Tag Archives: bathroom
Bathroom Tips: Effective underfloor heating
Jumping out of the shower first thing on a cold morning isn’t a pleasant experience, and it can only be made worse by stepping onto an ice-cold bathroom floor. That’s partly why underfloor heating is quickly becoming the popular must-have in bathroom renovations across the UK. Here’s a few points to consider when installing your new heating system.
Some materials are far more effective at heating than others, due to the levels of conductivity, but it’s important to consider a material’s ability to store heat rather than just transmitting it. Tiled floors are very good at keeping the heat stored, but if the tiles are too thick it can take a long time to heat up. The thinner the tile, the quicker the warm-up times, but it can feel cold when barefoot if the heating system is not turned on. Carpet is comfortable regardless if the system is on, but be sure to use one with a lower tog factor otherwise the underfloor heat simply won’t get through.
Real hardwood materials warm quickly, and will continue to retain a good heat level throughout the day and feels comfy underfoot even when the system is off. It is important to note that engineered board should be used in order to prevent the board from shrinking or moving when heat is passing through. Underfloor heating can be installed under solid, natural timber flooring but be careful how you lay the heating system to avoid movement issues.
One element that shouldn’t be overlooked is running costs – Cheaper to install electric systems may seem like the wallet-friendly choice short term, only to cost a significant amount to operate on a regular basis. Water-based systems aren’t the cheapest, but running costs are far lower.
Shower Tray Shift
With the UK fast becoming a nation no longer dependent on the bath, it’s apparent that the relationship with showering is accelerating at an alarming rate with no real signs of slowing down. Whilst numerous designs continue to flood our options, consumers are becoming aware of the economical and practical benefits of the shower and shower tray – in particular the low level shower tray. Current designs are clear evidence of trays becoming shorter with super slimline designs replacing older chunkier options as the current must have.
According to the UK Shower Market Report 2008 – 2012 released by AMA Research, the shower tray market was worth £50m in 2007, representing a total of 18% of the entire shower market. The report also credited the development of low level and easy-plumb trays quickly becoming the best option for bathrooms, with low level trays expectant to grow considerably over the next 12 months. In contrast, the report also showed that shower tray volume will eventually drop in the foreseeable future whilst durability and quality are increased. Rather than having to replace a tray every 3 – 5 years, consumers will hunt for the lifetime option.
Di Vapor currently offer both easy-plumb and low level tray showering options to suit all requirements. Head over to www.divapor.com today and see what options are available for you.
An insight into Planning Permission.
When looking to increase the value of your home the obvious solution is to look at extending your overall floor space. Although renovating the kitchen or bathroom will add appeal and value, the percentage increases are incomparable when extending your building size. Many wannabe self builders tend to fall at the first hurdle when gaining planning permission, so it’s important to know what to look for so you don’t get caught out.
Many self builders tend to view the planning officers as the bad guys – the people who prevent the homeowner from building what they want, where they want whilst spoiling plans with disputes and delays. Although in some cases this is true, there are instances where the planning officers have made poor final decisions or gone on a bit of a power trip. However, from another angle the planning offer can be viewed as the self builder’s friend – an expert who can help with useful advice and tips regarding your original plan.
A golden rule to remember when considering a particular plot is to speak to the local council or planning department before handing in your final application. In many cases, they can offer guidance on design approaches that are likely to be accepted, which can be interpreted by your architect to suit your needs more closely – a task which many architects should be well qualified to complete. The planning register is a priceless source of information – Find yourself an architect or designer who has been consistently successful.
By developing a good relationship with your planning officer, you should be able to gather enough information on how your proposal is likely to be viewed. With most issues seemingly straightforward to resolve, such as height restrictions imposed to prevent looking over neighbouring properties, it’s important to remember that all restrictions are open to interpretation.
Bathrooms tipped to be big in 2010!
Bathroom renovation projects have been tipped to be at the top of the pecking order for DIY projects taken up this 2010. Retail analysts at Verdict Research, Matthew Pilner, stated that during the Totally DIY show based at the Birmingham NEC last year “kitchen refurbishments were becoming increasingly popular”.
However, it seems that the focus has shifted dramatically this year when punters became more interested in what the bathroom sector had to offer. Matthew Pilner added “As we enter 2010, the big area of growth is likely to be bathrooms.”
“The bathroom sector is something that is quite under capacity at the moment. There is opportunity in this sector to move into” he added. With unreachable luxuries such as wet rooms, and steam sauna enclosures now affordable, homeowners can now look to create a bathroom of their dreams.
A survey completed at the exhibition showed how homeowners were planning to make home improvements in the run up to November this year, with 70% making bathroom changes.
Cashmere loo roll anyone?
Everybody dreams of having their dream bathroom one day, complete with luxury whirlpool bath, all glass shower enclosure combined with high end tiling. However, it seems that maximising comfort is the main focus for one such supplier.
Cashmere, one of the softest and most valued textile materials, has been used in many formats including fashionable suits and luxury jumpers for the cold days.
However, Waitrose has taken it to the next level by releasing a new range of cashmere toilet roll. The supermarket insists that a “significant amount” of cashmere goes into each roll, even though no cashmere fibres are involved in the manufacturing process. Instead, the paper itself is coated in the oil extracted from cashmere hairs.
Finish your luxury bathroom by heading over to your nearest Waitrose today and grabbing a pack – Cashmere rolls start from £2.99.
Bathroom Advice: Tackling Damp
Damp, a problem we have all experienced, is something that occurs most frequently in older houses. Unquestionably a common problem for home renovators, it’s important to know how to eliminate the issue and work to keep your house damp free. The most common occurrence of damp comes in the form of condensation, easily identifiable when you find water running down windows.
In some cases, water can be found running down walls creating dark mould spots, ranging from small speckles to big patches on ceilings and walls. Getting rid of this mould is vital, as not only does it look unsightly, it can release spores which individuals with respiratory problems can seriously be affected by.
So what causes this damp to occur? In short, the amount of water that is carried in the air varies dependent on the temperature of the environment. Hot air can carry more water than cold air, and with our homes being fairly warm during winter, the air contains plenty of vapour.
Condensation occurs when the warm air comes in contact with cold surfaces such as windows or walls, where the water can no longer be supported. The vapour condenses back to a liquid and remains on the surface. The main causes come down to poor cavity insulation, or insufficient ventilation.
Treating this type of damp is fairly straightforward providing you stick to certain control methods. Better ventilation is a good starting block therefore environments that create plenty of vapour or steam such as the shower room, require an automated ventilation system. Upgrading your insulation on outside walls will also create less cold surfaces for vapour to settle on.