Bathroom Remodeling! Great Investment Return!

Did you know that the investment return on the average bathroom remodel is 80 to 90 percent?

Creative Bathroom Storage Ideas - Delaware

Storage Solutions

Lack of storage seems to be a problem that all bathrooms have no matter how large or small the space. It is virtually impossible to have too much storage space in your bathroom. Instead there always seems to not be enough space for everything that needs storing. Today’s vanities can be beautiful, modern, and chic yet they offer limited storage. Below are some simple solutions to the limited storage problems that we all face! For more bathroom remodeling ideas and solutions contact a professional bathroom remodeler , like Alcoa Construction, and find options that best suit your needs.

One possible solution is a floor to ceiling storage unit. This unit provides a great place to store items that might normally be kept in the hall linen closet. This makes for easier access and provides extra bathroom shelving. In addition to the shelving on the unit, consider adding drawers. Drawers that are on the countertop of the unit are a great place to keep small essentials used in everyday bathroom access.  Floor to ceiling storage units are also able to house sinks. This is the perfect option if your bathroom currently only has one sink. Why stop there? Add a cushioned bench seat in your unit. This creates additional storage under the seat and a place to sit in the bathroom.

Another storage option is adding a partial wall next to the toilet. This not only creates a private compartment to house the toilet, allowing more privacy, but also provides a place for shelving. The addition of shelves in the wall generates a surprising amount of storage space.

A more in depth choice is to investigate the space between wall studs. Often times there is quite a bit of space right within the walls. Once the space is found and a design is developed, you can cut out niches in the walls, reframe the opening, and add shelving or even a cabinet. This crafts a ton of storage space and gives your bathroom an expensive custom look.

If you are not willing to take the time, energy, and money to actually look in you walls then just simply add to them. Put shelving throughout the bathroom. Add shelves above the toilet, about the door, next to the shower, or even above towel racks. If you are looking for a more decorative selection add cubes to the walls. These storage units fasten directly to the wall and are both attractive and functional. Mix both closed and open faced cubes for an even trendier effect.

Pull out shelving is also a bathroom luxury that has become very popular. Replace your normal bathroom cabinets with pull out shelving, much like a spice rack in the kitchen. This gives you easier access to bathroom items, allows you to keep everything more organized, and actually provides more storage space. Tilt out bins can also sometimes be built into the outside of the bathtub. They make use of the unused storage that lies in the walls of the tub. The bins have a recessed panel door to the tub that tilts out and is a great place to store towels, soaps, and much more.

Another bathroom luxury that also can function as storage is a towel warmer. Add a warming drawer for towels. Instead of placing a new towel in the drawer each time you shower keep all of your towels folded in the drawer. This makes for a nice warm towel every time you get out of the shower and eliminates the need for an outside linen towel closet.

For more great storage answers contact bathroom remodeling contractors, such as Alcoa Construction, and discover the endless options!

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Give Your Bathroom A Facelift

Enhancing Your Bathroom

If you are unhappy with the overall feel and layout of your bathroom, yet it still manages to function well, you might want to consider giving your bathroom a bath remodeling facelift. You don’t need to completely gut and remodel your bathroom to achieve the enhancements you desire. Re- doing the flooring, wall coverings, other bathroom surfaces, replacing plumbing fixtures, and adding new lighting can give you the desired results and turn your bathroom into a sanctuary you will love. Contact a professional, like Alcoa Construction, for all of your bathroom remodeling needs.

Adding wall coverings, like tempered glass notice boards, are a great way to spice up your bathroom. They give a bathroom a clean modern look. They can be bought individually and screw right into your wall. Another great bathroom addition is tile. Add tile to the shower walls and bathroom floor. Tile is easy to clean and is a great bathroom enhancement. The addition of tile can make even the most out dated bathroom seem new and alive. Tile addition is a must have when bath remodeling.

The installation of shelves throughout the bathroom is a great answer to storage problems. Add shelves behind the toilet and even above the door. This allows you a place to store towels and toiletries with easy convenient access to them. You can also enhance the bathroom by adding both molding and cornices. This gives the bathroom charm and a classy upgraded cosmetic appeal.

For added convenience install a Lazy Susan inside the vanity to keep things neat and accessible. Also, add extra towel bars and hooks throughout the bathroom. Add them to the back of the door, next to the shower, on wither side of the sink, or even double up the towel bars and decoratively hang towels. This adds convenience and visual appeal to the bathroom.

Along with the other options also update accessories to match. This includes new faucets on both the sink and tub, and new hardware on the cabinets and drawers. Hardware is also a fun way to add character to the bathroom. Pick funky drawer handles and really spice up the theme of your bathroom. Repainting the bathroom adds instant life to the bathroom. It gives the bathroom a fresh feeling. Consider adding pops of color on accent walls and shelving to bring out the life in your new sanctuary.

To complete your new bathroom look add soft fun lighting in the bathroom. This can really set the mood of the bathroom and bring to life your out dated room.

For more bathroom remodeling options and to receive a free estimate for your home renovations contact a professional home remodeling contractor such as Alcoa Construction.

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Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Popular Trends

National Kitchen and Bath Association Reports Trends for 2010 Results are in from a recent survey of designers conducted by the National Kitchen and Bath Association to reveal the key design trends for 2010 NKBA News Release January 13, 2010

Hackettstown, N.J., Jan. 12, 2010 — The results are in from a recent survey of designers conducted by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) to reveal the key design trends for 2010. The results of the NKBA 2010 Kitchen & Bath Design Trends Survey confirmed the continuation of a number of existing trends in the marketplace, but also uncovered others that indicate shifts in the direction that kitchen and bath style will take this year. Below are 2010’s seven kitchen trends and four bath trends.

KITCHENS

1. Traditional is the New Contemporary

Traditional will continue as the most popular kitchen design style in 2010, with contemporary following closely behind, while the Shaker style is seeing a surprisingly strong resurgence. Shades of whites and off-whites will be the most common kitchen colors in 2010, while brown, beige, and bone hues will also be popular.

1. Cherry on Top

Cherry will remain the most popular wood for kitchen cabinetry, followed closely by maple, while alder increases in use. As for the finishes placed on those cabinets, medium natural, dark natural, glazed, and white painted will all be common. Other colors of painted cabinetry and light natural finishes are in decline, however, as are distressed finishes.

1. Floored by Tile

Ceramic and porcelain tile, as well as natural stone tile, remain popular kitchen flooring options, but hardwood will dominate the kitchen landscape more than ever in 2010. For countertops, granite continues to be the most popular option, but quartz will nearly catch up in popularity. For backsplashes, ceramic or porcelain tile and glass will serve as the primary materials.

1. Flexible Faucets

Standard kitchen faucets will become less standard in 2010 in favor of more convenient models. Pull-out faucets continue to increase their market dominance, while pot filler faucets will also become more prevalent. Kitchen faucets will most often be finished in brushed nickel, followed by stainless steel, satin nickel, and — surprisingly — polished chrome.

1. Undercounter Refrigeration

French door and freezer-bottom are the two most popular styles of refrigerators, and side-by-side refrigerators remain a popular option. A surprising trend is the extent to which undercounter refrigerator drawers are being used in the latest kitchen designs. Perhaps even more surprising is that undercounter wine refrigerators have been recently specified by half of kitchen designers.

1. A Range of Cooking Options

The tried-and-true range continues to serve as the workhorse for cooking, although the combination of a cooktop and wall oven is beginning to overtake it. Gas will maintain its position as the most popular type of cooktop over electric, although induction cooking continues to gain in popularity due to its energy efficiency.

1. Dishwasher-in-a-Drawer

Standard dishwashers, with the traditional door that pulls from the top down, will once again be easily the most common type in 2010. However, an increasing number of dishwasher drawers will be installed in kitchens this year for their convenience and their ability to wash small loads of dishes in each drawer, thereby saving water and electricity.

BATHROOMS

1. In With the Old, Out with the New

Traditional will be the most popular design style in bathrooms in 2010, as contemporary designs will be a distant second, followed by the Shaker style as an even more distant third. Beiges and bones will be the most common colors used in bathrooms, followed by whites and off-whites, and then by browns, indicating a somewhat subdued color palette this year.

1. Ceramic and Granite

Ceramic and porcelain tile will be the dominant flooring materials in bathrooms this year, while natural stone will continue to prove popular as well. Though increasingly popular in kitchens, hardwood flooring won’t become common in bathrooms in 2010. For vanity tops, granite will remain king, with quartz and marble also proving popular options.

1. Simple Fixtures

Perhaps more than ever, the most common color for fixtures will be white. Bisque and off-white will be the only other fixture colors at all common in new or remodeled bathroom. For sinks, simple undermount models will be most popular, followed by integrated sink tops, drop-in sinks, vessel sinks, and pedestal sinks.

1. A Nickel for Every Finish

Faucet finishes in the bathroom are similar to those used in current kitchen designs, with brushed nickel continuing to lead the way in 2010. Polished chrome and satin nickel will also be incorporated into many bathrooms, just as they had been throughout 2009. These faucet finishes will be followed by bronze and stainless steel.

About the National Kitchen & Bath Association

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is a non-profit trade association with nearly 40,000 members that has educated and led the kitchen and bath industry for more than 45 years. NKBA.org provides consumers with an inspiration gallery of award-winning kitchen and bath designs, as well as articles, tips, an extensive glossary of remodeling terms, and illustrations and explanations of planning guidelines. At NKBA.org, consumers can also find certified kitchen and bath professionals in their areas, submit questions to NKBA experts, and order the free NKBA Kitchen & Bath Workbook.

Contact Alcoa Construction today and let us be your bathroom remodelers or  kitchen remodeling contractors !

Our primary service areas are Sussex County Delaware and Worcester County in Maryland.  The cities we most frequently serve include Ocean View, Bethany Beach, Millville, Fenwick Island, West Fenwick, Selbyville, Frankford, Dagsboro, Millsboro, Long Neck, Rehoboth, Dewey Beach, Lewes, Harbeson, Georgetown, Milford, Slaughter Beach, Milton, Greenwood, Bridgeville, Seaford, Laurel, Delmar, Salisbury, Pittsville, Berlin, Ocean Pines, West Ocean City, and Ocean City.  We also serve Kent County Delaware, Wicomico County Maryland, and Talbot County Maryland.

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Green Bathroom Remodeling Ideas - Good for the planet & good for your wallet!

Bathroom remodels continue to be one of the most popular, and smart, investments for homeowners across the country. But what about going green in the bathroom? It’s a no-brainer that a green bathroom remodel will save you on energy costs and drastically reduce your home’s water usage. What many homeowners don’t realize, however, is that green bathrooms are cutting edge when it comes to designing more attractive, healthier, and more comfortable remodels.

The Cost of Going Green Placing a price tag on the cost of going green with your bathroom remodel is easier said than done. After all, the level of green each homeowner is willing to commit to is different, as are the individual specifications of each project. What we can tell you is this:

• Green remodeling does not necessarily mean higher initial costs.
• Green remodeling is guaranteed to translate into large energy savings over the life of your remodel.
• Determining the value of green remodeling isn’t always best served by focusing on the bottom line.

This last one is maybe the most important. It’s what green remodeling expert David Johnston refers to as “avoiding the payback trap.” Going green isn’t just about reducing your monthly utility costs. It’s about creating healthier living environments for you and your family, utilizing long lasting and low-maintenance materials so you’ll lose less time to maintenance chores and repairs, and emphasizing environmental responsibility so you can rest easy knowing that you’re doing everything you can to pass a better world onto your children and grandchildren. As you can see, assigning value in the world of green remodeling goes beyond assessing a final cost in dollars and cents.

Green Remodeling Guru David Johnston’s Tips on Thinking Green David Johnston is the founder of the green consulting firm What’s Working, Inc., and the author of the Nautilus Award winning book, Green Remodeling. He’s also ServiceMagic’s most trusted adviser on all things green. Whether you’re gutting your bathroom and starting from scratch or just replacing a few fixtures, here’s some of Johnston’s wisdom regarding specific steps you can take to introduce green into your bathroom remodeling project.

How to Maximize Energy Savings in Your Green Bathroom Remodel Reducing energy consumption, and in turn utility bills, is one of the most popular reasons homeowners choose to go green. In the bathroom, that means reducing water usage and increasing energy efficiency across the board. Here’s a list of things you can do to ensure maximum energy efficiency, and in turn, lower the operating costs of your bathroom.

• Install low flow faucets and showerheads. They can reduce water usage at these fixtures by up to 60 percent.
• Install low-flush, high-efficiency toilets. Older toilets use between 3.5 and 7 gallons per flush. New models do the job just as well with 1.6 gallons of water or less.
• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs. Homes lit with incandescent bulbs can attribute up to 25 percent of their electric bills to home lighting. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use 75 percent less energy and last 10 times as long.
• Install low-e, multiple paned windows with vinyl or wood frames. Installing energy-efficient windows throughout your home can reduce total energy costs by 30 to 50 percent and they provide valuable natural light, ventilation, and passive solar heat.
• Install a skylight or solar tube(s) to increase natural lighting.
• Install radiant heating. It’s more efficient and healthier than forced air.
• Insulate plumbing, and remove it from outside walls. Doing so reduces heat loss as water travels from your hot water heater to the faucet, and saves on water heating costs.
• Install an “On-demand” hot water circulation pump. These pumps send hot water to your faucet in seconds, and reduce the demands placed on your hot water heater.
• Consider replacing your old hot water heater with a newer, more efficient model. High-efficiency fossil fuel water heaters, tankless water heaters, and heat pump water heaters are all sound energy savings solutions. Or upgrade your present heater with an insulation jacket, heat traps, and a water heater timer.
• Insulate as much as possible. If you’re gutting your bathroom anyway, the more insulation you install in the walls, the better. Be sure to seal up other sources of air leaks as well, such as the small, hidden gaps where plumbing enters your bathroom.

Green Bathroom Remodeling Tips for a Healthier Home Urea formaldehyde, vinyl chloride gasses, volatile organic compounds, and toxic mold might sound like the beginning of a toxicology report, but all are actually chemicals and byproducts commonly associated with building materials used in the bathroom. Their presence has been linked to everything from rising levels of childhood asthma to much more serious maladies like cancer, repressed immune systems, and nervous system damage. Green remodeling strives to reduce or eliminate the presence of these harmful elements, increasing your home’s indoor air quality, and in turn, the health of everyone that lives under your roof. Here is a list of things to look for, and to look out for, in pursuit of the healthiest bathroom possible.

• Investigate your local water supply and install filters on sink faucets and showerheads. Your water will be healthier, taste better, and be safer for bathing, especially for those with chemical sensitivities. Investigate local water quality first, however, since different filters meet different needs.
• Use formaldehyde-free insulation, including recycled content fiberglass, cellulose, or rock wool insulation. Traditional batt insulation materials contain formaldehyde that can off-gas into your bathroom. That’s bad news, considering the fact that formaldehyde is a documented carcinogen.
• Design with ventilation in mind. The high moisture levels in a bathroom make for the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew, as well as rot and other moisture damage. Opening windows during warmer months and installing a bathroom exhaust fan vented to the outside for the rest of the year helps to keep moisture levels down.
• Only use water resistant wall and floor coverings. Avoid wallpaper and carpet, both of which can harbor moisture, foster mold growth, and off-gas other indoor air contaminants.
• Select low-VOC paints, adhesives, and sealers. Most traditional paints, adhesives, and sealers emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for years after being applied. Low- or no-VOC paints, adhesives, grouts, and sealers help achieve higher indoor air quality levels.
• Avoid MDF (medium density fiberboard) and particle board whenever possible. Both are common materials used in countertop and cabinet construction, and both off-gas urea formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. If you do use MDF or particleboard, seal it with several coats of a low- or no-VOC paint or sealer.
• Avoid vinyl flooring. Vinyl flooring puts off vinyl chloride gas, another known carcinogen.
• Replace lead plumbing in older homes.

Comfort, Quality, Durability, and Green Bathroom Remodeling Going green doesn’t mean settling for lower quality, or sacrificing looks and comfort for environmentally friendly products. In fact, the opposite is usually the case. Green remodeling requires contractors to pay closer attention to their building practices; green products utilize the most cutting edge technology and design features; and green building focuses on materials that are long lasting and durable, since the best materials from a green standpoint are often the best building materials, period. Here are some green bathroom strategies of Johnston’s that will result in a more comfortable, higher quality, and longer lasting bathroom remodel every time.

• Maximize insulation. Warmer bathrooms are more comfortable bathrooms, and more insulation helps reduce noise pollution, as well.
• Install new bathroom fixtures. New, energy-efficient bathroom fixtures are cutting edge when it comes to water efficiency and design. There’s no need to sacrifice comfort or looks by going green.
• Consider a tankless water heater, heat pump water heater, or an “on demand” water heater. You’ll never have to wait for hot water to arrive at the faucet or shower again.
• Install radiant heating in floors, walls, or ceilings. Radiant heating is a luxury item in any bathroom, but from a green standpoint, the heat is more consistent, comfortable, and it’s healthier since it doesn’t stir up dust and other particulates like forced air heating.
• Use ceramic or stone for countertops, flooring, and wall tile. Ceramic and stone are virtually waterproof, healthier in regards to moisture resistance and indoor air quality, last a lifetime, and are hands down some of most beautiful products on the market, green or otherwise.
• Install task specific lighting wired to independent switches. Whether you need mood lighting for a “candle lit” soak in the tub, or task lighting at the vanity for getting ready in the morning, task specific lighting wired to independent switches allows you to achieve the perfect lighting level for any situation and reduce energy consumption since you can turn off lights you don’t need.

Environmental Responsibility in the Bathroom Any discussion of green remodeling would be incomplete without talking about environmental responsibility. After all, at its heart, green remodeling is about living more harmoniously with our environment. Our present way of doing things, including how we build and remodel our homes, is detrimental to the environment. That being said, here’s Johnston’s advice on how to shift thinking green to an environmental standpoint, and reasons why it’s a good idea to do so.

• Use recycled building materials. Old lumber, trim, and door and window casings can all be reused if removed carefully. And if you’re willing to be flexible when it comes to design, perfectly good sinks, cabinet hardware, and ceramic and stone tile, for example, can all be purchased from retailers who specialize in reclaiming and recycling old building materials.
• Use materials manufactured with recycled content. Be it cellulose insulation made from recycled paper and cardboard, or recycled content glass and ceramic bathroom tile, building materials made from recycled content help to reduce waste, require less energy to manufacture, and are equal to, or of higher quality than, most products made from virgin materials.
• Recycle construction and job site waste. Old porcelain toilets and other ceramics can be ground up and used to make concrete, steel tubs can me melted down for the metal, and that old sink that you think is hideous might be exactly what a homeowner across town has been looking for all along.
• Increasing energy efficiency isn’t just good for your pocketbook. Whether it’s reducing the amount of fossil fuels needed to heat and light your bathroom or eliminating wasteful use of a valuable natural resource like water, any steps you take to cut your home utility costs are beneficial for the environment as well.

Is Green the Right Color for Your Bathroom Remodel? Going green with your bathroom remodel is a smart move from just about every angle. It reduces energy costs, creates healthier indoor environments, and the final product is a more comfortable, higher quality bathroom. And, of course, it’s also a good choice when it comes to being a good steward of your environment.

Even better, going green doesn’t have to be a huge commitment. It’s true that the greenest bathroom remodel is one that incorporates green building practices into every facet of your remodel — a concept refered to as “whole systems building.” But simple things like installing a low-flush toilet, a high-efficiency hot water heater, or choosing environmentally friendly countertop and cabinet materials for your new vanity are all smart steps in a green direction.