After you finish with your bathroom renovation, you should enjoy its new functionalities, comfort, and aesthetics, without blaming and teasing yourself about making wrong decisions that could have easily been avoided if you did a little research beforehand.

In the previous parts of this series, we talked about whether it would be better if you install a bathtub vs. shower, or single sink vs. double sink, considering your space, budget, maintenance costs, and other relevant variables.

You can check the two parts here:

• Solving Biggest Bathroom Renovation Dilemmas Part 1: Bathtub vs. Shower.
• Solving Biggest Bathroom Renovation Dilemmas Part 2: Single Sink vs. Double Sink

And today, we’ll try to help you solve another dilemma and go into more details about whether it’s best to install a shower door vs. shower curtain, again, taking into consideration your space, budget, and maintenance costs.

Shower Door vs. Shower Curtain: Pros and Cons

Whether you have a bathtub or a shower in your bathroom, you’ll need something to put between them and the rest of the bathroom, and the choice usually comes down to shower curtains or shower doors.

The choice is not an easy one since it can make a great impact on the look of your new bathroom. There are so many factors involved in the dilemma, from the bathroom layout and style to personal habits and budget conditions – almost everything affects the choice you have to make before you start with your bathroom renovation.

So let’s overview all the pros and cons that can lead you to the right decision and long-lasting enjoyment in your renovated bathroom.

Pros of Installing a Shower Door:

1. Shower doors have a luxurious, modern, and simple appearance. They can add a very sleek and classy atmosphere to your bathroom and complement its aesthetics. Also, they allow all kinds of shower decors to be part of the bathroom look.
2. A transparent glass door expands the bathroom space by giving more depth to your bathroom. You can see through the glass and have a visual impression that the shower is an integral bathroom part. It’s great for the tiny bathrooms because they look bigger, lowering the possibility of feeling claustrophobic inside your bathroom.
3. Doors can make a perfect enclosure of the space, keeping the steam and the water drops inside the shower so they can’t get on the mirrors and wall tiles. They will reduce or even eliminate the water splashed on the floor while you are showering. Also, shower doors eliminate a possible cold draft while you are showering that can ruin your enjoyment and relaxation.
4. Using a glass door, you can transform any tricky bathroom space into a shower/bathtub. Тhat will help you to use every inch of the bathroom surface. You can place the shower/tub in any nook, close the other elements, asymmetrical ceilings, etc.
5. If you include glass doors in your bathroom renovation project, your bathroom will have additional value on the market. Real estate agents say that potential buyers like glass enclosure shower/tub, and they will be ready to pay more for a house with that solution. It is a durable, stylish, and long-lasting element in their eyes, and they love to see it in the house they are buying.
6. The maintenance of the glass door is pretty easy. The glass has an impermeable surface that can be easily sanitized. It is a similar situation for metal, plastic, and rubber parts that can be found on the door. All the materials are water moisture, and chemicals-resistant and will not accumulate layers of dirt, mold, mildew, or soap scum over some period of use. Also, some glasses may have a special coating that makes them repellent for water and resistant to bacteria growth.

Cons of Installing Shower Door:

1. Glass can be broken. And people can be hurt by the sharp edges of broken glass pieces. Usually, safety glasses like tempered or laminated glass are used to prevent possible injuries in case of accidents, But still, some people are not comfortable to be trapped in a glass box that can eventually break.
2. When they are closed, glass cabins represent glass boxes, and many people can feel weird in them. People don’t have to be claustrophobic to feel discomfort. It is just a feeling they can’t ignore.
3. Shower doors are far from cheap. The prices depend on the size, shape, glass thickness, frame and hardware material, and craftsmanship quality. But, for example, it is about 10 times higher than curtains of similar size and shape.
4. Glass doors and glass shower cabins, in general, are not kids friendly solutions. Opening and closing the door, passing by them, or being inside – shower doors are uncomfortable in all situations when kids are close to the glass surface.
5. Shower doors can hardly follow the curvy lines of some bathtub solutions. Maybe some simple radial solutions are not problematic, but their price will still be significantly higher than a straight lines solution.
6. Installing a glass door can be tricky and problematic in a tiny bathroom, especially if the shower/bathtub has an out-of-the-corner position.

Now that we went through the pros and cons of installing a shower door in your bathroom, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of installing a shower curtain.

Pros of Installing Shower Curtains:

1. Curtains are highly affordable. They cost $50 or less, which is about 10 times cheaper than any shower door. That makes them a budget-friendly solution for your bathroom renovation. With such a low price range, you can change them anytime you like and refresh your bathroom look.
2. Shower curtains are a kid-friendly solution. It is much easier and safer to post curtains aside than to manipulate with glass doors. Also, being inside and being surrounded by textile-like material is much more convenient than a half or full glass box. That makes shower curtains a great option for families with little children. And the same goes for pet owners, for the same reasons.
3. They are such a versatile solution for your bathroom renovation. You can find them in almost endless designs, colors, sizes, shapes, and material combinations. You can customize them with a personalized print of your favorite movie character or whatever you can imagine.
4. Curtains can transform a bathtub into a shower tub. The doors cannot follow the bathtub curves and lines. The transformation is so easy and affordable, and you’ll not have to make a complete bathroom renovation for that.
5. Shower curtains can add a fresh vibe to your old-fashioned bathroom. With only one eye-catching curtain, your old neutral color bathroom can be fully transformed in the blink of an eye.
6. Curtains are a great choice for tiny bathroom places. They can improve accessibility into the bathtub/shower, especially if it has a central bathroom position.

Cons of Installing Shower Curtains:

1. Shower curtains are making the bathroom look smaller. They can completely cover the view through the shower/bathtub and make them invisible. That is especially a problem with smaller bathrooms.
2. Curtains can’t make a perfect enclosure. They can’t eliminate a possible cold draft while you are showering, and the stem will also be all over your bathroom. Water drops will be kept inside, but there is still a possibility of failing to close them properly.
3. At first glance, you may think that the cleaning and maintenance of the curtains is an easy job. And yes, most of them can be easily taken off and washed. However, stains can easily occur. They are sensitive to mold and mildew, and if they were not washed regularly, they could also accumulate layers of dir. So after a couple of months, you will have to buy a new one.
4. If your curtains are made from PVC, it can harm your health. It’s proven that these materials can cause respiratory illness. So, when buying shower curtains, make sure you avoid this material.

As you can see, both solutions have their advantages and disadvantages. But, if you still don’t know what to choose, you can always implement both solutions. Even this case is very rare, if you feel comfortable having a shower door and curtains in your bathroom, that’s all that really matters.

Which One Should You Choose

There is no universal solution that fits all. To make the best choice, you should carefully review at least the following 3 important criteria before you start with your bathroom renovation:

• Personal preferences of all family members
• Style and aesthetics
• Your budget

Having these things in mind, you will certainly make the right choice.

This was our last post of the three-part series on bathroom renovation dilemmas. We hope that we somehow helped you to make the right decision before starting your bathroom renovation process.

AT Hand Renovations is here to provide any help you may need on your bathroom renovation journey. With over a hundred successful bathroom renovation projects, we know how to find the perfect balance between comfort, aesthetics, and functionality. We are here to make your bathroom renovation – as it should be!

Feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions about your bathroom renovation project.

The post Solving Biggest Bathroom Renovation Dilemmas Part 3: Shower Doors vs. Shower Curtains appeared first on AT Hand Renovations.

After you finish with your bathroom renovation, you should enjoy its new functionalities, comfort, and aesthetics without blaming and teasing yourself about making wrong decisions that could have easily been avoided if you did a little research beforehand.

In the first part of this series, we talked about whether it will be best for you to install a bathtub, a shower, or both, considering your space, budget, maintenance costs, and other relevant variables.

You can check out the first part here: Solving Biggest Bathroom Renovation Dilemmas Part 1: Bathtub vs. Shower.

And today, we’ll try to help you solve another dilemma and go into more details about whether it’s best to install a single or a double sink, again, taking into consideration your space, budget, and maintenance costs.

Single Sink vs. Double Sink: Pros and Cons

Placed on a large countertop of the beautiful vanity just under the huge mirror, the sink can easily become the most eye-catching part of your bathroom.

But besides the design, the sink is the most used thing in every bathroom – a place where we stop any time we are in to get ready for work in the morning or a dinner party in the evening.

When you decide to renovate your bathroom, you may wonder if you should get a single sink or a double sink. Both options have their qualities, really, but the choice comes down to how many persons will use the bathroom, your available space, your budget, and of course, your style.

Let’s dive into more details about the pros and cons of both options, so you can easily decide what will be best for you and your family when it comes to sinks.

Pros of Installing a Single Sink

1. Having a single sink means you’ll have more countertop space for your toiletries. This way, you won’t need to take things out and put them back every time you need something. They all be available to you within reach of your hand.
2. One sink ensures you’ll have your own private bathroom time. Even though some people don’t mind sharing the space, others prefer to do their morning or evening rituals alone.
3. Having one sink reduces many of your costs in the bathroom renovation project. You will spend less on plumbing and electricity, you will have to buy just one faucet and one sink, and you will reduce either the number or area of the vanities and the mirrors.
4. With only one sink in the bathroom, you have just one sink to clean and take care of. Also, there’ll be only one sink that can leak and require immediate repair. That means fewer responsibilities and maintenance costs.
5. One sink takes less space, so you can easily place it in different parts of your bathroom’s area. You will also be more comfortable with its size and price because you won’t need to save space and money for another one.
6. The saved money that will be otherwise spent on another sink can be used on something else you’ll need while renovating your bathroom, like a laundry washer/dryer, additional bathtub/shower, tall storage cabinet, etc.

Cons of Installing a Single Sink

1. Having just one sink means that you may have to schedule who’s going to use the bathroom first, especially in the morning.
2. The said above can lead to another problem of having a single sink – a tension between the family members. Who to use it first, for how long, was it clean after the use, or are there traces of hair or toothpaste in it?  All those discomforts can be a foundation for many other serious misunderstandings.
3. Organizing everybody’s things around a single sink is not an easy task. Everyone will want their items to be within reach of their hands, so making it all functional for everyone might cause problems.
4. Having just one sink usually means that you’ll have limited space for storage in your vanity. And adding additional storage space in the bathroom leads to additional costs and maybe space issues if you have a smaller bathroom.

Pros of Installing a Double Sink

1. A double sink can create a new luxury space in your bathroom. It will bring an elegant look and refine the aesthetics of your bathroom. The double sink can easily become the focal point and everyone’s favorite part of the bathroom.
2. Families are living busy lives today. If there are two sinks in the bathroom, family members can access and use them simultaneously. The hustle and bustle of the bathroom will never be a reason to be late again.
3. Family relations will be more relaxed with a second sink in the bathroom. There will be no need to fight over one sink anymore. Situations like toothpaste spots on someone’s back of the hand, while both share a sink, are far from pleasant moments. Installing a second sink in your bathroom renovation project will make them history.
4. Each person who uses the bathroom daily can have their own sink and storage area to organize (or disorganize) as they see fit.
5. No more sharing things. Not only that the organization of things will be improved, but there will be no more sharing of personal toiletries, like toothpaste, for example.
6. You will get new extra storage space in the vanity placed underneath the two sinks, which can be well organized. You can never have enough storage space in your home, and any additional one is always welcome. It will also increase the value of your home in the eyes of potential buyers if you ever decide to sell.

Cons of Installing a Double Sink

1. Having a double sink costs more than a single one. Not just for plumbing, faucets, and sinks, but also for finishes and larger or double vanity. Instead of having a second sink, you can invest your money elsewhere in the house and improve your home decor.
2. Installing a second sink in your bathroom means that now you have two sinks for cleaning and maintaining. It also means that now you have two sinks that can leak and need repair. So with doubled functionalities, you will get double maintenance responsibilities.
3. The double sink occupies more space. That extra space can be used for something else like a bathtub/shower combination, laundry washer/dryer, etc., that can add more functionality to your bathroom than a sink.
4. Two sinks are reducing the countertop space. They occupy an area that could be used for displaying more toiletries for everyday use. You will have to frequently take the things out of the vanity and putting them back in.
5. If you choose a double sink solution for your bathroom renovation, you will have a less private experience. Although the things will be separately organized in your part of the bathroom’s vanity, your partner or other family members will have the privilege of immediate access to the other sink.

Even though a double sink sounds like a more modern and practical solution, some people prefer to go with a single sink. A possible combination with some benefits from both worlds can be made if you choose a single sink with a larger vanity or wider sink. It will give you some extra comfort and functionality with minimum cost rise and without significant enlargement of the used bathroom area or additional plumbing.

Which One Should You Choose

The decision of what solution is better for your bathroom renovation project depends on your and your family’s needs. There is no one-solution-fits-all; all people have different needs, personalities, and styles.

So, to not make a mistake when choosing what solution is best for your bathroom renovation project, take into consideration the following 3 essential criteria:

• The individual preferences of all persons that use the bathroom daily
• The size of the bathroom area, and
• The budget you have for your bathroom renovation

Having all of these things in mind, you will certainly make the right choice and enjoy your newly renovated bathroom.

This was the second part of our three-part series on bathroom renovation dilemmas. In the next part, we’ll talk about the pros and cons of having a Shower Curtain vs. a Shower Door. So, stay tuned!

If you need any help or advice for your bathroom renovation project, we’ll be more than happy to help. With over a hundred successful bathroom renovation projects, we know how to find the perfect balance between comfort, aesthetics, and functionality. A bathroom renovation – as it should be!

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about your bathroom renovation project.

The post Solving Biggest Bathroom Renovation Dilemmas Part 2: Single Sink vs. Double Sink appeared first on AT Hand Renovations.

But, a bathroom renovation is far from a simple process. You want to add new functionalities, increase comfort, improve the aesthetics… and the list never ends. This is all okay if the money you plan to invest will bring you satisfaction, but sometimes, bathroom renovations can bring a headache too.

There are so many challenges along the way, where making rushed decisions can lead to wasted money, time, effort, and nerves. To help you avoid these problems, we’ve decided to write a series of texts where we’ll go into more details about the three most common dilemmas when it comes to bathroom renovation:

1. Bathtub vs. Shower
2. Single Sink vs. Double Sink
3. Shower Curtains vs. Shower Door

Today, we’ll talk about the pros and cons of Bathtub vs. Shower and what will be best to install in your bathroom, taking into consideration space, budget, maintenance, and other relevant variables.

Bathtub vs. Shower: Pros and Cons

One of the biggest dilemmas in any bathroom renovation process is whether to install a tub, a shower, or both. But sometimes, having both is not possible, usually because there’s not enough space in the room.

It will be ideal to have just the perfectly right space and budget to incorporate any wish or desire. But in the real-life, compromises should be made, and sometimes, you will have to decide what will suit you and your family best.

Many factors can determine your choice. Alongside the previously mentioned space and budget, there are also other variables to consider like energy costs, monthly maintenance bills, the needs of other people who will use it on a daily basis, etc.

Undoubtedly, both solutions have their pros and cons, and only by considering them all, you can make the right choice for your bathroom renovation to be successful. So, let’s get started.

Pros of Installing a Bathtub

1. Nothing is better than taking a long therapeutic and relaxing bath in your bathtub. Taking long baths helps tranquilize your nervous system, wash away all the daytime stress, and prepare yourself for a night of quality sleep.
2. Freestanding bathtubs are completely finished and ready to use products. They do not need special mounting procedures and can be placed anywhere. Not only they’re practical, but they’re also a beautiful piece of equipment that will significantly improve the aesthetics of your bathroom.
3. Bathtubs come in various sizes and shapes. Historically, the first models were only elliptic and freestanding. But now they come in all possible shapes and sizes. You can put them in almost any part of the bathroom and incorporate them with success in any modern or classic bathroom renovation design.
4. Having a bathtub means having an enjoyable time with your children or nephews. Kids love to play in the water, splashing around, laughing, and playing with their favorite bath toys. Instead of being stressful, daily bathing will be the happiest part of the day with a bathtub.
5. The bathtub is also perfect for pet owners since it offers a pleasant and comfortable environment, and your pet will surely enjoy its after-walk bath.
6. The bathtub raises the market value of your house. For an increased chance of selling your property for a higher price, real estate agents suggest at least one bathroom to be with a bathtub.

Cons of Installing a Bathtub

1. Taking a bath in the bathtub means spending a large amount of water. Half of the indoor water usage is made in the bathroom. That amount is between 150 and 250 liters for a single bath and depends on the bathtub size. We should never underestimate the water bills because they will undoubtedly rise in the years to come because of the lack of clean water supply worldwide.
2. The larger amount of used water implies that you will need more energy to heat it. That means that having a bathtub in your bathroom will increase your energy bills.
3. The comfortable bathtub takes more space in the bathroom. Аlthough there are smaller options on the market today, still, for a properly sized one, you will have to sacrifice a larger area in your bathroom renovation plan.
4. Bathtubs are typically more expensive than showers. Today you can find various types on the market with many different options and a wide range of additional functionalities. But still, for a typical freestanding version, you will have to spend some extra part of your bathroom renovation budget.
5. Older and disabled people may have a problem to enter into a bathtub. Climbing in and out can be an almost impossible task for them, restricting the bathtub’s access and use.

Now that we went through the pros and cons of installing a bathtub in your bathroom let’s take a look at the pros and cons of installing a shower.

Pros of Installing a Shower

1. The shower requires less space to be functional. It can be made in corners or everywhere else across the bathroom, and it can have all possible shapes depending on the available area. Practically, a shower can be with custom-made dimensions and shapes. That makes it a flexible solution perfect for small bathroom areas.
2. A bathroom with a shower looks more spacious, giving an additional depth of the space. Especially if you decide to install a  walk-in shower with a linear outflow – having a contemporary look, they can be perfectly integrated into modern bathroom renovation designs.
3. Having a shower means that you can quickly take a shower without any prior preparation – which is not the case with a bathtub. It’s the perfect time-saving solution in today’s vibrant life.
4. The shower spends less water compared with a bathtub. Your water bills will be smaller, and you will reduce the waste of water worldwide, staying environmentally-friendly.
5. The smaller amount of used water implies that you will need less energy to heat it. That means that a shower in your bathroom will decrease your energy bills.
6. Showers are a much friendly solution for older and disabled persons, allowing for greater accessibility and movement. Stepping into the shower is much easier, especially if you install a Walk-in shower. Also, all the movements inside are easier, and they are suitable for mounting a chair. Some unique shower designs can even enable a wheelchair’s movement.

Cons of Installing a Shower

1. Families with children may have a hard time to bath them in a shower. They enjoy the comfort of taking a bath, having the ability to splash the water, or play with the bubbles. The use of specials additions like baby bathtubs and seats is also not convenient because of the shower’s dimensions and construction.
2. If you are a pet owner, it will be tricky to use the shower for cleaning your pet. Accidents can easily happen in the glass-rounded and closed shower cabin. Having to clean a bigger pet in a shower can be almost a mission impossible.
3. The shower is not suitable for long relaxation. Taking a shower is a standing process, and you waste less time doing it. The shower is not designed for soaking in hot water that can last for hours but for a quick morning energizing shower before work or refreshment after jogging in the evening.
4. If you only have a bathroom with a shower, it can decrease your home’s value on the market if you ever decide to sell. Аlthough this approach has significantly changed over the years, and showers have become more and more popular, the real estate agents suggest that at least one bathroom in the house should have a bathtub.
5. The possible leaks at the shower surface are hard to fix. Usually, you will need to remove a part from it, re-apply the insolation coat, glue it properly, and wait some time to dry off. You can be without a functional shower for a long time while the repair process lasts.

A Mixture of Bathtub and Shower

If your bathroom area has enough space, the perfect solution can be to install both shower and a bathtub, reaping the benefits of both options into one solution. This might be an unexpected idea, but it’s a solid one and a growing trend in bathroom renovation processes.

But what does having both a bathtub and shower mean from a practical standpoint? Well, for one, kids and grown-ups can splash all they want, without having to worry about the damage or the mess the water can cause. And two, the right bathtub model can double as a shower bench where, for example, you can put your legs while shaving.

A problem may arise with this solution when it comes to hiding the pipes and controls to preserve great aesthetics. But, by hiring the right contractor, this can be easily solved.

Which One Should You Choose

Well, the decision is entirely up to you and depends on many variables, as we’ve previously mentioned. This is no one-solution-fits-all option – all people are different, with unique personalities, needs, and unique taste of style.

So, to make the right decision, it is best to carefully review the 3 most important criteria before starting your bathroom renovation:

1. The size and shape of your bathroom,
2. Your lifestyle and daily routines, and
3. The individual preferences of other family members

Knowing these things, you’ll surely make the right choice and get the bathroom you’ve always wanted.

The dilemma of whether to choose a bathtub, shower or both, was the first part of the three-part series for bathroom renovation. In the second part, we’ll talk about the pros and cons of having a Single vs. Double Sink. So, stay tuned!

If you need any advice or help with your bathroom renovation, we’ll be more than happy to help. With over a hundred successful bathroom renovation projects, we know how to find the perfect balance between comfort, aesthetics, and functionality. A bathroom renovation – as it should be!

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about your bathroom renovation project.

The post Solving Biggest Bathroom Renovation Dilemmas Part 1: Bathtub vs. Shower appeared first on AT Hand Renovations.