| Should I Install a New Countertop? | | | | without one. |
| A lot depends on the condition of what's there now. | | | | Sometimes the existing tub/shower is in good |
| Tile is the most common countertop in bathrooms, | | | | condition, but is covered by a shower curtain only. |
| with synthetic marble running a close second. | | | | Installing a sliding door onto the tub/shower combo |
| Laminate, once a commonly used surface, has | | | | may be all the renovation that area of the bathroom |
| declined in popularity over the past two decades. Of | | | | really needs. |
| course, for upscale homes, stone is in demand. | | | | Should I Replace All the Fixtures? |
| In older homes, the tile may still be in great shape, | | | | Always put in new fixtures, even in a minor |
| since it's less likely to take abuse in a bathroom than | | | | renovation. Replacements include: |
| in a kitchen. But the colors and style may be | | | | - All light fixtures |
| old-fashioned or undesirable. If that's the case, you'll | | | | - Faucets, outlets, and drains on tub, shower, and |
| want to put in a new countertop. | | | | sink |
| If the synthetic marble has burn marks, rust, or other | | | | - Handle on toilet |
| stains on it, you will probably want to replace it as | | | | - Door handle |
| well. Although many burns and marks can be | | | | If you haven't renovated a bathroom before, you will |
| removed by sanding, the depressions and rough | | | | probably get sticker shock when you find out the |
| surface that result can be even more unattractive | | | | price of high-quality bathroom fixtures. For a whirlpool |
| than the original mark. | | | | tub, for example, a Roman-style faucet can easily |
| Similarly, old laminate usually should be replaced. It | | | | cost $500 or more. You could spend thousands on |
| may have faded and, if so, is not a feature that will | | | | upscale fixtures for the whole bathroom. |
| add to the quality of your bathroom. | | | | On the other hand, you can get durable fixtures for |
| Should I Install a New Sink? | | | | relatively little. A good-quality Price Pfister or Moen |
| Unless the existing bathroom sink is an antique with | | | | low-cost model (these come in a wide variety of |
| high value, always replace it when doing a major | | | | prices) sink faucet assembly sells for around $50 to |
| renovation. A new sink will add freshness to the | | | | $100. Just remember, however, that people who see |
| bathroom. | | | | your bathroom rarely can tell if you spent $50 or |
| Add a new sink even if you decide to keep the old | | | | $500 on the toilet or sink, put they instantly can tell a |
| countertop! Often a slightly oversized surface-mount | | | | high-quality fixture from a cheap one. |
| sink will cover over the area damaged when the old | | | | Should I Retile the Entire Bathroom? |
| sink was removed. | | | | Tile is commonly used on floors and walls of |
| Be wary of metal sinks in bathrooms. They may be | | | | bathrooms. When you renovate, the question is |
| fine in other areas of the home, but they lack the | | | | whether you should keep the old or go with new. |
| elegance needed in this area. A fine porcelain sink is | | | | The answer depends, as always, on the condition |
| usually a ~ good choice, although (if you can afford | | | | and appearance of the existing tile. You will stand to |
| it) stone is unsurpassed. | | | | get your money back and more if you replace tile |
| Should I Install New Cabinets? | | | | that is: |
| Cabinets are less critical in a bathroom than in a | | | | - Chipped or broken |
| kitchen. For one thing, there are far fewer of them. | | | | - Old-fashioned in design or color |
| The eye sees much more of the countertop, | | | | - Too low (doesn't come up the wall far enough) |
| shower, and tub than the cabinets. | | | | For a high-quality job, and an unlimited pocketbook, |
| You may be able to get by with painting or restaining | | | | you may want to use stone. The goal is always to |
| old cabinets in a bathroom, whereas you couldn't | | | | get a good appearance as well as an efficient |
| possibly get by with this in a kitchen. It depends on | | | | bathroom. You want to be able to enjoy it while you |
| how big a renovation you want to do. | | | | live there and to recoup your money when you |
| Should I Install a New Whirlpool Tub? | | | | eventually resell. |
| Before you install a whirlpool tub, consider the | | | | What about a New Toilet? |
| following: | | | | Toilets are strange creatures. We really don't want |
| - Will you use it? | | | | to spend a lot of time talking about them or even |
| - Do you have the room? | | | | using them, yet they are, in reality, a focal point of |
| - Can you afford it? | | | | most bathrooms. |
| If you simply replace a tub/shower with a new one, | | | | A new toilet will improve any bathroom. New toilets |
| you'll have only the basic chore of retiling or | | | | are available in a wide variety of colors and designs. |
| reinstalling a plastic unit. However, if you change the | | | | While a common toilet can be purchased for well |
| configuration by adding a whirlpool or shower, you'll | | | | under $100, a modern toilet with a striking design can |
| need to run new plumbing and possibly a new | | | | easily cost $1000 or more. |
| dedicated electrical outlet. In an existing home, that | | | | If you replace a toilet only, be sure the new one has |
| can be difficult and expensive. | | | | a bigger footprint than the old. Otherwise, you'll be |
| Beware of adding bathroom fixtures on a slab floor. | | | | able to see where the flooring was under the old |
| In J order to create a new drain, you may have to | | | | toilet-and it won't look good at all. |
| raise the tub/shower, cut into the cement slab, or | | | | For an unusual feature in a bathroom, install one of |
| both-a difficult and costly procedure. | | | | the high-tech toilet seats from Japan. These are |
| Keep in mind, however, that newer homes, | | | | cushioned and blow warm air and/or water! They are, |
| particularly upscale models, regularly include elaborate | | | | however, rather pricey, starting at about $1500. |
| whirlpool tubs. No major renovation is really complete | | | | |