Bath Archives | Finnteriors

April 2, 2019 by finnteriors

2 Most Common Ways To Ruin Your Remodel

The most common ways to ruin a remodel can ruin any remodeling project. Whether you are remodeling your kitchen or bathroom does not matter. Knowing the most common ways to ruin a remodel ahead of time might just save your project and your sanity, too.

Kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects should improve your life, increase your home's value, and make your home easier to sell as well. Homeowners do not start planning a remodel knowing it will end up a disaster, a disappointment, or one of their biggest regrets.

Once you know the most common ways to ruin a remodel you can actively avoid them at all costs. Most homeowners are not 100% happy with their remodel and wish that they had done something differently. That is not what ruins a remodel.

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1. YOUR REMODELING PROJECTS SUFFERS FROM LACK OF DUST CONTROL.

Not preparing properly for demolition will ruin your remodel.

Kitchen and bathroom demo to prep for a remodel will be dusty and the dust can be a mixture of dirt and debris, drywall and sawdust.

"Ask your remodeling contractor exactly what they plan to do to contain dust during and remove dust after the project. What you want the contractor to do is isolate the kitchen renovation area as much as possible and in a way that is best for the health of your home and family.

You can either avoid using central heat or air (if you can help it) or you can block the HVAC returns in the kitchen during the remodel to avoid spreading dust through your ductwork and vents."

This is from our post, Kitchen Remodeling Tips, Tricks, And Secrets For Newbies. Read the entire post for more on important information about how to prepare for your remodeling project the right way.

Bad prep will leave you with an impossible to clean layer of fine dust on everything. It is especially hard to get out of carpets and rugs.

HOW TO GET YOUR REMODELING DUST UNDER CONTROL.

If you do not take control before the project starts - it’s too late!

Find out how your contractor controls construction dust before the project starts. Dust control or lack of control can make or break your project.

Cover floors with one of the non-adhesive, non-slip, super tough fabrics mage for this purpose. They come on a roll and are made to protect hardwood floors and tile floors. It is actual fabric. The fabric is absorbent and protects against chemicals, paint, and foot traffic scuffs.

The best way to go is to move all of your things off-site. If you cannot move your items off-site cover everything with plastic sheeting or shrinkwrap.

Seal the HVAC ducts!

The Zipwall Dust Barrier system helps to contain the dust when there are no traditional barriers - like doors. It seals the area from floor to ceiling and no tape is used.

Some contractors now have air scrubbers that catch particles while they are still airborne. These air cleaning systems can eliminate a lot of the job site dust, but no job site is dust-free.

2. YOU DID CHECK THE CABINETS, TILE, PAINT, AND EVERYTHING IN THE LIGHTING IN YOUR HOME...RIGHT?

Cabinet showroom lighting is probably much different than the lighting you have at home. Selecting colors for your remodel in the showroom without checking them in the real lighting situation can be bad.

In fact, this is one of the most common ways to ruin a remodel. Cabinets, tile, back-splash, and appliances can be a completely different color in different lighting.

What looked like white in the showroom can easily appear grey or yellow at home. Blues and greens especially look different in different lighting. This can be a very costly mistake to make. You either buy new materials or go with what you selected and always feel like your remodeled kitchen or bathroom needs to be remodeled again. Ouch!

HOW TO BE SURE THE MATERIALS YOU SELECT WILL LOOK AS GOOD AT HOME AS IN THE SHOWROOM.

Get color swatches to look at in your lighting conditions. this includes all hours of sunlight and artificial light too. Do not rush to purchase something you have not tested at home. No matter how sure you are that it is perfect - you have to check it in the lighting at home!

ASK FINNTERIORS ABOUT REMODELING

Talk to the home remodeling professionals at Finnteriors when you are considering a remodeling project. Call us now to schedule a free in-home assessment. We will go over each step of the remodeling process with you before we start remodeling your kitchen, bathroom, or your whole house.

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March 18, 2019 by finnteriors

Top 2 Worst Bathroom Remodel Materials That Exist

Top 2 Worst Bathroom Remodel Materials That Exist are carpet and marble. Here are the reasons to avoid both of these materials when remodeling a bathroom:

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1. Carpet

To facilitate mold growth put carpet down on your bathroom floor the next time you remodel. It is the perfect place for mold and mildew, too. Showering and bathing if done frequently enough will provide ample moist hot places for mold to grow. the carpet is the best place for mold and mildew to grow unnoticed for years. massive colonies of mold coalesce under the carpet on the padding underneath.

You can vacuum, sweep, shampoo, and otherwise attempt to clean your bathroom carpet to no avail. The musty dank stench will always creep back in, but don't let it bother you. that is how you know your mold and mildew are thriving. it is their way of saying hello from their home under the carpet of your newly remodeled bathroom.

Carpet is truly one of the worst bathroom remodel materials of them all. There is no way to avoid getting the carpet pad wet if you use the bathroom for its intended purposes.

According to an article entitled Carpeted Bathrooms by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard on the InterNACHI, the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, Inc.,website:, “some of the common ways that carpets may come into contact with moisture in bathrooms include:

Steam from the shower will condense on the carpet.

Water splashes from the tub or shower.
Water sheds from shower/tub occupants as they step onto the carpet.
Water splashes out of the sink.
Water drips from the vanity.
Water leaks from the toilet.

The presence of moisture in the pad will lead to the growth of decay fungi on the wood or oriented strand board (OSB) sub-floor. The sub-floor will be decayed and weakened by mold. Mold also releases spores that can cause respiratory ailments, especially for those with certain health problems. Inspectors can use moisture meters to determine if there is excess moisture beneath a carpet.

In addition to potential mold growth beneath the carpet, bacteria can accumulate in carpeting that surrounds the toilet. Bacteria are contained in urine, which can be accidentally deflected onto the carpet.”

The bottom line is carpet has no place in any bathroom remodel. Carpet in the bathroom will get wet with water and urine and will trap moisture leading to mold and mildew. In summary, bathroom remodels that include carpet are higfhly likely to have that structural damage and cause health problems in the future.

2. Marble

Marble is loved by some and hated by others. If you hate marble you probably have a vanity countertop and sink made of the stuff that is etched to heck and back.

Clearly, there are many disadvantages to using marble. Marble is another one of the worst bathroom remodel materials you can use. First of all, any hope you have of going green you can forget.

Marble is the epitome of unstainable resourcing. There is a limited amount of marble in the world. Marble is a natural stone that must be harvested from deep underground. The result is marble quarries that are not exactly environmentally friendly. It is also heavy, so the transportation of marble has a huge carbon footprint.

Marble is a soft stone that is easily stained and absorbs like a sponge. Dark hair dye on marble will leave stains long after the dye-job grows out. A glass of red wine enjoyed while in the bath is not recommended for those with marble installed in the bathroom.

Acidic materials etch marble.This is a very common issue as I mentioned. Etching results when acidic solutions contact marble literally and permanently eat away the surface layer. The result is a dull spot where the shiny surface used to be.

The acidic materials like bleach, vinegar, ammonia, and lemon juice are found in many bathroom cleaning products will easily etch marble.

If you have your heart set on marble or any other stone material that contains calcium carbonate. (It's the calcium carbonate that reacts with acids causing etching.) Be sure you like the look of dull patchy light colored spots wherever marble is installed.

There is another reason not to use marble in your bathroom remodel. Marble is a natural stone and can be full of assorted minerals. These minerals can cause problems. Iron is especially problematic as iron can rust in the moist humid environment of a bathroom.

Rust can rear its ugly head long after your bathroom remodel is complete, installed, and done. The marble installation can be ruined by iron buried so deep inside the marble that you had no idea it was in there.

In summary, carpet and marble are obviously 2 of the worst bathroom remodel materials in existance.

Finnteriors can help you remodel your bathroom. 30 years ago Kevin Finn founded Finnteriors Construction Services. The company has grown and is still proudly locally owned and operated by Kevin Finn, Finnteriors President. Consistent top-quality design, build, and service has made Finnteriors the most referred remodeling company around St. Louis. Contact Finnteriors to talk about your bathroom remodeling ideas today.

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February 25, 2019 by finnteriors

Durable Materials For Bathroom Remodels: Faucets, Paint, And Floors

Durable materials for bathroom remodels focus on durability, but do not necessarily lose sight of style. There are fixture, flooring, and wall covering options that are more durable than others. Pricier materials may or may not lasts longer than low-cost materials.

In short, the price is not the determining factor when the focus is finding durable materials for bathroom remodels. Do not let the price of a particular material cloud your judgment.

Durable Materials for Bathroom Remodels Download

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DURABLE BATHROOM FAUCETS

Prices vary wildly for bathroom fixtures. Most bathroom remodels will include replacing the bathroom sink faucet. If a great looking faucet is all that you want there are showrooms to visit by day and websites to eyeball all night long. However, if faucet durability is what you are after, like true beauty, it comes from within.

What you want to find is a faucet with an inner control freak.

The more control a faucet has over the water moving through it the longer it will last and the more reliable it will be over time. A faucet's durability comes down to the quality of its inner value and whether or not it requires a washer.

In general, washerless faucets have fewer moving parts than their washer-requiring counterparts. Compression-Valve Faucets require a washer and are a common type of faucet.

FEWER MOVING PARTS = FEWER PARTS TO BREAK = MORE DURABLE

For faucet replacement, the most durable materials for bathroom remodels are faucet with solid brass, brass-based metal or corrosion-resistant inner workings in that order.

There are a variety of different washerless faucets available. Each type controls water flow through its spout without a washer.

Ceramic Disc Faucets require the least maintenance and are considered maintenance-free by some. As the name implies, ceramic discs are used to start and stop water flow, Two practically flat ceramic discs slide against each other. This shearing action permits or prevents water movement.

Ball Faucets rely on a rotating ball to regulate water flow. Select one with a brass ball not a plastic one for more durability.

Cartridge Faucets manage water using rubber o-rings inside a columnar cartridge. Durable cartridge faucets come correct with brass cartridges.

DURABLE BATHROOM PAINT

Bathrooms get damp and if they stay damp mold and mildew grow. Keep bathroom walls looking fresh with paint in a trending color pallet that also fights mildew.

Mildew-resistant interior paint is a durable material for bathroom remodels.

Consumer Reports recently tested 21 popular interior paints in search of the best and worst mildew-resistant paints on the market. According to their research, 18 of the interior paints they tested "resisted mildew and are good candidates for bathrooms, laundry rooms, and other spaces that can become damp."

Consumer Reports found the following interior paint to be the most mildew resistant:

Behr Marquee, $43
Behr Premium Plus Enamel, $28
Valspar Reserve, $44
Behr Premium Plus Ultra, $36
Benjamin Moore Aura, $70
Clark+Kensington Enamel, $32

Beware of these interior paints on your bathroom walls. **Consumer Reports says these paints do not resist mildew:**

HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Ovation, $29
Glidden Premium, $25
Color Place Interior, $17

DURABLE BATHROOM FLOORING

Durable materials for bathroom remodels for flooring must stand up well in hot humid conditions. There are two obviously bad bathroom flooring options out there. Carpet is the worst. Solid hardwood flooring is known for longevity and durability, but it does not fare well in moist bathroom environments.

Concrete, on the other hand, is the most durable flooring material for a bathroom remodel.

With properly applied and maintained water prevention sealer concrete is unscathed by the longest of hot showers. Make concrete match your interior decorating plans with a huge number of colors and tints made especially for concrete floors.

Vinyl is a durable flooring material for bathroom remodels that you may have overlooked.

Sheet vinyl is better than vinyl tiles because it is seam-free and therefore, more water resistant.

If you use vinyl tiles look for one with an Enhanced Urethane surface coating. It endures under substantial foot traffic, repels stains and scratches, and stays better looking longer.

Inlaid vinyl flooring colors and patterns are integral to the material. It is impregnated with color granules and has a deeper finish than printed vinyl. Patterns and colors are applied to the surface of printed vinyl and do not resist wear as well.

Make sure any vinyl flooring you plan to install in a bathroom explicitly states that it is moisture and mildew resistant on the protective backing

With vinyl flooring the thicker it is the more durable it will be.

You do not have to spend a fortune to buy durable materials for bathroom remodels. There are many reasonably priced options for fixtures, paint, and flooring that offer maximum durability. If you have the time and love bargain hunts shop sales at big box home improvement centers and contractor supply stores that allow the public.

TRUST THE BATHROOM REMODELING COMPANY PEOPLE REFER MOST

30 years ago Kevin Finn founded Finnteriors Construction Services. The company has grown and is still proudly locally owned and operated by Kevin Finn, Finnteriors President. Consistent top-quality design, build, and service has made Finnteriors the most referred remodeling company around St. Louis. Contact Finnteriors to talk about your bathroom remodeling ideas today.

December 20, 2018 by finnteriors

2019 Kitchen Remodeling Trends: 8 Looks To Love

2019 kitchen remodeling trends are going to bring the modern look you want to your home.These are the stylish new looks you want for your kitchen. 2019 kitchen remodeling trends are about living well and elevating positive energy in your home. Texture, color, lighting, and materials combine in new ways to enliven your kitchen and inspire your kitchen remodeling plan.

1. Keep Quartz

Quartz countertops are here to stay for 2019 and it makes sense. Quartz countertops provide a timeless look so it is a good choice if your home will be on the market soon. Moreover, quartz is incredibly durable. In fact, quartz countertops are considered practically indestructible as long as you avoid direct heat. Although quartz counters are scorch and heat-resistant sudden changes in temperature or exposure to sustained heat may cause the surface to crack. Do not set a hot pot or pan directly on quartz. Always use a trivet or a hot pad to keep a quartz countertop in tip-top shape.

Quartz countertops are low-maintenance. They do not need to be sealed like natural wood or stone. Scouring pads are too harsh for quartz and will dull the surface. Harsh chemical cleaners should not be used. They may break down the bonds between the quartz and resins. Use a gentle cleansing scrub like baking soda to remove surface stains. Wipe with soapy water to clean on a daily basis. The resin binders in quartz countertops make them nonporous, unlike granite. Being nonporous stains and odors from bacteria, mold, and mildew do not penetrate the surface of quartz countertops.

2. Add Stools

Kitchen stools are a stylish way to add seating without taking up too much space. Stools in the kitchen are the perfect alternative to table seating for those who have repurposed their dining room into a yoga studio. Kitchen stools can serve several purposes for the whole family. They provide a place for a quick afternoon snack a smart place to plan your next renovation and a central location for house meetings. It seems like the selection of updated stools exploded overnight. You will see everything from chic ultramodern stools to vintage-look ice cream parlor seats.

3. Extend Islands

Whether you are a kitchen renovation newbie or a kitchen remodeling addict if a kitchen island is part of your kitchen renovation plan think about creating an instant table. Simply extend the island countertop beyond the island edge. Now, you have a single level island that will provide increased prep space, along with creating a place for obstruction-free talking and eating. The single layer island pairs perfectly with the 2019 kitchen stool trend, of course. With kitchen stools, you have a space-saver when entertaining. Additional seats for several guests are ready in an instant. This is especially true if you have limited space. Extend the countertop allowing enough room for knees to make it a comfortable place to sit anytime.

4. Think Dark

Blinding snow white kitchens are classic. White is not trending in 2019. Darker more vibrant tones with more sex appeal are the kitchens of 2019. Unexpected mysterious colors from periwinkle to passion fruit create a place to dive into your passion to cook or eat. Darker kitchens not only add dramatic elegance to your home but also are easier to keep clean compared to their stark light counterparts.

5. More Matte

The chic look of matte kitchens continues to trend in 2019. Everything from matte appliances to matte cabinetry is ready for your kitchen remodeling plan. Matte options are not only super cool in the style department but also are super easy to keep clean. Match matte with metallic touches to enhance the overall drama of your kitchen design.

6. Less Molding

2019 kitchens are more modern than the kitchens of years gone by. For an updated looking kitchen say goodbye to crown molding and other ornate finishes and decor. Design a modern contemporary kitchen with timeless straight lines with clean-lined cabinets and hidden appliances

7. Wooden Countertops

This 2019 kitchen remodeling trend may not be the most practical, but it is lovely. Wooden countertops do not last as long and are not as easy to care for as other countertop options, but they are a wonderful way to add personality and ambiance to your kitchen.

8. Modernize Rustic

If you went whole hog rustic on your last kitchen remodel and you still are a rustic-lover at heart, there is a trend for you in 2019. For a stunning looking kitchen combine rustic and modern elements. A unique inviting kitchen can be had with sleek matte cabinetry with a wooden countertop combined with dark wood flooring and thin-legged metal barstools with wooden seats. Combining the two looks seamlessly will create a kitchen with a timeless feel in any kitchen layout.

December 3, 2018 by finnteriors

Bathroom Remodel Planning: 9 New Decisions To Make For 2019

Take a look at the current state of the bathrooms in your home. Do they meet the needs of your household? Whether you have added new members to your household or downsized bathroom remodeling can solve your problems. Many bathrooms just look outdated and feel too small and cramped. This is a problem bathroom remodeling easily solves. There are other things to consider when bathroom remodel planning that are not so clear-cut.

If you are planning a bathroom remodel, you want to add the most value to your home, recoup the most you can upon resale, and have the best bathroom possible for your household. The 9 points to consider here are will help you achieve all three. Get ready to make some important decisions that will make or break your remodeling dreams.