(ARA) - Of all the rooms in a house, family members most
often find themselves trekking to the bathroom to begin
and end their busy days. In today’s bathrooms, we
find only the most standard of conveniences in an environment
that demands solitude, efficient use of space and the desire
to maintain a level of comfort. According to a study by
the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), people
are looking for larger, more luxurious bathrooms creating
an aura of calm and peace.
With the cooler months looming around the corner, there
are some savvy products and design solutions for any size
bathroom that offer a simple approach to improving your
bathroom’s needs, while giving your family a sense
of comfort in a room not-less traveled. Many of these
ideas were featured by top designers in the 2003 NKBA
National Design Competition.
Towel Warmers
Whether it is a small, medium or even a large master-suite
bathroom, towel warmers add a versatile approach to displaying
your fabrics, while offering an added benefit to keep
your towels warm and dry. Most major manufactures of bath
products offer towel warmers in their product lines and
they can easily be purchased at many local retailers and
dealers.
Heated Tile System
If you prefer the look of tiled flooring in your bathroom
but can’t get past the idea of stepping on that
cool floor during the coldest of days, installing a heated
tile system provides a desired level of comfort not to
be overlooked. These systems can be easily installed by
an NKBA professional when performing even the most basic
bathroom renovation.
Insulating Windows
Windows in the bathroom often add to the appeal of inviting
natural light into your sanctuary, but they also add to
an unseen problem that is often overlooked. Probably the
best location for losing heat from your bathroom, windows
can conduct precious heat from inside right out into the
cool air. This is especially a problem for those in older
buildings with single pane windows. The easiest way to
stop this free flow of your heat to the outside is to
install a window insulating kit. These kits can be purchased
from a number of local retailers and dealers and can be
installed by an NKBA professional.
Temperature Control
To improve the safety of your shower area, installing
pressure balances and control valves can minimize the
scalding effect on children and adults of all ages. Pressure
balance and control valves will prevent your faucet from
spitting out water of extremely high temperatures in the
event that cold-water pressure fails. This can happen
if a sink or washing machine is being operated throughout
the house while you are taking a shower.
Spa/Steam System
One of the more trendy developments in bathroom design
is a spa/steam system. According to a study conducted
by the National Kitchen & Bath Association, more than
two-thirds of the respondents (66 percent) stated these
style systems to be a hot bathroom idea. A system such
as this can create a luxurious spa-like environment without
leaving the confines of your home. An NKBA Certified Bath
Designer will be able to design a retreat that matches
your desires and budget.
For more information on bathroom remodeling, contact
the National Kitchen & Bath Association at (877) NKBA-PRO
or visit their Web site at www.nkba.org. Let an NKBA professional
add value to your investment by applying their experience
and expertise to the job.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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