Tub and Tile Reglazing Advice

With the current strain on the economy and the housing market , it is becoming more and more common to "make do with what we have" which means instead of remodeling we are restoring.

The question lies here, is it cost effective? Is it going to last? What is the maintenance involved? Why are you going to charge me $450 to re-glaze my tub when I can buy a new one for $200? These are all quality questions which deserve quality answers.

Let's start with cost. First of all, the average cost of a tub install is anywhere between $1,400 and $2,500 and that does not factor in the tub surround. When your old tub is removed the tile at the base of the tub must be demolished. It is possible that a "good" installer can demo in such a way that you only have to repair the first row or two of tile. The reality is if it is older than 10 years finding a match for the tile will probably be impossible and will lead to a complete re-tile. Now, you are looking at about $4,000 to $8,000 just to replace the tub and is this cost effective for you? Be prepared from the moment you decide to dress up that tub to make this decision.

Now, a good re-glaze can last better than 10 years if done properly and there is a process which will ensure this. Preparation, product and technique are the key to a long lasting finish. If this technique is not followed your re-glaze will last anywhere from 1 day to 2 years. Two years may sound like a lot but when another company has to go in and strip the old finish off add another $500 to the re-glaze for a total of $950 to have it re-glazed again. This is not cost effective. If you're going to do it, do it right the first time and you will pat yourself on the back 5 years later when your tub still has a shine and is not peeling. Now let's get down to process.

The re-glazing process can be six to seven steps.

1. Removal of any caulking materials. Silicone is a contaminant and will cause the finish to fish eye. It is important to remove all traces of this by means of a silicone digester
   
   
   
   


2. Next, the old porcelain needs to be etched by means of an acid paste. This process will prepare the surface for the primer
   
   
   
   


3. When the acid etch is complete the surface must be wiped down with a solvent de-greaser to ensure that there are no more contaminants left behind
   
   
   
   


4. Primer - The surface must be primed with an epoxy primer to ensure proper cross hatching of compounds (i.e.-porcelain to primer, primer to finish, finish to clear coat)
   
   
   
   


5. Finish - The surface is then sprayed with an acrylic-urethane resin which can be tinted to any color you desire. It comes in two types, 24hr cure and 72hr cure. The 72hr cure is best if you don't mind waiting the extra time but the 24hr cure is good too.
   
   
   
   


6. Clear coat - The surface is then sprayed with an acrylic urethane clear coat which will kick up the gloss a bit and provide protection from common household chemicals
   
   
   
   


7. If you are refinishing from a previous re-glaze, the finish must be stripped. If this is the case, add this step before the first.

When these steps are followed, you can be sure your re-glaze is going to last for years. A good refinisher will give you at least a 10 year warranty "in writing", now that is cost effective! You will be happy and have just saved at least 70% of the cost of replacement.

MAINTENANCE

With the process you have just done, maintenance will be a breeze. You may also use rubber mats which many re-glazers will not recommend simply because they know it will peel. You will be able to use soft scrub and a white 3M cleaning pad without harming the surface. You will also be able to safely dye your hair without the fear of staining your finish providing the clear coat was used. With this in mind, re-glazing is not only practical but a very cost effective solution to replacement.

Your project when complete will look as though it was installed yesterday saving you $1000s on an install.

My name is George Piccot and I am the owner of Southern California based AB Ceramic Tile Regrout and Reglaze Systems (http://www.regroutpros.com). I have been in the restoration industry since 1989 and have seen every possible scenario and I hope this article serves you well in your endeavor.

AB Ceramic Tile Regrout and Reglaze Systems

Arched Shower Enclosure - 3/8" Clear Glass - Polished Nickel Hardware

This project is located in Redwood Estates in Los Gatos, California. The 3/8" clear glass enclosure has an arched top, and uses polished nickel hardware.

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Bath Elements www.localedge.com remodel bathroom, glass shower door, bathroom countertops, bathroom remodels, frameless shower, bathroom renovation, bathroom remodeling ideas, bathroom designer, bath design, remodeling bathroom,

How to Build Kitchen Cabinets

Saving money when it comes to making a kitchen updated is important to majority of homeowners. Kitchen cabinets set the mood of the entire room since they take up much of the kitchen space. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on custom made kitchen cabinets, a great option is making your own. If you are a handyman who enjoys home improvement projects this would be easy to do.

Whenever taking on a project you will find making a plan helps.

Start by measuring your kitchen and drawing down your ideas of what you want the cabinets to be like. Taking a visit to the local hardware store will give you an idea of what type of woods is available. You will be able to decide which is best for your kitchen. You also want to be sure you have the right tools and materials you will need.

There are many books and online plans to help you create the cabinets of your choice. Follow the plan step by step and you should not have any problems. Once the cabinets are made, you will want to stain or paint them to your liking.

When making cabinets there are a few tips to remember.

• When selecting the wood for your cabinet, be sure to check that it is flat and clean on the surface.


• Labeling all the parts of the wood will help your assembling be easier.


• If you decide to cut your own wood, measure the dimensions twice.

Creating your new kitchen cabinet is not completed when it is done being cut and put together. You also have to think about the hinges. There are two types of hinges that are typical in cabinets; framed and frameless. Framed is the most common style you will find in a kitchen. It is when the door is attached to the frame. frameless is a European style in which there is not a front frame. Instead these cabinet doors are attached to the shelving, so when you open the cabinet all you see is the items inside.

You will also have to decide what type of pull or knob you would prefer on your drawers. They are available in a variety of choices. All of these decisions will help to transform your new cabinets and add style to your kitchen.

Once the cabinets are completed and installed you will want to make sure to keep them clean. Grease and food particles can easy find its way on the surface. Making sure the cabinets and drawers are clean will make your cabinets last longer and stay beautiful.

You will feel a fresh boost of confidence when you see your hard work everyday in your kitchen. This may be the project you need to do to feel more comfortable with your wood making skills. Making kitchen cabinets could just be the tip of the iceberg for you when it comes to home improvement.

For more information on using a design a kitchen online site to design your dream kitchen try visiting http://www.remodelingkitchenguide.com, a popular website that offers kitchen remodeling tips, resources and how to refinish kitchen cabinets that will save you thousands in remodeling of your kitchen.

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3 Cedarford Ct Palm Coast, FL Watson Realty Corporation West www.realestatebook.com Welcome to the RITZ! Enter this rarely used vacation home which has been totally redesigned throughout, starting with the EPICUREAN dream kitchen with Brand New Cardell cabinetry, custom granite, Brand New black appointments, even a wine fridge. The Master suite has just been redone with white marble floors, Brand New tub, shower, vanities, everything from top to bottom. New adjustable closet system, built in bookcases and wonderful waterview .Guest baths have just been revamped with the Tuscan blend of stone and wood featuring frameless shower doors. Old World charm abounds with engineered floors, sisel carpets, built-in bookcases & a wood burning fireplace. The ultimate MANCAVE is found in the oversized 2car side entry garage,with upscale cabinetry lining the rear wall. It doesnt stop there with the large saltwater pool enclosed in the 40 screened in lanai leading to the leveled deck to the covered boatdock with plumbing/electric/and 10Klb.Boat lift. Unbelievable Don't miss out.

Hassle-Free Walk-In Showers

Walk-in showers have become the ultimate luxury in new homes and for existing bathroom upgrades. Design experts say one of the key factors for homebuyers is the bathroom and with more emphasis being placed on bathroom design they are looking for both functionality and stylish innovations. As a result, homeowners are basking in an endless array of choices for stylizing their bathrooms with a vast range of decorative finishes and dynamic choices in showers available.

These hot new trendy showers stray from the days of the typical bath/shower combination now giving homeowners more options in where to allocate their walk-in shower. With the emergence of shower range designs from semi-framed, framed to frameless combined with uncompromising construction, walk-in showers have become the core addition in bathroom renovations. Today much of the design effort is being placed on creating a more open space in the bathroom. Consumers are becoming increasingly in favor of clear glass showers to serve as the focal point in their bathroom because of the clean precision line construction and as a mean of reflecting light especially for bathrooms not equipped with windows. By incorporating glass type walk-in showers other bathroom fixtures can easily be built into the remaining bathroom décor. The well engineered showers offer a sleek ultra contemporary solution suited to complete the look of any bathroom design while allowing for artwork, bathroom accessories, bathroom flooring and tiles to be configured with the shower unit.

Bathroom industry professionals report that statistically they have seen an increased number of shower sales and are attributed to the high tech flexibility of showers options from electric showers to steam showers cabins and why people are spending more time and finding comfort in the shower. The desire to segregate the bath from the shower points to consumer demands for change and for greater diversity in product range.

With the revival of bathroom remodeling, homeowners are seeking out walk-in showers as the shower replacement alternative not only because of their leading-edge design, but are effortlessly fitted into the space where a bath is being replaced and offer years of maintenance free timeless elegance. Getting all of your other bathroom furnishings to match the shower unit no longer presents a challenge as the polished chrome frame will compliment the remaining bathroom suite as well as other colors in the room. Since bath and shower mixers along with other bathroom accessories are now available in a broad range of chrome designs, beautifying the bathroom to complete the look is a simple task.

About this Author

Written by Shelley Murphy on behalf of http://www.victoriaplumb.com an online retailer of bathroom furniture, steam showers, shower enclosures, whirlpool spa baths and bath related products serving the United Kingdom.

Shelley Murphy brings with her over 10 years of Search Engine Optimization and e-marketing strategies to web based businesses. Holding two BA’s in English and Journalism Communications her writing skills have been a great asset for both onsite writing and monthly newsletters publications.

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelley_Murphy

3/8" Clear Glass Shower Enclosure - Felton, California

This is a 3/8" clear glass shower enclosure that we completed installation of in November 2010 in Felton, California. The hardware finish is oil rubbed bronze, and the fixed panels are installed using brackets (glass clamps.)

Installing a Shower Pan Membrane Liner for a Custom Ceramic Tile Shower

Installing a custom ceramic tile shower in your home is something a do it yourself homeowner can do with a little upfront knowledge. The most important aspect of a successful custom ceramic tile shower installation is properly installing a shower pan membrane liner. The shower pan membrane liner is used to ensure a leak-proof shower.

Shower pan membrane liners are used to funnel any water that seeps through the floor or wall grout to the shower drain below. The shower pan membrane liner is made up of a flexible type of plastic material that sits below a bed of mortar, and the tile, in the shower floor area.

Prior to installing the shower pan membrane liner, the floor of the shower needs to be pre-sloped to ensure that the water will flow towards the shower drain assembly. The pre-slope is accomplished by applying a layer of mortar to the floor of the shower unit area. The layer of mortar is troweled in such as way as to create a gentle slope from the shower wall edges to the center of the shower where the drain resides.

Once the pre-slope mortar has cured, the flexible shower pan membrane liner can then be installed. There are a couple of types of shower pan membrane liners on the market, with each having their own benefits. With either type of membrane, the homeowner needs to form and fold the material into the base of the shower area and secure it to the sides of the shower wall frame with staples and/or nails. In addition, an opening in the membrane should be cut out to allow the adjustable shower drain assembly to slip through.

With the shower pan membrane installed, the cementitious ceramic tile backerboard can then be secured to the framed shower walls. The backerboard is a rigid material that is ideal for attaching tile in wet areas such as a shower stall.

After installing the ceramic tile backerboard, a final coat of mortar needs to be applied on top of the membrane to protect it and to provide a solid base for laying the ceramic floor tile.

With the final coat of mortar cured, the ceramic tile can then be installed in the shower.

Once the tile and grout have been installed, the shower drain assembly should be adjusted so that the drain height sits flush with the finished ceramic tile floor.

For more information on installing a shower pan membrane liner, see the Shower Pan Membrane Liner Installation EBook from HomeAdditionPlus.com. The Shower Pan Membrane Liner EBook will quickly teach you the step-by-step process for installing the shower pan membrane liner correctly. It includes instructions on framing the shower stall, pouring the pre-slope and shower base mortar, and installing the shower pan membrane liner.

Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more home improvement information visit http://www.homeadditionplus.com and http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com

Best cheap Dreamline SHDR-20307210F-04 Unidoor Opening 30 inch Frameless Shower Door, Brushed Nickel for $452.90 DreamLine

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Frameless Glass Shower Doors

www.all-bathroom-vanities.com - Our frameless hinged door collections offer flawless function and elegance. All doors are made of tempered glass complimented by anodized aluminum profiles and frames in a variety of finishes. All doors are available in 72" height for shower installation. Matching trays sold separately. Super quality and at discount price. Royalty Free Music, license certificate #11195-MTR-16049.