A bathroom renovation is one of the most satisfying home improvements, but it is also one where cutting corners shows quickly. Damp, mould, cracked tiles, and failing grout are all symptoms of bathrooms that were not built properly in the first place. Here is how to get it right.
Start with the layout
Before choosing tiles and taps, think carefully about the layout. Moving the position of the toilet, basin, or shower changes the drainage runs beneath the floor, which adds complexity and cost. If the existing layout works well, keeping the sanitaryware in roughly the same positions keeps the project simpler and more affordable.
Waterproofing is everything
The most important part of a bathroom renovation is the work you will never see. Tanking the shower area and around the bath with a proper waterproof membrane prevents moisture getting into the walls and floor structure. In older Oxford homes with timber floors, this is especially critical. Water damage to joists is expensive to repair and entirely preventable.
Ventilation
A bathroom without adequate ventilation will always have problems with condensation and mould, no matter how well it is finished. Building regulations require mechanical extraction in any bathroom without an openable window, and even in bathrooms with windows, an extractor fan is good practice. Humidity-sensing fans that run automatically are the most effective option.
Choosing materials
Natural stone tiles look beautiful but need sealing and more maintenance than porcelain. Large format tiles create a clean, modern look and have fewer grout lines to keep clean. For flooring, porcelain or vinyl are the most practical choices in a wet environment. Avoid laminate, which swells when it gets wet.
Heating
Underfloor heating in a bathroom is a relatively inexpensive addition during a renovation and makes an enormous difference to comfort. An electric mat beneath the floor tiles is straightforward to install and costs very little to run.
A well-built bathroom should last fifteen to twenty years without needing attention. The investment in doing it properly at the outset pays for itself many times over.
