Spice up the bathroom: Hire a pro

Winnie Bonelli • March 6, 2010 • NorthJerse.com

Special to the Record Home

The prevailing mantra among today’s homeowners seems to be, "Don’t move, improve!" And one of the commonly targeted rooms is the bathroom.

A paint job and some new accessories can infuse a tired-looking bathroom with new vitality. Yet when it comes to broken, outdated fixtures; a chipped, scarred bathtub; cracked tiles, and faulty plumbing, it may be time to contact an expert.

Getting help

If friends and family members are unable to recommend someone, inquire at a home-improvement store such as Home Depot or Lowe’s, which maintain lists of qualified area craftsmen. Get estimates from at least two or three professionals.

By purchasing the materials directly, you can eliminate the middleman and the financial markup. DirectBuy of Bergen County, The Home Improvement & Furnishings Club, based in Rochelle Park, promises savings of up to 50 percent (www.directbuy.com). The Club’s inventory of bathroom remodeling products includes cabinets, tubs, showers, tile, counters and sinks from 700 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers.

One of the biggest eyesores is an ugly, discolored bathtub. Joe Martorelli, owner of Perma Ceram Porcelain Reglazing in Wyckoff, pointed out that the homeowner could apply an epoxy, but "it will take five days to dry and the results aren’t permanent."

Martorelli explained the professional approach. "A chemical additive is applied that breaks down the existing enamel," he said. "Next, a primer coat is applied, followed by three top coats, and then we finish up by recaulking the tub. The entire process takes four hours and there’s no intrusive odor afterwards."

Customize it

Bath Fitter at (866) 292-1339 literally arrives at the doorstep with a new custom-made bathroom. Bath Fitters coordinator Jenn Spera said, "We send a consultant to the home for a free estimate to determine the family’s lifestyle and needs, from a shower stall to a high-end spa conversion. Nothing is pre-fabricated and everything is then built in our own warehouse."

The company will construct an acrylic liner to go over the existing tub or shower base. It also offers acrylic designer tile systems, from mosaics to marbleized finishes, that are pressed in place along the walls and into the corners. "The best part is that everything is installed in one day, and because there is no demolition, the work is done at a fraction of the cost involved in conventional remodeling," Spera said.

Often, it’s the finishing touches that set the tone of the room. Try a whole new palette of tiles, from porcelains that look like stone to colorful mosaics, recommended Ann Romano, owner of Stone and Tile Emporium, Inc., Wyckoff (www.stoneandtilenj.com).

While a powder room needs only a new tile floor with a pretty design, Romano added, a master bathroom requires more extensive planning. She offered these suggestions:

* For a Zen-like retreat, consider porcelain straight-edged tiles, glass or slate. Pebbles also lend an organic feel.

* If you’re transforming a normal bathtub/shower combo into a large walk-in shower, think about installing a shower seat and a "rain" showerhead on the ceiling, along with a hand-held showerhead, to create a relaxing environment.

* To create a wainscot effect around the room, use a pretty tile border that extends into the shower or tub area. If you use a chair-rail molding to finish off the tile, it should be at least four inches higher than the vanity top.

Romano will design all the tilework for a bathroom (or kitchen) so that the materials will fit the space correctly and will provide specs that show the installers exactly how to execute the design. She even will make site visits during the installation to make sure it is going as planned.

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