By Tong Sze Leng| Dec 8, 2009
Bathroom Remodelling
When it comes to renovation of the bathroom, the shower area is usually the primary focus as Malaysians are known to prefer shower to bath, says a designer of Niro showroom in PJ.
Sumathi a/p Manokaran says, “Customers who come to our showroom search for tiles that will add some special touch to their bathrooms, especially the shower area.”
While mosaic tiles can make your bathroom looks nicer, the grouting (the gap between two tiles) makes the tiles undesirable because they will make cleaning process difficult.
For dry areas, such as the basin area, it is not advisable to use mosaic tiles as dirt can easily gather on the surface of the grouting.
“Some homeowners commented that the dirt or stain between the tiles won’t go off even after they scrubbed the bathroom floor,” Sumathi says.
However, if you insist on getting mosaic tiles for your bathroom, be sure to use black or cement-coloured grouting.
The designer advises homeowners to apply mat-surfaced or rough-surfaced tiles for both dry and wet areas in the bathroom as they are less slippery.
Step-by-step guide on bathroom floor renovation
Following steps are useful for homeowners on a tight budget:
1. Measure the square feet of your bathroom area and count the number of tiles you require
2. Give the quantity of tiles needed for your bathroom to a designer or sales executive of the company
3. Choose tiles that suit your own taste and those that match the theme or design of your house or consult a designer
4. Appoint a contractor - when seeking for a contractor, be sure to find out the fees for floor hacking, tilling and labour cost
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Choose tiles that match the theme or design of your home.
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(Note: A design consultation fee is usually waived if you purchase tiles from the company; however, there are some companies that may charge a small fee for their consultation even if you buy tiles from them. To avoid extra spending, get the details beforehand.)
Tips for small bathroom
Bathroom extension is one way to create a bigger bathroom. However, there are more economical alternatives.
Here’s how you can make a small bathroom look bigger:
1. Light colour tones for floor, walls, accessories and basin
2. Bright colour lights
3. Small-sized furniture
4. Big tiles can reduce the quantity of tiles, hence, save money
5. Incorporate built-in groove or semi recess opening
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For small bathrooms, get only the bare necessities – basin, WC and shower head
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“To make a bathroom look bigger, get only the bare necessities – basin, WC (water closet) and shower head,” Sumathi states.
Getting real shower
Rain shower is gaining in popularity, says Alvin Koo, director of Bathcare, Selayang showroom.
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Water pressure from rain shower is stronger than water pressure from shower rose, thus, creates a feeling of taking real shower.
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“Water pressure from rain shower is stronger than water pressure from shower rose, thus, it creates a feeling of ‘taking a real shower’,” he says.
If you prefer to use shower rose, 3 or 5 jet adjustable shower rose is suitable for normal household use, Koo advises.
Instant water heater or storage tank?
If you need a really hot shower, storage tank is the answer. This system uses electricity at a rather slow rate as it stores heat for later use. “It takes around 15-20 minutes for water to heat up,” says a service executive of Joven.
Aaron Tee advises homeowners to opt for instant water heater if their existing homes are not equipped with copper piping. “This is to avoid the hassles of hacking the walls of your home to install copper pipes.”
“Today, most condominiums and new homes are supplied with copper piping,” he adds.
Instant water heaters, also known as tankless water heaters, provide you with continuous flow of hot water, to a maximum of 55°C. Unlike storage tank which involves only thermostat, instant water heater has many electronic parts, which might last up to four years.
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