Bath remodel

J C
by J C
2 story home,full bath upstairs w/bedrooms. Main level has 1 bedroom. Gutted main floor full bath, hubby and I disagree whether to replace full bath or do 3/4 bath on remodel. Room is 5 ft x 6 ft. Family of 5 planning to stay another 7 years. Thoughts/Ideas -
  6 answers
  • Designs by BSB Designs by BSB on Jan 28, 2012
    Age of kids? I would vote for the 3/4 bath on the main floor (assuming you mean shower vs. tub/shower?) Keep one tub in the home (other than the master bath) to be used by children... thereafter, cater to your own needs!
  • J C J C on Jan 28, 2012
    Thanks becky, 3 kids-all teenagers
  • Faidra at  CA Global Inc Faidra at CA Global Inc on Jan 28, 2012
    You can never have to many bathtubs, if you're older or have elderly parents a full bath on lower level can come in handy - this advice is from experience!
  • Designs by BSB Designs by BSB on Jan 28, 2012
    I've learned thru universal design classes and my CAPS training that showers are safer for the elderly. Stepping over a Tub side and squatting down to sit into a typical tub can be very hazardous. Of course this can be dependent on their specific limitations.
  • J C J C on Jan 28, 2012
    Thanks everyone . . . I must side with becky. I,myself have health problems and getting in and out of tub will become more hazardous for me. Very much appreciate the input!!!
  • I too agree with Becky. The new features for universal designs are wonderful and choosing a bath with shower on first floor is a great idea. one tub in the house is all that is really needed anyway and as most folks these days take showers only. The size of the bath is such that you can put in a real nice large shower which is a focal point of many buyers. However plan on tub perhaps when sizing room and just do not put it in. Perhaps a free standing claw foot tub. This way if someone decides to want a tub in the future you already have the space allocated for it and its just a matter of putting it in without doing any additional renovations. If the framing on the door wall is open. Frame it for a larger future door opening for a wheel chair and to bring in tub if you decide later to go this route. You want to frame the entire door opening with a larger header across the top and once done, then frame it so it becomes smaller to fit the door size you want. This way in the future you or the new owner does not have to destroy the entire wall and rebuild the wall later for a new larger door size. Even if you never do this down the road. It will become a selling point to future buyers that may want to put in tub or have a larger door installed because of disability in their family.