kitchen refinishing
May 14, 2021

The Benefits of Remodeling your Kitchen

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When we are interested in doing something, such as a home improvement project, there are many of us who are unsure what we should do, if we should even do anything at all. When it comes to deciding on a plan or a course of action, many individuals make the decision to focus on the good and the bad of the situation, this is most commonly referred to as the pros and the cons.

If you are thinking about remodeling your kitchen, you may be wondering what the plus side of doing so is, otherwise know as the pros. Well, if you are interested in remodeling your kitchen, you are in luck. There is an unlimited number of ways that you can benefit from having your kitchen remodeled.

Perhaps, the greatest pro or positive benefit to having your kitchen remodeled is the increase in your home’s value. When it comes to kitchen remodeling and home values, you will find that, in most cases, a home’s value increases with a remodeling project, including a kitchen remodeling project. Although a large number of homes see an increase in their value, thanks to a kitchen remodeling project, not all of them do.

Honestly, it all depends on the quality of the remodeling done. If a remodeling project is poor in quality or it may later lead to additional problems with the home, you will find that the value with not increase, but it might even decrease.

Another pro to remodeling your kitchen is the fact that you will, essentially, be getting a new kitchen. Although some homeowners choose to only remodel a small portion of their kitchen, others go right out and remodel the whole thing. Whether you make the decision to resurface things on your kitchen countertops and cabinets or change your cabinets, sink, oven, floor tiles, and wall paint, there is a good chance that your kitchen may appear as if it is a whole, brand new kitchen. As a homeowner, you will enjoy the change.

Although there are a number of pros to kitchen remodeling, there are also a number of cons. Cons are another way to describe disadvantages. The biggest con or disadvantage to remodeling your kitchen is the fact that it cannot only be costly, but time-consuming. Concerning this issue, resurfacing is a tremendous way to save money and time in the process of remodeling the whole kitchen, and frequently the sole resurfacing of the countertops is enough to give the kitchen the look you are looking for.

For more information contact Houston Bathtub Refinishers.  We can help you. Just contact us.

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Vintage Bathtub
April 14, 2021

History of Bathtubs and Bathing

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Documented early plumbing systems for bathing go back as far as around 3300 BC with the discovery of copper water pipes beneath a palace in ancient Europe. Evidence of the earliest surviving personal-sized bathtub was found on the Isle of Crete where a 1.5-meter (5 ft) long pedestal tub was found built from hardened pottery.

The clawfoot tub, which reached the apex of its popularity in the late 19th century, had its origins in the mid 18th century, when the ball and claw design originated in the Netherlands, possibly artistically inspired by the Chinese motif of a dragon holding a precious stone. The design spread to England, where it found much popularity among the aristocracy, just as bathing was becoming increasingly fashionable. Early bathtubs in England tended to be made of cast iron, or even tin and copper with a face of paint applied that tended to peel with time.

The Scottish-born inventor David Buick invented a process for bonding porcelain enamel to cast the iron in the 1880s while working for the Alexander Manufacturing Company in Detroit. The company, as well as others including Kohler Company and J. L. Mott Iron Works, began successfully marketing porcelain-enameled cast-iron bathtubs, a process that remains broadly the same to this day. Far from the ornate feet and luxury most associated with clawfoot tubs, an early Kohler example was advertised as a “horse trough/hog scalder, when furnished with four legs will serve as a bathtub.” The item’s use as a hog scalder was considered a more important marketing point than its ability to function as a bathtub.

In the latter half of the 20th century, the once-popular clawfoot tub morphed into a built-in tub with a small apron front. This enclosed style afforded easier maintenance and, with the emergence of colored sanitary ware, more design options for the homeowner. The Crane Company introduced colored bathroom fixtures to the United States market in 1928, and slowly this influx of design options and easier cleaning and care led to the near demise of clawfoot-style tubs.

In the 1960s fiberglass bathtubs became the standard for homes, being lightweight and inexpensive.

James R. Wheeler and his brother Richard in 1979 adapted the acrylic being used for outdoor spas to make acrylic bathtubs. Working with Spartech Plastics, they developed the modern co-extruded and durable acrylic bathtub. The company American Bath Factory was the first to expand the diversity of acrylic bathtubs to include whirlpools, clawfoot bathtubs, and a large variety of pedestal and modern bathtubs.

For more information about how to refinish your old cast iron bathtub, give us a call today!

Just contact us.

We are Houston Bathtub Refinishers. 

 

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Tub
March 15, 2021

Planning Considerations for Bathroom Remodeling

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One of the most frequently used and scrutinized rooms in the house is the bathroom; a well-planned out and completed bathroom remodeling will render years of aesthetic functionality and impress even the most discerning visitor to your home.

Steps to Take Prior to Selecting Bathroom Design

Before you consider details such as materials and bathroom remodeling cost, you need to formulate a bathroom remodeling idea on which to center your plans. Do this by observing other bathroom designs; at friends’ houses, in magazines, or on the internet. Make a list of those features you most like and those you do not.

Ask yourself questions such as: Will the bathroom be designed for enhanced relaxation, or for practical functionality? Will efficient storage need to be incorporated into the design? Do I want to create mood with the lighting? Will I be enlarging the bathroom, or formulating an idea for remodeling a small bathroom? How will the bathroom primarily be used?

If increased relaxation is the focus of design, you may want to include specialized areas within the room design. You may want to have subdued lighting in the tub area, but increased lighting by the vanity and mirror for shaving and applying make-up.

You may want to include a dressing area with seating. If more than one person will be using the bathroom at the same time, you may want to include separate sinks and multiple mirrors.

If space and functionality are important factors, then design must emphasize well-planned storage. Utilize cabinets, shelves, and stylish containers for keeping necessities in the room, to avoid clutter.

Bathroom Remodeling Cost Considerations

Bathroom remodeling cost is an important factor in formulating your bathroom remodeling idea. Therefore, a budget should be developed for the project. Carefully project cost requirements not only for the project, but for unexpected “emergency” costs, as well.

Before selecting a contractor, prudent homeowners will have a list of questions ready to ask the contractor. For instance, “What work, if any, can I do to help cut costs,” and “Will I save money if I purchase needed materials myself?”

While it is true more technical aspects of the project such as electrical wiring, plumbing, and tub/shower kit installations are best left to professionals, some demolition and prep work can be handled by the homeowner.

When selecting a contractor, network with friends and other persons who have recently had a bathroom remodeled to get references for local contractors. The Internet is another useful source.

Before making any decisions, thoroughly research all aspects of your project such as: permits, contractors, structural changes, materials needed, time frame, and all costs involved.

Rule-of-thumb: set aside 20% of the total bathroom remodeling projected budget to cover emergencies or unseen costs.

Lastly, enjoy the fun and excitement of creating your own bathroom remodeling idea, from start to finish. And enjoy the years of satisfaction offered by the finished project!

For more information contact us. We are Houston Bathtub Refinishers.

 

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milenaBathrooms
February 15, 2021

Remodeling your Kitchen? Then You Should Probably Change your Décor

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Have you recently decided to refinish your kitchen cabinets, retile your kitchen floor, or even change the light fixtures inside your kitchen? If so, who will be remodeling your kitchen? Each year, a large number of homeowners put a fairly large amount of money into kitchen remodeling projects. Many of those homeowners are looking to not only change the appearance of their kitchen, but also change the feel of it. If you would like to do the same, you may want to add new home décor to your list of kitchen remodeling projects. You will find that are there are number of benefits to doing so.

Perhaps, the most obvious reason why you should change the décor in your kitchen, while in the mist of a kitchen remodeling project is because, well, why not? If you are remodeling your kitchen, there is a good chance that you are spending quite a bit of money to do so. If you are planning on remodeling the majority of your kitchen, changing it so that everything is different, why would you not want to? While you are at it, you mine as well change your kitchen theme, particularly to a theme that would match your newly reconstructed kitchen.

As previously mentioned, there are a number of benefits to changing the décor in your kitchen. Perhaps, the greatest benefit of doing so would be that you would get what you wanted, a new kitchen. Although you may be able to change around your kitchen by changing your flooring, refinishing a few cabinets, and even resufacing your kitchen countertops, your kitchen may not seem any different if you still have the same kitchen theme. If you are looking for the ultimate way to get a brand new kitchen, without having to buy a new home, you may also want to change your kitchen paint or wallpaper, the curtains, as well as your kitchen towels and potholders. While you are at it, it may even be a good idea to purchase new kitchen appliances.

Although you may want to change your kitchen décor, you may be unable to. As previously mentioned, it is quite expensive to remodel your kitchen. If you are remodeling your kitchen on a budget, you may feel that it is virtually impossible to purchase new kitchen décor items. While it may be, it doesn’t necessarily have to be. Depending on where you shop, you should be able to get great deals on trendy kitchen curtains, paint, wallpaper, and even kitchen towels. You should check out any of your local home improvement stores to see if they are offering any discounts on the décor items that you need. If discounts are not being offered, you may want to think about shopping online. Online, you can find thousands of retailers that may be offering what you need at a relatively affordable price.

If you have just started planning out your kitchen remodeling project or even if you just begun it, you have time to decide whether or not you would like to change your kitchen décor. In fact, it may be best to wait until your kitchen remodeling project has finished. There is always a change that a completed remodeling project would be more than enough to make you happy. Of course, refinshing is the most cost-efficient way to help your remodeling process to be mor affordable, andyou can even change the colors of your old countertops and cabinets. Everything counts in such a project, and, at Houston Bathtub Refinishers, we are experts.

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January 18, 2021

When Projecting a Bathroom Improvement

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Sometimes our old bathrooms look deteriorated and out of date. And yes, a bathroom is a private place, but remember that a home is also an asset and that keeping its value as high as possible, is always a Good decision. Bathrooms are one of the places in the house that are best to see if the owners are careful and attentive to keeping the property and its ítems in good shape, and also taking good care of bathrooms and kitchens is vital for the health of the people dwelling in it.

If you are to start a bathroom remodeling project, remember that the disposition of the elements in the bathroom is vital. If for instance the bathroom is going to be used by people with different ages, the disposition and safecty of those elements must be kept in mind. If there are elderly people among the users, the inclusión of a chair and handlers they can use to balance their body weight is important, as also is the right illumination and the use of surfaces that do not represent danger in terms of being slippery. And this, of course, is applicable to the bathroom´s floor, but is especially important for showers and bathtubs (which by the way, can be resurfaced rather than replaced, thus making the whole project much cheaper and faster).

There are other interesting and easy to implement tips to improve bathrooms. Sometimes, the sole change of towels and curtains creates an astonishing effect. Adding plants and living colors to dark or totally white bathrooms can have a totally unsuspected impact and make a dull place become a full of life beauty and relaxation room. The use of cristal shelves, one or two art pieces and a bigger window or a skylight can be the last touch to have a very original and vivid bathroom you and your loved ones will enjoy for sure.

 

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milenaBathrooms
December 11, 2020

If Someone at my Home is Sick from COVID-19, how can I Disinfect my Bathroom?

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One thing is cleaning and disinfecting is another. Cleaning means removing germs in general, but not killing them. The term “germs” include bacteria, fungi and viruses. In case of having a person sick from COVID-19 at home, this person must have a bathroom exclusively for themselves, but we must pass from cleaning to disinfecting the house in general.

Disinfecting must be done, first of all, in places and surfaces commonly in touch with human fluids or that are usually touched, Doorknobs are one of those surfaces qe do not care much about, but they are a high potential infection focus.

Aerosol disinfectant is especially important nowadays. Spread it frequently all over the house and let it act for about 10 minutes. It is also important to keep the place ventilated, opening Windows. Closed spaces help viruses to steay concentrated, and more dangerous.

Do not use products that say they sanitize surfaces, as they may kill bacteria, but we need them to also kill fungi and viruses. Therefore, make sure the label says it is a real disinfectant.

For bathrooms spcifically, not only it matters to disnfect hard surfaces such as the floor, walls, toilettes, showers or sinks. It is crucial to change toothbrushes and towels very often and spread disinfectant if aerosol several times a day. If your bathroom has no windows, make sure it receives air from the nearest ones. Closed places tend to help viruses to concentrate.

People with slight or no symptoms of Covid-19, but positive in tests, can get over the infection at home. The important thing is they are monitored by a physician and stay in a room and using a bathroom isolated from other family members. However, remember that in that case is not anymore about cleaning, but disinfecting.

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milenaBathrooms
November 17, 2020

Cracks, Discoloration and Stains in your Tub

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These things mean something beyond the appearance. Checking the humidity conditions behind the walls can lead to find broken pipes or structural construction problems.

In the case of stains, germs (fungi, viruses, and bacteria) can be a part of the consequences if you are careless. If cleaning seems not to be enough, maybe it means that refinishing is in order.

Refinishing is easy, as it consists of the removal of the top layer of the tub, which is cleaned and a new coating is then applied, taking away the problem. It is, anyhow, easier to be made in older bathtubs, such as the cast iron or steel ones. Acrylic and fiberglass, for instance, are easy to be refinished too, but sometimes they are so common and cheap that it is important to get the estimate costs of both replacing and refinishing, and compare them.

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