Remodel or move? | News

Read article : Remodel or move? | News

A dozen years have passed since Susan and Hugh Daniels found their perfect neighborhood in Mountain View. At the end of a cul-de-sac, their Cuesta Park house seemed a good spot to raise their baby.

Now with three children, plus month-long visits from grandparents from England, they were faced with the perennial question: remodel or move?

"We've been talking about it for awhile but didn't bite the bullet 'til now," Susan Daniels says. A neighbor's contractor referred them to architect Leopold Vandeneynde, who in turn introduced them to longtime friend and frequent collaborator, contractor Erik Neal.

Vandeneynde's first challenge was figuring out the rear and side setbacks on the pie-shaped-plus lot, which required conferring with the planning department. "That's why we stepped back the addition and hugged the side setback," he says, making sure it looked like it fit the house.

It was Vandeneynde who came up with the plan to remove a bearing wall, along with the fireplace and chimney, to make the long, skinny living room into a large square. By pushing out that one wall, they gained enough space to add a bedroom and a full bathroom as well.

A second challenge was "not violating the public/private spaces of the residence," Vandeneynde says, adding, "We handled that pretty well with a hallway extension that turns the corner."

He also managed to create a new bedroom for one daughter that is exactly the same size as the old bedroom for her sister. The new bedroom is adjacent to the new bathroom, making it an ideal space for the visiting grandparents.

"We wanted the biggest shower we could," Daniels says of the new bathroom, "and fit in everything else," including a custom-built wood vanity topped by granite. The shower boasts a frameless-glass door -- "It looks less cluttered," she adds -- and the large 12-inch by 24-inch floor tiles continue up the shower walls. Tiny square trim tiles are made of glass, marble and metal.

Because the bathroom doesn't face any exterior walls, light streams in through a sun tunnel.

Choosing plumbing fixtures and tile was a challenge for the couple, who were trying to keep a lid on the budget. But the fact that their architect and contractor were lifelong friends who often chatted informally about the project meant they could benefit from free advice on a number of things.

One thoughtful idea: They had solid wood blocks installed behind the Sheetrock so they can hang towel racks and hooks anywhere, without being limited to finding studs.

They also had the glass shower treated so there's little maintenance or streaking.

Extra insulation between the new bedroom and the expanded living room ensures that sound doesn't penetrate from the large-screen TV into the bedroom.

And, as a bonus, they added access to their crawl space from the inside of the closet -- just in case something needs fixing on this side of the house.

As part of the project, they removed old carpeting from the living room and hallway, replacing it with hardwood floors. The family room floor was refinished to match the much-lighter wood.

When repainting both new and old spaces, their painter was careful to retain the height markers of the three children along one door opening.

The family was able to live in the home throughout construction, which began with demolition last July. The actual work began in September, and the family was enjoying new space by January.

Resources:

Architect: Leopold Vandeneynde, Leopold Design, Santa Clara, 650-224-6852

Building contractor: Erik Neal, Hand Craft Builders, Mountain View, 408-605-3736

Goal of project:

Enlarge living room, add bedroom and bathroom

Unanticipated issues:

Permit took longer than anticipated; needed engineer to OK load-bearing beam

Year house built:

1955

Size of home, lot:

added close to 400 sq ft to 1,900-sq-ft home on 9,000-sq-ft lot; now 4 bedrooms, 3 baths

Time to complete:

about six months

Budget:

under $150,000

Ideas to Remodel a Small Bathroom

Read article : Ideas to Remodel a Small Bathroom

While the main design consideration in a bathroom is functionality, aesthetic appeal is also important, and there are simple and effective ways to make dramatic upgrades to a bathroom's appeal without altering the tub or shower. Wall and floor coverings and electrical fixtures are all examples of features that you can change while keeping demolition to a minimum and remaining within a budget. When replacing plumbing fixtures, keep water conservation and efficiency as priorities.

Bathroom Flooring You can make a dramatic change to a small bathroom with the addition of a new floor covering. If the existing floor is in reasonably good shape and dry, you can install a new laminate floor directly over it without the need for its removal. Laminate wood patterns can blend with a bathroom dominated by woodwork, while a tile pattern can fit with tile or painted walls. Vinyl flooring is also well suited for the bathroom, and a multitude of patterns are available, but the installation will probably require removal of the old flooring and preparation of the subfloor. Walls Tiles make the best bathroom walls, but installing them can be troublesome and expensive. Consider alternatives, like vinyl-coated wallpaper or paint if you're on a budget, or combine materials by tiling the tub and shower stall and using another covering for the rest of the walls. You can create an interesting effect by tiling the lower half of the walls and using paint or paper for the top, similar to wainscoting. If you decide to paint, use a gloss or semi-gloss product, preferably oil-based. Paints with a sheen are easier to clean and are more resistant to mildew. Plumbing Fixtures Unless your plans include relocating the plumbing, you'll be constrained to the original positions of the main fixtures, like the sink, tub, shower and toilet. This doesn't mean you can't replace them, however. Installing a new tub or shower is a formidable job, but replacing the sink cabinet and toilet are relatively easy ones that can make a dramatic difference. Faucets are also easy to replace, and buying a matching set for the sink, tub and shower will give the bathroom a sense of integration. Don't forget to update the P-traps and supply hoses around fixtures you replace. Electrical Fixtures Remodeling the bathroom gives you a chance to update the lighting, and even if you do nothing else, changing the lighting in the bathroom can greatly alter the atmosphere. Whether you decide on recessed or track lighting, wall fixtures or a central globe, bathroom light fixtures should be moisture-proof and grounded. A remodel also gives you the opportunity to update outlets or to add one or two more. Although they are required only around the sink area, it's a good idea to install ground fault interrupting (GFI) outlets throughout the bathroom. Replace all the electrical cover plates with new ones for a final touch.

\ \ \ {! } !}\ \

', image: '', flash: '' }, google_image_size : '336x280' });

How to Remodel Your Bathroom for Now and the Future

Read article : How to Remodel Your Bathroom for Now and the Future

July 1, 2015

Credit: Courtesy of Moen

You’re planning a bathroom remodel. Exciting! It’s time to talk about flooring and finishes, light fixtures and storage space. Oh, yeah, and walkers, slips and broken hips! Wait. What?!

We know, we know, that’s not you. It may never be you. But the truth is: Thinking about some of the challenges of aging as you remodel will actually make your house more accessible to everyone in your life, whether it’s your adult daughter trying to take a shower while her baby is conked out in the stroller, a toddling grandchild who won’t sit still in the tub, a spouse recovering from knee surgery or an elderly parent with failing vision.

Planning ahead and anticipating the changing needs of your family will prevent your bathroom from looking institutional down the road.

— Amy Levner, AARP

“Most of us find it difficult to plan ahead,” says gerontologist Jodi Olshevski, executive director for the Hartford Center for Mature Market Excellence. “And some of us have a certain aversion to growing older.”

MoreModifying a Home for Everyone’s Comfort

But planning ahead and anticipating the changing needs of your family is the key to preventing your bathroom from looking institutional down the road, says Amy Levner, manager of Housing and Livable Communities for AARP. “Universal design done well is invisible, and it looks a lot better than a quick fix,”  she adds.(To see what Levner’s talking about, check out the video at aarp.org/homefit.)

If, for example, you or a family member suddenly suffers an injury or illness, Levner says, you can’t instantly install a sleek grab bar that doubles as a towel rack. Or a backlit faucet. Or fold-down teak seats in the shower. Instead, you’ll be forced to make accommodations of the nursing-home-chic variety. Often in white or beige plastic. Not pretty.

On the other hand, if you approach your remodel thoughtfully using the principles of universal design now, you’ll have all the accommodations you or a loved one might need one day already in place — in a style that suits your taste. In the meantime, activities like shaving in the shower and bathing a baby will be easier.

More4 Tips to Help You Age In Place

“There’s really no downside,” Olshevski says. You just need to think a little differently as you turn your bathroom into the universally accessible oasis of your dreams.

What to Think About

Flooring. Look for flooring that is slip-resistant, even-surfaced, low-glare, durable and easy to maintain. “The bathroom is a really dangerous room because it’s slippery when wet,” Levner says, “but you can select tiles that are naturally slip-proof.”

Hallways and doorways.To accommodate walkers, strollers or a wheelchair, widen hallways and doorways to at least 32 inches — 36 inches is ideal, says Olshevski. And eliminate thresholds, which are an unnecessary obstacle.

Doorknobs. Replace knobs with levered handles, which are easier for both little hands and arthritic ones to manipulate.

Lighting. Most people don’t think much about lighting in the bathroom, Olshevski says, but good lighting is crucial not only for good design but also for preventing slips and scalds. In addition to letting in as much natural light as possible, she suggests multiple sources of lighting and points out the importance of lighting over the bathtub and shower. Of course, don’t forget a nightlight for those midnight bathroom trips.

Light switches. Install backlit rocker switches instead of standard switches. They are easier to find in the dark, and you can flip them with your elbow or shoulder if your hands are full.

Faucets.Choose single-lever faucets — or touchless sensor faucets — which are easier to manipulate and provide better water-temperature control.

Toilet.Comfort-height toilets are 17 to 19 inches high compared to the standard 14 to 16 inches. You’ll just need to provide a stepping stool for little ones.

Vanity and medicine cabinet.Not only are pedestal sinks in fashion, they are more accessible to those with wheelchairs and walkers than enclosed vanities, Olshevski says, because they provide clearance under the sink. And a well-lit medicine cabinet makes reading prescription bottles and finding toiletries easier.

Shower and tub.“We would suggest a walk-in shower with a hand-held shower hose,” Olshevski says. “They are designed so the water doesn’t get on the floor, and you can install a seat, which is very practical if you’re shaving.” Walk-in bathtubs, which are accessible through a door and have built-in seating, are another option.

Grab bars.Perhaps the most important feature for an accessible, safe bathroom is a grab bar. When you’re remodeling, be sure to have the walls reinforced so you can install a grab bar in the tub or shower whenever you’re ready without having to rip up the walls again, Levner says. But really there’s no need to delay, since so many grab bars double as stylish towel racks.

The Fun Part: Shopping Around

Once you’ve decided to embrace universal design in the bathroom, the next step is finding products that match your style. Architects, contractors and designers familiar with universal design can lead you to products that are right for you.

Most architects are up to speed on universal design, Levner says. Locating designers and contractors might take a little sleuthing. She recommends looking for certified Aging in Place contractors and contacting your local chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) for designer recommendations.

Half the fun is doing research on your own. And maybe creating a Pinterest board of your favorite things.

Melinda Avila-Torio, a designer with THW, an architecture firm that specializes in building senior living facilities, recommends checking out the following for inspiration:

“We know from research that most people want to stay in their home as they age,” Olshevski says. Universal design makes that possible. And if you do the remodel right, your guests won’t want to leave either.

By Heidi Raschke

Heidi Raschke is a longtime journalist and editor who previously was the Executive Editor of Mpls-St. Paul Magazine and Living and Learning Editor at Next Avenue. Currently, she runs her own content strategy and development consultancy.@heidiraschke

Next Avenue Editors Also Recommend:

Next Avenue is bringing you stories that are not only motivating and inspiring but are also changing lives. We know that because we hear it from our readers every single day. One reader says,

"Every time I read a post, I feel like I'm able to take a single, clear lesson away from it, which is why I think it's so great."

Your generous donation will help us continue to bring you the information you care about. What story will you help make possible?

© Twin Cities Public Television - 2017. All rights reserved.

Sponsored Links

How to Remodel a Bathroom and Save Money

Read article : How to Remodel a Bathroom and Save Money

A full-scale bathroom remodel—even a midrange one—recoups only about 55% to 65% of its cost at resale, so it pays to keep your spending in check. Limit your budget to 5% of your home's value for a powder room or guest bath and 10% for a master bathroom, says Omaha appraiser John Bredemeyer, a spokesman for the Appraisal Institute.

Nationally, a midrange remodel averages about $18,000, while an upscale job comes in at around $57,000. Use these tips to stay sane and keep your renovation from blowing your budget.

To Save the Most, Don't Move the Pipes

Keep costs down by installing a new sink, tub, or toilet in the same location as the old one. In a second-floor bathroom, that could save $200 to $500 on each fixture, says design-build contractor Mark Mackmiller of Eden Prairie, Minn., because you won't have to pay to run new supply lines and drainpipes.

One caveat: On a first floor, the savings aren't as big, provided you have a crawl space or basement access.

Know Which Splurges Are Worth It ...

There are three features that add luxury and efficiency to a master bath, Mackmiller says. Dual sinks allow you and your spouse to get ready for work or play at the same time. (Figure an added $500 to $2,500, depending on whether you need to steal space from adjacent closets or rooms by moving walls.)

A separate walk-in shower and soaking tub are more comfortable than a tub-shower combo ($2,000 to $8,000, again depending on available space). And a toilet room creates privacy while allowing the overall bathroom to be a truly shared space ($1,000 to $5,000).

... And Which Aren't

You'll likely fall in love with all sorts of natural-stone tile options for floors and shower walls. But you can save $500 to $1,500 on the average job by going with a stone-look porcelain tile instead. You'll get nearly the same variety of color and texture but with less cost, easy upkeep, and no sealing required.

You'll Never Regret a Heated Floor

Anyone who has ever set a bare foot on cold tile will appreciate a radiant floor, which is heated by an electric element installed under the finished tile. Set it on a programmable thermostat, and you'll have warm tootsies when you wake up.

Radiant heat adds about $500 to $1,000 to the bill, but it will make you feel warm all over.