| Remodeling a small bathroom and creating a | | | | your design and try to get a rough feeling of project |
| functional and cool space can be tough. Quite frankly | | | | costs. Ask them for specific ideas to keep costs |
| there are many products and options that just won't | | | | down while maintaining or improving your design. |
| fit into a small space. You might have assumed if you | | | | Make sure to think about what shower accessories |
| wanted to install a glass block shower wall in your | | | | you might like - shower caddies, bench seats, |
| small bathroom it was impossible - but think again. | | | | shampoo and soap niches, leg ledges etc. |
| Even if you have a standard sized tub or small | | | | Stay away from your well-intentioned "Uncle Louie" |
| shower combined with a soaking tub - you can alter | | | | or any other friend or family member who claim to |
| your space to include a glass block shower. | | | | be a building expert because they've done 1 |
| This article will provide 8 ½ steps to guide you | | | | bathroom job a few years ago. |
| on how to remodel a small bathroom and still have | | | | Consider your skill set and what facets of the |
| room for a block shower and base. | | | | project you might like to do yourself and where you |
| Step 1 - Measure the size of your bathroom, tub and | | | | need to contract out. For the shower you can order |
| shower area and make a drawing - Small space | | | | premade glass block walls and ready for tile shower |
| planning begins with planning and designing first - with | | | | bases to improve your finished quality, yet the |
| no excess room to spare you're got to make ever | | | | assemblies still allow you to save money by doing |
| inch count. Measure the tub or shower, vanity, toilet | | | | your own field labor as a do it yourselfer or small |
| and closet -put a tape measure on everything and | | | | contractor. |
| then get some graph paper (or a computer program | | | | Step 4 - Order your shower base and premade glass |
| if you have it) and plot out what's there now. The | | | | block shower wall assemblies - Order your shower |
| good news is if you have a standard tub (most | | | | base and premade walls to the exact size, shape and |
| common tubs range from 60" x 30" to 60" x 34") or | | | | design of your plan. Make sure to get a base and pan |
| a standard shower/soak tub combination (most | | | | that is designed to work with your specific block |
| showers range from 36" x 36" to 40" x 40") there | | | | shower walls. Also consider etched, colored and |
| will be a glass block shower enclosure option for you. | | | | frosted glass block to add more style and interest in |
| Step 2 - Determine if the existing layout, look and | | | | your shower. |
| function of the bathroom works and develop a first | | | | Step 5 - Let the dust begin - Remove the existing |
| cut drawing of your new design- Now is the time to | | | | tub or shower, any rotted or bad looking walls and |
| get rid of anything that is big, bulky, seldom used, | | | | re-do the plumbing - Cut out the tub or existing |
| doesn't work or is just plain ugly. Try to get more | | | | shower and poor performing or looking walls and |
| efficient with the space surrounding your existing tub | | | | discard. If required - move or improve your plumbing |
| shower. Is the vanity too big? Could it be replaced | | | | valve, shower head or drains. |
| with a pedestal sink? A bathroom remodeling project | | | | Step 6 - Set or build your shower base - For a |
| in Cleveland recently made this change with dramatic | | | | finished tile shower pan or base consider using a |
| results. Could an existing closet be replaced with open | | | | premade expanded polystyrene base. This base can |
| shelving? Could you purchase a smaller toilet that sits | | | | be installed in 30 minutes or less by setting the base |
| closer to an existing wall? | | | | on your wood subfloor with thin set mortar and |
| Also look at the tub and/or shower areas to see if | | | | connecting the drain (your other option is to build a |
| they're located in the right place for you (if you can | | | | mud set pan base which is often very time |
| keep the drain and shower head in the same location | | | | consuming and requires a higher level of construction |
| it will save you money). | | | | expertise). For an acrylic base you lay the glass block |
| Make sure that the drains and the shower heads are | | | | shower base on a mortar bed and install the drain. |
| working properly. If you need to replace a shower | | | | Step 7- Build your interior shower walls - Put up |
| valve, head or drain assembly now will be the time to | | | | either moisture resistant or waterproof wallboard |
| get this done. | | | | material on the surrounding walls of the shower. If |
| Determine if you'd like to replace your tub with a | | | | possible choose a shower base where the wallboard |
| walk in shower or a shower with a door. For a walk | | | | material is positioned towards the inside of the |
| in design determine if you'd like to enter from the | | | | shower base to eliminate any future water leakage |
| right side or the left side. (Note: for a door-less | | | | problems. Install your finishing wall materials (tile, |
| design you'll generally need about 58" wide or more | | | | acrylic, granite, cultured marble etc.) in the shower. |
| to make this option work). Develop a new penciled | | | | Step 8 - Install your glass block premade walls - This |
| drawing of what you'd like your space to look like | | | | is a two day process. On day 1 set the glass block |
| and draw the approximate size and design (straight, | | | | prefabricated walls on the base and anchor them to |
| curved, or angled) of the new glass block shower | | | | the sides (jambs) every 24" (at a minimum) using a |
| wall. | | | | vinyl stack type installation system. On day 2 field |
| Make sure to consider what type of flooring and wall | | | | grout the block assemblies together. |
| materials you'd like when you're done. A tile shower | | | | Step 8 ½ - If this project has you shaking in |
| floor and wall generally have a more luxurious feel | | | | your boots - Don't think you have to do this project |
| than an acrylic wall and base for a block shower stall. | | | | all yourself. If you like the idea of glass block shower |
| Tile is usually more expensive, but there are far more | | | | wall in a small bathroom but are not a remodeling |
| sizing options with ready for tile bases than | | | | contractor and don't play one on T.V. consider hiring |
| preformed acrylic block bases (which are only | | | | an expert to get it done right the first time for you. |
| available in standard sizes and shapes). | | | | Now that you're equipped with these 8 1/2 steps |
| Step 3 - Get input on your bathroom shower design, | | | | you're ready to design and order your glass block |
| stay away from "Uncle Louie," and finalize your | | | | shower wall and base for your small bathroom |
| design- Consult with a bathroom remodeling | | | | remodeling project. |
| professional and/or block installation contractor about | | | | |