A Look at Shower Curtain Rods

Shower curtain rods give you a unique opportunity to showcase your sense of style. There are many different styles of shower curtain rods available. The most traditional version are straight shower rods, which are available in a variety of materials, including brass, stainless steel, plastic, chrome, brushed nickel, and bronze. Curved shower curtain rods curve in toward the wall in a half circle, and extend out at their midpoint. This gives users an additional 8” of shower space. Traditional rods are too short for corner tubs, but L-shaped shower rods fit wonderfully. They are available in many materials, including brass, chrome, and brushed nickel.Oval shower rods were originally designed for use with a clawfoot tub, but they can also be used with freestanding tubs, built-in tubs, and whirlpools. They are indeed oval-shaped, and are suspended from the ceiling with supports. The same basic concept is also used with circular shower rods (shaped like a circle rather than an oval) and rectangular shower rods (shaped like a rectangle rather than an oval.) Other styles available include Trak, D-style, Neo Angle, and U-shaped. In addition to the different shapes, the various materials also give you decorating control. If you are using brass faucets and hardware, for example, a brass shower curtain rod completes the look nicely.A company called Clawfoot Supply offers a complete line of unique and stylish rods. Though some are designed for clawfoot tubs, many will fit any type of bathtub or shower.With the creative use of decorative shower curtain rods, you can give your bathroom a makeover… without spending a fortune.

Installing A Steam Bath – Part One

Do you love steam baths? Feel that you can't survive without them? If you are one of those who live for steam, consider getting a steam bath installed in your home. Having your own is the ultimate for many steam bath lovers and getting one may be easier (and less expensive) than you think.There are two basic choices when installing a steam bath in your home. You can convert your existing bathtub or shower or you can install a modular steam bath. There are several steam bath designs which are self-contained and simply need appropriate plumbing and electrical connections.Converting an existing bathtub is also fairly easy. A steam proof door must be installed and a steam generator must be connected to the bathtub enclosure.PreparationSteam is a highly penetrating form of moisture, so any room that has a steam bath must be properly prepared to prevent moisture damage. If steam gets into the infrastructure of your house it can cause serious structural damage.If you are in the process of constructing a new house, it is a simple matter to have the builders use the proper materials to steam proof your bathroom. If you are installing a steam bath in an existing house, you must verify that the bathroom can withstand steam.The basic principals in safe steam bath installation are to 1) prevent the steam from escaping, 2) collect the condensed water without dripping on the bathers, and 3) allow the water to drain. To achieve these three goals, the steam room must be completely sealed and insulated, it must have a sloping ceiling, and it must have proper drains.To prevent steam from escaping beyond the steam bath, the structural materials should be waterproof and have an underlying vapor barrier of thick plastic. Sheetrock or plaster must be designed to withstand moisture or covered with a waterproof finish.The walls and ceilings of the steam room must be covered in a impervious material like ceramic tile or glass. All the joints and connections must be sealed with silicone to prevent any moisture from escaping.Once the underlying structure has been prepared, the next thing to consider is the height of the ceilings. In order to maximize steam build-up and prevent cold spots, the ceiling should be lower than 8 feet high. It should also be slanted to allow condensation to slide down the ceiling rather than drip on the bathers. A slope of 2 inches per foot is appropriate for a steam bath.If you are converting a bathtub into a steam bath, you need to enclose it with a suitable door. Small steam areas (the size of the bathtub) should have a narrow gap at the bottom of the door to allow for airflow. Larger steam rooms can be made airtight.The bathroom should still be constructed to contain steam even if you are installing a modular steam shower. These units contain steam pretty well but still release moisture into the surrounding bathroom area. Modular steam showers have the advantage of having extra features such as multiple shower heads, built-in seating, lighting, and even CD players and telephones.But no matter whether you are installing a modular steam shower or converting an existing bathtub into a steam shower, you still need to select and install a steam generator and all the connectors and make sure that everything is working correctly. That is the topic of our next article.

Here's what a Jacuzzi will do for you!

Jacuzzi's are a great recreational and health benefit for a home. Having some idea what type and what uses you will have for it, are keys to purchasing the right one for you.There's nothing like going to a hotel and finding out you are in the jacuzzi suites! Of course, many people request this when traveling. Jacuzzis can take away a lot of stress and worry just in a few minutes time. Jacuzzi tubs can be added to your home as well giving you a great place to unwind after a long day. A jacuzzi tub is normally larger then the average bathtub and requires a lot more knowledge to install. Obviously, the wiring and power to the jacuzzi is important and should be handled by a professional.So, where to start? Start by knowing what you can afford and how much room is available to you. Jacuzzi's come in many different shapes and also in different qualities. Some often fit the corner of a bathroom as opposed to along a single wall like most bathtubs. This can give you added space in a small bathroom. Finding the right jacuzzi isn't all that hard. Most major home improvement stores will have a selection to start to look at. If, you are not satisfied with the selection there or would like more options, check into specialty stores for more choices. Often times, these places will also offer installation as well. Beware of the extra costs for installation though. Home improvement stores also offer jacuzzi parts if the need arises as well. But, make sure to keep your warranty and guarantees safe since these parts will undoubtedly be expensive if they are not covered by your policy.Jacuzzi's aren't just found in your local jacuzzi spas anymore. Jacuzzi's have long been known for the way the relax and help us unwind. Having one at home will not only help you unwind from a long day, but it gives you an extra measure of privacy not found in jacuzzi spas. While this investment can be costly, it can have great long term benefits for the owner. It is an investment in your home as well as your health. And the process is not that difficult in finding one that suits your needs.

Attention Homeowners: Replacing Your Faucets Will Make a World of Difference

A lot of people would love to have a new kitchen or bathroom, but once they learn about the costs involved, they may get discouraged. Cabinets alone can run you in excess of $10,000, and that’s not including the cost of installation. Add in fixtures, appliances, electrical work, and the like, and before you know it, you’ve almost spent enough money to buy a new condo. According to Remodeling Magazine, the average cost of a major kitchen remodeling job is now $40,000. The average cost of turning a worn-out bathroom into a new space is about $10,000. That figure includes the cost of replacing the bathtub, toilet, vanity, sink, medicine cabinet, ceramic tile floor and vinyl wallpaper. “Most people don’t have thousands of dollars lying around to spend on remodeling projects, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make some simple changes that will have a big impact,” says Keith Kometer, Faucet Marketing Manager at Kohler Co., a global leader of products for the kitchen and bath. Instead of replacing toilets and showers, these days, a lot of people are painting their kitchens and bathrooms or putting up wallpaper, and accessorizing to get a new look. But those are only a few of the simple changes homeowners can make on a tight budget. “Changing out the faucet can also make a big visual impact,” says Kometer. Kohler has just rolled out two new faucet lines that can be installed in minutes by do-it-yourselfers and won't break the bank in terms of cost. The Forté faucet, for both the bath and kitchen, features a high arch spout that allows for a completely customizable look with traditional handles or sleek, sculpted handles. Its top-mount installation system, preassembled valves and handles allow for easy installation with minimal tools, saving time, effort and money. The only tools required to secure it firmly in place are a screwdriver and wrench. The more traditional Devonshire design also features pre-assembled flexible supply lines, valves and handles. Flexible lines, available on the Forte faucets as well, are a lot easier to work with when installing the faucet than the standard bulky, rigid copper tubing. The Devonshire faucet also requires just two tools to install. “These faucets are for homeowners who don’t want to spend top dollar on a remodeling project, but still want to create a look that’s dramatic and stylish,” says Kometer. ”You don’t have to repaint; simply replacing the faucet is all it takes.” To add a little more fashion to the bathroom as a finishing touch, accompanying decorative accessories are available -- including towel racks, glass shelves, soap dishes and toilet tissue holders. They come in several finishes that exceed industry durability standards, and boast distinctive color and texture selections, including polished chrome, brushed chrome, brushed nickel and French gold.