutting edge customers.  Now we have design options that almost seem endless.  The other exciting thing about lots of manufacturers with all these great ideas is that they are all pushing to be number one in the market.  This means that the product stock levels and delivery are being improved every day.   They are also being much more competitive on the pricing of these new products.  Tile can now be the focal point of any room, it can tell a story, add focus, bring in lights, change a mood.  Try doing that with basic beige 12x12's.  This is also making the showroom experience so much more diverse as well.  Our team has found ways to hone in on what your style and preferences are, and then bring the products that match to your attention.  The selection process can be daunting on your with so many choices, but we would love to have a chance to help walk you through it.  When you start using tile in the ways it can now be used it is even more important then ever to get just the right design and product application.

A couple of other things that are very prevalent in tile design today are not only size and color, but shape and texture as well. Tile has come a long way from a 12x12. Tile in the form of a plank with increasing size and finer grout joints is producing a sleek clean updated look. Hexagons from small deco sheets to larger formats are being used for additional design interest on floors and walls. Color is also trending a long way from the basic beige. Taupe and gray are all the rage.Ghosting patterns on wood look planks, hexagons, as well as the traditional 12x12's add an updated patterned look. Textured tile introduces a design appeal which adds dimensional interest that is captured by the light of the space. Printed textured wall tiles are replacing dated pealing wallpapers. Wood look tiles have become increasingly realistic to hardwoods in appearance and texture. Wood look tile is being used as a maintenance free alternative to hardwoods in high traffic areas to avoid the maintenance refinishing due to damage from scratching or water. The current tile trends are adding new design possibilities to every space. Our showroom team continues to research and stay a step ahead in bringing our customers the latest trends as they are available to provide the most diverse and current selection.

Cleaning your tile floors

Ok, we have a question from a customer.  Mrs Wimmer asks us "What is the best way to take care of my tile"?  Well lets start by letting our readers know that we have just completed a full master bath remodel for this client in a wonderful white/gray porcelain 12"x24" tile.  We also installed a honed natural stone fireplace accent wall, as well as a polished natural stone back splash in her kitchen, and a full surround in her guest bath in ceramic tile.  What a pleasure it was to work on her job, and she does have almost all of the different types of materials we sell, all in one house.  

The easiest, quickest and most efficient step to taking care of your tile floors is to regularly sweep, vacuum and damp mop them. Lets start with the porcelain tile. The biggest difference between between porcelain and all the other tile options for a floor is that porcelain as part of its make-up is a almost zero porosity material.  This means that it does not absorb something spilled on it like a natural stone or even a ceramic would.  These tiles are very durable and can be cleaned with almost any household cleaner without any worries about damaging the surface.  What we have to be a little more cautious about is the grout joints.  This is the same for all tiled areas.  Grout tends to be the maintenance area of concern with most tile installs.  We do not recommend using vinegar on your grout.  I know a lot of people always have, but we also get a lot of calls from people that have failing grout that comes out just by running a car key down the joints.  Vinegar is a mild acid and over many years of use will break down the strength of the grout.  We also do not recommend any cleaners with detergents in them as they can leave a soapy residue behind in the pores of the grout that actually will attract more dirt.  We also do not recommend any cleaners with color additives in them (lemon, orange, pine etc...), this color can stain the grout over time.  We have a selection of daily cleaners in the showroom that will provide a strong enough cleaning power but are formulated to work with your grout.  The other solution that we suggest is a mix of ammonia and water.  This will cut the grease and grime and not leave a soapy residue behind. We usually mix it 5 parts water to one part ammonia, and remember we don't want the sudsing or the scented kind.  

When we talk about ceramic we have the same suggestions.  Remember that ceramic is more porous then porcelain and so the absence of color in the cleaner is even more important.  Using a good quality steam mop on any of your tile floors is a great way to remove daily grime, and being that it is just a water vapor it doesn't leave any unwanted colors or suds behind.  

Natural stone is the more delicate flooring that we install.  It has a wonderful look to it that is very rich and natural and not easily reproduced in a man made tile form.  Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. Sand, dirt and grit do the most damage to natural stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness. Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize the sand, dirt and grit that will scratch the stone floor. Be sure that the underside of the mat or rug is a non-slip surface. Normally, it will take a person about eight steps on a floor surface to remove sand or dirt from the bottom of their shoes. Do not use vacuum cleaners that are worn. The metal or plastic attachments or the wheels may scratch the surface.Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral PH stone cleaner available at retail stores or at your local tile and stone dealer, or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Use a clean rag mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently. Do not use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.

We also suggest that you have your grout sealed if you are concerned about it being stained.  We also offer an upgraded grout that is less pores and helps to repel stains better then a standard grout does.

Where to start with a bathroom remodel

Well we still have not had any requests for topic discussion (please request something, that was the point of this blog - thanks in advance).  So next we would like to discuss "Where to start with a bathroom remodel". 

We start by asking our clients if there is look that they have seen that stands out to them.  People get inspiration from so many different places.  Sometimes you are out at a restaurant and love what they did in their entry, or bathroom, sometimes its a friends house that just had some work done, or an HGTV show, a magazine ad for a new faucet, a web site like Houzz, etc.  We find this kind of inspiration gives us a direction to start in, now we decide where to go from there.

One of the first things we like to do is come out to the house and do a site measurement of the space.  From this we can better tell what is and what is not feasible.  Sometimes moving a plumbing item is easy, and some times it just doesn't make sense.  We like to see where doors to other rooms are and where the windows are located.  This is something that James does and he can tell us more about what exactly he looks for on a site measure, and then I am going to discuss a little further how we take that information and help come up with a comprehensive design for the space.

We want discussion topics...

Today has been a great wrap up to a short week.  We were able to finish three large jobs, and start two more.  Plus we had some little ones mixed in as well.  The back and forth talking about shower repair has been fun.  Looking for some input suggestions on what our readers (287 of them this first week) would like for us to discuss next.  We have some ideas, but the idea of this blog was for interaction with our readers.  Thanks in advance and have a great weekend.