Unique Bathoom Vanity Blog » bathroom vanities

Change Up Your Floorplan!

Unique Bathroom Vanity — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:00:51 +0000

Is your spouse longing (loudly) for that open floor plan the two of you have been seeing on HGTV lately? Are you daring enough to try to do the demo and remodel yourself? If you answered yes to both of these questions then this post is a great one for you to read! We asked Randy, our on-staff General Contractor, for a little guidance and thoughts on this project. Here’s what he had to say:

When you go to change floor plans (which in most cases means tearing down a wall) the first and most important thing you need to check on is if that wall is load bearing. The best way to tell would be to go into the attic and see what is actually sitting on the wall. Are there ceiling joists or roof supports there? If ceiling joists are found, check where they lead to. It’s possible that they may be running from one end of the house to the other, and not actually sitting on the wall you want to remove. If you find that they have a splice in there somewhere, then they probably are sitting on the wall. In addition, if it’s a second story that lies above, then chances are the wall is load bearing-supporting the floor system. Not to worry, it still can be done, however your workload has just increased exponentially.

Still in it to win it? Well, congrats! Okay, so now to moving that weight bearing wall (without the house coming down around you.) To start, you’re going to need to build a temporary wall on each side of the wall you are going to remove. Remove the wall and then get the appropriate sized beam to use. Sizing the beam is going to be determined by weight. They are all engineered to hold only so much weight per square foot and span so far. You’ll want to talk to an architect or structural engineer to find out which to use. There are also building codes that will tell you what load rating a specific area requires; you’ll need to do your homework on that.

Next, you’ll need to cut all the floor joists or ceiling joists up above. Put your beam in between the cuts joists and use joist hangers on each side to re-support those ceiling joists or second story floor joists, whichever your case may be. You can recess this beam into the ceiling so it’s not visible or leave it and wall around it to add a funky edge to the room. The choice is entirely yours. If you have chosen to do an exposed beam then you can either cover it with sheetrock or wrap it in the wood of your choice, paint your finished product, and tell your spouse to move the furniture back—your work here is done!!

Find funky bathroom faucets to update your bathroom too, as well as beautiful bathroom vanities and sinks! You’ve changed your layout–now change your faucets and sinks!

Change Up Your Floorplan! is a post from: Unique Bathoom Vanity Blog

A Proper Paint Job

A Proper Paint Job

Unique Bathroom Vanity — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:00:10 +0000

Too many people are looking for a quick fix in changing the look of their room. They pick a color, pick a can of paint, slap it on, and consider it done. Not many of those people realize that for a quality paint job, there are a few more steps to be taken than just the ones listed before. To begin, you need to find any holes in the wall and fill and patch them. If the wall has already been primed (a clean slate) then spot prime those spots before adding any paint. If not, go over the whole surface with a primer. Next, we recommend starting with the edges of the wall you are working on first. Tape around ceiling and baseboards, and begin making your edges. Once you’ve got those complete, you can use a roller to finish the rest of the wall. Depending on how deep/dark you’d like the color to be, you may require a second coat of paint. But, if you are thorough in your work, and not looking for that quick fix, you will be proud of the room you have updated!

Please visit and check out our beautiful new Victorian bathroom vanities today! You won’t be disappointed!

A Proper Paint Job is a post from: Unique Bathoom Vanity Blog

Paint and Primer In One

Unique Bathroom Vanity — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:09:45 +0000

Lately, a new fad of paint has been emerging for the ever time conscious consumer. It offers a combination of both primer and paint in one. Is it worth it? Our on staff General Contractor isn’t completely sold. From what he’s experienced, it does work fairly well. However, when using a 2-in-1 product, often times you’ll find the price is 2-in-1 as well. On top of that, you’ll be using (depending on the size of the room) at least twice as much! A good tip to try first would be to do a simple price comparison. Primer can be found fairly inexpensively, so see how much of that and how much paint you would need and compare it to the all in one option. If it’s a small bathroom you are looking at painting, the all in one option could be cost effective. However, a larger room could ‘paint’ quite a different picture!

Stop by to check out our fantastic selection of beautiful bathroom vanities and sinks today! We’re certain you’ll find one to match whatever paint you choose!

Paint and Primer In One is a post from: Unique Bathoom Vanity Blog

No related posts.

When is it necessary to pull a building permit and what are the consequences if caught doing work without one?

Unique Bathroom Vanity — Wed, 11 May 2011 20:14:55 +0000

Most municipalities have a set of guidelines either online or at the building inspection department that will describe the types of projects that require a permit. In general anything that is cosmetic does not require a permit such as, flooring, painting, or even replacing bathroom vanities, or kitchen cabinets and countertops. If you have to move any plumbing drains or water supply lines then a permit is required. The inspector will want to see how the drains are routed and how many bends or fittings are used to make the move. The inspection department will tell you that any new electrical work has to be permitted. This is to make sure a licensed electrician is doing the work and like plumbing the contractor must be insured to protect the home and homeowner from any liability issues. If you are just changing devices and cover plates or light fixtures then you don’t need a permit.

The penalty for getting caught without a permit will vary from area to area. Most of the time it is a fine where the amount is determined by the inspector and the permit fees. Building inspectors do not take it lightly when they find someone doing work illegally or without a license and can make the rest of job difficult to get green tagged by picking apart everything you do and they can make you cut open walls to see the concealed work. If you are a contractor for a living then the inspectors can make all your future jobs difficult once they know you have tried to get away without pulling a permit.

If you are fixing up a house for resale purposes and manage to get it done without pulling a permit you may still run into issues with a home inspector (not a building inspector) hired by the prospective buyer or realtor. The home inspector is paid to find every issue with a home to make a complete report for the home buyer and if they see anything not to code it will be listed on the report. This can lead a buyer to request a courtesy inspection from the building inspector at which time they will see that no permit has been pulled for the updates. In the end it is always better to permit the job right up front to make sure you don’t run into any issues down the road that will cost more money.

When is it necessary to pull a building permit and what are the consequences if caught doing work without one? is a post from: Unique Bathoom Vanity Blog

Do the toilet and sinks in a bathroom remodel need to be the same brand name?

Unique Bathroom Vanity — Mon, 09 May 2011 20:09:29 +0000

Question: I’m replacing my old vanity and toilet in my bathroom with a Kohler Pedestal Sink. The Kohler toilets seem to be overpriced….at least the one is that is the direct match to my sink. I was just wondering if it’s really necessary to match the brands. I can find a cheaper toilet that goes well, but it’s not Kohler. Thoughts please?

It is not necessary to match the toilet brand to the bathroom sink however with years of remodeling experience I can say that you get what you pay for with toilets. Although Kohler may cost a little more they are a respectable company that stands behind their product and you can expect to get years of reliability from their products.

Do the toilet and sinks in a bathroom remodel need to be the same brand name? is a post from: Unique Bathoom Vanity Blog

What is best option for remodeling bathrooms when it comes to resale value?

Unique Bathroom Vanity — Wed, 04 May 2011 19:57:24 +0000

Question: From a selling stand point is it better to have a house with 2-1/2 baths where 2 of them are extremely small (one being the master) or converting Two into One and having a new large master bath?

When looking at a listing on a house it would be more attractive to have a home with 2- ½ bathrooms there is no question. However if a prospective buyer looks at the house and sees that two of the bathrooms are very small and outdated it could be a deal killer. Also you have to make sure that spending money on a bathroom remodel will increase the sale price of the home equally or more. A large master bath is ideal for most home buyers, and spending the money in this area can yield a return on investment in most cases. If you are not planning to put the house on the market for a few years then the remodel is going to be for your benefit anyhow, not for the next owner.

What is best option for remodeling bathrooms when it comes to resale value? is a post from: Unique Bathoom Vanity Blog

Are Glass Top Bathroom Vanities Durable?

Unique Bathroom Vanity — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 21:47:37 +0000

Glass used for bathroom vanity countertops is usually ½” thick tempered glass meaning if it were to break it would shatter into a bunch of small pieces like a car windshield instead of large sharp pieces of glass that could be dangerous. Thick tempered glass is extremely hard to break. It is very similar to what you see in large aquariums at the zoo that hold in thousands of gallons of water or the windshield in an airplane.

Glass can be scratched but again not easily. You should never use anything abrasive to clean it such as a brillo pad or SOS; these harsh materials can scratch the surface. Glass is as durable as most other solid surface bath vanity countertop materials in which it will stand up to normal ware and tare for a long time.

Are Glass Top Bathroom Vanities Durable? is a post from: Unique Bathoom Vanity Blog

No related posts.

Bathroom Design Ideas with Julia from UniqueVanities.com

Unique Bathroom Vanity — Wed, 26 May 2010 13:04:06 +0000

Here is a quick 2.5 minute video on some inexpensive bathroom design ideas, including bathroom vanities.

Bathroom Design Ideas with Julia from UniqueVanities.com is a post from: Unique Bathoom Vanity Blog

Bathroom Faucet Installation with Randy from UniqueVanities.com

Tips On How to Size Light Fixtures for Your Bathroom Vanity

Unique Bathroom Vanity — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:59:15 +0000

Lighting fixtures are extremely important when it comes to bathroom remodeling, and should not be overlooked. These need to be included in your remodel brainstorming and planning. It’s important to make sure the new light fixtures measure up nicely with the bathroom vanity.

First, you need to know how to size bathroom lighting fixtures. Basically, you will need to find lighting fixtures that are most suitable for the overall size of your bathroom and that coordinate well with the size of other items in the room.

It is important that you measure properly. An oversight of even an inch can leave you with a lot of trouble that cannot be easily solved. For the bathroom vanity, measure the space for width, length, and height. You will also need to know the measurements of your vanity first before deciding on the lighting fixtures you will incorporate with your vanity.

You can make a small bathroom feel warm and inviting by incorporating the appropriate light fixtures. Try recessed can ceiling light fixtures concentrated on work areas. You could also utilize indirect lighting somewhere at the wall junction. Sconces can save up a lot of space because they are attached to the walls, so you may place them on either side of the bathroom mirror above the sink. You can use more lighting fixtures if you layer your lighting and manage it with dimmer switches.

Large bathroom usually require extra lighting. Here you should consider recessed cans combined with over mirror wall lighting. If you have a wide sink or double sink vanity, you can consider a small lamp in addition to a hanging wall fixture. This is really only applicable for large bathrooms.

The first thing you need to do to start any bathroom remodel is to determine the style you want to employ. You need to have an idea of your overall theme before tearing the space apart or ripping your bathroom vanity off the existing floor plan. Fortunately, you can find very simple ways to establish the style that you want online. You could even easily find the size and prices you require for your particular project. Once you have a basic concept of what you want, start measuring. Remember, this job does involve water and electricity so keep safety a top priority.

Tips On How to Size Light Fixtures for Your Bathroom Vanity is a post from: Unique Bathoom Vanity Blog

Adding a New Bathroom Vanity

Adding a New Bathroom Vanity

Unique Bathroom Vanity — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 03:51:20 +0000

Home improvement projects are something that can greatly increase the resale value of a home, or just add value for the current homeowners. Often times, these projects can become costly, but there are smaller projects around the house that can be completed on a budget. Since the bathroom is one of the most important rooms in a house when it comes to resale value, putting in a new bathroom vanity is a simple, cost effective project to take on. In order to be successful with this type of project, there are a few key things that you need to know.

First off, you are going to need to get rid of the old bathroom vanity and sink that are already installed. Taking a look underneath the vanity will tell you how it is attached to the wall, and thus how to detach it from the wall. This might require taking out some screws, so having a good set of wrenches or a power drill on hand can save you some work. Once the vanity is detached, you might have to take a utility knife to run it around the edges to make sure it is completely away from the wall.

As with any pluming project, it is a good idea to shut off the water to the bathroom before you start getting too far. This will prevent any major mishaps if you do make a mistake. Taking off the countertop of the vanity first will save some work in getting the rest of it away from the wall. Once the top of the bathroom vanity is off, then you can look around again underneath and make sure any cabinets or molding are ready to be taken off. When you are sliding out the old vanity, or if you have to pry it away from the wall, it is a good idea to have a thin sheet or blanket in place to protect the flooring. You might also need to put a thin piece of wood between the pry bar and the wall to get the base of the vanity removed.

Once you have the old stuff taken out, then it is time to install the new bathroom vanity unit. Shopping online is a great option because it will afford you a fantastic selection of many styles and sizes of vanity. Take your time and be sure to find a vanity that fits your budget and the style you want to achieve.

Adding a New Bathroom Vanity is a post from: Unique Bathoom Vanity Blog

No related posts.