Design a Durable Bathroom That Will Last for Years

Design a Durable Bathroom That Will Last for Years

The following contribution is from another author.

Installing a new bathroom can be exciting, but it’s also often stressful. It’s not something that you want to do too often, especially as it can be expensive. To avoid having to remodel your bathroom again too soon, or even having to make any repairs or minor replacements, you should design a bathroom that will stand the test of time. While you might want it to look good, another important thing to consider is that you need it to be durable. It should be able to withstand daily use for years to come. This requires you to make the right design choices for your bathroom.

Make It Easy to Clean

If you want to make your bathroom last longer, ensuring it’s easy to clean is essential. Keeping it clean will keep it in good condition and prevent it from deteriorating too soon. There are various ways you might make your bathroom easier to clean, including keeping lines smooth and avoiding creating little nooks and crannies that are hard to get into. Choosing the right materials can also make a difference if you want to be able to clean your bathroom easily. A tiled floor can be easier to clean than other materials.

Use Tiles

Tiles are a great choice if you want your bathroom to last a long time. They’re simple to clean, requiring only a quick wipe down to keep them looking fresh. Grouting can sometimes be more difficult to keep clean, but regular cleaning with the right products can help. It might also be useful to use larger tiles so that there are fewer grout lines to clean. When you’re selecting tiles, you will probably want to consider porcelain tiles. Porcelain doesn’t absorb moisture and won’t stain, and it has been a popular choice for bathrooms for a long time.

Choose Stone Countertops

When you’re choosing countertops for your bathroom, natural stone materials can be some of the most durable options. Granite is one of the possibilities that you can explore, presenting you with a sophisticated and functional material for your bathroom. It should last for many years to come, being extremely resistant to scratches and stains. If you check page here, you can see some ideas for your granite countertops and the benefits of choosing granite for your bathroom. Other natural stones are available too, including marble and quartz. Before choosing which stone to use, consider the pros and cons of each of them.

Design a Wet Room

A wet room can be a great idea if you want your bathroom to be durable. Wet rooms are easy to clean, being completely tiled. You can simply spray them down with a hose, clean them with a steam cleaner or quickly wipe down the tiles. Wet rooms also have clean lines and straightforward designs, making them even easier to keep clean. Tiling the whole room allows you to choose a durable tile that will last. Plus, creating a wet room involves choosing all other furniture and surfaces that can be completely wet, so they won’t be damaged by steam or water.

Invest in Quality Cabinets

If there’s one thing that you should invest some money in, it’s some quality bathroom cabinets. Cheaper cabinets might look good for a while, but they can quickly start to fall apart. If you want cabinets that are going to last, resist the cheaper particle board options and invest in some slightly more upmarket cabinets. You want bathroom cabinets that will be able to withstand any moisture in your bathroom, especially if it’s not particularly well-ventilated. Look for quality suppliers if you want decent cabinets. They don’t need to be solid wood; good MDF or furniture-grade plywood can be enough.

Install a Glass Shower Divider

When you’re remodeling your bathroom, it’s a great chance to install a shower with a beautiful, sleek screen. Shower curtains are inexpensive but they can easily get dirty and even develop mold. Curtain rails can also be tricky to clean, especially as they might be hard to reach. A shower screen can work for both a standalone shower and a bath-shower. You can choose to have a shower cubicle, but a screen on its own is particularly good for a wet room setup. Tempered glass is durable, easy to clean and available in a number of colors.

Select the Right Wallpaper and Paint

Decorating the walls of your bathroom is another area where you should consider which option is most durable. You might think that wallpaper isn’t appropriate for the bathroom, but it can be a good choice if there’s enough ventilation in your bathroom. As long as it is applied properly, you won’t have to worry about it. However, you might find that paint is a better option if you want something that’s easy to clean. You can wipe paint down, with semi-gloss paint being a good option.

Choose a Cast Iron Tub

If you’re installing a new tub, a cast iron bathtub is an excellent option. Cast iron offers one of the most durable materials that you can choose, and it makes a very strong tub. Cast iron tubs are deep and the walls are thick, which means they can retain the heat of your bathwater for longer too. They’re built to last a lifetime and don’t require much maintenance, so it’s worth investing in one. They might be pricier than tubs made with enamel or other materials, but you’re unlikely to need to replace them.

Improve Ventilation

A bathroom that you want to last a long time needs to be well-ventilated. If there is too much moisture in your bathroom, it can create many problems, from condensation to mold. Installing an extraction fan is a smart idea if you want to improve ventilation. It will extract steam and other moisture so that your bathroom isn’t dripping wet and all of the elements of the room can last longer.

Consider an Eco-Friendly Bathroom Remodel

Eco-friendly bathroom remodels are a great way to save on the cost of a remodel and energy use. Some examples of eco-friendly home improvements include the following:

  • Installing insulation and fans

  • Opting for organic options for cleaning products

  • Converting heating systems from fossil fuel burning systems to more efficient or renewable options, such as geothermal and solar

  • Using water-conserving fixtures like low-flow showerheads, waterless urinals, greywater systems for cleansing toilets that recycle wastewater

While eco-friendly remodels can be pretty costly upfront, over time, they pay off in many ways. One such way is in the reduction of utility costs. A home with an energy efficiency rating of E or better uses about 90 percent less electricity per square foot than a home with no rating, for example.

Create a bathroom that will last for years by choosing your materials carefully and making smart design decisions.

Author

Eric is the creator of At Home in the Future and has been a passionate fan of the future since he was seven. He's a web developer by trade, and serves as the Director of Communication and Technology for a large church in Nashville, TN (where he and his family are building a high tech home in the woods).