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Blogger Pittsburgh, PA on May 15, 2012

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Looking for ideas-How would you remodel this shower?

We have this shower in a rental-it's clean and functional. But I'm thinking of tearing out the old tub surround and putting in either ceramic or porcelain. Can anybody lend me some creative ideas for using those materials with glass mosaics to make this space look unique? Thanks everyone. www.homerepairtutor.com

24 Comments

Stone-Crete Artistry Burns, TN

if its functional and a rental then why tear it out?

on May 15, 2012 · Like 0
Roxy D Gainesville, GA

Bathroom upgrades/remodels add a lot of value to the house. Second only to upgraded kitchens.

on May 15, 2012 · Like 0
Kevin M. Veler, Law Offic... Alpharetta, GA

I am sure that others can suggest tile/glass design....my suggestion would be to get a curved shower curtain to give the appearance of a bigger shower. Another thought -- I assume the slanted wall is a roof line. Possible to "carve" out a niche or two between the studs to give room for some shelving for bath products for the adults using the shower? Then again, full disclosure, what do I know?

on May 15, 2012 · Like 0
Home Repair Tutor Pittsburgh, PA

Thanks everyone for the comments.
Stone- Crete, you're right about leaving it but I wanted to get ideas for when I need to replace it, which will probably be sooner rather than later due to Murphy's Law. Haha.
Roxy, I agree with you, too. Even though I'm not going to sell it the tenants view a newer bathroom as something they want. Thus I can attract a better pool of renters. I've experienced this ...»
firsthand.
Thanks Kevin for the great ideas. The curved shower rod I could do no problem. The carve out I'd have to explore during the remodel.

on May 15, 2012 · Like 0
Stone-Crete Artistry Burns, TN

get you some travertine. That goes weel in every home. cut it up to make bricks or maybe long 3x16 planks or something.?? run vertical or the other way. yep i like glass!. you could only buy a couple sheets and int. it into it somehow. back on the stone...take a key hole saw and rake the edges of the stone after cutting up and make a light chistle......or take a grinder and irreguraly grind the edges so when grouted it will look unique and cool.....but if you do grind..use some 120 ...»
sandpaper to smooth off the edges. bro...i could go on and on with some tricks for travertine! best thing....you can get the cheap end of it and make it look amazing just with a little effort!
just remember no lippige and flat make any tile job look good!

on May 15, 2012 · Like 0
BeckySue, Certified Maste... Lawrenceville, GA

because of the angled ceiling, I would vote less is MORE! I would vote a vertical, maybe a running board pattern. Walls, angle.. and ceiling. Draw attention elsewhere, this is an awkward area.. making it stand out, good choice? Make the vanity, lighting or accessories be the focal. Give splashes of color or unpredictability to the those areas with color, etc.

on May 15, 2012 · Like 0
Home Repair Tutor Pittsburgh, PA

Stone-Crete,
You're the best! Thanks for all the great suggestions. I've never worked with travertine- is it similar to porcelain in durability or better? Would you recommend using super thin grout lines?
It sounds like I could get some low end travertine fairly cheap. I like your 3x16" idea with some glass tile accents.

on May 15, 2012 · Like 0
Home Repair Tutor Pittsburgh, PA

Becky Sue,
Thanks for the wonderful tip on drawing attention to the lights and vanity. The bath really doesn't have any color in it whatsoever and could stand to be dressed up a bit. You're right about the awkward angles in the shower-they drive me nuts and unfortunately there's nothing I can do about it.

on May 15, 2012 · Like 0
Hamtil Construction LLC Saint Louis, MO

I like Becky Sue's thought on less is more. I can see a simple 6x6 porcelain tile installed up the walls to the ceiling. Also, maybe with a niche in the side wall opposite the showerhead. The niche is a nice upgrade, and would give a storage spot. Porcelain has good water resistance, and you wouldn't have to seal it like travertine. Here is a pic of a shower we did in a 3rd floor w/ angled ceiling for reference.
on May 15, 2012 · Like 0
Sandra R Breinigsville, PA

I've been looking at this shower for two days now. I can't believe this is actually smaller than mine! I like Hamtil Constructions idea. Very simple is best. A little color added with accents.

on May 16, 2012 · Like 0
Jeanette S Atlanta, GA

Having read all the comments my suggestion is that you keep in mind this is a rental. No one is going to take care of it like you do so select your products carefully. For example, ceramic is not porous like a natural stone such as travertine, granite, etc. A tub surround might be your best option. You cannot make space where there is none, but you can accent other features. Hooks for towels, robes, etc.; a small bench to sit on or place clothes on for dressing; a full length mirror ...»
attached to the back of the door...it is the little things that make a place special.

on May 16, 2012 · Like 0
Home Repair Tutor Pittsburgh, PA

Thank you Hamtil for your suggestions. I like you're idea of the niche opposite the shower head. I did install nice 12x24 porcelain tiles in another rental and really liked the result. The reason I like the bigger tiles is it cuts down on the grout maintenance and bigger tiles mean less time fiddling with installation. Although the walls must be super plumb. In this case I would use Durock's NextGen product since it's light and provides a great substrate for whatever tile I choose. ...»

But my big questions is this, how small can I make the grout lines? I've been told to use toothpicks or 6d penny nails. But just end up using the 1/8" spacers (I would like a smaller line though).
Since the ceiling is slanted does anyone have a thought on using glass tile on it instead of heaving porcelain?

on May 16, 2012 · Like 0
Home Repair Tutor Pittsburgh, PA

Thanks Sandra and Jeanette for your replies. It is a small space Sandra, really cramped for a bath. The house is over 100 years old! Jeanette, thanks for your concern about it being a rental. The tenant I have their now is awesome and I actually have seen firsthand how good bathrooms can attract great people. It's funny how we all like bathrooms to be pretty yet we're in there doing our business and cleaning up :)

on May 16, 2012 · Like 0
BeckySue, Certified Maste... Lawrenceville, GA

you can go all the way to a butt joint if you like, the challenge is during the installation keeping the tiles level. The smaller the joint, the more every single bump shows is uneven tiles. very time consuming - my tile installers charge me $2 more per SF for joints that small.

on May 16, 2012 · Like 0
Home Repair Tutor Pittsburgh, PA

Thanks Becky Sue for your advice. As a designer do you like smaller grout lines? What are your thoughts on doing 12x24 staggered porcelain with a glass ceiling just above the actual bathtub? The glass would add color and draw the eye but I've never done this concept.

on May 16, 2012 · Like 0
BeckySue, Certified Maste... Lawrenceville, GA

the smaller grout line is typically a request from the homeowner who hates grout. if you pick a grout that is the same color as the tile, you are really better off with a 1/4-3/8" grout line and seal the grout 1-2x a year to prevent mildew, etc.
Staggered porcelain 12x24 would be great! It would extend- draw the eye to make the space look larger. glass ceiling? cannot visual this, especially with the angled ceiling. Do you mean ON ...»
the ceiling? or dropped? Either way, I dont see the advantage... it may draw attention to an area that is not normal/common, so it may be unsettling to the eye.

on May 16, 2012 · Like 0
Home Repair Tutor Pittsburgh, PA

I was thinking of the actual ceiling that is flat- the tub surround is angled then meets the ceiling which is flat. It's hard to describe, the house is a cape cod style. But I am glad I got your opinion. I'm thinking adding glass to this area is not the best idea and a waste of money. I could figure out another way to bring color into the room with paint or some other product.

on May 16, 2012 · Like 0
BeckySue, Certified Maste... Lawrenceville, GA

I can visual that! And, yes.. still hold the same opinion. Glass is not cheap. Put $$ in what is at eye level .. make the renters feel special, I get that .. Im impressed with your marketing angle on that!

on May 16, 2012 · Like 0
Hamtil Construction LLC Saint Louis, MO

Great thoughts both HRT and BSB, and might I add that glass is obviously +$, it is also difficult to install tile on a ceiling. Only time I've done it was with 2 part epoxy that bonds super fast.

on May 16, 2012 · Like 0
Home Repair Tutor Pittsburgh, PA

Thanks Becky Sue, I've found that good to great renters simply like great baths. Plus, it will make the house more viable when I go to sell it in 20 years. When I plan a bath remodel I try to envision a durable style that will last 30 years or more-I don't want to continually redo bathrooms, haha.

on May 16, 2012 · Like 0
BeckySue, Certified Maste... Lawrenceville, GA

30 years? you are bad for my business, LOL Good luck with your endeavor!

on May 16, 2012 · Like 0
Home Repair Tutor Pittsburgh, PA

Wishfill thinking on my part, haha. I would prefer not to replace the tiles in that timeframe but realistically the bathroom gets so much wear and tear it's going to need fixed over time no matter what.

on May 16, 2012 · Like 1
Wanda C Atlanta, GA

My advice is to tile it up all the way to the ceiling and put a rain shower type of thing and then a curve shower rod with a see through shower curtain. Make sure to use tile that are timeless (simple, clean and contemporary).
You can actually use the thin glass tile. Home depot sale it for $4.47 per sheet size 12x12. You save space and money. I used it before in my kitchen and fireplace area. See photo attach
on May 16, 2012 · Like 0
Home Repair Tutor Pittsburgh, PA

Thanks for your advice Wanda. You did a fantastic job with the glass tile on your fireplace.

on May 16, 2012 · Like 0