All posts by Leslie Stafford

Luxurious Bathrooms: Steam Shower Installation in Denver

steam-shower-denver-bathroom-remodel1-300x200 Luxurious Bathrooms: Steam Shower Installation in DenverAdding a steam shower by All About Kitchens and Baths in the Metro Denver area to any bathroom is a win-win situation. Not only does it provide an awesome way for you to unwind after a long day or hard workout, but it also provides a feature that home buyers value highly.

In the winter months, a hot steam shower can warm you up on a cold day and clear out congestion in your sinuses when you are sick. In the summer months, a steam shower is a great way to relax your muscles after a long hike or an intense day of yard work.

Steam Shower Installation

So, what is involved in adding a steam shower to your bathroom? There are several things to consider:

  1. The first thing to consider is the layout and size of your shower. It’s nice to sit down during your steam shower, so a built-in bench or a spot for a shower chair/bench is a must have.
  2. Next you should choose a steam unit that is properly equipped for your space. The larger the volume of your shower, the more powerful steam unit you will need. Some popular brands of steam units are manufactured by Mr. Steam, Steamist, Thermasol, and Amerec.
  3. You need to ensure you have a space for the steam unit that is near the shower and also accessible for maintenance. The steam nozzle will run from the steam unit to your shower and will need to be installed in a safe place that will not be close to any body parts (it is hot and can burn you!). The steam unit will need accessible plumbing and electrical to work.
  4. The shower enclosure must be steam-proof and moisture-sealed, so special considerations must be made for the shower door and the type of material used on the walls and ceiling. There are special pre-made steam shower units, but typically we build custom showers that are tiled on the walls and ceiling with non-porous tile (ceramic, not natural stone). If you must use natural stone, be aware that you must reseal the stone often to prevent moisture seepage, and your steam unit may take longer to start up.
  5. Proper preparation of the shower stall must be completed before the walls, ceiling and door are installed. We use a special Kerdi waterproof membrane for the backing material for all steam shower installations. All gaps where fixtures are installed must be properly sealed to prevent moisture from seeping through holes.
  6. You should be aware that while steam showers do not consume much water, they can potentially consume a lot of electricity if used often.

If you are thinking about installing a steam shower in your Denver bathroom, call us today for more information!

(720) 524-7546

Now using Schluter®-KERDI waterproof membranes (KERDI shower system)

At All About Kitchens and Baths, we only use the finest materials in your bathroom remodel. We know that quality materials are the key to great looking bathrooms that function properly for many years to come. Water is your home’s worst enemy, and since bathrooms have high water use, we use high-quality materials that prevent water from penetrating your tile and drywall.

KERDI Shower System

We are happy to now exclusively use the Schluter®-KERDI waterproof membrane system for showers and steam showers in our bathroom remodels around Denver, CO.

The Schluter®-KERDI is a pliable, sheet-applied, bonded waterproof membrane and vapor retarder with limited crack-bridging capabilities. It is made of soft polyethylene, which is covered on both sides with a special fleece webbing to anchor the membrane in the thin-set mortar. KERDI was developed as a waterproofing membrane to be used in conjunction with ceramic and stone tile coverings. Tiles can be installed directly on KERDI using the thin-bed method. Other trowel-applied covering materials, such as plaster, can also be used.

By using this high-quality product, we are arming your bathroom with protection from leaking water that can damage your bathroom in the future. Watch this video to learn why the Schluter®-KERDI is a great choice for your bathroom remodel.

How to Choose a Bathroom Remodeling Contractor in Denver

For many, choosing a great bathroom remodeling contractor in Denver (or anywhere else) is a daunting task. We hope the following tips will help you navigate the process and distinguish between trustworthy, reliable, quality contractors and those who might rip you off or perform shoddy work.

1 – Research Potential Contractors

In Denver, the best places to research contractors are the Better Business Bureau, TeamDaveLogan.com, and ReferralList.com. These resources are great because they have strict, quality guidelines for businesses to be listed. Other public listing sites with reviews, such as Google, Yahoo, Yelp, etc., are also useful.

2 – Contact References

Ask potential contractors for a list of references – prior customers who you can actually speak with to gauge what a typical experience would be like with that contractor. Questions to ask these references include:

  • Did they show up everyday?
  • Were the same people there everyday?
  • Did they clean up every night?
  • Did any issues arise? If so, were they dealt with swiftly and to your satisfaction?
  • What was the schedule of payments – divided up or lump sum?
  • Were you satisfied with the quality?

3 – Understand that Quality and Speed Comes with a Price

As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. If you are looking for high quality work that is completed quickly, you should expect to pay a premium. A low bid undoubtedly means that quality and/or speed will be compromised for your project. The average labor costs for remodeling a 5 x 7 bathroom are between $12-15K, so if your bid is lower than that, beware of poor quality or a remodeling project that may drag on endlessly.

4 – Ask about Scheduling

How does the contractor work? Does the contractor work only on your project until done? Or does the contractor schedule multiple jobs at once and jump around from one to another? Will the contractor work during the weekdays or only on weekends? How long will the project take to complete?

All About Kitchens and Baths Inc. is proud to work exclusively on one project at a time, which we finish completely before moving on to the next job. Our remodel projects typically last between 15-20 business days, depending on the project scope.

5 – Discuss Change Orders with the Contractor

Beware of contractors that low-ball your bid, then come in after demo and require change orders due to “unforeseen” issues. These change orders mean a higher cost for you than was originally quoted. Too often we hear stories where contractors say, “Oh, Mrs. Smith. We found plumbing that we’re going to have to move – and it’s going to cost you an extra 1500 bucks.” Since the contractor has already begun the work, your options are limited and you end up paying more money.

All About Kitchens and Baths Inc. does our best to anticipate potential problems with plumbing, electrical, HVAC, subfloor, etc. when we visit your site to prepare our estimate. We are experienced with remodeling Denver homes of all ages and in all areas. We understand how these homes were constructed and what lies behind the walls. There is the rare occasion that an issue may arise that we absolutely could not have accounted for (such as prior remodel work that was done poorly), and we would promptly bring this to your attention and make a plan that satisfies everyone. The only changes we do not account for are change orders requested by the customer, such as layout changes or adding features like pocket doors, additional lighting, vent fans, etc.

Remodeling Bathrooms for Resale – Sell Your House Faster

The Spring/Summer real estate season is upon us, and many wonder if a bathroom remodel is a good idea to prepare your home for resale. It’s widely known that kitchens and bathrooms sell homes. A buyer needs to picture themselves living in the house without making major improvements, and a grubby bathroom makes it hard for them to imagine that. There is no doubt a bathroom remodel will help sell a home faster, but what type of improvements will give you the best return for your dollar?

  • remodeling-bathroom-for-resale-261x300 Remodeling Bathrooms for Resale – Sell Your House Faster
    Before
    Consider how long you will be living in the home before you put it on the market. If you will be staying for a while, consider upgrades that you can enjoy such as a steam shower, a jetted tub, or radiant floor heating. If you will be selling quickly, you will get the most bang for your buck if you stick to the basics, while giving everything a fresh, updated look.
  • Choose neutral finishes that appeal to a wide range of tastes. White, beige, brown, and gray are great color choices for bathroom tile, countertops, and wall paint. You can use decorative accents such as towels, rugs, and curtains if you must add a pop of color.
  • Consider minor layout changes but nothing that requires major plumbing changes. For example, a new trend is to remove small bathtub/shower combos and replace with large, airy walk-in showers.
  • bathroom-remodel-sell-house-fast-261x300 Remodeling Bathrooms for Resale – Sell Your House Faster
    After
    Invest in quality craftsmanship. Find a good contractor with a track record of happy customers. Buyers will notice sub-par craftsmanship such as crooked tile, cracked grout, and messy caulk, and they will wonder what other corners have been cut. If necessary, choose more modest finishes and invest in quality installation.
  • Lastly, while we usually recommend remodeling the entire bathroom at once for a seamless upgrade, if some parts of your bathroom are in decent shape, you may save money by making only minor upgrades. Tearing out existing tile is typically one of the most costly parts of a remodel once you account for demo, materials, and labor, so keep that in place if possible. Consider changing out the countertop and refreshing cabinet hardware, lighting, faucets, and towel bars. Old cabinets can be painted for a new look. Switching out your toilets (or even just toilet seats) can make a big difference. Refresh worn vinyl flooring with new, modest tile.

Radiant Floor Heating Will Keep Your Toes Warm

radiant-floor-heat-bathroom-warm-300x199 Radiant Floor Heating Will Keep Your Toes WarmRadiant floor heating in a bathroom is one of our favorite features that we feel is highly underrated and underused. It is a must-have if you are planning the ultimate luxury bathroom remodel. We can’t think of anything better than walking with bare feet on warm tile in the winter. What a dream!

Luckily, radiant floor heating is also a very practical choice for improved energy efficiency, since it heats a room from the ground up. Hot air rises, so with a source of heat at the lowest point, there is a more even distribution of heat throughout the room than you would find with a forced air system. That means no cold air stuck at the lowest point making your floors cold.

Radiant floor heating is a win-win situation for luxury and efficiency

Radiant heat can be installed with most types of flooring, including tile, wood, concrete, and others. Typically a bathroom installation of radiant heat flooring would have tile but other options are possible as well. Radiant heat flooring is installed prior to your floor finish materials and involves a network of electric coils or heated water tubes beneath your floor. The best systems will have a thermostat to control heating.

Cost of radiant floor heating

Radiant heating systems installed in floors are more expensive than traditional heating systems, but we think worth every penny for the comfort and longer-term energy efficiency factors. According to This Old House, you can expect to pay between $6-15 per square foot, depending on the type of system.

(720) 524-7546

Call us today to discuss using radiant floor heating in your bathroom remodel!

Consider Replacing Your Tub with a Shower

replace-tub-with-shower-300x199 Consider Replacing Your Tub with a ShowerFor bathrooms that are tight on space, a new trend is to replace your small bathtub/shower combo with a large shower. Sure, if you are a bath-addict, this solution might not be for you. But, if you are thinking of remodeling your small bathroom, you might consider this space-saving trend, especially if you have another bathtub in the house.

When a shower is put in place of an old tub, the shower will feel large and may even have space for a seat! Depending on the dimensions, your new walk-in shower may even be able to accommodate dual showerheads, a fancy rain shower head, or even a water massage system.

If you can fit a seat in your new shower, consider adding a steam unit! A steam shower will have additional requirements (and costs) to properly build and maintain, so don’t forget these important things:

  • Need a design with walls and a door that completely seals the outside air when in use but allows air to circulate after use to dry shower
  • Need tile that completely surrounds the shower, including ceiling tile. Ceramic tile is a better choice for a steam shower than natural stone because it is less porous in this tough environment.
  • High performance silicone caulk that will need to be checked and replaced regularly if the steam unit is used often.
  • Must have access to all mechanical components in case repairs are needed in the future.
  • May require additional electrical work and modification to the electrical panel depending on the age of the home.