Bathroom Design Ideas

Most people do not realise that choosing the right bathroom tiles is not an easy process. They usually only think about the colour and texture, but then find that tiles are now available in a number of different materials and size options.

Ceramic tiles with their glazed surface are the most frequently chosen tiles for bathroom walls. These last a long time, are very easy to clean and come in a huge range of colours and designs to suit any style of bathroom. The main thing to remember with ceramic tiles is that no two lots are the same. It works a bit like batch numbers on wallpaper, you must buy the right number of boxes with the same batch number to ensure that they will match, because if you run out of tiles you may find that you cannot get a perfect match when you go to buy more.

Glazed terracotta tiles can give a bathroom a real Mediterranean look and quality terracotta will last for life. However, very high quality tiles in this material may not be easy to find and the cheapest ones do not do the job in the same way, or give the same finished look.

Granite, slate and marble tiles look wonderful but they are expensive and must be sealed to stop them from absorbing the water in the bathroom and being affected by steam. You will need specialist advice on how to do this if you intend to fit them yourself.

Glass, porcelain and even metal tiles are very effective, different and stunning to look at, but unless you are an expert these really need to be fitted by a specialist. They are far from cheap and a mistake would cost you a great deal of money.

Electric underfloor heating can be fairly easily installed and there is a choice of different systems to suit everyone. They can be used safely in kitchens and bathrooms as the cable is protected with a waterproof layer. If a room is a standard shape, it may be best to use mats which have electric cables already spaced out correctly. For unusually shaped rooms, you can obtain free-flowing cable to lay out yourself. Twin conductor cables only have to be connected at one end, rather than starting and finishing in the same place. To ensure the efficiency of your underfloor heating kit you will need some kind of insulation underneath it.

Electric cables should never be touching or overlapped, and must always be at least 50mm away from walls or fixed structures. Where an electric underfloor heating kit comes fixed to mats, you can cut the backing away but never cut the cable itself. The temperature of each circuit or zone is controlled by an underfloor heating thermostat. These range from simple manual versions to fully programmable digital ones. They use air sensors, floor sensors or a combination of the two. If you have a floor probe it should be positioned in a space between cable loops.

Once your DIY underfloor heating cables are fixed into position, they are usually covered in a layer of cement or latex screed before the floor covering is laid. If you have under tile heating, flexible tile adhesive should be spread over the cables.

Thermostatic radiator valves are used as part of a central heating system to control the amount of water or other fluid that goes through into the radiator. These are also called TRVs for short.

These radiator valves have an element that expands and contracts to increase, or decrease the flow of water by opening and closing the valve. Basically, these thermostatic radiator valves control the temperature in the room by regulating how much hot water goes through the radiator. There is a number on the radiator valve which corresponds to the air temperature in the room and can be set to keep the room temperature constant.

This is an excellent way of preventing a room getting too hot or too cold and if set at the optimum number can save quite a lot of money on the cost of running a central heating system. Thermostatic radiator valves will ensure that you have a warm and cosy bathroom when you get up for work on a cold, frosty morning.

There are a number of thermostatic radiator valves on the market and it should be relatively easy to find one that fits onto your bathroom radiator. Some of these can be fitted to existing radiator valves without the need for a plumber. Costs vary but most radiator valves of this type are quite inexpensive. Generally speaking it should be possible to recoup the cost of the valves in a year by savings made on central heating fuel.

It might seem like a simple thing to select a shower tray and enclosure for your bathroom, but when you actually get down to it you will find that there are a number of factors to be taken into consideration before making that choice.

The main restriction that you face when it comes to making a choice is that you will want to maximise the space you have in your bathroom. Your actual choice of shower enclosure and tray will depend on how much room you have available.

The simplest way to fit a shower enclosure and save space is to use a shower door to change an alcove into a shower enclosure. This can be done to cover a two, or even three sided space. All you need then is a suitable shower tray of the correct size and the job is complete. There are other shapes available if you prefer curved, rectangular, or angled designs, but it is always advisable to ensure that there is a suitable shower tray of the correct dimensions and shape available before deciding.

Before attempting to fit the shower enclosure, the shower tray needs to be fitted in place and the whole area should be tiled and sealed to the shower tray to avoid leaks. Before the final decision on which shower enclosure to purchase is made, check the measurements of the door and ensure that there is ample room to open and close the door and get in and out easily.  The last thing that you want is to open the door of your new shower enclosure and find that it hits other bathroom fittings and causes damage.

Underfloor heating is one of the oldest methods of heating buildings (other than burning material inside) having been invented by the Romans. The modern day forms of underfloor heating are either hot water or electricity based. For the former, a series of underfloor water pipes are laid; for the latter, electric cables or mats are used. Both water and electricity underfloor heating systems can be installed professionally or on a DIY basis.  There are kits available for the DIY option.

The main advantage of an underfloor heating system is the greater efficiency when compared with standard radiator networks or room installed wood, coal and gas fires, or oil fired boilers. Placing all the equipment underneath the flooring also saves space. Underfloor heating heats a room gradually and on a widely distributed basis, in contrast with the freely circulating heat emitted by radiators and fossil fuel burners. In the long term, underfloor heating systems have often been shown to achieve the same or better level of heating at a lower cost than radiators, etc.

Further, in terms of thermal comfort, water and electric underfloor heating naturally achieves a highly desirable effect in terms of heating: warming the lower body but leaving the upper body, and especially the head, relatively cooler. This directly contrasts with radiator and burner types of heating.

As the entire floor effectively operates as a radiator by using underfloor heating, less power compared with forced air heating systems such as radiators is needed to achieve comfortable levels of heating.

When it comes to installing power showers it probably pays to opt for an all in one model with an integral pump. If you are merely unhappy with the performance of an existing shower, then it’s much cheaper and more convenient to plumb in a separate pump.

Whichever system you choose, check that your cold water storage tank is big enough – typically a minimum capacity of 115 litres (25 gallons). Some manufacturers of showers also recommend a hot water cylinder with a minimum 161 litre (35 gallons) capacity. This type of shower needs an electrical supply to drive the pump. The pump is wired to the ring-main by means of a switch fused connection unit installed outside most bathrooms, or you can fit a ceiling-mounted double-pole switch inside the bathroom. The shower pump switches on automatically as soon as the shower valve is operated.

To plumb showers with an integral pump, you can run dedicated hot and cold supplies to the shower, as when fitting gravity-fed showers. Alternatively, you can connect the hot-water supply directly to the cylinder by using a cylinder flange.

All-in-one showers are prone to vibration: on a timber-frame wall this can create considerable noise. Isolate the unit by mounting it on rubber tap washers slid over the fixing screws.

Always place the pump somewhere convenient for servicing as this will save time in the long run should the pump require any necessary repairs.

All tiling and grouting needs to be completed before mounting the shower on the wall. 

Water underfloor heating systems work in a similar way to conventional systems by circulating warm water in pipes, but in a more efficient way, heating the large surface area of a floor, rather than the small surface area of a radiator.

A gas boiler usually creates the heat, although you can also get water underfloor heating kits to use with solar panels or geothermal pumps. The temperature of the water is lower than that required by traditional central heating, typically 50 degrees rather than 60 or more, and usually a separate pump is required to enable controlled circulation.  Each area of the house is divided into zones which are individually managed, by thermostats. Hot water circulates through continuous pipes made from high quality polyethylene, via a series of valves. A manifold automatically controls valves which combine hot and cold water to achieve the correct temperature for a particular zone, as determined by its thermostat. The system works automatically and allows complete flexibility.

The maze of pipes can be either embedded in a layer of cement, or simply attached with a dry fixing to the underneath of your floor covering. They are spaced out evenly so that the floor is uniformly heated. The method of installation will be dictated by the type of flooring, and a layer of insulation is usually needed beneath the pipes. There are no joints in the pipes beneath the floor, and floor coverings are laid directly on top.

Shower curtain liners come in a range of materials and prices. Naturally, the first thing to consider is the type and colour of the shower curtain you will be lining. Depending on this, you should make a decision about whether to opt for a clear lining or one in a complementary colour.

You should also think about how often you use your shower. If the answer is frequently, you would be advised to select a lining in vinyl. It is durable, easy to clean and especially good for larger families. However, make sure you buy a vinyl lining with a manufacturers guarantee that it is free of toxic materials. Look out for those in Ethyl Vinyl Acetate or Polyethylene Vinyl Acetate.

Your budget, of course, will also determine your selection, but be warned, the cheaper the lining, the more likely it is to fade and you could well end up paying out more buying replacements than investing in a more expensive one that will last longer.

Organic hemp shower curtain liners are becoming easier to find and represent good value for money, as well as being a ‘green’ option. They come in a wide range of colours and patterns and are easily waterproofed.

Cotton, too, is also proving a steady seller, but remember that repeated washings may result in fading. If you buy one with a ‘designer’ label, take care that the lining will be constantly in stock. However, one of cotton’s great advantages is that it is easy to match up with other soft fabrics in your bathroom, particularly curtains and mats.

Nowadays, bathrooms come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and a well designed bathroom with elegant features can go a long way to improving the image of your home. With a whole host of bathroom accessories and bathroom furniture ranging from decorative basin and bath taps, a single shower cubicle, power showers and even designer radiators, bathroom suites everywhere are blessed with an abundance of products to suit all tastes and styles.

For those of you with small bathrooms with a bathtub that is taking up a lot of space, but is only ever used for taking showers, then this presents the best space saving opportunity when it comes to improving the functionality of your bathroom. Consider removing the bathtub and replacing it with a shower cubicle, complete with a shower tray and a shower enclosure.

If you have a bathroom radiator taking up useful space in your bathroom you have the option of installing designer radiators. Although some can be costly, they can be smaller and more efficient than old style radiators. They are tailored to complement your bathroom accessories and bathroom furniture.

If you have a free standing bathroom mirror consider replacing it will a wall mirror that not only takes up less space, but when positioned properly can actually make bathrooms look larger than they really are; the bathroom mirror can also become a feature focal point.

To complete your bathroom, consider elegant touches to your wash basin, such as decorative basin taps, and make use of the thousands of exquisite bathroom accessories that are available in most home improvement stores.

Heating wire systems are useful for rooms where heating mats cannot fit.  If you have any irregular shaped rooms in your home, then you may want to opt for a heating wire system.  Like heating mats, wire systems are also easy to install.  They are suitable for small or large rooms.

Wire systems come as part of a kit, which usually includes tape, primer and an installation guide.  An underfloor heating thermostat is also included and varies in size depending on the size of the room.  For the wiring, you will need the help of an electrician, but the rest of the installation is easy.

Wire systems are suited to floors such as stone, ceramic, tile, hardwood, laminate and carpet.  Different types of systems may be suited to a certain type of floor, so you may need to check which type is the most suitable for the room where you wish to install it.

As with a heated mat, wire systems offer lots of space, allowing you to keep your rooms tidy and clean.  The only thing that will be visible is the thermostat, but these are offered in a variety of styles.  Further, they do not take up as much space as a radiator.

If you are looking for an environmentally friendly option, then a wire system is a good choice.  The wire system provides comfort while operating at a low temperature, using less energy and allowing you to save money.  Wire systems are also maintenance free, so you will not have to worry about replacing your underfloor heating system.