An old bathroom gets a modern update
With a 1960s vinyl floor and a tub and vanity from the early ’80s, there wasn’t anything worth saving in this bathroom.The plan was to update the bath and make the shower more accessible with a low curb, seating, and a grab bar.
The new bathroom has a classic feel with lots of modern touches.
The finished shower. The teak bench folds down flat against the wall and the rolling, barn-door-style glass door is pretty cool.
The modern shower fixture has the mixing valve outside the wall. The heavy, smooth-turning parts are a joy to use.
Before
The toilet and vanity dated from the ’80s and the aging homeowners were finding it more difficult to safely step over the side of the tub.
Remodeling process
The first step was to gut the room, put in a new subfloor, and prepare the walls for the new walk-in shower.
Mineral wool insulation in the walls and plenty of blocking for a grab bar, a shower bench, and the glass shower door.
Modern products make for a better, more durable installation.
The Kerdi board tile substrate goes up quickly and provides a waterproof and vapor-proof assembly.
The orange floor here is a decoupling membrane that prevents cracked grout and tile over time. But the real advantage is that an electric heating element snaps into the membrane. A programmable thermostat keeps the tile floor comfortable throughout the winter.
The large format subway tiles were installed in a running bond pattern and the glass accent band injects a bit of color. Painter’s tape holds the bottom courses in place until the mortar sets up.
Craftsmanship takes patience and planning: keeping the grout lines straight, avoiding tiny tiles in the corners, and scribing the tile to the window stool and apron are important visual elements.
Soulcraft Construction 