Over time, the purpose of the bathroom has grown and changed as more people begin using it for a variety of different things from getting ready in the morning to unwinding at the end of the day. That may be why more people are also remodeling their bathrooms than ever before. Not all bathroom remodels are created equally, however. There are three different types of remodeling; finding out which one you’re ready for can help you set the right budget, find the right Pro for the job, and visualize what your new bathroom will end up looking like.
During a Cosmetic Bathroom Remodel
In a cosmetic bathroom remodel, you’re leaving the majority of the space alone and updating only specific areas and surfaces to give the room a new look or to address minor issues. You may end up replacing individual fixtures like sinks and toilets, or you may redo the shower by retiling it, regrouting it, or covering it in a solid surface material to seal in an old shower and give it a fresh look. The majority of the room will be left alone, including the walls, subfloor, and plumbing, unless an issue is discovered that necessitates a larger tear-out.
During a cosmetic bathroom remodel, you’ll want to pair with either a design firm or a general contractor who specializes in bathrooms. Because you won’t be adding new plumbing or moving walls or fixtures, you’ll only need to swap out existing surface materials for new ones. This may mean keeping your vanity but replacing the counter, sink, and faucet, or it may mean leaving the flooring and shower alone and putting in a new toilet and pedestal sink.
Cosmetic bathroom remodels are a good time to replace old and outdated water appliances like faucets, showerheads, and toilets, and replace them with new, water-saving models. Likewise, a cosmetic remodel is also a good time to deal with problems like mold or mildew in a shower by replacing the tile and putting in a new waterproof membrane over the studs.
Cosmetic bathroom remodels can also change the basic style of the room, replacing accessories and faucets with new models, and potentially adding some design elements like a sink backsplash, new mirror or medicine cabinet, or new wall cabinetry to gain additional storage. Because these are all surface changes, they won’t affect the way the room works but can give new life to an old space.
A cosmetic bathroom remodel can take anywhere from one day to one week to complete, and you may be without a working bathroom for a little while depending on what you are having done. Swapping out sinks, toilets, and faucets for new models will only make it unusable for a few hours; redoing a shower and flooring could mean that you’re without a completely working bathroom for up to two days. If this is the case, be sure to make arrangements to use the facilities at your office or gym during the remodel.
A cosmetic bathroom remodel is a great way to update an old bathroom or address small problems like leaking faucets, running toilets, or moldy showers, while giving the room a cosmetic boost. Cosmetic remodels are for bathrooms that are in generally good shape and have no major issues such as old pipes or leaks behind the walls that will necessitate a complete tear-out.
If you’re interested in moving forward with a cosmetic bathroom remodel, sign up to get matched with the right team to handle your job and make your new bathroom dreams come true.